Innovation is key to business success.  Without new ideas, you are just standing still.  So how do you encourage innovation everyday?   Well first of all, innovation isn’t just about new technology.  It’s not about inventing the next best thing either, it’s about always striving for better.  Everyday you should ask yourself these questions.

• Can it be done better?

• Can it be done faster?

• Can it be done cheaper?

Innovation is at the heart of Cullen Scholefield’s values because innovation goes hand in hand with continuous professional development.  Everyday we talk to people who want to improve their knowledge and career with a new qualification so it’s natural for us to think in this innovative way.

To show our support for innovation, tomorrow we are sponsoring the award for innovation at the Business Matters Annual Awards hosted by Johnston Press. This event brings together business minds from across the southern area to celebrate their success and innovation.  So we’re getting suited and booted for a night of celebration!

Some companies, however, turn a blind eye to innovation.  They do this when they shut down people’s ideas and refuse to listen to their employees.  People might not realise that they are doing it, but refusing to listen once will set a precedent and all of those bright, shiny ideas will turn to rust.

So how can you make sure this doesn’t happen in your work?  It goes back to creating a DREAMS workplace.

Difference:

Encourage people to share different ideas.  Don’t lecture to your people, but create a dialogue. You may have a pretty good idea, but a bit of influence from someone else can turn it into a great idea.

Radical Honesty:

Be honest and open with your employees and they’ll trust you to listen to their ideas.  If you hide everything from them then they won’t know where they stand and won’t contribute to improvement.

Extra Value:

Show your employees that you appreciate their ideas.   Don’t just listen to them, put their suggestions into practice and let everyone know whose idea it was.  This will encourage other people to come forward as well.  Praise always does wonders.

Authenticity:

Don’t say yes for the sake of saying yes.  Be honest with your people.  If you feel that their idea won’t work or if it’s not within the budget then tell them.  Explain it as clearly as you can and encourage them to keep thinking outside the box.  Or try the idea and use it as a learning point for them.

Meaning:

Give them something to strive for.  If they know that their work and their ideas are doing something valuable for the company then they are more likely to think innovatively.  Give them something to believe in.

Simple Rules:

Make it easy for them to suggest ideas.  Ask during meetings, ask throughout the day, set up a suggestion box.  You’ll be glad that you did!