Innovation - the sources

Innovation is one topic that can quickly drive my blood pressure up. The moment you talk about innovation, the first response is "Yes, you have to think out of the box". While I understand the origin of this statement, it is in my mind one of the used and abused "management thingys" I have ever come across. I have seen too many fools trying to stimulate people to think out of the box, with a very negative and very useless outcome.

Innovation is something which requires a different approach. I am a strong believer in reading. I believe we should read broadly and across industries. Read about things you do not know. Read about other ideas and solutions to other problems. Talk to other people. Visit other businesses and listen to their staff talking about their problems and solutions. Solutions often transfer across industry sectors. Debate and discuss with different people.

The opportunities that are innovation dependent need you to change how you think, so by continuing to do the same old thing, the same old way, with the same old people is not the way to go. We need to change all this.  Chambers of Commerce & Industries used to be sources of innovation. You had a large executive committee comprised of a large number of people from many sectors. They chatted, debated argued, contributed, from so many perspectives, and in the process developed new solutions.

When last did you meet with business peers from other industries? When last did you buy a magazine from another sector?