Reinforce innovation in the workplace with these valuable systems 

Innovation is what drives change. This is what we’ve heard recently regarding streamlined business processes. But what is innovation truly? While some businesses collaborate with other enterprises to share innovative techniques and strategies, others approach the issues with their own base knowledge. According to statistics, though, 65 percent of organisations plan to cooperate with their customers during the innovation stages, which benefits them more.

Although many companies consider innovation essential, only a few have reached the point where successful innovation generates revenue or measurable growth, which shows the need for more vision for their procedures. That’s because their business structure also needs change, while leadership finds adapting challenging. Therefore, a substantial swift need to be done in order for businesses to streamline innovation results.

Let’s get in motion and learn about the secrets of business innovation.

Start with leadership and management 

Leadership and management are the base of the company’s success. Not only do these departments rule over their employees, but they can also influence the way they take ownership of their ideas and solutions.

Making significant changes in leadership mindset and management approach can be difficult. But if you’re willing to change, you can start by adopting a non-hierarchical style. A flat management structure, for example, is a new way in which leadership can take a turn by providing more levels of management between the workforce and the highest-level managers.

Companies like Google and Tesla leverage this business style. It has helped employees get creative and innovative more often as there are no barriers between work areas, and teams and divisions are open to sharing their knowledge.

Develop an innovative strategy

Wanting to get more innovative and creative doesn’t mean you’ll let things go their way. Instead, try making a plan that works for the moment and adapt it as you go. It’s best not to have a drastic approach but clarify precisely what you want to reach. For example, you might want to introduce new products to your line or change the methodologies in your work environment. Depending on the difficulty level of your goal, it’ll be more or less easy for your employees to adapt, which is why you should take it easy.

What you should expect from such a project is a constant failure. That’s because pilot projects take time to perfect, and you’ll notice that innovation doesn’t just appear one day in the office despite your efforts. Therefore, make sure you plan this strategy in the long term because timing here is not a priority.

Experiment with different approaches 

Google has brought innovation through its processes by launching various products and earning revenue through PPC advertising. On the other hand, Adobe, Google’s best competitor, became one of the most innovative companies through its aim to advance the creation of digital experiences. They had different approaches but reached the same point, meaning there’s no recipe for perfection.

Your company has unique needs. Monitoring your teams and processes will help you understand where the need for change is. For example, suppose you think your employees could use some more training and knowledge. In that case, you can provide them with ITIL Foundation Training to navigate the new technological era and understand more about the processes you need to introduce in your organisation, such as AI or Internet of Things (IoT).

Another way to experiment with your business processes is to look for an adjacent market that might boost company revenues. These areas are simply products or markets related to your organisation’s activities but are unique enough to bring innovation into your systems. Take Disney as an example; the multinational is known mainly for producing content, but now their successful streaming platform added more value to the brand.

Communicate more transparently 

Transparency is praised in companies, but only some successfully implement it in their company culture. In business, transparency translates as being open in regard to internal processes, honest about business values and straightforward about sourcing. Without these aspects, there’s no chance to innovate and navigate challenges over time.

Communication should be reinforced between management in the first place, but employees also must learn how to express their ideas and concerns regarding some business strategies. Efficient communication can help solve complex problems in less time, which provides a competitive advantage in the market.

Communication should also mitigate risks. Ensuring your team is psychologically safe will help them more in streamlining innovation rather than get to burnout, which is quite common in companies that militate for innovation.

Create an office that inspires innovation 

It’s widely known that what’s around people affects their mood and productivity. Factors like location, temperature, air quality and noise level can have the opposite effect on productivity, no matter how much you try and reinforce other strategies.

For example, creating flex spaces instead of the old office layout can encourage more brainstorming sessions and efficient communication without barriers. The ergonomics in the office also matters because if you provide the right furniture and products, you’ll help people maintain their health. After all, posture can affect the productivity of human mental tasks.

Another essential element in your office is exposure to daylight. Avoiding closed and dark places will contribute to better sleep and a generally increased life quality, which can be seen in the employees’ capacity to finish tasks on time. Even the way you decorate the office helps innovation. If you look at how Google decorates its offices with bright colours, lighting and fun furniture, you’ll understand how it became one of the world’s most extensive and thriving companies. Finally, some plants around the workspaces and even animals can improve people’s moods and help them concentrate better.

Bottom line 

Reinforcing innovation in an office can be quite challenging, especially if you’re a senior company because you must change the whole company layout. Such a swift is troubling, but if it’s successfully done, it can help the business leverage from high innovation revenues, as well as boost the brand’s recognition and ensure customer retention in the long run.