Questions to consider when Planning your 2018 Innovation Initiatives

New ideas are great, but make sure you've got what you need to bring them to fruition, and ensure they're making the difference they're supposed to be.              

Trae Tessmann|
February 21, 2018

Take a look at what you did last year, and what you should be doing better this year.

 

With 2018 in full-swing, we’ve already told you why you should invest in innovation in 2018.

 

But if you need more convincing, take a look at your current innovation program. What’s working? What isn’t? Did much change from last year?

 

For some new perspective, answer the questions below and see where you can benefit.

 

 

High-level goals

Apart from just “making more money”, let’s think about other areas of your business, and how you can realize those affects on your bottom-line.

 

  • What areas are you targeting for innovation or improvement? Customers, Culture, Costs?
  • Are you targeting a mix of both large and small projects and improvements?
  • What types of Metrics do you use to determine success for each of these areas?

 

Challenging your Employees

Take some of the burden off management, and discover some new sources of insight and ideas to move your organization forward.

 

  • Who can you involve more in your innovation program?
  • What types of questions can you ask them?
  • How will you collect and evaluate the ideas you receive?

 

Reviews and Communication

Idea management and collaboration is crucial in today’s fast-moving business climate, and that starts with effective communication.

 

  • How will you communicate the goals of your innovation program to your employees?
  • Who will be evaluating the ideas you receive?
  • How and how often will you communicate the status of ideas and projects?

 

Capacity and Commitment for Execution

New ideas and projects are great, but make sure you’ve got what you need to bring them to fruition, and ensure they’re making the difference they’re supposed to be.

 

  • Do you have buy-in from Senior Leadership to take ideas and projects forward?
  • Will the Ideas you receive have the resources available to further development?
  • Are there employees with dedicated time to work on bringing ideas to life?

 

 

What did you discover? Where do you need work? What next in 2018? Let us know!

 

About Trae Tessmann

Co-founder of Ideawake

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