How many times have you had a great idea?
One that would really improve the way things operate around your workplace? It
seemed great, there were really no objections, but then...well, it went nowhere.
Most of us are extremely busy and one of
the biggest challenges to new ideas is being able to set aside the time to
develop and implement those innovations. In recent years, we've seen the impact
of high unemployment, company lay-offs and more stressful amounts of work
placed on the employees who remain. Creativity is one of the first luxuries to
go in that type of environment.
Creativity and innovation are an absolute
requirement for a business to remain successful in a changing world. If cavemen
were never innovative, we would still be in caves, struggling to build fires
and using sticks and stones for tools. Innovation is the way forward and the
path to the future. Companies that ignore that concept do so at their own risk
and peril.
So where do good ideas come from and
where do they go? Innovation comes from your creative staff members who can and
do take the time to think through processes and ideas and look for new ways to
do things. Sometimes, that means experimenting and trying new methods.
Creating new ideas is only part of the
process. Once there is a good idea floating around, the practicality of getting
it implemented becomes the next challenge. I know that some of my own ideas,
brilliant as I thought they were (debatable, of course) quickly died when I
started thinking about what could be involved. There could be a capital
requirement, perhaps an information technology piece. Approval from a senior
leader or training to be supported by yet another department. Along the way,
there are many skeptics and naysayers ready to give your super brilliant idea
the ax. It is easy to see how hard it is for an idea to survive.
I've often thought that companies need
some type of corporate SWAT team to take on special projects and execute them. Police
departments train officers in Special Weapons and Tactics to take on those
atypical missions, something that is more involved than what the 'average'
police officer may be ready to handle. Dynamic entries, hostage rescue and
high-risk arrests are some of the missions a SWAT team might be involved in.
Probably much more exciting-sounding than most corporate projects, but it does
create an idea (there I go again).
What if companies had a special team to
help implement projects above and beyond the normal routine. Corporate
directors and managers do not necessarily have the time to implement new ideas
and may not know the best approach or who to contact within the organization.
The SWAT team would be able to do just that, paving the way to accomplishment.
Members should have additional training in project management, including
budgeting and being able to build key teams with the right stakeholders, manage
meetings and execute the mission, in this case, implement a brilliant idea. The
team would need executive support, as well as its own budget to work with.
Understanding the strategic goals of the organization is also fundamental to
successful innovation and implementing the right ideas.
Perhaps they could use the same acronym
to be recognizable. Special Workplace Achievement Tactical team or something to
that affect (okay, I'm not always that creative).
Being able to develop brilliant ideas
into a creative and innovative approach to business is vital for long-term
survival. Companies that encourage that innovation and can implement new ideas
will be the leaders in the future. Those that do not will be the cavemen
wondering how to start a fire.
Eric
Smith, CPP is the leading authority on organizational self-defense. He has extensive experience in law
enforcement as well as security management.
Eric is available for staff education and security awareness training as
well as business coaching to help organizations provide safe workplaces. To learn more email eric@businesskarate.com.
