To embed innovation fully into their organizations, companies are often told they need to establish an innovation culture. But what is a culture of innovation, why is it essential, and how do you create one? We share nine key steps to success.
As a provider of innovation management software, we are often asked how companies can drive successful and efficient innovation management in their organizations. Of course, capturing ideas, motivating employees, boosting collaboration, and measuring innovation all play a critical role, which is where our software plays a vital supporting role.
However, software is only one part of the solution. In addition to getting the right tool in place, the basis for successful innovation management is developing a corporate culture that encourages innovation and innovative thinking.
Can You Grow a Culture of Innovation?
The foundation of successful innovation management is an innovation culture lived throughout the organization. But what comes first: the innovation management software or the culture? In our experience, they grow together.
A culture of innovation can only emerge when initiatives and tools are in place, ideas are collected and evaluated, collaboration is allowed, and innovative approaches are encouraged. Likewise, innovation software can only be successful if it is used and people are encouraged to share their ideas. Successful innovation management is therefore a combination of the right tool and the social factor of culture.
Where Should You Begin?
A corporate culture always points the way forward. Every action is shaped by the fundamental, shared values within a company. This is why an innovation culture is reflected in all processes, goals, and strategies. And because the culture of innovation affects everyone in a company, it is also important that everyone does something to establish new values. Everyone can contribute to the fundamental shift in thinking from corporate culture to innovation culture.
Nine Ways to Get Started
Implementing cultural change in a company depends very much on the existing structures. Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all blueprint for a successful innovation culture, as each company must identify and address its unique potential and challenges. However, some general tips can help facilitate the shift towards a culture of innovation.
1. Set clear goals
Clear goals and objectives make it possible to implement an innovation strategy. They give rise to principles, guidelines, and rules that help all employees find their way around. They also make it clear to everyone how they can contribute.
2. Find supporters
There are people or departments in every company that can provide support during a reorientation. For example, it helps if managers get behind the changes, live them, and communicate them to their staff.
3. Involve experts
No guru has fallen from the sky—not even in the field of innovation. By creating teams or departments, participants can explicitly address innovation (and digitalization, as the two usually go hand in hand). They can also exchange ideas with experts or hire people with the right talents.
4. Encourage continuous learning
Broadening one's horizons can be very inspiring. For this reason, all employees should be given the opportunity to train and learn new skills. Another good way to develop new skills is to form interdisciplinary teams—this way you can learn about the work of other departments and take away a few things for yourself.
5. Include creative time
Creativity sometimes gets short shrift in day-to-day business. This makes it all the more important to explicitly create time for people to be creative and develop their ideas. Contributing to the company's success with their own projects increases commitment and motivation—and ensures that innovation becomes an integral part of all employees' values.
6. Have confidence
Entrepreneurial thinking and action should not just be the preserve of the C-suite. But how do you create and nurture an entrepreneurial spirit throughout your organization? By giving employees more trust and decision-making power. The more independent and decentralized decisions are made, the more routine employees will become entrepreneurial—but first they need to be trusted to do so.
7. Allow mistakes
Mistakes and failures are normal, especially when trying new things. It is often difficult for companies to take this risk and allow mistakes to happen. But this is the key to innovation because failure is frequently an indicator of weaknesses and obstacles—and ultimately a good starting point for learning and new ideas.
8. Provide resources
An overarching culture of innovation doesn't happen overnight but once it's established, it has a positive impact on the future of the business. However, like any long-term investment, culture change requires the necessary resources and funding.
9. Be patient
As with all change processes, a new culture does not happen overnight. It involves many small steps. That's why it's important not to lose patience. Change will come sooner than you think.
In summary, cultural change can only be achieved step by step. It is critical to have a clear goal, be patient, and be open to new ideas. If the right people are on board and the necessary resources are in place, you will build a successful innovation culture across your business.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
