A hat tip to The Innovation Insider for this post confirming the basic uselessness of the word "innovative." Long ago, I advised colleagues, clients and audiences to stop using this word because it was essentially meaningless. CEOs and executives make their companies sound more interesting and attractive by spicing up their speeches, annual reports and web sites with descriptions of so-called "innovative" initiatives and projects. All too often, these efforts are nothing more than yesterday's ideas repackaged as new or different. Moreover, when everything from audio/video equipment, to consulting solutions, to food, to pavement can be described as "innovative," how can we effectively calibrate our understanding?
My advice: rather than trying to be "innovative," be about innovation. You can't change your organization's future with adjectives, but you will with action.
Hi Jeff,
Your column is an innovative way to stop people from using "innovative!"
Cheers, Phil Ingrassia
Posted by: Phil | February 02, 2006 at 03:47 PM
Hi Jeff,
My colleagues and I are researching levels of "Innovative Freedom" in organizations.
In return for posting the link for people to visit, I take on your bit about dumping Innovative.
I differ with the approach you have, because it could be perceived as treating the symptom, instead of the cause.
While I think that people should make sure they hold their workers accountable, management also needs to get out of the way.
Innovators should have the freedom first, to fail, and second to succeed. If workers are afraid of punishment for failure, they will hold back on truly innovative ideas, since these are often the most risky.
In addition, we need to cut our innovators in on the profit, and start distributing the wealth.
Thanks,
tim
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=337471941318
Posted by: Tim Wheeler | March 31, 2006 at 07:02 PM