Category: #socialinnovation

Create a business culture favorable to innovation

Posted on by Mariona Luis Tomás

In today’s dynamic business environment, an organization’s ability to innovate doesn’t just depend on having good ideas or investing in technology; it’s also crucial to have a culture that fosters creativity, calculated risk-taking, and collaboration. Creating an innovation-friendly culture is an ongoing process that requires commitment, vision, and the implementation of effective strategies. Below, we explore the essential steps to build and maintain a culture that drives innovation within the organization.

1. Leadership commitment

Leadership is the pillar upon which an innovative culture is built. Leaders must not only support innovation in words but also demonstrate their commitment through concrete actions. This includes actively participating in innovation initiatives, allocating necessary resources, removing obstacles, and fostering an environment where calculated risk is seen as an opportunity for learning and growth, where mistakes are not penalized. When leadership is involved and leads by example, it sets a tone that permeates the entire organization.

2. Define a clear vision and objectives

In nearly every post on this blog, the importance of having and communicating a vision is emphasized. A compelling vision for innovation, along with clear and well-communicated objectives, provides the organization with direction and purpose. This not only aligns innovation efforts with the company’s strategic goals but also motivates employees to contribute their ideas, actively participate in the innovation process, and make day-to-day decisions in line with the organization’s priorities. It is essential that everyone in the organization understands the importance of innovation and how their individual roles contribute to this common goal.

3. Encourage risk-taking

Risk is inherently part of the innovation process. However, for employees to feel comfortable taking risks, it is essential that the organization sets clear expectations and provides a “safety net” that allows for experimentation without fear of failure. Celebrating failures as learning opportunities and promoting experimentation are practices that can transform the fear of risk into a mindset of growth and creativity.

4. Promote collaboration at all levels

Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum; it is the result of effective collaboration between different teams and disciplines. Creating cross-functional teams, establishing collaborative spaces, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities are some of the strategies to foster collaboration. Additionally, it’s important to implement tools and spaces for collaboration that facilitate communication and joint work, as well as to promote diversity and inclusion, which enriches perspectives and strengthens the organization’s capacity to innovate.

5. Invest in learning and development

Innovation thrives on knowledge, attitude, and skill. Therefore, investing in the continuous professional development of employees not only improves their performance but also strengthens the organization’s ability to adapt and lead in a constantly changing environment. Offering personalized training, continuous learning opportunities, and leadership development are some of the ways organizations can prepare for future challenges and maintain their competitive edge.

6. Recognize and reward innovation

Recognition and rewards are powerful motivators that can significantly boost innovation efforts. It is crucial that organizations implement recognition systems that are aligned with the company’s goals and are transparent in their evaluation. Recognizing both successes and failures (understood as learning opportunities) through personalized rewards, public recognition, or professional advancement programs can strengthen employee commitment and foster a culture where innovation flourishes.

7. Eliminate organizational barriers

Barriers such as excessive bureaucracy, rigid hierarchies, and outdated processes can stifle innovation. Identifying and eliminating these obstacles is vital to creating an environment where ideas can develop and thrive. By simplifying processes and promoting a more agile and flexible structure, organizations can facilitate a freer flow of ideas and increase responsiveness to innovation opportunities.

8. Foster intrapreneurship

Encouraging employees to act as entrepreneurs within the organization—known as intrapreneurship—is a powerful strategy for driving innovation from within. This involves providing autonomy, resources, and support for employees to develop and execute their own ideas. Establishing innovation teams, idea generation platforms, and intrapreneur networks (depending on the company’s characteristics and size) can be an effective way to channel internal creativity into innovative initiatives.

In conclusion, creating an innovation-friendly culture is not a destination but an ongoing journey that involves nurturing creativity, embracing change, and constantly learning from both successes and failures. By integrating innovation into the organizational DNA, companies can remain agile and competitive in a rapidly evolving world. Remember, an innovation culture is the foundation upon which great advances are built and sustainable success is ensured, making it highly attractive to talent.

Some theories about Innovation that I frequently use

Posted on by Mariona Luis Tomás

I write here some references to theories about Innovation that seem relevant to me, not for historical reasons, but because I use each of these theories depending on the context in which I find myself, and all of them are current and make sense to me.

  • Schumpeter’s theory of innovation: Economist Joseph Schumpeter proposed the concept of “creative destruction”, where innovation, particularly in the form of entrepreneurial activities, drives economic growth by replacing old industries and technologies with new ones. He highlighted the role of entrepreneurs as key drivers of innovation.
  • Diffusion of innovations theory: developed by Everett Rogers, this theory explores how innovations spread through society. It classifies individuals into groups based on their willingness to adopt new innovations, including innovators, early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards.
  • Open innovation: Coined by Henry Chesbrough, this theory challenges the traditional model of closed innovation by emphasizing the importance of collaboration and knowledge sharing with external partners, such as customers, suppliers and research institutions, to drive innovation.
  • Resource-based view (RBV): This theory, often applied in the context of business and strategy, suggests that a company’s unique resources and capabilities are essential for sustained competitive advantage and innovation. Innovations arise from the effective use of internal resources.

Innovation types and their relevance in determined industries

Posted on by Mariona Luis Tomás

Though Oslo Manual only identifies four types of innovation (product, process, organization and commercialization) here are several types of innovation, each with its relevance to various industries. Understanding these types of innovation can help organizations identify opportunities to drive change and stay competitive.

