Open Innovation - its whats for breakfast!

When to use this approach to innovation is as easy as a check list
you should use it only if it will accomplish one of these three things

Better ideas
Faster solution sets
More cost effective
Broader reaching

Once you have answered this question and determine open innovation is the path way for your project use the Steps to success

Define internal and external resources for the project

Establish ground rules
Provide strategic vision for the project
Include goals
Desired outcomes
Define inspirations – though starters
Create collaborative meeting
o 1 to 3 hours
o Brainstorm – 30 minutes
o Sort the solution set
Define roles/ next steps Define metrics for success

Using this process will allow you to generate testable proto-types

Happy Innovating!

You hired a creative player - now what?

Some of the biggest challenges I see is when a very creative person has been added to a team and they struggle to make an impact. Time and time again it is the fault of the organization and its inability to figure out how to bring someone like this on board, teach them what they need to know about the company and then paint a clear vision of where they want the company to go. In some cases the leadership will think that all is solved now that they have a new creative engine for the company. The proper groundwork needs to be laid for this new talent to even have a chance to make an impact on the company. In some instances the needs of the organization are unclear and this usually stems form a lack of strategic focus. I have always said I can teach someone a process but I can not teach the passion that is needed to be a creative impact player in an organization. Here are some simple steps to making the most of hiring a creative player for your team

• Provide a clear vision of where you want the company or project to end up - what does it look like at the end


• Provide resources that ground the person in the company or brand - lets them build a frame work


• Connect them with the end user if it is a product or process


• Encourage use of design thinking


• Allow them to build a collaborative team


• Wait for periodic updates - don't critical think the ideas as they are presented - sit with them


• Agree on at least three of the approaches to the challenge or project


• Allow them to proto-type and trial test the idea


• Encourage successes and collaborate on failures


• Test final version - read and evaluate


• Implement impact ideas to grow the business

Fear of Failure

Fear of failing is far greater than the act of failing in anything we do. To truly be able to step in to one’s own ability to be really creative requires the practice of failing forward. As leaders it is very important to create an environment where making mistakes and failure is acceptable. The single most impactful action a leader in any organization can make it the one when they embrace the failings of a person on a project and coaches them to find the learnings in the miss. This approach can lead to leaders creating a wide frame work for people to work and create that will deliver results beyond expectations. Ultimately we want people to dream and create beyond what they think is possible. But to make that a reality - we have to remove the limiting barriers of the environment and organization before they can remove the self limiting doubts they have been conditioned to believe. Believing in others will allow them to believe in who they are and who they can become. As leaders the single greatest support we can provide is a mindset that failing forward is about growth and growth leads to positive impact for the organization. As I mentioned earlier, mistakes need to be an acceptable part of the creative process. I think that Brian Henson says it with clarity in the video link below. Check it out

http://bigthink.com/ideas/19851

New thoughts can have impact in the world

Hello everyone - I have started this particular blog to talk about all things creative and how to create an environment to let creativity thrive and drive business. Too many times people add creative people to their companies but have little understanding how to best leverage them for the benefit of growing a business while still nurturing the talent they have hired. I hope to provide some insights gained from about 20 years of using creativity to add value to companies I have worked for in the past. Some of these thought are based around the amazing people I have worked for and with in a number of companies. My plan is to share some of the interesting data I come across on a daily basis that is the fuel that drives the engine of my innovative mind. I hope this starts a conversation, provokes a thought and encourages others to share openly about what they are learning. In my field their are a number of new and young players working their way into the circle, some great raw talent. Some of them can benefit from a strong mentor to help be a catalyst for the rapid growth.

So take the challenge to challenge the way you see everything everyday. Not everything we do is going to be innovative but the way we approach everything should be innovative in our thinking!

Jim