We have all heard the term innovation for several years now, however, recently many organizations - regardless of their size or industry - have found themselves compelled to rethink their operations to remain competitive and not perish in the attempt. But do we really know what innovation means?
When we think of innovation, we immediately think of technology, but essentially, innovating means renewing or replacing something, such as a process, a product, or a service through the introduction of new techniques or the establishment of successful ideas that add value to most stakeholders. So, how do we know if we are ready to take the leap? What does my company need to "innovate"?
Many companies attempt to address the innovation process without taking the necessary time to assess their readiness level to foster innovation within their company. Approaching innovation too soon or too late can cause companies to lose money, which is why knowing the right time for innovation is crucial.
First and foremost, having the support of company leaders is imperative because without explicit and visible support from management, most innovation programs have a very short lifespan. Leaders must dedicate a significant portion of their time to leading and actively promoting innovation, otherwise, it will be extremely difficult to create and maintain innovation as a cultural and sustainable process.
Secondly, before delving into the future, it's advisable to evaluate the past. For this, we can use the "Roadmapping" tool, which will provide relevant information to understand where we stand, which company processes have become a headache, and which ones are best to address first.
Thirdly, promoting an organizational culture where employees can contribute ideas and be heard is vital. It must be demonstrated to stakeholders that initiatives don't have to come solely from a managerial position, and this is fostered through practices such as ideation, experimentation, and iterative product development. However, we have to consider that generating these small changes doesn't happen overnight and must be a sustained process for the innovation practice to thrive.
Lastly, it's worth noting that innovation cannot be adopted using the same tools and practices we regularly use in the business, so being innovative usually requires an initial investment and even a recurring budget that can be allocated to employee training and development, iterative development of new processes and products, and even providing incentives within the organization to promote these practices.
Considering these 4 pillars, you probably feel more ready to innovate than before, however, if you still don't feel confident about taking the first step, at Darien Technology, we can help.
Design Thinking Session in our IMO
At Darien Technology, we offer a service called IMO (Innovation Management Office) through which we challenge organizations to identify their needs and accompany them to discover the best way to execute innovation within their organizations. On the other hand, in the IMO, we encourage companies to focus on a minimum viable product, whether it's the development of an application or the automation of a process. The IMO usually consists of a 2 to 4-week accompaniment in which a multidisciplinary team will provide you with their experience and knowledge in innovation to assist you in the process you are about to undertake. In this innovation process, we go through a series of stages such as defining the current situation of the organization, setting objectives, evaluating market standards, value flows, and user stories, detailing technological requirements, and even providing general sketches of the user experience. All of the above is detailed in a set of documents and resources that will help your company make a decision with structured foundations and our recommendations. Remember, innovating is not just about inventing something that has never been done before, but about applying the necessary tools and resources that ultimately add value to all stakeholders in the organization and its customers.
