Innovation, It Starts with Culture

Developing a Innovation Culture

Dr Al Landers

Innovation is more than just a buzzword, it's a critical element for success in these challenging times. As someone who has been in the innovation business for most of my career, I've seen firsthand how important it is for people, companies, and even entire countries. 

But what exactly is innovation? It's not just about coming up with new ideas, but about creating unique ideas that are useful and can be effectively implemented. These three key elements of innovation are crucial for success, and I've seen them in action time and time again in my work with clients.

First and foremost, innovation requires a unique idea. This can be tough, as it's all too easy to come up with ideas that are already out there. But looking at things from a different perspective can help you identify unique opportunities. For example, the development of mountain bikes came about because of enthusiasts who were using bikes in ways that hadn't been imagined before.

Of course, a unique idea isn't enough on its own – it also has to be useful. Innovation is about solving problems and making life easier, whether that's by developing new products, services, or processes. Look to adjacent markets to find new market segments you can compete in with your current production capabilities.

Finally, innovation requires effective implementation. This means making sure that your idea can be produced and delivered in a cost-effective and timely manner. 

Innovation may not always be about creating game-changing products like cell phones or anti-lock brakes. Sometimes, it's about finding new ways to solve problems and make a difference. And with the right culture and process in place, anyone can be an innovator. So let's keep the conversation going and continue to explore the power of innovation in our lives and our businesses.

Developing a culture of innovation requires a mindset shift towards experimentation and risk-taking. It involves encouraging and empowering employees to generate and share ideas, providing resources and support for experimentation, and creating a safe environment for failure and learning. The actual process of innovation involves ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation. It requires cross-functional collaboration, customer feedback, and iteration. Successful innovation requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and execution.

To summarize: 

1. Innovation is critical for success in challenging times.

2. Innovation involves creating unique, useful ideas that can be effectively implemented.

3. Innovation requires a unique idea, usefulness, and effective implementation.

4. Identify adjacent markets to  use your manufacturing capabilities to produce competitive products in new market segments.

5. Innovation involves a culture of experimentation and risk-taking, encouraging and empowering employees to generate and share ideas, providing resources and support for experimentation, and creating a safe environment for failure and learning.

6. The innovation process involves ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation, and requires cross-functional collaboration, customer feedback, and iteration.

7. Successful innovation requires a combination of creativity, strategic thinking, and execution.

Looking to take your organization to the next level? Meet Al Landers, our Vice President of Innovation and Lean Six Sigma expert. With a wealth of experience in multiple industries, Al is passionate about driving innovation in all aspects of continuous improvement and product development. Prior to joining our team, he served as the VP of Innovation at a multi-national manufacturing organization, and has worked in the Chemical, Building products, and Engineered Wood Products Industries.

At SBTI, Al provides top-tier strategic and executive level Deployment Consulting in several industries, including chemical, manufacturing, bio-sciences, and healthcare. He also coaches and mentors Green, Black, and Master Black Belts, helping them unlock their full potential and drive significant results.

Al is a certified Herrmann Brain Dominance practitioner and a certified Black Belt who teaches and mentors Green, Black, and Master Black Belts. He holds a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Delaware and has received numerous awards, patents, and publications.

Trust Al to help you drive innovation and growth within your organization. Contact us today to learn more. www.SBTIonline.com