Innovation Abrasion
Innovation is the key to competitive advantage these days. However, its not that easy to achieve. I have written about the difficulties previously and I believe that this is not just it.
When it comes to innovation, ideas are put on the table to be discussed. This is where different ideas, perception, opinions comes together. Everyone has their view of the world and how it can help improve the business in general. An idea is a brain child of someone and the creator takes pride in it. If the idea was rejected without good reasons and the person was bitterly removed from the table, chances are that the person might not innovate anymore. There will surely be conflicts and abrasion amongst people and ideas and to some degree even anger.
I am sure you have seen people at your work place who are absolutely unmotivated – these are the people I am talking about. Motivate them by getting them to talk and air their grievances and get them to innovate. For someone to be that upset and unmotivated, there is alot of pent up unhappiness. Turn that into good use and possibly productivity for your company. Get them to contribute. Get them to create constructive conflict and get them to share and innovate. Get them to discuss it and “fight it out”. Critical thinking, fine tuning and sorting out ideas are important. This is when the best ideas are born.
Having said this, an organisation must learn to embrace both good ideas and bad ideas. What I really like about working at BearingPoint is that they embrace both. Whenever, I deliver a good idea, I get praise and rewarded for it. But when there is a bad one, I was told why its not good and what is lacking and where should be explore in great depth. This allows me to learn and grow as an individual. Other organisations should try to do the same too.
Dolly Bhasin said,
I fully agree with your contention. Ideas are like a baby to the originator, they need to be nurtured, allowed to take shape and then evaluated by others.
In my opinion, every enterprise, university, scientific lab should allow an idea to be explored more in depth before making a judgement (maybe for a short time 3-6 months)with limited resources and maybe on a sabbatical from active work. This would breed innovation culture at the same time not just dole out R&D funds or curb creativity of the individual who had the idea.
The end result could be a paper, a prototype or a plan;
which can then be debated, funded or dropped by the concerned enterprise/agency.
Dolly Bhasin said,
Dear G’day, Sean, I would like to have a copy of your final thesis titled “Implementation of Enterprise 2.0 and its Value in Organizations” to lean from it.
I have been experimenting on my own on similar subject but in Social context – Developing Human Capital through innovative mechanisms and linking education with sustainable livelihoods.
Am keen to explore methods and tools to promote innovation and Techno enterpreneurship through a stakeholder driven approach in youth and women.
Have conducted a month long programme for SME ministry officials from Asian region on “Competitiveness strategies and Technology for SMEs” in Nov 2008.
Sean Lew said,
Hi Dolly,
Thanks for your comments. I absolutely agree with you. Nurturing, exploration, discussions and fine tuning is absolutely critical.
My thesis is still work in progress so I actually do not have anything to pass on to you. However, if you would like to explore further, I am happy to have a chat and we could nurture your idea. Just for your info, I am focused on the social and organisational aspects of Enterprise 2.0 but not so much around the learning and development side of things.
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