By Ian Ash
Does innovation matter in business or are you simply too busy to think about this?
Is innovation a luxury that only large or rich companies can afford?
Does it really matter at the end of the day anyway; you work hard to provide quality goods and services to your clients, wouldn’t trying to ‘innovate’ simply be a distraction that would get in the way?
The truth is that innovation is one of those ‘important, non-urgent’ activities that has the ability to transform a business.
When we think of innovation, the temptation is to believe that this applies to new products or services only, but in practice you can innovate in the way you deliver or supply these, the way you treat your staff and customers, the systems and processes you use or even the business you are in.
It was Einstein who said that “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”.
It is innovation that may well lead the way out of the standard way of operating and enable you to take a fresh view of things.
Covid actually forced us to think about this in a way we never had before.
Many businesses had to rethink how work would get done by staff working from home, how to engage effectively with customers and suppliers using remote technologies and others had to pivot into a new business altogether.
A disruption in circumstances can often lead to new ideas, new thinking and business growth.
However, I’m not suggesting that things always work out.
But if they don’t, you will have had the opportunity to learn from the experience.
I love Nelson Mandela’s quote here: “I never lose, I either win or I learn.”
From time to time, I do some work with a local company that I consider to be at the forefront of technology.
They have been in business for decades and owe a good deal of their success to their ability to innovate and stay ahead of the curve and the competition.
Some years ago, they decided to take a look at what other well-known ‘innovative’ companies had done in order to be recognised as such and so sent a small management contingent over to Silicon Valley to investigate this.
To cut a long story short, the conclusion that they came to was that the business had to create a ’culture of innovation’.
This means creating an environment where new ideas are embraced and people are recognised and rewarded for having a go AND learning from the experience.
Shifting the culture is a major undertaking and has to be led by example from the leadership team.
It will take time but is nearly always a highly worthwhile activity. In the meantime, I have three practical considerations that may help businesses move towards an innovative approach.
1. Identify a compelling reason for change
Think about what is holding you back and what, if changed, could make a significant difference to your business. Posing the right questions is as important as coming up with the possible solutions.
2. Think differently about the problem
If you have always done something a particular way, it can be hard to see an alternative path so try engaging others especially those that have a ‘big picture’ approach and are known for coming up with different or unique ideas.
3. Be persistent.
It was Thomas Edison who said “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration” and he should know, as he tested dozens of ideas before he derived a commercially viable light bulb. In other words, don’t give up!
Ian Ash ACC, AInstIB
Managing Director OrgMent Business Solutions – ombs.com.au
