What do senior executives (Chief Operating Officers and Chief Executive Officers) consider to be the most important Factors which encourage a culture for innovativeness? Our analysis of the latest survey results found some answers.
Those respondents to the survey who identified themselves as COO/CEO identified 10 Factors as most important to creating a positive culture for innova tion. Five of these Factors were seen as being most important. To find out what to do, in practical terms, visit the web site; http://www.corporateinnovationonline.com and go to Thought Starters where you will find helpful ideas for each of the 5 Factors.
Factor #6; Emphasis on management of people and their interactions. Not surprisingly, senior executives emphasized this important aspect of their management responsibility as contributing significantly to creating a climate for innovation.
Factor #8; Tolerance of variance from the corporate norm. At the senior executive level it is seen as very important to encourage employees to give voice to their opinions even if such statements or ideas depart in some way from the traditions of the organization. New ideas and new methods of doing things are to be encouraged.
Factor #12; Degree to which management decisions are made with input from the rest of the organization. Senior executives like to believe that their management style creates openings for employees to contribute to the decision-making process.
Factor #19; Availability of resources (budget, time, etc.,) for new ventures. Having funds available for new ventures is seen as being a very important contributor to a positive culture for innovation. Respondents, as measured by the difference between the ideal situation and the reality faced by senior executives on this issue, were clear that this was an area where they were least satisfied with the status quo. In other words, generally, there are insufficient funds (relative to desire) available for new ventures.
Factor #22; Extent to which management has an innovative tradition. Senior executives believe that having an innovative tradition is, in itself, important to creating a positive climate for innovation. Obviously the first step is to create the climate, but the second step is taking actions which sustain innovation.
What do you think of this short list of 5 Factors? Does your senior executive have the same opinion?
More on the other 5 Factors seen as important will be presented in a subsequent blog entry.
Leave a Reply