Being successful at innovation is a skill. One
that takes time, patience, strategic intelligence and amongst other
things, funding. Many organisations succeed only after they have
experienced embarrassing failures and learnt some tough lessons in the
process. How do others succeed with their innovation efforts? What is
the secret? In this article we use the inspiring philosophy of Steve
Jobs as stimulus and ask innovation managers about their “secret sauce
for innovation success”. Learning from others reduce risk because
resurrecting the organisational “innovation corpse” is not an action
anyone should be tasked with.
Talking about “top innovation secrets” might be a bit
arrogant. It is not that simple. Innovation needs to be considered in
different environments and holistic ecosystems. It involves the entire
organisation and a myriad of nuances.
Innovation is a popular topic of discussion and many organisations
think of themselves as innovative or progressive. The taste of the
pudding is still in the eating. Planning is one thing, delivering
consistent results, however, is another.
Similar to other management practises, innovation management is an ever evolving discipline.
Similar to other management practises, innovation management is an
ever evolving discipline. What we believed worked yesterday, might not
be effective tomorrow. This rings true on the topic of strategic
planning for innovation, business model innovation, appropriate reward
mechanisms, innovation systems and implementation, to name but a few.
While we are putting in place the processes, structures and strategic
policies to guide innovation outcomes, do we ponder the power of
thinking big, reaching out or fulfilling a known or even unknown market
need? Do we involve our own innovation ecosystem, consider open or
semi-open innovation models or think about collaborating with SMEs?
Innovation is about strategizing, guiding and empowerment of staff
but is also about co-creation, being different in your approach and
about sustaining momentum.
Steve’s secret sauce for innovation success
Like Frank Sinatra, everyone has “their way” of doing things and so
does world entrepreneurial legend Steve Jobs. Something that Carmine
Gallo, in a new book entitled: The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs,
outlines as “insanely different principles for breakthrough success.”
When these principles are considered one cannot help but notice words
like “passion, magic, dreams, simplicity, decisiveness and great
customer experience”.
Steve’s 8 principles are almost universal truths. Use it as
background information and think about “your way” of addressing
innovation going forward.
