What do you do if you're considering embracing innovative practices?

The problem with innovation is that it is very exciting to implement. However, the primary and essential step is to assess needs, also assess what kind of solutions and innovations have been tested in the past for the same need. The data related to above, timelines, manpower and bandwidth feasibility. Once we seek clarity on these details, then the decision to proceed or not with innovative practice can be evaluated

Embracing innovative practices is crucial when traditional methods no longer yield optimal results or fail to keep pace with evolving challenges and opportunities. It's essential to recognize the signs indicating the need for innovation, such as stagnant growth, declining efficiency, changing market trends, or emerging technologies. Additionally, a culture that encourages experimentation, continuous learning, and adaptation fosters an environment conducive to embracing innovative practices. By proactively seeking new ideas, leveraging emerging technologies, and encouraging creative problem-solving, organizations can stay competitive, drive growth, and meet the evolving needs of their customers and stakeholders effectively.

Proper scoping of projects is critical, but is so often skipped over, or done as a tick-box exercise. Often organisations implement new innovations to solve a problem - without clearly understanding the underlying causes of the problem. The result? The innovation has no impact and the employees become cynical. When considering any new project or innovation, take a big step back to look at the big picture. Rather than looking at the problem itself, look at the end result that we're trying to achieve. You may be surprised that, often, the end result hasn't been clearly thought out. Then look at the best way to achieve it - see what others are doing, talk to stakeholders, and be prepared to abandon your first idea...

When embracing innovative practices, gaining knowledge is essential to effectively implement new ideas and technologies. One way to gain knowledge is through continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends and best practices. For example, a software development company embraced innovative practices by encouraging its employees to attend regular workshops and training sessions on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. By investing in knowledge acquisition, the company's developers gained valuable insights and skills that enabled them to create cutting-edge solutions for their clients, ultimately enhancing their competitiveness and market position.

Engagement is the single most important factor in proposing or embracing innovation and, all too often, this isn't done properly, with stakeholders feeling like they haven't been listened to A question I ask myself at the beginning of any innovation planning is: "Who are the stakeholders, and why should they care about this innovation?". That helps me to put myself in their shoes When you do consult with as wide a range of stakeholders as possible, go with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and learning Again I come to any conversation with another question: "How can I make your life better / your job easier?" This helps us to co-create something powerful, and maximises engagement and buy in

Good planning and setting of timelines, milestones, and metrics (i.e. how you know it's working) will help build trust with stakeholders and leadership, especially if the project is perceived as disruptive, costly, or risky. Engaging all leaders and departments who will be affected by the change - and using their input to design the implementation plan - will give a greater chance of success. Especially if you can be sympathetic to business as usual operations, while driving forward change.

Developing clear messaging is easier said than done. Corporate innovation initiatives should engage key stakeholders with a clear value proposition, roadmap, and expected results. Relentlessly communicating a good message across the organization will help you raise awareness of it, onboard intrapreneurs and align them on a clear goal.

Poor communication is one of the biggest reasons that change initiatives and innovations fail. Without good communication, change can be seen as burdensome, unnecessary, risky, or even threatening, and your stakeholders won't engage. Transparency and honesty are crucial - if things are delayed or not going well, if there is going to be disruption, advance warning (and genuine apology) will make all the difference. Whenever putting out communication, take another big step back and check back in with the question "Why should this stakeholder care?". Talk about the innovation in a way which matters to them. Then consider the best medium for communication - email, face to face, via trusted managers.

When implementing innovative practices that you are embracing, it's crucial to approach it with the right strategy and methodology. One effective approach is to start with a thorough understanding of the problem or opportunity you aim to address with innovation. For instance, a retail company embracing innovative practices decided to improve customer experience by implementing a personalized recommendation system. They began by analyzing customer data to identify patterns and preferences, then collaborated with data scientists to develop algorithms for personalized recommendations. Through iterative testing and feedback, they refined the system to ensure accuracy and relevance, ultimately enhancing customer satisfaction and increasing sales