Thoughts behind innovation

Innovation is hard to define. Just where does it come from? Who does it? Who is responsible for it? How do you manage it?
The questions can keep flowing. In short, innovation is a difficult, creative process that no one can really corral.
Sometimes great ideas come at the strangest times and in a moment’s notice. Other times it comes after some serious, thought provoking deliberations.
A study sponsored by Dow Corning and conducted by Harris Interactive Inc. hit the street this week talking about innovation. The study asked who is responsible for innovation. The researchers found perceptions regarding who is primarily responsible for innovation have expanded.
It was once the task of the “egg heads” in the laboratory, but now it includes everyone.
The study, which surveyed executives in industries including electronics, construction, beauty and personal care, automotive, textiles, rubber, plastics, paper, and health care, reported 37% of respondents said they are counting on all employees, not just the head of science and technology, to innovate. Meanwhile 23% of respondents felt innovation is the responsibility of the chief technology officer.
Respondents ranked factors that make a supplier a successful innovator. The top-ranked factor was having an “intimate understanding of what customers want and need.” The second highest response was “employees are creative” which scored 8.6, and third was “apply the latest developments in science and technology” at 8.5.
Innovation will lift you and your company to great heights. Go ahead, try it.
Talk to me.