Learning

After reviewing your motivation, strategy, implementation and performance there will be areas which worked well and areas where improvements are still required.

It is one thing to identify the problems but another to learn from them. At this stage of the review process you have identified some problems or areas for improvement in the innovation adventure. It is now time to dig deeper to the root cause of these problems. For example, one of your problems could be that there was not enough effective communication to drive the innovation. The root cause may be the type of communication used. Key gate keepers (refer Networking) may not read their emails therefore another form of communication is required to effectively relay the strategy and intent of the innovation.

Make sure you involve the stakeholders in the learning process. Discuss with them the problems you encountered. They may be able to provide ideas and solutions that you were not aware of. A key part of innovation is collaboration and by involving the stakeholders in the learning process you have also engaged them for the next round of innovation.

The learning process also involves embedding the knowledge within the company and communicating with relevant stakeholders. Think about the best way to document the knowledge gained. Key headings may include:

• What was the problem?
• What was the root cause?
• What was the solution?
• Implementation of the solution

Also think about where to keep the information. It would be best if it was a general repository that everyone within the company can access. Also look at bringing the knowledge gained from the innovation experience into the company’s training programs and policies so they become second nature for the company’s employees.

Links to subsections of this topic

What motivates customer’s to buy new ideas and innovations?
What are the categories of customers that buy new ideas and innovations?
Learning