I have had the opportunity to work with some great companies, researchers and people who are absolutely passionate about innovation in the high technology industry. Each of them had different approaches and experiences with innovation and had great input on how to balance creativity, feedback, competitiveness with doing business. Here are some tips that you can put into practice in your organization to generate ideas, capture the details and execute when the time is right.
Tip # 1 TEAR DOWN THE WALLS
Benefits
An open concept environment encourages dialog while walls and offices discourage communication. Remain accessible by organizing the office environment in a way that makes communication easy and brainstorming a breeze. Leverage instant messaging (IM) and virtual communities to encourage communication when convenient to enable dialog that cross time, geographic and cultural boundaries. Some closet idea makers may be discovered who have the next big thing on their mind! A physical environment that promotes discussion, collaboration and brainstorming = ideation!
Tip # 2 PROVIDE FRAMEWORK AND RESOURCES TO CAPTURE THE IDEA
Benefits
By outlining exactly what is required to pitch and consider an idea your organization will gain the information required to make a decision to invest and take an idea forward. Resources could include a business template to capture a preliminary business case and alignment with corporate objectives, technology template to identify what technology is required and the level of complexity to develop and a preliminary SWOT analysis to understand the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats for this potential project. This will also ensure that QUALITY vs. QUANTITY will be the focus of your ideation strategy.
Tip # 3 PROVIDE A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT TO PITCH TO DECISION MAKERS
Benefits
Employees gain presentation experience, business operations knowledge and direct contact with management as well as direct constructive feedback from peers and executive stakeholders. The organization benefits by internally crowdsourcing innovations which can be patented and released as products that will generate revenue for the organization.
Tip # 4 CREATE YOUR IDEA INVENTORY
Benefits
An online idea inventory is a company’s best asset! Ideas are not lost and always available for peer, customer and executive feedback and review. Through the wisdom of the internal and external crowd, the idea can be further vetted, validated /invalidated by a virtual team. By creating an idea inventory, ideas that are not yet ready for prime time can be put on hiatus or revisited when the time is right to begin the development and go to market process. Consider exposing some key ideas to close customers (under Non Disclosure of course) and advisors for additional feedback and alternative perspectives.
Tip # 5 BE ACCESSIBLE
Benefits
People do business with people. Having your employees and management accessible provides a relationship building experience and trust that will encourage loyalty to your company, your brand and your products.
Tip # 6 REGULARLY REVIEW YOUR IDEA INVENTORY
Benefits
Ideas and innovations that may not have come previously at the “right time” may be ready for consideration later. Ensure ideas don’t become stale and regularly review and update the status of the ideas in your idea inventory.
Tip # 7 PROVIDE LIGHT RULES OF POSITIVE PRODUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT
Benefits
People will more open and willing to share ideas if they are assured of a safe and positive environment. Rules of engagement ensure everyone is on the same page. Positive feedback and collaboration will encourage the sharing of ideas and for participants to be open to receiving constructive feedback.
Tip # 8 MAKE IT EASY FOR CUSTOMERS TO PROVIDE AND TRACK FEEDBACK
Benefits
Customers will take the time to provide feedback if it is easy to do and they can return to check the status of their suggestions. Consider going beyond the customer base and those who are looking to improve a product they own and get feedback from prospects or the community at large for alternative perspectives.
Tip # 9 CLARIFY (IN STONE) IDEA OWNERSHIP
Benefits
When ownership of an idea upon disclosure is clear, it can potentially eliminate discrepancies regarding IP ownership or revenue allocation/compensation. For the employer, consider including a clause regarding ideas, inventions and suggestions and IP ownership in the employment contract. Consider a clause that clearly articulates ownership of product improvement and new product suggestions from customers in the End User License Agreement (EULA). In all cases, ensure a legal professional is consulted to ensure that IP is protected .
Tip # 10 RECOGNIZE AND REWARD CONTRIBUTORS
Benefits
Encourage loyalty, high employee morale and quality submissions of ideas and innovations by recognizing contributors at various gates in the process. This will ensure that volumes of ideas are not rewarded but rather viable ideas are recognized once they have achieved specific milestones. Recognition can include public recognition, gifts or financial rewards or incentives. Rewards do not have to be costly. In fact small but thoughtful and useful rewards are more effective to encourage commitment and continued contributions to the innovation process.
Tip # 11 ENCOURAGE THE CREATIVE PROCESS
Benefits
When people love what they do, they will contribute more, work harder and work smarter. Encourage the creative process in your organization at every level to create a healthy and consistently innovative environment.