Here are some key types of innovation and their relevance to different industries:
– Product innovation involves developing new or improved products or services. It’s highly relevant to industries such as technology, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods. For example, companies like Apple continuously introduce new versions of their smartphones and laptops, showcasing product innovation.
– Process innovation focuses on improving internal processes and operations. It’s crucial in manufacturing, logistics, and industries where efficiency and cost reduction are paramount. Automotive manufacturers, for instance, have implemented robotic automation and lean manufacturing techniques for process innovation.
– Service innovation pertains to creating new or improved services and customer experiences. It’s significant in sectors like hospitality, healthcare, and financial services. Companies like Airbnb disrupted the hospitality industry by introducing a new platform for travelers to find unique accommodations, showcasing service innovation.
– Business model innovation involves rethinking how a company creates, delivers, and captures value. It’s critical in industries facing disruption or seeking new revenue streams. Netflix transformed the entertainment industry with its subscription-based streaming model, an example of business model innovation.
– Marketing innovation focuses on how products or services are promoted and delivered to customers. It’s vital in the advertising, media, and retail sectors. Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram have introduced innovative advertising and targeting techniques, driving marketing innovation.
– Organizational innovation relates to changes in an organization’s structure, culture, or management practices. It’s relevant in all industries but particularly critical in traditional or bureaucratic organizations looking to foster agility and adaptability. Startups often embrace flat hierarchies and flexible work cultures as forms of organizational innovation.
– Technological innovation involves the development of new technologies or the application of existing ones in novel ways. It’s highly relevant in industries like information technology, healthcare, and energy. Tesla’s advancements in electric vehicle technology are a prime example of technological innovation within the automotive industry.
– Social innovation addresses societal challenges and seeks to improve the well-being of communities and individuals. It’s important in nonprofit organizations, public sector initiatives, and socially responsible businesses. Microfinance institutions that provide financial services to underserved populations represent a form of social innovation.
– Sustainability innovation focuses on reducing environmental impacts and promoting sustainable practices. It’s crucial in industries with significant environmental footprints, such as agriculture, energy, and construction. Companies in the renewable energy sector, like solar and wind power providers, exemplify sustainability innovation.
– Cultural innovation involves the creation of new cultural norms, trends, and expressions. It’s relevant in creative industries like fashion, entertainment, and art. Designers and artists who introduce new styles and trends contribute to cultural innovation.

Understanding these types of innovation and their relevance to different industries helps organizations tailor their innovation strategies to align with their specific goals and challenges. Successful innovation often involves a combination of these types to address various aspects of a business or industry.

Innovation: New ways to provide value to customers

Posted on by Mariona Luis Tomás

The challenge of defining innovation is a problem that often comes up and that I like to revisit from time to time since, how could I support my clients effectively if we have different ideas about what innovation is?

I try to answer this question by sharing a common vision of what innovation is and what it is not before starting to work on it, this way my clients and collaborators and I can move in the same direction and use the same parameters to work.

Some “classic” definitions (the most used, the most referenced) of the term “Innovation” could be the following:

Innovation is the “Systematic use, as an opportunity, of changes in society, the economy, demographics and technology.” (Peter F. Drucker, 1985)

Innovation is a “New, or significantly improved, product (good or service), process, marketing method, or organizational method, in the company’s internal practices, workplace organization, or external relations.” (Oslo Manual, reference publication on Innovation of the OECD and the European Union, 2005)

Innovation is the “Activity whose result is the obtaining of new products or processes, or substantially significant improvements to existing ones.” (UNE 166000 Standard, “Terminology and definitions of R&D&I activities”)

Innovation is “New ways of offering value to the customer” (O’Hare, 1988)

Innovation is “creation or modification of a product, and its introduction into a market.” (Real academy of the Spanish language)

If we look at these definitions of innovation, we can see that they all have the following parameters in common:

The sense of newness. An innovation implies some new way of doing things, there is a sense of something new in the concept.

The process vision. It is not a moment of inspiration, a brilliant idea, but a systematic approach to identifying and implementing ideas.

Orientation towards marketing. If the market does not buy, we are not innovating. There has to be someone willing to “pay” for this new way of doing things.

The simplest definition that we have seen that fits with the practical and results-oriented approach is: Innovation is New Ways of Systematically Delivering Value to the Customer. This definition brings together the sense of novelty (new forms), the process vision (systematically offering) and the marketing orientation (customer value).

Some more nuances, to be oriented:

About what innovation IS:

  • “New” doesn’t mean no one has done it before. If it has not been done before in this context, then it is considered new.
  • It must have the clear purpose of solving a problem, satisfying a need or satisfying a desire.
  • Innovation is in doing, not just in thinking or conceptualization. Simply having the idea does not constitute an innovation.

About what innovation is NOT:

  • Small adjustments and improvements to an existing process are not the same as innovation.
  • Invention, which becomes innovation when it is successfully brought to the market.
  • Technology. Not all innovation involves technology, either as a facilitator or as a result. The use of new technology does not necessarily mean that innovation has occurred.
  • Creativity: Creativity is having a great idea. Innovation is about EXECUTING the idea.