The term innovation means a new way of doing something, newness, novelty, neologism, modernization, progress, reform, change.
It could also refer to innovative fresh, original, creative, inventive and resourceful.
And in the business sense, a measurable, tangible process by means of mental and revolutionary changes in thinking, products, processes or organizational behavior.
In many cases something new must be substantially different to be innovative to bring in significant changes to manpower, skills retention, economics and general business sustainability.
The primary goal for innovation is positive change, to make someone or something better. Innovation leading to increased productivity is the fundamental source of increasing wealth in any Business today.
When we have a look at business strategic planning for instance, never before has organizational structuring, policy decision making and forward planning become as intense as the ever changing legislative and economic demanding market.
Points to reflect on in alleviating these demands by supporting innovation in industry:-
- Transformation and business – by introducing a participative policy as far as Company Transformation is concerned creates opportunity for an all empowering culturally diversified workforce with an equally diversified process to support change;
- A Mentoring and Coaching Programme to support giving capacity and transform skills into long-term investment across all levels;
- Employee Wellness Programmes no longer should be seen as an option but rather that of a required Business Unit to provide for health and welfare challenges in a difficult economic climate. “Your problem is no longer just your problem”, it is in fact that of a healthy Socio-economic climate;
- Flexibility is one of the key ingredients when it comes to innovation and why not so in our application of the traditionally old rigidity of working hours, formal office hours, lunch breaks and leave application. Flexibility in working hours, site of operation and leeway in the application thereof has proven to increase productivity and heightened measurable output from Employees. This in turn could be measured against skills retention and ranking as “Top Companies to work for”;
- Management Styles are no longer the hierarchical monstrosities as we know it, flatter structures with individual business units are at the order of the day which encourages coaching and leadership equalities at all levels of operation within organizations. Ideas breed ideas. Innovation is at the heart of being a leader in Industry – with the support of an innovative employment force having a free hand at being creative.
- Performance Management Cycles take its place in the world of innovation with its main purpose being that of staff motivation and skills retention. Motivation is a critical issue. Management after all is all about getting things done through others. The ability to get others to perform is critical. Here the crux of the matter is all about the high level of performance that brings results in meeting and exceeding organizational objectives.
“Excellence can be attained if you care more than others think is wise, risk more than others think is safe,
dream more than others think is practical, and expect more than others think is possible” Anon