No Funding to Train and Experiment: Can You Innovate?
Source: Dilbert.com
Recently, I am encountering a number of clients who have a desire to innovate; they even have innovation and training programs, but either do not have a meaningful budget or are continuously chewing away at the training budget (cutting costs), and some at alarming rates.
If we do not invest in training global teams in innovative thinking and don’t have budget for experimentation (small amounts do miracles), can we expect to change our culture to that of innovation?
This shortsightedness to save a bit of money has huge negative consequences. The culture remains static and does not evolve into a true culture of innovation (and remains a delivery-centric culture), new products are not meaningfully introduced, the work force becomes lethargic and uninspired, critical talent departs to join more innovative companies and recruiting new talent becomes very difficult. These are just a few of the consequences of not making an investment in innovation.
So, when clients talk to me about wanting a Culture of Innovation and who want innovation to be a company mandate, I ask them if they are willing to invest in their employees and talent. If the answer is ‘No,’ or predicated by cutting costs, then sadly while money will have been saved, their culture will not change.
On the very bright side, for those clients who are investing in innovation, we are seeing an amazingly different story. In a span of a year, we are seeing employees engaged, active, hugely productive and inspired by the possibilities! Teams become stronger and the ‘what-if’ culture is not only generating new viable product ideas and enhancements to existing products, but is creating a vibrant organization where employees want to drive things forward, and drive innovation! In one instance we have seen 5 new product ideas go from idea to prototype in 4 months, in a company that previously no one expected to be able to innovate and design new products.
Not only do we need to invest in innovation and be genuine (not just use the words, but walk the walk!), but we need to build a strong foundation for the Culture of Innovation. In my next 3 blogs – a 3 part series, I will discuss some the key foundational elements of innovation which are proving to be critical game changers in building the Culture of Innovation (CofI).
So, is your company investing in innovation?
If yes, that is fantastic.
If not, what do you think you can do to influence and change this pattern? What ideas do you have to move the needle of innovation forward!
Remember: As members of the Culture of Disruption, you know that you need to disrupt to innovate. So, remind management that if they continue NOT to invest in innovation, they are hindering the progress of the company.
Disrupt to innovate.
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