ARTICLE 005 ~ The Power of Play in Business Innovation

In today’s busy world, businesses of all sizes struggle to stay competitive and innovate in an ever-changing landscape. While traditional methods of brainstorming and problem-solving are still important, it is becoming increasingly clear that businesses can benefit from a more playful approach to spurring innovation and creativity. Here, we will explore the power of play in business innovation and discuss some ways you can use it to generate better ideas and foster collaboration and creativity in your organization.

First, it is essential to understand the psychology behind the power of play. Playing helps us tap into our more relaxed and creative side, which is more conducive to developing inventive solutions and fostering collaboration. When people feel like they are playing, they become more comfortable and open to exploring new possibilities.

Further, playing encourages participants to become more risk-tolerant, as there are usually no right or wrong answers in playful environments. Regarding problem-solving and coming up with new ideas, risk-taking is essential. Businesses can harness the power of play in several ways. For example, gamified activities have improved employee engagement and productivity. Digital tools like Ideascale, Kaizen, and KaiNexus can help facilitate gamified brainstorming sessions and provide real-time feedback from peers. Online “voting” tools such as Mentimeter allow teams to anonymously vote on their favorite ideas to help foster better collaboration and create a sense of ownership amongst the group.

In addition to digital tools, businesses can access many low-tech activities such as LEGO Serious Play, Analog Forecasting, and Innovation Games. These activities help teams build meaningful relationships and create a shared sense of ownership and understanding. Ultimately, businesses that encourage their employees to play often find they have more profound, creative ideas and are more committed to their success. Companies of all sizes can benefit from improved creativity and collaboration by taking a playful approach to problem-solving and spurring innovation.

Checklist

• Encourage open-ended play among staff, encouraging experimentation, creativity, and collaboration.
• Embrace failure – this is a key to innovation. Allow staff to make mistakes and to learn from them.
• Allow staff members to have flexible work hours for a comfortable play environment.
• Allow staff to take time for themselves, such as using personal time to participate in activities outside of work; this can help stimulate creativity and innovation.
• Do not discourage staff from taking creative risks. Encourage creative brainstorming and out-of-the-box thinking.
• Support an environment of trust. Create an open-door policy where staff feels comfortable to come forward with ideas without fear of reprimand.
• Have play days and create monthly activities encouraging staff to participate in playful activities.
• Invest in of-the-moment technologies, such as the latest software and digital media, to help encourage creativity and collaboration.
• Provide a workspace free from distractions like cell phones, emails, and meetings to help foster a relaxed and productive atmosphere.
• Keep track of staff’s ideas and results, and provide rewards for successful innovation projects.