Anton Joseph The ability to stimulate innovation within an organization can be a difficult proposition. At times, the environment necessary to foster innovation within an organization is hampered with the prejudice of individuals who are from similar backgrounds, experiences and education. The ability to specialize can provide an organization the focus needed to bring to market a concept or idea. However, specialization does not provide an organization the ability to incubate and grow new ideas and innovation. Leveraging the backgrounds and experiences of others supports an environment where knowledge can be learned, adapted and correlated into new ideas and ways of thinking. In the book, Knowledge and Innovation in Business and Industry: The Importance of Using Others, the authors outline how others knowledge is important in the development process and support of new ideas and innovation. (Håkansson, Waluszewski. 2007)
When looking at an entrepreneurial type organization such as mine, with few individuals to collaborate with, the ability to generate innovative ideas from co workers can prove challenging. One way to overcome this would be to seek out the thoughts and opinions of clients and staff in terms of the products and services they would like to see offered. Another method in which the concept of collaborative innovation could be introduced could include the hiring of outside consultants to analyze the business and make suggestions regarding the organizations current offerings. Doing so would provide an unbiased look of the business from and outside observer. An additional method of supporting innovation in a smaller business setting could include looking at others who have worked within the market space in the past and retooling elements of services and products previously offered for a new intended use.
References
Håkansson, Håkan. Waluszewski, Alexandra. (2007) Knowledge and Innovation in Business and Industry: The Importance of Using Others. Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. London, New York.
