INNOVATION –

Innovation is the fuel for business survival.

       Innovation thrives on encouragement and dies with routine, regulations, and bureaucracy.

       New ideas rarely germinate with people who are scared of making mistakes.

       With cooperative management, enthusiastic workers, and an environment for free-thinking and innovation, companies can survive and thrive.

A Handful of Tips to stimulate innovation

* Build a favorable work environment

        Recruit innovative and ambitious people and give them the freedom to make a few mistakes and to try out new ways to work.

        Select enthusiastic team leaders who believe work can be competitive and fun – people who are prepared to take a few risks.

        Don’t criticize mistakes. Most people know when they have done wrong and will learn from that experience.

* Remove barriers

       Restrictions and rules prevent ideas from circulating and kill useful creative ideas.

        Remove these barriers and delegate responsibilities down to where the action takes place.

* Ask questions and seek new ideas

       Don’t ask the obvious question. Look deeper and don’t be afraid to rethink the fundamentals of your business.

        Good ideas can be found both within and outside your organization. Ask your people, your clients, and your potential clients, for good ideas. Listen carefully to their thoughts and suggestions.

        Research what others are doing, and if appropriate, modify their successes to your advantage.

* Use workshops to generate new ideas

         Select an experienced facilitator.

        Find a suitable quiet location.

        Select some of your best innovative people.

Ask some hard questions, such as; “How can we do things better?” or “What new products can we make using our current machines?”

        Use techniques such as ‘Brainstorming’ and generating ideas.

        Make your workshop competitive and fun.

        Record all new ideas for examination in depth at a later date.

* Reward good ideas

        Show appreciation of good ideas.

        Innovation thrives on encouragement.

        Encourage creativity with generous rewards and public recognition.

        Rewards can take many forms other than money – a few days off work, a car park, tickets to a good show, etc.

        Everyone likes to feel their ideas are appreciated. A few words of praise such as, “Well done. You did a good job” can mean a lot to people.

        Good communications are essential to bringing concepts, people, and new products together.

        Try to build innovative teams, make work fun, competitive, and enjoyable.

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“Aim to go where you have never been before.”

Sources:  “Secrets for Success. This book could change your life”,  “Secrets for Success” published by Moss Associates Ltd and Cengage Learning Asia. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.