Many companies run into "innovation road blocks" that stifle creativity throughout the business. Common road blocks include lack of knowledge regarding how to innovate, fear of change ("We have always done things this way") and lack of confidence ("I'm not an innovator"). In the information below, I discuss several ways to overcome these road blocks and stimulate innovative thinking in your business.
Encourage Creative Thinking. A first step to leveraging innovation in your business includes learning how to encourage creative thinking throughout your company. This begins by teaching the importance of innovation to the business leaders in your organization. Once they understand the business growth opportunities provided by an innovation strategy, they can share this knowledge with other employees in the company. This approach leverages the creative thinking of people in all parts of the company and builds a valuable innovation culture.
Education and Examples. As part of the education process, show people how simple (yet valuable) innovation can be to the business. Provide examples of successful innovations that produced dramatic growth to the company - whether it's your company or other companies. Also, show examples of valuable ideas that were developed by people without any special training or advanced science degrees. Show that anyone can generate creative ideas, even if they don't have the skills or training to actually implement the ideas. I have attended meetings where a person had an idea for a new software application that created new sales for the company. The person with the idea did not know how to write software applications, but she had a great idea. The software development group in the company developed her idea into a valuable new software product.
Encourage and Reward Innovation. Encourage innovative thinking by rewarding individuals and groups that submit new business innovations. These may include new product ideas, new product features, or modifications to internal business procedures that streamline operations. Encourage brainstorming sessions and innovation contests to make the innovation process fun. Celebrate the successful application of innovations in your business and show the positive results these innovations provide to the company.
Capture Innovative Ideas. To fully benefit from creative innovations, identify and evaluate all innovations developed in your company. Provide a system for employees to easily submit innovative ideas and create a review committee to evaluate ideas and determine which innovations to implement.
Take a first step toward developing an innovation action plan by learning for yourself how innovation can boost your bottom line.
To help you get started, I'm offering you Free instant access to my report "Innovation Excellence - Unleash the Power of Innovation to Boost Your Bottom Line" when you visit http://www.InnovationStrategyReport.com.
From Steve Sponseller - Innovation Strategist
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