Decoding INNOVATION

Innovation in very basic term translates to a new idea, device or method. The idea can be extremely novice or an improvement upon any existing solution. “INNOVATION”, the very word itself is the talk of the town today. Enterprises are encouraging employees to innovate continuously and, vigorously. The Motto Perform Or Perish has been aptly modified into Innovate Or Perish. Business houses today want to innovate either to stay in race or to remove others’ from the race. This is where the whole purpose of Innovation & creativity stands defeated. David O Adefe has rightly quoted that: “Never innovate to compete, innovate to change the rules of the game”.

Innovation should also be focused around the customer. True innovation is coming up with a product that the customer didn’t even know they needed. After all customer is the KING!

Lastly and the most vital point, we need brains behind creative thinking and problem solving. The brains needn’t be of Einstein or Aryabhatta, but of highly self-motivated individuals who aspire for a change. Simply by throwing ideas at the white board in a meeting that comprises of highly demotivated individuals would be the death of creativity. To achieve success, companies need to promote a culture of creative thinking in first place, which will develop a sense of reasoning, ultimately changing the outlook of the employees’ towards any problem. Only them meaningful innovations will be born.