How's that for a multi pronged question! Innovation in business can be encouraged by the physical surrounds and it needs to be embedded in the culture of a business or organisation.
There's been a lot of research conducted over the years on colour! Red can be an angry colour, blue and green cool colours, greys and dark colours can make you feel glum and so on (check out Colour Matters for more info). Oranges, mauves, yellows, pinks and other warm colours actually put us in a good mood and release positive chemical reactions in the brain. When you are in a good mood, and the positive vibes are flowing, you are in a much better place to create and innovate (check out our logo colours...). It's a bit of a puzzle then as to why most offices are decked out in white and grey! Why are corporate suits black and grey. And why does Richard Branson wear casual, colourful shirts...
Nature and natural light are also conducive to Innovative thinking. We had a "Let's Get Some New Ideas Pumping" day at the end of last year and held it in a natural reserve. We got so much work done, we had a great time (are we allowed to say that about work?) and left feeling satisfied and that we had achieved great things.
An element of play also seems to work when supporting Innovation. At the head office of Google in Zurich they have a slippery dip, a games room, bean bags and everyone has access to a hot lunch buffet. At other offices masseurs are called in. You don't read many stories about Google staff being unproductive or the company having a high turnover of employees. Now most of us can't go all out and deck our work places out like Google, but it's not that hard to find a few toys or instruments or paint brushes to create a playful atmosphere.
Macquarie Bank have created portable offices in some of their establishments. Employees get a mobile phone and laptop and are then able to work from anywhere (oh as long as the service is good and you have wireless). In the office, there are a multitude of workstations around an open plan area and more often than not it's first in best dressed. The open plan model is really conducive to collaboration, and collaboration, as my friend and innovation co conspirator Kevin Coffey saids (or in his words "Bangs on about") is essential to the whole Innovation process.
When you find 5 minutes, search for The Caring Capitalist on YouTube. This clip is a few years old now but it's still a great example of what an innovative business can/should look like.
Been to an Apple store? They are open plan and buzzing with activity - you can't help but want to go in and play!
If you want to check out some other Innovative Businesses, have a look at the Forbes Worlds Most Innovative Companies list.
The culture of a business is really important too. Innovation just won't thrive unless the culture is embedded into the workplace and the Innovators in that business are developed and supported. We recently went in and held some Innovation Conversations with one of our clients. End result - management support a morning tea gathering a couple of times a month so that their people can think outside the square.
A talented team is great! Hiring people that display talent is great! BUT they are useless to any business unless they are enabled to USE that talent. And the tasks they are given need to be challenging! People need to be challenged and stimulated in order to get innovation flowing (see previous comment re + chemical reactions in the brain). Google actually allow their employees to work on projects that interest them. Sounds logical to me! I'm lucky enough to work with people who are currently busy with things they enjoy being busy with! One of my colleagues even likes admin - not my cup of tea but now I find myself extremely happy around "admin" time!
An Innovative Culture is also one where people experience a sense of achievement. Dan Pink has given many talks on this (search him on YouTube). Studies have been conducted confirming that even more important to us than financial gain or reward, is a sense of achievement and purpose.
And don't disregard autonomy as part of the equation in an Innovative Business. Most people act with integrity and want to contribute so they can feel that sense of purpose. They don't want or need anyone watching over their shoulder to see if they are behaving. They don't need to be controlled - it's stifling!
Remember, to be Innovative, you don't need to take great flying leaps...but you do need to do something. What does Innovation Add up to for You or Your Business?
No comments:
Post a Comment