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3 Steps to an Innovative Workplace
kelli_marjolet

Building a “Culture of Innovation” is certainly a hot topic these days. We’ve seen numerous articles and headlines on the subject, and rightly so; hiring great innovators almost universally coincides with being both successful and a great workplace. However, with all the information floating around on the topic of innovation, it remains elusive. Here at Great Place to Work we get an intimate view of the inner workings of innovative companies. While the perks of tech companies like Google’s famed gourmet cafeteria initially spring to mind, free food is not what is driving innovation. Rather, it is the basic principles behind these perks that drive innovation.

We already know the ‘who’ involved in innovation – your employees. All that untapped genius just sitting there, waiting for a platform to begin brainstorming. It is the how, what and where that still remains elusive. Let’s fill in the blanks with the three C’s of innovation:

Communication (the what):
Consistent and clear communication between employees is the spark for almost all innovation. Someone makes a suggestion, another builds on it, and a third comes along and turns it into the next Big Thing. This process wouldn’t be possible if employees weren’t able to effectively toss around ideas with one another.

But how does an organization foster clear and consistent communication between employees? By providing them with the necessary skill set. Communications skills are critical to employee development. Don’t be afraid to rejigger the training budget to make room for this invaluable skill along with prepping employees for their daily job requirements. Investing a small amount in your employees’ ability to work with one another will have a lasting impact on the organization.

Coordination (the when):

Coordination enables innovation by creating space for it. For many companies, this is reflected in the development of specific programs or tools that foster innovation. Take for example Qualcomm, #11 on the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list and the Qualcomm Innovation Network; an internal app that allows employees to submit product ideas. Qualcomm has taken its innovation network a step forward and integrated the Web app with on-campus lectures, networking events, mentorships, and other tools to help inspire employees. Any one of these programs provides a platform for generating ideas.

Collaboration (the how):
Collaboration is the most important ingredient to creating an innovative environment. Employees might have great ideas and have access to forums to share their ideas, but unless they feel comfortable speaking up, your organization will never reap the benefits of this untapped genius. By cultivating a culture of trust, where employees feel comfortable coming forward with an idea, and by developing a team-oriented approach towards improving products and services, the company dramatically increases their chances of igniting that innovative spark.

Truly innovative companies such as Google or Qualcomm put significant thought and time into building the infrastructure for innovation. They invest in employee development and implement programs and policies that allow the time and space for employees to share ideas with one another. Most importantly, a culture of trust is carefully cultivated. Understanding that mistakes are simply part of the trial and error process allows employees to take risks that drive invention. Once a workplace culture of trust has been established, driving innovation can be as simple as providing extra encouragement or instituting a fun contest or new perk.

Ceeostruct Nigeria is here to create opportunities to everyone in respective of your beliefs, passion, profession or vision. The vision is "to create unwavering support with unconditional belief in peoples up-coming opportunities"

HOW?

Firstly, let talk about IDEAS...!!!

I remember one of the many books written by Sam Adeyemi on "Ideas Rule the World"...there i understood the power of an idea, sharing ideas with the right people, being in the right place at the right time, feeding one's idea, communicating an idea, selling and buying of ideas, sowing ideas, nurturing ideas and most importantly....allowing the fruits of your GOD given ideas to positively impact your life and the community at large...

Make the right decision today by developing the seeds of ideas in you...

John C Maxwell said that, "Great people make important decisions early enough in life and they manage those decisions for the rest of their lives"

The decisions you make today will determine the legacy you leave behind when tomorrow passes by...

ONE LOVE!!!