A process for innovation...
Blogging in "Creating a Culture of Innovation," facilitated by Paul Meyer and Jeff De Cagna...
Jeff just outlined a six-step process for innovation:
Imagine a possibility - encourage everyone (staff and board) to imagine
Ideate the possibility - give people the opportunity to generate ideas (members and staff)
Inquire into the idea - learn more about it, just enough to make a decision
Initiate - create the idea
Implement - put the idea out there, even if it's not perfect (especially if it's not; waiting for perfection may result in a lost opportunity)
Impact - what is the result of the idea and its implementation?
Ideas generated are reviewed by an "innovation council" of middle-level folks (not at most senior level of organization) representing a cross-section of departments (about 10 folks). This group makes decisions about which ideas move forward. Engaging those closest to members sends a very powerful message about the value given to innovation. Besides, the senior folks will have a chance to look at them eventually.
Innovation doesn't have to be only for big projects, either...not everything has to be the new "Google" or the next "Post-It note."