Creating value from ideas through Innovation
If there was a system that could help you generate better ideas, retain ideas and know-how, remove barriers, improve the working environment and increase both performance and profits would you be interested?
We believe that such a system exists and we call it Innovation. Our ideas involve the whole organisation from top to bottom and all functional areas - we do not simply focus on invention or technology transfer. Better still, the main resource that we use is one that you already have a supply of - people! Better still we have a methodology for running innovation projects and programmes, a toolkit for measuring your capacity to innovate the know how from practical innovation projects.
Working with Innovation
Our aim is to help your organisation grow and flourish through the application of Creativity and Innovation as business tools. Wouldn't you like to ensure that creativity and know-how are not walking out of the door and that good ideas are flooding in. Maybe you are not sure how to get started? Read the remainder of this page and then talk to us, we can help.Click on the following link to read about how power and politics can stifle Innovation in the workplace.
First Steps in Innovation
The first steps are to:
- Createa definition of Innovation that works for you
- Measure your current innovation capacity (find out how using the Innovation Toolkit)
- Manage the "Innovation Equation"
- Manage Knowledge effectively
- Un-manage Creativity
- Craft and communicate your strategic objectives
- Create the right environment
Definition of Innovation
This is one of the major problems with any innovation project. What is it? Grappling with such a nebulous idea and then attempting to describe it in a language that only your division or department understands can be fraught with problems. This is why we created the innovation equation - not a rigourous mathematical equation but one which our clients could use to hang their own ideas on. Here it is:
It simply says that Innovation is a function of Creativity and Know-how which is multiplied by a constant alpha and raised to a power n where:
- Creativity is simply the methods and frameworks that we use to create new ideas and knowledge
- Know-how is the things that we already know e.g. company history, libraries, employees skills
- Alpha is composed of two components, a desire or need to innovate and resistance. This can make the results negative!
- The power n is a representation of the maturity level of the frameworks that have been put in place to exploit innovation.
Innovation Measurement
Breaking down Innovation into components such as those defined above has one big advantage. All of these things are measurable so your organisation can see the benefits of any innovation project that it undertakes. Because the areas examined are related to 'soft skills' the same techniques can be used to measure the effects of cultural change programmes. Although the results are not directly comparable between organisations, the trends shown in the graphical outputs are thus it is possible to spot both problem areas and areas of excellence. Find out how you can measure innovation potential and kick start your own programme using the Innovation Toolkit .
Managing Innovation
The measurements allow the creation of action plans without the need for spending large amounts of money, time and resources. Depending on the findings, actions may be generated in the following areas:
|
|
UP+UP Innovation Programme
This exciting new programme is the result of collaboration with our innovation partners. It combines use of our Innovation Toolkit with Creativity workshops and seminars together with experience of creating and running innovation projects. The aim is for us to act as a catalyst and not as a substitute labour force. UP+UP comprises the following elements although not all of them are used in every programme:
- Innovation Toolkit - establishes your strengths and areas for improvement that are specifically innovation related
- Creative Workshops - to spread new ways of thinking and educate leaders and managers
- Innovation Awareness - to assist in identifying and communicating the goals for the programme
- Frameworks - to help you create your own frameworks for managing creativity and know-how within your organisation
- Pilot Project - if you wish to dip your toes into the water and try things on a small scale then we can help here too
- Project Management - in case you need a little help managing the process
- Roll Out - if you opt for a pilot project then we will help you roll out your new programme throughout your company
- Knowledge Transfer - everything that you pay for gets transferred to you so you can carry on long after we have gone
- Ongoing coaching and mentoring - we do not want to leave you high and dry
Providing Business Creativity and Innovation services throughout the South West, Wales, UK, Mexico, Taiwan and the Far East
Areas of expertise: business creativity, innovation, alternative thinking, innovation management, strategy creation, innovation measurement,
creativity at work, organisational creativity.
Products and services: consultancy, innovation programmes, innovation capability audit, creativity workshops, innovation workshops, creativity training, innovation management, innovation awareness training, project management, coaching, mentoring, facilitation, professional, speaking, ebooks.