Case Studies : Applied Innovation

Innovation is the New buzz world today...Having said that how do we differentiate between,, as Mike Parker says, Theory in action and Espoused theory .

In my 15 years of trying to understand and live 'Innovation' I have been able to come to the following thoughts :


Case Studies :

1. Changing the Context :

Very often being in a certain situation for very long, limits your perspective. It's like being in the same room for a long time..you feel like you have seen 'everything' that is there..and so a certain sense of ennui sets in..and one become. Lethargic in ones view of the situation..thereby 'missing' certain.. "clues" or "Gaps" - Changing the Context - gives a different playground

Example: One of our client had an ongoing issue with their top leadership team..starting to lose interest ..and not ‘innovate’ and think of different approaches to the business.. The core of the problem, we found out was , each of these 9 guys, were stand alones, in that they each handled 2-3 countries as an account, as a result they had NO team..no one to report to them..and although they were achieving their numbers ..they were not satisfied

Diagnosis: Their implicit need was to work with ‘their’ team , their people, contribute into ‘their’ growth.. Since they were in this position for a long time now, they were ..bored with the view.

Suggested Solution:
We asked them to offered them - “Change of Context” – one could not physically remove them from that role …and 2 days “ outbound’ workshops don’t Really help in a case like this .

What we did , was extremely radical in one sense. We asked them to put them on, individually, on to a different “Social” project – example – organizing drives for blood donation, food, clothes etc..education

In this way , they would get an opportunity to work with a TEAM, be face to face with different challenges and situation and figure away around them..and like in most social projects – the means are always limited, one has NO choice but to Innovate.

Result :
• They were able to “fulfill” their need for a “different environment., being able to contribute, work and nurture team members and feel good about creating something new.
• They were able to bring to fore their latent creativity ..which “automatically” was now available in their workspace
• They were more ”present” in the roles now .
• They “Stopped” looking for a certain kind of fulfillment form their role, knowing that they had an alternative “Context” where they could get it from.
• They are able to play an “active” role in the CSR activities of their organization.
• They are Happy and intrinsically motivated.
• The quality of their work and creativity speaks for itself.

2. Found In Translation : [ I Love this One  ]
If ever you are ‘struck’ in a situation..looking for an innovative way.. Look at a very different industry where a similar situation is handled, and see how that solution can be made to fit in your context.

Example : One of our client , and Insurance company n ..had a an issue with different departments NOT seeing eye to eye..and as a result ..the “Client” would invariable get the brunt of the whole thing in the form of delayed or inefficient service.
The organization had tried various things..360 degree feedback.. team building workshops etc and nothing worked.

Diagnosis : The Teams’ never Really met. And didn’t ‘Know’ each other..and so operated on perception and twisted perspectives.

Each there making up most of the picture more in their heads. And operate from a space of doubt and mistrust.

What was required was more oppurtunities for them to meet and REALLY get to know each other…over time..and not just a “fix-it” solutions of a workshop.

Suggested Solution : “Found In translation” Applied – We looked at which other place this thing worked – Bonding, meeting regularly and getting to know each other – and not surprisingly in the brainstorming, most people recalled their colleges days.

So the lessons taken from the “Campus to Corporate “ were:
• Creating “interest Forums” cross organization – people of like interest come together
• ‘ set up an “Organizing committee that is responsible to organize “cricket match” football viewing” etc
• And , also not to forget – talent shows

Result :
• People realize they had more in common than they thought
• They “looked” for oppurtunies to meet and talk
• They opened up and were less formal
• They could pick up the phone and make a ‘friendly’ request for some work instead of the old way of writing a formal mail, with a CC to the Boss
• Higher spirits and “extremely improved “ client experience.