What’s It Mean?

Recently, there seem to have been a number of blogs trying to define innovation.  Of course, one only has to open up the dictionary to find a perfectly adequate definition.  From Merriam-Webster On-line, we find:

Innovation: \ˌi-nə-ˈvā-shən\ (noun ) 1 : the introduction of something new, 2 : a new idea, method, or device : Novelty

So why all the chatter?

The fact is that innovation has different means to different people, and the meaning can change based on the situational context.  This is why we see so many opinions and attempts to assign shades of nuance to the word.  But still, we are left to ask, “Does it really matter?”

Innovation is a very hot topic of discussion.  But, the meaning of the word doesn’t matter.  What is important about innovation is its effect.  Innovation changes things, innovation moves things forward, and innovation creates new possibilities and value.   This makes innovation very interesting.  Lest we get caught up in semantic debates, we need to remember that what is important is not the definition of the word innovation—what is important is the understanding of the process of innovation.

We have all seen examples of companies that come on to the scene with a new idea, an innovation, and then lose momentum and fade away because they didn’t have any ideas with which to follow up their original novelty.

This is why understanding the process of innovation is so important.  If you don’t have an understanding of how to innovate on demand, you won’t be able to build the repeatable and sustainable innovation engine that is needed to drive the long term success of your organization.  The innovation game is not for dabblers.  You must play the innovation game to win.

This means taking a hard and critical look at your current competencies and practices and evaluating how to integrate innovation best practices into the organizational fabric of your company.  The degree to which you are able to embrace repeatable innovation practice will determine how well you can compete in the global marketplace.

So go ahead, contemplate the meaning of the word, but don’t let such meaningless mental ruminations become a palliative substitute for actually acting to build your organization’s innovation capability.

Comments

[Paul R. Williams]

James:

Great post. Your comment, "The innovation game is not for dabblers" is extremely to the point. Many of the organizations that I work with, who struggle with innovation efforts that seem to start/stop, are typically the ones who seem to think that innovation is project-by-project based.

Its a discipline, with tools and process and metrics and goals and roadmaps. In essence, to be successful, you have start with the first step, but also realize it is a long journey.

Thanks again for the great posts!!!