10. Identify Recurring Problems
If you eliminate recurring problems, you free up energy to focus on creative solutions.
9. Upgrade
Good infrastructure in business (business systems, applications and management practices) is like good infrastructure in cities (sidewalks and highways); it frees people from wasting time and energy on basic tasks so that they work more effectively.
8. Be Bold
Try something new. Experiment. Innovation requires change. Resist the urge to cling to the old ways.
7. Don’t Fear Failure
Many successful products have resulted from mistakes or failed projects (e.g., Penicillin, Velcro, Post-It Notes and Kevlar).
6. Defy Limitations
Pay attention to new business models. Valuations for Google, YouTube and Facebook defy conventional thinking. Who would have thought that Wikipedia would beat Microsoft’s electronic encyclopedia?
5. Challenge Convention
Whenever you hear those innovation killing words, “Yeah, but …” challenge the speaker to reframe his or her comment as a forward looking recommendation.
4. The Carrot
Poorly designed incentives can backfire and stifle innovation. Incentives should be designed to encourage innovation and reward the behavior that makes the business successful.
3. Think Community
Employees want a meaningful connection between their work and a better world. Consider a company-sponsored service project. Research shows that values-based initiatives engage employees and inspire creativity.
2. Be Smart
Take advantage of government granted legal protections — including copyright, trademark, patents and trade secrets — so that you maximize the financial rewards.
1. Get Flexible
Get used to shifting gears. Learn new skills to adapt to the rapidly changing market place. This shifting is a learned skill — just like learning to shift gears in a car to adapt to changing road conditions.
Sifleet is a business attorney and author of Ishift: Innovation Shift, a how-to guide to business innovation. For more information visit www.ishift.smartfast.com.
