Innovation

Managing InnovationProducts Relating to 'Managing Innovation'

Managing innovation word is often heard in many corporate meetings, however, if you try to look at this terminology in practical sense, can the innovation work be managed by using conventional Management techniques? However, in some successful company like Xerox Corporation has been able to create in their organization a climate of managing innovation. Actually managing innovation is not a managerial skill that can be developed in a institution where management training is imparted. It is developed within the organization, as a series of collaborative efforts and interactions among the people. The manager s job is just to facilitate those activities in a systematic way and thus create an environment of managing innovation. In other words managing innovation is a result of an organizational structure that permits dynamic interactions among the team members of the organization. It clearly identifies and exploits the people who helps to carry out innovation, but does not unduly punish those who don't.

There are some of the factors that is essential for nurturing the climate of managing innovation in a organization which are as below:

Personal understanding of the process of innovation: If the manager of the team has the personal understanding of the process and activities of the managing innovation then he will take personal interest and devise suitable practically achievable procedures to introduce innovation in the organization

Continuous learning and study: If the Manager himself takes effort to continuously update himself with new technology then the continuous learning of the team will take place automatically. But in most of the time Manager shows little interest to update themselves either due to lack of interest or can t find enough time to devote himself in extra efforts.

Curiosity & Openness: The manager who is interested in new things and new ways will invariably find it easier to develop and maintain a closer relationship with innovators in their organization which will be complementary in managing innovation. Also the manager must be ready to listen and open to criticism and ready to learn from anyone without showing any ego.

Leadership: Manager must show his passion for managing innovation and able to lead his tem by showing his enthusiastic approach to appreciate innovation in the organization.

Focus on strategic issues rather than operational tasks: The manager must be focused on the important and strategic rather than the operational issues of the organization. That does not mean that non-executive tasks are not important, but rather to do the job well, focus on those responsibilities that only the executive can accomplish.

Article Published: Saturday 14th July 2007