Startups must innovate to survive in an ever-changing environment. It’s more than finding the next big idea. Innovation is essential for problem-solving, increased productivity, and staying ahead of your competition.
It’s not possible to create in isolation. Creativity is not something that a small group of people can achieve with a particular talent.
Innovate inclusively
Although a junior member may have a brilliant idea, they might be afraid to share it with the rest of the group. This will allow everyone, regardless of their rank, to feel confident about putting forward ideas. This diversity is the foundation of an innovation mindset.
Change things
Inez Cooper, managing director, and co-founder at insurance company William Russell says that business owners need to view innovation as an everyday task to create such a culture. She said, “Reorganize the company frequently and create product squads out of different teams. It stimulates people to think about what they do every day when they are in a new organization.
Be experimental
Employees should be encouraged and supported to try new ideas. However, they must feel safe doing so without fear of being rejected or facing backlash. These challenges should be seen as an opportunity to improve and strengthen informed decision-making in the future.
Simon Paine, Rebel Business School CEO, states that it is essential to encourage and support small experiments at work.
Businesses must also create an environment that encourages focused ideas generation and eliminates distractions.
Innovate remotely
Find, a matching platform for businesses was founded days before the first U.K. lockdown. Because the forum was being developed remotely by the team from their homes, they needed to instill an innovative culture quickly. Slack and Zoom were all available for collaboration. Google docs were also available. From the beginning, the company established structures and processes to prioritize innovation in the key areas.
Jenny James, Chief Operating Officer: “Progress are reviewed every quarter. We dedicate time to capture innovative suggestions that go into the product roadmap as priority features. We celebrate our successes creatively with virtual team-building activities that reinforce that sense of one goal and one team.
Offer to share a piece.
True innovation requires everyone to give their best and work together as a team. If Nasir, founder of share scheme platform Vestd, incentivizes this collaborative team effort by providing fired up to build the company to its maximum potential,” he said. Everyone has something to lose, so small decisions make up a bigger whole. This encourages collaboration, and everyone wants to see the company win.
Find solutions for customers’ problems.
He said, “You and the team are given the task of tackling those challenges using your company’s unique approach. This is an excellent way to encourage innovation.” Asking your team for honest feedback will help you understand what went wrong and encourage everyone to find the best solution.
Help support the creative mindset.
To maintain a spirit of innovation in teams that work remotely, it is essential to provide the best care and support.
Many traditional staff perks, usually tied to the workplace, lose some value when most of the workweek is at home. Innovation is possible only if you care about your team. Therefore, employee benefits and support must reflect these changes in work lives.
