Input Wanted: Principles Of Innovation, by Joyce Wycoff

We believe these answers will come through the identification and implementation of basic principles rather than the initiation of new programs. To start the process, we've drafted the following principles for your review, modification and supplementation. Please send your comments by fax to 805-963-8220, by e-mail to joyce@thinksmart.com or call 805-965-8477.

Innovation requires a vision - innovation requires change, risk and upheaval. Innovation is not done for innovation's sake; there must be a driving motivator compelling the organization to develop the systems, resources and culture needed to support innovation. In today's environment, that driver is survival in a world of rapid change.

Innovation is customer-driven and bottomline focused - the purpose of innovation is to find better ways to delight customers while meeting the needs of all other stakeholders and creating a financially viable organization.

Innovation requires collaboration - innovation is a group process. People can be innovative but innovation in organizations happens when groups of people work together toward a common goal.

Innovation is built on a foundation of ethics - only in an environment of mutual trust and respect, not only within the organization but also within the surrounding community and global environment, can an organization develop a truly innovative approach to problems and opportunities.

Innovation requires innovative thinking - innovative thinking is a skill needed by every member of the organization. It is the ability to constantly look for new possibilities, generate ideas, think together productively, make sound decisions and gain the commitment needed for rapid and effective implementation.

Innovation begins with a clean slate - prior assumptions and the way things have always been done are set aside in order to look at possibilities with a fresh perspective.

Innovation looks at the whole system - creating solutions in one area that cause problems in another is not innovation; it's chaos.

Innovation requires a diverse, information- and interaction-rich environment - people with different perspectives, working together toward a common objective, with accurate, up-to-date information and the proper tools are the only source of innovation.

Innovation requires a risk-tolerant environment - the creation of anything new involves risk and the possibility of failure. An innovative environment honors nice tries that didn't work (AKA failures) as learning experiences and part of the innovation process.

Innovation involves and rewards every member of the organization - there are no longer "thinkers" and "doers," "owners" and "workers." Innovation requires the very best thinking and doing from everyone and treats everyone as an "owner," equitably sharing the rewards generated by those best efforts.

Innovation is an on-going process - innovation will never be a static state, which, once achieved, can be placed on a shelf and forgotten. It requires constant renewal, reinvention and dedication.

Innovation requires a continuous scan of future trends - just as the weather in Havana may be changed by the beat of a butterfly wing in Chile, the destiny of an organization may be determined by the efforts of an unknown team working in a basement laboratory of a small midwestern university.

Innovation requires continuous learning - only by creating an environment where every member of the organization is continuously learning more about its products, services, processes, customers, technologies, industry and environment can an organization successfully innovate year after year.

Innovation always meets resistance - innovation is change ... intended change ... but, nevertheless, change. Only the positive pull of the possible benefits of the innovation or a negative push of the possible consequences of not changing force us out of the comfortable rut of the status quo.

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