Can we really "manage" Innovation?
We talk of managing innovation. But can it really be managed in a scientific hands-on way? After all, I get most of my ideas while shaving, or mowing the lawn. How can that be managed other than by making sure I do those idea-conducive activities frequently and regularly, and that I promptly capture the ideas and then start working on them in a lab setting. And can even the lab work be managed, in the sense that numerous iterations and brainstorms might be required before the idea becomes a workable innovation? What are your thoughts on this? (A question by Frank Feather (http://www.linkedin.com/in/frankfeather))
You are talking of 2 different concepts (highly connected though). The first is referred as creative thinking (Ideas while shaving, mowing the lawn, etc). I personally find plenty of time during the day to be creative and come up with ideas (while driving, in the shower, etc).
However I have setup in my calendar a 1 hour a week time slot to think (I personally believe such a practice would better the world if everyone would sit down and just think an hour a week).
The second concept is the actual innovation, it is when you take those creative ideas and put them into practice. You do not always have a person that can be very creative and innovative, that is why it is important to identify and clarify each part of the equation. Innovation can be encouraged and promoted. I don’t think it is healthy to manage innovation as it would basically deny its very purpose: come up with a new path.
Management deals with establishing a direction, organizing people, etc. I think you can manage the result of the innovative process. When you have something that clearly has value you can then manage its deployment.
Innovation is a tool, a resource in our minds we don’t generally (76%) tap too frequently (57% according to your list).
You can see from my response I do not believe in Innovation as a company asset or a culture you can just adopt. It is a human trait, something that can permeate in a company when the people start adopting it.
