At various times in our history, organizations have sought to "do the right thing" and launch innovation initiatives to drive progress and address pressing challenges. These efforts are often, unfortunately, spurred by crises or competitive pressures.
Organizations and groups want to help, want to make a change, make a difference. They are motivated to do things differently.
This is a laudable endeavor.
The process of the innovation journey is a long road, and taking those initial steps are often hard and many times feel risky.
Organizations start out with the "warm, fuzzy" approach: brainstorming sessions, motivational speakers, inspiring professional development workshops. Some stop there.
Then there are those who move to the "taking a stand" approach: mission statements, declarations, and pledges of commitment to innovation displayed on websites, letterhead, and hall banners. Many stop there.
Then there are those who move to the next step, "nuts and bolts"—this is where the rubber meets the road. In this phase, organizations develop Innovation Policies, Practices, and Procedures. This is critical. We are what the policies say we are. Policies are the laws of the organization, the holy grail of what we do. Practices are how we do the business and execute the policies. Procedures are the ways we monitor the practices, the checks and balances of the system. For an organization to move along in their innovation journey, they must "bake in" the work into their systems, establish innovation in the principles and business of the agency, so that it is unavoidable, not an afterthought, front and center in line with all of the other critical strategic aspects of how we work. Otherwise, the innovation initiative is merely the other P, performative.
"Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat." – Steve Jobs
According to a study by PwC, 61% of executives say their companies are adopting innovation as a key strategy for growth and survival.
Action/Reflection:
Examine the innovation journey of your organization. What approach are they taking? Does the organization have innovation policies?
Take your innovation initiatives beyond the surface level. Develop robust policies, practices, and procedures that embed innovation into the core of your organization. Contact us to learn how we can support you in creating a sustainable and impactful innovation strategy.
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