It is very difficult to run a successful business. However, there has been a tendency as of late for leaders and managers to make it even more difficult than it actually is. Because of this, they lose sight of what really matters and they make the business stagnate. Through good innovation process management, however, they can break through this.
What Is Innovation Process Management?
Innovation process management is about understanding the different elements of a business. As such:
- Business is about delivering a service or product for which there is a demand.
- You must find a way to make sure your product or service stands out from the crowd.
- You must ensure your customers have trust and confidence in what you do.
- You have to deliver a service to your customers.
- You must have managers that are able to guide their teams through all of the above.
- You must have leaders with a vision.
Innovation process management is both a top down and bottom up approach, and that is where it gets complicated for many. As such, to go through the process properly and to implement it within company culture, everybody has to let go of outdate values and hierarchical ideas.
A Top Down Approach
Through a top down approach, there is an understanding that things start at the top and trickle down to the rest of the organization. This is very true when it comes to innovation. Managers and leaders must be fully behind the notion that there is no such thing as a bad idea. They must believe and show that everybody has a voice that will be listened to.
A Bottom Up Approach
A bottom up approach is the opposite. It essentially means that those at grassroots level decide what will drive the organization, and they then expect the top to sign up to that and lead on it. This is very difficult to achieve at present because most company cultures are still hierarchical and a top executive continues to be valued more than someone who works in the stock room. This must change in an innovative business.
Innovation through the Ranks
For a business to be innovative, every voice matters. Everybody needs to know that their ideas and knowledge is of equal value as that of anyone else. Every employee must feel that they are able to steer the business they work for. This does not mean that every single idea has to be implemented. It only means that every single idea should be listened to and taken seriously and that it should be implemented if it is deemed to be beneficial to the rest of the organization.
Innovation is about doing things in a new way. It is the ultimate thinking outside of the box exercise. However, it is not really an exercise, it is a way of life. For it to be implemented properly, and for the amazing results to become visible, it has to become part of the overall culture of the organization.
