Creating a Culture of Innovation

Creating a Culture of Innovation

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Creating a Culture of Innovation

Introduction

To create an innovative technology company, it is important to first understand the state of the technology of to be competitors. Nowadays, company’s success is mainly measured by innovation capacity, its competitiveness and customer satisfaction. Innovation is defined as development of new or better product or service from its initial state or idea(Martins, Abreu, & Calado, 2018). In this context, it is important for companies to develop a culture of innovation that can outsmart their competitors in developing products or services that meets the customers’ needs. Innovation makes sure that the better services or products are produced faster and efficiently than the competitors. In the organization, we will create a positive innovative culture that will be all inclusive and allow for implementation of smart, new and efficient ways of doing things. To run a successful company, in the context of innovation, company’s organizational culture, leadership qualities and characteristics of the employees play a key role.

Company’s Organizational Culture

Culture of innovation can be promoted through company’s organizational culture. To achieve this, the company’s innovators (operating at product/service level) and entrepreneurs (operating at the business level) should put in place an organizational culture that promotes, favors and nature the culture of innovation (Ristovska, Baresa, & Serafimovic, 2015). Innovation process should be an inclusive process, in that it provides the perfect and best ways of nurturing an idea all the to the actual implementation of the idea and is a perfect innovative culture. The organizational culture of the company, should create a conducive environment, that can foster individual responsibility and autonomy by motivating the employee and making them a have a sense of entitlement in the company. The company should put in place a clear communication channel(Bingham, 2003). Innovation is a continual process, and therefore the company’s organizational structure should factor in the need for change and be flexible. To achieve this, the organizational culture should, have a shared vision, flexible organizational structure and embracing continual improvement/innovative practices. The company’s culture can foster creativity and innovation among employees through the following ways: Clear communication, holding creativity workshops, holding and having regular innovation days, Innovation courses, innovation rewards and awards, work assignments (to employee’s area interests) and Clear goals setting

Leadership Qualities

In any organization, leadership play a key role in the overall success. With poor leadership, and qualities the success of the company is put at risk. Great leaders will encourage and motivate their employees to reach and work to their fullest potential and in doing so, the company’s goals, mission and vision will be met collectively whereas bad leaders will discourage their employees. Leaders are born or made, and in our case, because we are creating a new company, we will hire the already made leaders with the desired qualities and good backgrounds, experienced and no criminal records. In hiring for all the managerial positions, it is critical to search and hire the best candidate that will not make employees leave or lose sight on the objectives and goals of the company. Great leaders possess the following leadership qualities:

Responsibility

Taking responsibility of the overall out come of the company, either failure or success, and everyone’s overall performance. Keeping tab on employees and helping them to grow both financially and professionally makes them engaged and entitled.

Decisiveness

Great leaders should be able to make tough decisions with diligence in short time, after assessing the situation and all available options(Kurec, 2016). Making decisions within a short time is good for business efficiency and means the managers are not afraid of acting swiftly when the need arises. On the hand, indecisive leaders will make the company move at a slower pace. Other leadership qualities to look for in a leader are; Honesty, Communication skills, Confidence, Empathy, Focus, Creativity, Optimism and Commitment

Characteristics of the Employees

For any company to be successful, especially the start up companies, the type of employees and people characteristic the company employs plays vital role(Hermanto, Muhyi, & Purnomo, 2018). It is important to build a strong and effective workforce to drive the company forward. Building a strong workforce is essential for the sustainability and growth of the company, and to achieve this the company should hire the best employees by checking on their characteristics. Regardless of the expertise and experience, it is important to build a workforce that puts the company’s mission, goals and objectives before them. For the company to grow and be successful, the following traits are essential in all or in most of the employees; Passionate, Good communication skills, Goal and result oriented, Organized, focused and detailed, Adaptable and Creative.

Innovation is a continuous process and should be consistent with the company’s organizational culture, as it will only flourish in a conducive culture. Innovation practices is based on inclusiveness of the employees and the organizational leadership as well as conducive environment.

Reference

Bingham, P. (2003). Pursuing Innovation In a Big Organization. Research-Technology Management, 46(4), 52-58. doi:10.1080/08956308.2003.11671577

Hermanto, B., Muhyi, H. A., & Purnomo, M. (2018). The Effect Of Job Characteristics On Job Satisfaction And Its Impact On Employee Performance. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 5(9).

Kurec, A. (2016). Follow the Leader: Developing Great Leadership Skills. Critical Values, 9(4), 24-27. doi:10.1093/crival/vaw024

Martins, J., Abreu, A., & Calado, J. (2018). The Need to Develop a Corporate Culture of Innovation in a Globalization Context Globalization: IntechOpen.

Ristovska, N., Baresa, S., & Serafimovic, G. (2015). Creating Innovative Culture in Function of Enhancing Business Development. ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF GLOBAL TRENDS IN TOURISM, FINANCE, EDUCATION & MANAGEMENT, 72.