Post by Drew Holness on Apr 21, 2016 1:56:07 GMT
After you’ve completed the readings write a substantial entry on the discussion board:
1) Share your interpretation of barriers to innovation. Do they ring true for you? Why or why not?
• My interpretation of barriers to innovation is definitely within the organization and culture which falls under “The Groups.” These two entities in my experience have the most detrimental effect on growth and creativity. If the organization fails to put structures in place to enable creative thinking, then I believe the shelf life of that organization is directly proportional to its’ status quo. In terms of culture, if status quo of the culture suggests “the bean counter” mentality then everything I’ve read in the book thus far would validate why fixing the “culture” will in turn, fix innovation. I always thought if an organization wanted to hear from you they would make it easy. The idea is to create a medium for creative thinking; most basic is a suggestion box. I use to work for a company that encouraged their employees to share a minimum of one “good catch” idea a quarter regardless of how small or large their ideas were. It was an electronic forum where you write your ideas and selected the organization you thought were responsible for following up on it. Each idea was reviewed by the owners/organization and decided on. Each quarter a winner for the “bright idea award” of the quarter was rewarded anywhere from $10 - $250 or even movie tickets for 2. It was a very successful program and it energized people to make positive improvements or changes within the company or organization. It was a culture of reward and recognition for good ideas.
2) Share an example where you tried to innovate and did not succeed. Based on your understanding of the innovation constraints framework, what prevented you from succeeding? What would you do differently with your understanding of barriers to innovation?
• In June 2014 I met with an investor to promote my idea of “Ezpark App” and I never felt so humiliated in my life. The individual constraint was in full affect. He pretty much told me that there’s no way any security minded company would embrace my idea because of fears of terrorist hacking the system. And when I asked him for what purpose would anyone have to hack the system, his response was “they did it hear in a building in NY.” At that point I asked him if he wanted to look at my proposal and he said it’s not profitable so I politely said thank you and went on my way. The thing I would do differently is be prepared to answer questions not favorable to my idea. I would also invite more than one investor and have someone else on my side to objectively listen in.
1) Share your interpretation of barriers to innovation. Do they ring true for you? Why or why not?
• My interpretation of barriers to innovation is definitely within the organization and culture which falls under “The Groups.” These two entities in my experience have the most detrimental effect on growth and creativity. If the organization fails to put structures in place to enable creative thinking, then I believe the shelf life of that organization is directly proportional to its’ status quo. In terms of culture, if status quo of the culture suggests “the bean counter” mentality then everything I’ve read in the book thus far would validate why fixing the “culture” will in turn, fix innovation. I always thought if an organization wanted to hear from you they would make it easy. The idea is to create a medium for creative thinking; most basic is a suggestion box. I use to work for a company that encouraged their employees to share a minimum of one “good catch” idea a quarter regardless of how small or large their ideas were. It was an electronic forum where you write your ideas and selected the organization you thought were responsible for following up on it. Each idea was reviewed by the owners/organization and decided on. Each quarter a winner for the “bright idea award” of the quarter was rewarded anywhere from $10 - $250 or even movie tickets for 2. It was a very successful program and it energized people to make positive improvements or changes within the company or organization. It was a culture of reward and recognition for good ideas.
2) Share an example where you tried to innovate and did not succeed. Based on your understanding of the innovation constraints framework, what prevented you from succeeding? What would you do differently with your understanding of barriers to innovation?
• In June 2014 I met with an investor to promote my idea of “Ezpark App” and I never felt so humiliated in my life. The individual constraint was in full affect. He pretty much told me that there’s no way any security minded company would embrace my idea because of fears of terrorist hacking the system. And when I asked him for what purpose would anyone have to hack the system, his response was “they did it hear in a building in NY.” At that point I asked him if he wanted to look at my proposal and he said it’s not profitable so I politely said thank you and went on my way. The thing I would do differently is be prepared to answer questions not favorable to my idea. I would also invite more than one investor and have someone else on my side to objectively listen in.