Five Steps to Spark Company Innovation
Innovation will always be a hot topic for businesses. Whether you are the head of a startup company or the CEO of an established and marketable corporation- everyone is looking to stay ahead of the proverbial curve. And for good reason. The business world is closing in on itself. As technology gets faster, more mobile, and significantly more efficient, companies that strive to synthesize new programs and ideas into their business model will most certainly propel themselves into new and unchartered territory. On top of that, the workforce is becoming more specialized and more adapt to a world that is literally shrinking right before your very eyes. It would simply be bad form to adhere to business practices that quickly revealing themselves to be obsolete.
Here are five simple ways to move your company towards a more innovative mindset.
1. Ditch the Cubicles
Easy enough. Companies that want to foster an environment that promotes innovation make sure that their employees can communicate with one another. No more mouse holes! Opt for glass doors and workspaces in which your staff can face each other when they are speaking. A simple change of scenery can accomplish more than you would expect.
2. Invest in Team Building and Employee Recognition
Team building is essential if you want to ditch the backwards and cut-throat practice of “healthy” in house competition. True innovation is also collaboration. Find ways to recognize special strengths in each of your employees. It should encourage everyone to do their best and to ask for advice when they come across a problem or situation that needs an extra set of hands.
3. Don’t Solve Every Problem!
Yes, it might be faster to just do it yourself but if the time allows- let others find creative solutions to existing problems. Who knows? If you stop micromanaging, your employees might find ways to streamline or cooperate in ways that you never thought imaginable. A workforce that feels encouraged to problem-solve is a confident workforce that will also bring new ideas to the drawing board.
4. Mind Set Evaluation: Are You Tied to Tradition?
Make innovation a part of your company mission. Demand it! Innovation is not just a business model- it is a lifestyle that is not afraid to break with convention or tradition. In highly innovative companies, creativity is a way of life. They are operated by men and women that are not afraid to deviate and charter their own course. While this might seem a tad bit abstract, starting from a mindset that change is good for the company and its employees is always an excellent place to start. (Even before you start knocking down cubicle walls.)
5. Reward Failure – Move On
Lastly, and unfortunately, not all ideas are going to surface to the top. An idea that might have seemed exciting in the moment could result in what seems like wasted money and time. However, it is important that you celebrate both your successes and your failures. Even if a change didn’t work out, you tried something new and gained knowledge and feedback. Resilience is always a sign of a healthy company.
If you can weather the storms of change, you can most certainly reevaluate and move to safer water if necessary. Innovation starts with doing. Ideas will float around from time to time but you have to be willing to catch them and run with them.
With a few simple steps, you can be on your way to creating a new and exciting business model that will stay open to change and current with trends. Who knows, you can even find innovation by allowing your team to your team collaborate through team building activities.
Have you received excellent return on your new company model and vision for innovation?
We would love to hear in your comments below!
