Innovate without making change, is it possible?
In recent years, the word innovation has become trendy. Almost every report, published by a company or an organization is referring to innovation, introduction of new products and services and/or future opportunities. What is behind these words and stories that tell us about the company’s innovation?
“Innovation is a necessity, regardless of the conditions. In times of uncertainty, innovation is not risky. Not innovating is the greater risk”.
Scott Anthony, Innosight
Management of innovation is a process of transformation of aspirations, ideas, concepts and actual plans into the measurable outcomes (e.g. new products, functions, business models, etc). But this process is not possible without modification or complete change of the existing capabilities of a firm.
To achieve a goal — to innovate, the organization and the people, that are involved in the innovation process should be ready to change. To succeed in innovation, they should improve the existing or introduce new types of behaviors, routines, habits, processes etc.
It is useless to wish and plan for innovation and at the same time reject changes which are necessary to achieve the goal. This is the first step to failure. Business history knows many companies who failed to do so, and as a result, they disappeared.
Sometimes we think we don’t have time to change, especially when resources are scarce, or when there is a crisis. We focus on the current state of things and cannot see the alternatives. This operational strategy can work for some time. But the real question is “until when”?
In the management literature, this phenomenon is known as “the myopia of learning” (e.g. Levinthal and March, 1993). Too much focus on the short-term objectives, can result in the organizational inability to change and survive in the long-term.
An alternative option is to stop and think about what will happen next, if an organization (or an individual) is not doing any change. “In times of uncertainty, innovation is not risky. Not innovating is the greater risk” (Scott Anthony). An organization that does not perform any change, fails to innovate. It also fails to adapt to the constantly changing business environment and is less likely to survive in the long-term.
To understand how to manage change at the individual level with people and teams, watch the video on Youtube “Making change happen” with my guest Tiza Pyle, the transformation and leadership coach. Feel free to reach out to me and connect on social media.
