“You can’t move forward if you’re afraid of failure.”
Steve Jobs said so. He is one of the successive badshahs (kings) of innovation. He didn’t rise to the top for fear of failure.
Experimentation, failure and learning are key ingredients of innovation. So, as a leader, are you ready to fail? Are you afraid of failure? Or are you willing to take the risk and reap the rewards?
Leaders foster a culture of innovation and set the tone from the top to create an environment where innovation can thrive. To achieve great innovation, leaders provide the right resources and empower teams to try new things, fail quickly, and keep learning.
Technology company innovation
There are some great examples of companies doing it well. Take Google as an example. The company has a “20% of the time” policy. This allows employees to spend 20% of their working time on personal projects that align with company goals and objectives.
Employees are encouraged to think creatively and pursue their own ideas, leading to some of our most successful product innovations such as Gmail and Google Maps. The next time you fire up Google Maps and get to your destination, remember that this innovation began as a belief of leaders.
Google also hosts “Innovation Weeks”. At this event, employees collaborate to explore new technologies and methodologies, present their findings to leaders, and help bring their ideas to life.Microsoft calls it a hackathon, a week in which teams from different departments and locations collaborate on novel ideas and prototypes. They are encouraged to unleash their creativity, transform concepts into worthy projects and prototypes, and take calculated risks to positively impact the company and its customers.
One potential pitfall is the idea that innovation is ‘done’ by, or ‘over there’ by, a particular team. From IT to marketing to R&D, everyone has a role. We can all innovate to improve our processes, customer service and customer experience. Embedding innovative thinking is an integral part of doing the basics well every day.
Many companies develop an “innovation mindset” by establishing a continuous innovation pipeline where teams can submit ideas, assess their potential, and prioritize them based on potential impact. and promote a culture of “Innovation in the Moment”.
IBM’s ThinkLab is a great example of driving ongoing innovation within an organization. This physical space allows employees, clients, and partners to collaborate on new ideas and develop innovative solutions using cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities. IBM has also developed a virtual ThinkLab platform. It allows employees to collaborate remotely and share ideas in real time. The platform includes brainstorming, collaboration, and project management tools to help your team work more efficiently and effectively to identify new opportunities and innovative digital solutions.
Kellogg’s Innovation
“Innovation for the Better” The use of innovative technologies, ideas and processes to create a positive social and environmental impact. This includes developing and implementing solutions that address pressing societal challenges.
In 2020, Kellogg’s became the first food company in the world to adopt NaviLens. We’ve incorporated technology into some of our European cereal packaging. Now Kellogg’s is introducing his NaviLens into the packaging of some of America’s most iconic cereals, making it the first company in the country to do so. Using the NaviLens Optical Smart Code and app, visually impaired shoppers can not only find their favorite cereal boxes, but also hear their name, size, nutrition and allergen information.
AI also helps Kellogg’s have better days when they use the Antenna Platform, an invite-only online portal that provides real-time feedback on food innovations that consumers can analyze quickly using AI technology. It also helps create.
Additionally, for each concept evaluated, participants earn a meal for donation. 10 of her meals will be donated to help starving families through Kellogg’s Better Days Promise program. These two examples show how innovation, creativity, and collaboration can help companies achieve their goals.Providing better days and a place at the table for everyone through our trusted food brands.
I started with the words of Steve Jobs. I leave you with the saying, “Innovation distinguishes leaders from followers.” So, whether you’re just starting to think about creating a culture of innovation, or you need fresh ideas to keep your employees motivated and engaged on your journey, ignite your passion for creativity, experimentation, and innovation. Let’s put it on. A sense of future success.
Bhaumik Sharma is Senior Director of Global Commercial Technology at Kellogg Company.
