Internal innovation - better an oops than a what if...

The role of an ‘intrapreneur’ in business is a massive opportunity that is often overlooked. You don’t have to go and work for a start up to find an environment where you are encouraged and supported to come up with ideas.

The size, scale of corporate businesses can actually be a safe haven for idea generation – the reality is, there is minimal risk to overall profit and performance if it all goes wrong (to a point of course).

Talking about innovation is one thing.  But how do we really encourage our teams to be bolder and braver? 

Do we need to look at our management practices with a critical eye to see just how far we support an internal entrepreneurial culture within our teams?

Do the ways in which we recognise talent and performance really take into account those individuals who go the extra mile to come up with and develop ideas? Or do we only reward based on results?

Creating an environment within our own teams, where trying is rewarded and failure is seen as an opportunity for progression and not blame is a powerful something that I would love to see widely supported.

Maybe that's the start – beginning a movement where ideas are not only generated by the the Board or squeezed into our activity planner under 'innovation week'.  

We need to promote an evironment where individuals have the courage and confidence to step up and outside of the norm.  To put their thoughts, ideas and opinions on the table with no certainty of how it will be received.

Within Metropolitan Pub Co we are exploring ways in which we can support innovation – finding the fastest route to implementation where trial and error is accepted as business as usual.

It’s an exciting concept to get off the ground and if we do it right, can be a powerful tool to continually evolve our people culture.

If anyone has any experience of developing internal innovation, I would love to discuss/debate ideas.

https://www.virgin.com/richard-branson/the-power-of-ideas

https://www.gallup.com/businessjournal/26068/four-drivers-innovation.aspx