How do you assess your organization's ability to successfully manage an innovative process?

An innovative assessment will require an objective evaluation of all the factors that could affect  the process from idea generation to successful implementation.

Areas that should be evaluated as part of any innovation assessment should include:

1. Identify all the factors that are either feeding or starving innovation in your organization:
2. Define how your customers or clients are pulling you to change your business model;
3. Recognize the technology push that can provide you new opportunities for innovation;
4. Understand the difference between change and innovation;
5. Evaluate your process for giving ideas a fair hearing in your organization;
6. Identify where your sits on the innovation structure scale (predictability vs. creativity);
7. Ascertain any possible constraints (staff, group, organization, market etc.) that would inhibit identifying & implementing innovation;
8. Discover how your employees perceive innovation and how it should be part of every person's job description;
9.  Recognize how your employee award system can drive or hinder greater creative thinking.

 If you have any questions or would like more information on conducting your own innovation assessment, please contact me, Joe Bonocore, jbonocore@bonocore.com, 415-845-8692

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How do you encourage rather than discourage innovation to win in this changing economy

First,  we must understand that innovation is not just having a better idea. To be innovative, the idea should drive significant advancement in any of your present activities.

However, just having an idea does not mean that you are encouraging innovation.

History tells us numerous stories of organizations who had "breakthrough ideas" but did not capitalize on them.

Most innovative ideas failed due to either (1) the value of the idea was not recognized in the organization or (2( an unsuccessful implementation.

Soon, Managing an effective innovation process (from idea to implementation) will be considered a necessary core competence to thrive in the new economy.

Are You Encouraging or Discouraging Innovation in Your Organization

Based on our experience and additional research, we find that many companies discourage rather than encourage innovation in their organization.

In most cases this is because they either (1) have an environment that awards "not making mistakes. or (2) lack an effective innovation process that drives a creative idea to successful implementation. 

In the not too distant future, all companies will be required to implement an ongoing innovation process to thrive in this fast changing market. This applies to large and small companies in all key industry segments.

OOne reason for this is the changing needs of the marketplace.  Your customers expect to buy products and services that are better, faster. and cheaper.

These customer expectations are dramatically changing the competitive landscape in all key industry segments from information technology to manufacturing.

Today, a number of forward thinking companies are changing to meet these market expectations. Numerous creative new innovations are being implemented. Many have been supported by the significant expansion of our technology capabilities.
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