Home for Innovation or Innovation at Home?

By Vik Bangia, CEO Verum Consulting, LLC

I took the photo for this article in May 2019 while on vacation in Brussels, Belgium. My Facebook comment under the photo said simply, “Article Idea…”, because I’m always on the hunt for topics to write on. I have little scraps of ideas everywhere, in notebooks, photo albums, on post-its, etc. At the time, I made myself a mental note to write an article about how the workplace can be the home for innovation.?

Well, here we are in August 2021 and because the topic of innovation came up in a discussion with a colleague last week, I set out to find the photo and finally start writing that innovation article. But now, “Home for Innovation” seemed to carry a double meaning. I thought, is the office the home for innovation, or can innovation actually occur at home??

It got me thinking about what the pandemic and WFH has done to this concept of business innovation and how it has impacted me, my clients, and my colleagues. I firmly believe innovation is enhanced by workplace relationships and these relationships are extremely important for social solidarity and social connection. But we’re still having those relationships, aren’t we? Do they have to be in person??

An article I’ve cited and referenced previously in webinars and podcasts is “The Microsoft Work Trend Index” (link below). I think it is a brilliant read because it identifies several elements that are critical for innovation and productivity to take place in the office and how those elements are being impacted by changing workplace dynamics.??

The research in the trend index indicates that strong workplace networks and a sense of inclusion can increase the level productivity and innovation among employees based on their feedback. Conversely, employees who felt less productive and innovative said it was because their level of social connection and feelings of inclusion were diminished. Clearly, there’s a correlation there and it varies by age group.?

Those that felt more productive had more frequent interactions with colleagues and peer groups, interactions they reported increased their strategic thinking, collaboration, brainstorming and new idea generation - all components of the innovative process.

I highly recommend reading the Microsoft report for yourself. It got me thinking about my own business. As an independent consultant, I don’t have a workplace network. I don’t really have a workplace. I am often working independently from home. Prior to Covid, I was splitting my time 50/50 between home and my clients’ offices. Today, my social interactions at work are with my client and their teams, their organizations – and 100% virtual. At home, I’m more often bouncing my innovative ideas off our dog Junie and she’s usually very agreeable, especially when there’s a cookie in the offing.??

When it comes to productivity, I guess that’s different every day. My work hours are much more random these days and so is my productivity. This article is an example. I tried to write it last night. But I was physically and mentally spent after a long day of work and several back-to-back calls and couldn’t put two ideas together last night to save my life. Luckily, an 8pm call with a client in Singapore last night was rescheduled because I probably wouldn’t have been fully present for that either but I was especially frustrated that the words for this article weren’t coming. We've probably all been there.

However, this morning, the words flowed much more easily. In essence, this example mirrors my productivity journey over the past 18 months. On the whole, I’d say I’m even more productive since I’m not traveling every single day. But, my productivity comes in waves. Some days, I accomplish so much that I surprise myself. Other days, I don’t get a lot done. Those days, Junie might get to go for TWO walks.?

I’ve learned to be OK with it because It’s not a procrastination or laziness thing. I can’t put my finger on the why. I do know that a solution to the block is sometimes simply a walk around the block. Other times, a short break to play my guitar or even simply grab my computer and walk away from my desk to the dining room table or out to the deck. Whatever it is, I have to be intentional otherwise it WILL become laziness.

But, what about you? I am interested in learning what you, your organizations, and your colleagues have to say about their level of social connectivity during the past 18 months and whether or not they feel more innovative and/or productive at home rather than in the office. Virtual rather than face-to-face.?And either way, this is something you need to tell your employer when you're asked about your WFH experience.

Maybe, as I’m learning, my social connectivity is still intact, only more so through social media channels, like LinkedIn these days.?

How about you? Is your home a home for innovation? Or does innovation for you only work in an office setting? What are you doing to stay socially connected, innovative and productive? What’s working and what’s not?

Let me know in the comments or via private message!

Vik Bangia is CEO of Minneapolis-based Verum Consulting, LLC and the OutsourceUSA Network. Learn more at www.verumconsulting.com and www.OutsourceUSA.com.