Business innovation seems to be one of those buzz phrases that receives renewed attention every few years – but at the same time is something every manager thinks about (or at least should be thinking about) all the time. But thinking about innovating and actually implementing change are two different things. It is so easy for those of us without ‘skin in the game’ to say just do it, but there are always a number of considerations that stand out in our minds before making that final commitment to change.
Will the staff adjust? Will they understand the idea or grasp the concept, as well as why the change is occurring? Or, are they going to fight you tooth and nail every step of the way? What about regulations, standards, supply chains, sales, marketing, delivery and finance? These are all things that have likely taken years to perfect, and change can mean disruption in many of these areas, coupled with the time necessary to adjust appropriately and effectively.
As a leader, it is your responsibility, ultimately, to shoulder these concerns and deal with them – but are you really expected to take on this often monumental task all on your own? The above questions are best addressed by a group of colleagues who, like you, have ‘skin in the game.’ Getting the opinions of others who will also be impacted by any changes made, as well as their thoughts on how implementation should occur, will help you to overcome the challenges brought on by change – not to mention circumventing those that can be avoided before they even occur. By discussing potential changes with those individuals in leadership positions within your organization, those you can trust to give you honest feedback, you can significantly mitigate the risk. After all, de-risking is critical to any good innovation.
And remember: knowing when and how to get out of a specific innovation process is critical to its ultimate success. Not every change that you are going to make is going to work. Some are inevitably going to be more profitable than others. However, recognizing this, and accepting that sometimes it is better to cut your losses early, is the best way to learn from the process and identify ways to improve the next time.
Ultimately, your decision to innovate will combine (no matter how hard we try to do otherwise) the facts and your heart and soul. Sometimes patience is a virtue, but other times being too patient and too cautious will mean missed opportunities. In the end, when it comes to innovation, risk is always a factor, and sometimes you just have to do it.
For more about implementing innovation please contact Innovators Alliance today by calling 1-905-332-0340.
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