Strategic Innovation Systems!
12/16/02
Robert Tucker, in his new innovation provoking book, "Driving Growth Through Innovation: How Leading Firms Are Transforming Their Futures," shares a question every leader ought to be asking as they prepare for 2003. He writes: "If managers in your firm today were asked the question: 'If I work for you and I have an idea, what do you want me to do with it?' What would their response be? Would they be able to talk about the process with ease and comfort, or would they hem and haw and backpedal? Would they have top-of-mind examples to share? The answer to this issue is to establish an idea management system that is right for your firm."
If part of the answer to change management is finding the strategic innovations that are worth driving, you may want to take the time to ask this question and read Tucker's book. If you have growth goals for 2003, do you have the processes in place to foster, surface, encourage, and capitalize on your people's best ideas? You want to embed innovation into your firm and that may very well start by asking a few well-placed questions. If innovation is the key to new value-added opportunities, it is too important to leave to chance. Spell out your expectations. Clarify innovation goals. Publicize and promote the success stories exhibiting the kind of innovative behaviors you seek. Provide training in innovation and share best practices. In short, don't just talk about innovation or even send around this e-mail. Make it a New Year's Action (not resolution) that you create an idea management system for your firm.
MONDAY'S MIRTHFUL MOMENT
Loren Ekroth sent me this week's mirth--Rules for Chocolate Lovers. These rules come thanks to Mike Schultz at the Smithsonian Institution where they are saving chocolate for future generations to study....that is if there is any chocolate left after following these rules! Enjoy as we face this heavy eating season of joy and calories:
1. If you've got melted chocolate all over your hands, you're eating it too slowly.
2. Chocolate covered raisins, cherries, orange slices & strawberries all count as fruit, so eat as many as you want.
3. The problem: How to get 2 pounds of chocolate home from the store in hot car. The solution: Eat it in the parking lot.
4. A nice box of chocolates can provide your total daily intake of calories in one place. Isn't that handy?
5. If calories are an issue, store your chocolate on top of the fridge. Calories are afraid of heights, and they will jump out of the chocolate to protect themselves.
6. If I eat equal amounts of dark chocolate and white chocolate, is that a balanced diet?
7. Money talks. Chocolate sings.
8. Chocolate has many preservatives. Preservatives make you look younger.
9. If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.
10. Put "eat chocolate" at the top of your list of things to do today. That way, at least you'll get one thing done.
And Finally...
Q. Why is there no such organization as Chocoholics Anonymous?
A. Because no one wants to quit.
When you keep your eyes open for mirth, you just may find it! Hope this kicks off your morning and helps get your mood adjusted for the week. Now, get busy MAKING CHANGE WORK and have some fun along the way!...