Innovation in companies is what makes most companies successful. Most people think of innovation and they think of a fun, creative culture that is always trying new ways to do things. But that can be quite off of what it actually is. Innovation takes a lot of hard work, and a willingness to fail and start again– from scratch.
Here are a few things to consider when working to foster innovation within your workplace:
First, consider if your employees have the opportunity to be creative and innovative. When employees are given the opportunity to be innovative and contribute to the greater purpose of the company, it increases their willingness to work. This stems from you– how can you create a culture that encourages the sharing of ideas and the asking of questions?
As a leader, it is your responsibility to understand how to create this environment. First, tap into which employees are dying to be creative with their work. Allow them the space to bounce ideas off of you.
For those that may be more reluctant, consider a brainstorming session for a few groups within the company. Share that there are no bad ideas. If you still see some reluctance in a few employees, consider an index card method, that gives everyone an opportunity to share their ideas.
Once you have considered ways to get your employees to begin brainstorming and getting creative with their work, consider the resources you can allocate to their innovation. Is there enough time in the workday? Do you have a budget for them? How can you better encourage them to tackle a creative endeavor?
Time is typically one that is the most scarce for companies. Consider setting aside a weekly few hours to discuss what’s working and what isn’t working. When employees come to you with a challenge they are facing, encourage them to think creatively on how to overcome the obstacle. Be sure to embrace any failure you employees may have, view it as another step toward your end goal.
Budget-wise, think of what it is going to take to allow your people to be creative. Do you need to repurpose a meeting room for a creative space, or invest in a few more computers for employees? Think of what it takes, and if you don’t have the budget now, plan to allocate funds later.
Encouragement is the key to bringing all of this together. Ensure your company objectives are clear and new ideas align with where the company wants to move forward. To further encourage learning and creativity, offer books and articles that may help spark their creative juices.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you have the right team allocated to the projects that fit their strengths. When employees are given tasks and projects that align with their skill set and interests, they will be more likely to get creative as they are familiar with their craft.
On the same track as aligning people to the right roles, you should also look at your workforce as a whole. Is there diversity amongst teams? In order to create an innovative company culture, ensure that you have a diverse group of people with different experiences and backgrounds.
Lastly, consider whether or not you are giving your employees the freedom to work how they prefer. Ask them how they like to work, in what atmosphere, with what processes. If you can be lenient with your employees’ workday, do. Not only will they be more engaged and feel valued by the company, but this also gives them the space to be creative in a way that is comfortable for them.
Fostering innovation within your company begins with your company culture. When you align your organization’s purpose with your culture, you will see a drastic change in employee engagement and innovation. At Culture Works, we want to help your company do that exactly. Contact us to help optimize your culture operations and assist you in creating the organization you love.