Discussions Responses

Discussion 1

1) Idea: Idea is a suggestion about any possible course of action. For example, a suggestion of a family member to go to Washington for a weekend holiday

(2) Creativity is the ability to generate a new idea from imagination. Creativity is an act of generating new ideas and they can be abstract, for example, starting a weight loss business in which, the customer will lose weight by walking in natural surroundings instead of using gym machines

(3) Innovation: Innovation brings a new change in any existing system. It helps in bringing a change that adds value to a product or service. For example, a burger that is made from 100% organically sourced materials.

The first example is a simple suggestion and is neither imaginative nor it brings any type of a new change. Many people might have a similar thought in their minds. Hence it fits the category of an idea. The second idea is creative as it is based on the imagination that a business can be started in which people can lose weight by the unconventional method of going to a gym. Hence it fits with the best definition of creativity. The third example adds value to an existing product of burger and brings a new change in it. It makes a burger different, hence it is innovation.

Discussion 2

An example of an idea could be creating something to improve communication and build a better connection between people through technology. This is something that Apple Inc. did when the iPhone emerged back in 2007. There had already been similar ideas being worked on and variations being reviewed, but the iPhone was unique enough as an idea that it was picked to be managed and developed. Its creativity and innovation, in my opinion, seem to go hand in hand. As I view creativity as the source for innovation because following the status quo is not what sparks change in most organizational dynamics. As our textbook also states, “innovation comes from empowered individuals and teams who break rules. To tap into their creativity, leaders must allow them to produce, market, sell, distribute, and service their innovations” (Desai, 2013, p.22). So, innovation wise, the iPhone fits the category because they built on the industry’s already existing software, interface and touch screens. Showing their “innovation process [was] heavily affected by experiences with past innovations and based on technologies the organization is already familiar with” (Desai, 2013, p. 134). Additionally, Apple Inc. expanded on their innovation by changing the concept of a mobile phone. The iPhone became more than a mobile phone with extra features but instead became essentially a handheld computer with information now available at one’s fingertips with the added bonus of being able to make and receive phone calls.

Reference

Desai, J. (2013). Innovation engine: Driving execution for breakthrough results. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN-13: 9781118355039

discussion 3

Three catalysts to enabling innovativeness within organizations are: dedication the to right resources, embracing failure, and exposure to open innovation (Landry, 2019). Ensuring that employees have the appropriate resources is critical for innovative success. Innovation also requires employees to take risks which can result in failure. It’s important that an organization fosters a culture where it’s safe to take risks and overcome failure. Exposure to open innovation brings new perspective which can display different ways of innovating and sourcing new ideas (Landry, 2019). My organization does have a culture that promotes taking risks and freedom to fail. I believe that we would see an increase in innovation company-wide if there were additional resources and exposure accessible to all employees. This article talks about one of Google’s most famous management philosophies known as “20 percent” (Landry, 2019). Google asks employees to dedicate 20% of their time to working on projects that they think would most benefit the company. This led to some of Google’s most successful projects. I would love to see my organization implement this. I think it would not only increase innovativeness but tie into employee engagement/satisfaction.

Reference:

Landry, L. (2019, June 14). 5 Methods to Inspire Innovation Within Your Organization. Retrieved from https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/innovation-methods/.