Please do not leave this page until complete. This can take a few moments.
Q: Innovation is supposed to be really creative, so wouldn't it hurt the creativity to set up a standard process for it?
ACE advises: You really don't want a process that hurts creativity. But, for most businesses, new product development is so important that it just can't be left up to an unmanaged or random inventor's cycle. New products and services are the lifeblood for future revenue.
To be effective, the ideas that are generated need to be implemented. It's not an innovation until implementation is complete. Organizations can be effective at implementing many things but not all things and not all things at once. They need to sort the ideas to fit what they are good at.
An innovation process doesn't guide the specifics of the new products, but it does constrain the ideas to align them with business strengths. The focus areas are chosen to ensure that the rest of the business can truly support the products and the business can win.
The second part of an effective innovation process is to ensure alignment with strategic intentions and objectives of the company. Strategy can best be implemented by ensuring that resource allocation to key objectives matches that intention.
Innovation processes ensure maintenance of the strategy and understanding of what it will take in resources and time to complete the projects.
Finally, a process doesn't constrain creative energy and doesn't limit creativity. It simply focuses that creativity towards the markets and technology where the business can succeed.
Terry Johnson can be reached at terry@practicaldecisions.com or 207-653-5150
The Association for Consulting Expertise (ACE) is a non-profit association of independent consultants who value “Success through Collaboration.” The public is welcome to attend its regular meetings to share best practices and engage with industry experts. For more information go to www.consultexpertise.com.
The Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Learn MoreWork for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Learn MoreFew people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
Learn moreThe Giving Guide helps nonprofits have the opportunity to showcase and differentiate their organizations so that businesses better understand how they can contribute to a nonprofit’s mission and work.
Work for ME is a workforce development tool to help Maine’s employers target Maine’s emerging workforce. Work for ME highlights each industry, its impact on Maine’s economy, the jobs available to entry-level workers, the training and education needed to get a career started.
Few people are adequately prepared for all the tasks involved in planning and providing care for aging family members. SeniorSmart provides an essential road map for navigating the process. This resource guide explores the myriad of care options and offers essential information on topics ranging from self-care to legal and financial preparedness.
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
In order to use this feature, we need some information from you. You can also login or register for a free account.
By clicking submit you are agreeing to our cookie usage and Privacy Policy
Already have an account? Login
Already have an account? Login
Want to create an account? Register
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Our privacy policy
To ensure the best experience on our website, articles cannot be read without allowing cookies. Please allow cookies to continue reading. Our privacy policy
Comments