Five steps to an innovative culture

It is certainly not easy to change how we work on a daily basis.  But it is clear from the enthusiastic responses I get from my Innovation Culture keynote presentation that people would like to try.  Here are five ways to start bringing an innovative culture to your own organization:

1.  Start by crafting a story of opportunity or challenge.  Too many efforts start with an idea that someone wants to implement.  Instead craft a story that creates a sense of opportunity and then work with others to have ideas that bring it to life.

2.  Make your work tangible and live in it.  Get out of email and Powerpoint and get your content up on the walls.  Pictures, videos, sample products, ideas, prototypes.  You should be surrounded by the content of your work. This is studio. New idea will form, chance observations by others, and a generally more engaged

3. Foster a culture of critique.  Critique is a creative process.  Have people share unfinished work and have others critique it.  No defending, you don't have to agree or disagree with anything said -- just have people "say more."  Then, gather up notes and feedback and go make your work better!

4. Use a talent-based structure.  The best creative groups split the duties of creative direction and production management and staff up with creative disciplines.  Instead of everyone trying to do the same job, use a diverse group with specific strengths.

5. Shape ideas over time.  No creative or commercial success spawns from a single great idea.  In fact, most successes are because of a serendipitous journey to find where the true value lay.  Iterate and add ideas that make the solution better and better.

Comments

[Braden Kelley]

Thank you for the article.

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