Some further root causes of problems
It is difficult if management has no structured approach to innovation in place. Something like this would help employees to innovate. If such a structured approach is to be implemented, it needs to cut across all functional and geographical areas.
Consistency is key because if only certain selected departments are expected to contribute, the innovation process may lose a lot of valuable contributions which otherwise could have been used.
Set up a structure
If you are focused too much on operation and delivery of your core product or service, there may simply be no room for innovation of any kind. When thinking about the optimal structure to foster innovative process, you also need to take into account what kind of innovation you are after: incremental, radical or disruptive. This advice comes from the management-issues.com website.
You also need a person accountable for coordination across different innovation initiatives and having authority regarding organisational innovation issues. An appropriate resourcing mechanism is also needed.
Formulate a strategy
You need to develop an innovation strategy and communicate it well. Link innovation to your business priorities and focus on ongoing trends in the market, clients and potential partners. All of these may help you in your innovative efforts.
How to do things properly
Setting up innovative initiatives and a strategy in addition to running operations is likely to be difficult. Start by addressing the innovation strategy. A general direction is enough; have employees who face clients keep you informed so that the strategy may be refined gradually.
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