Stop Chasing Trends, Build an Innovation Machine
Our Commitment to Innovation
What truly sets innovative organizations apart? Is it bold ideas, tech investments, or something more subtle: a mindset that encourages curiosity and resilience? In this article, you'll discover the principles that fuel business innovation, proven models that guide transformative change, and how a supportive culture and training solutions, such as those crafted by The Global Training Association (GTA), can embed innovation into your organization’s DNA.
Approaches to Innovation
At its core, innovation in business is about solving problems in new ways. Several well-established approaches support this mindset:
Outcome-Driven Innovation (ODI): This approach starts with a simple question: What are customers really trying to achieve? Instead of just focusing on selling a product, ODI helps businesses design solutions that solve real customer problems.
Blue Ocean Strategy: Instead of fighting competitors in an already crowded market, this model encourages companies to create new spaces where competition doesn’t exist. Think of how Cirque du Soleil redefined the circus by combining theater, music, and acrobatics.
Ambidextrous Organization Model: Successful companies balance two things at once: exploring new ideas while improving what they already do well. This “two-handed” approach ensures that businesses don’t just chase the next big thing but also strengthen their current operations.
Open Innovation: Companies invite ideas and collaborations beyond their walls through partnerships, customer co-creation, or industry ecosystems.
Types of Innovation
Product innovation: This is when a company creates or improves a product to meet customer needs better. For example, phone camera upgrades give users more value without changing the entire phone concept.
Process innovation: Here, businesses improve how they operate to save time, reduce costs, or make things more convenient. Good examples are digital food ordering kiosks and online banking services.
Business model innovation: This is how a company fundamentally changes how it earns revenue. Think about how Netflix replaced DVD rentals with a monthly subscription model.
Delivery innovation: This type focuses on how products or services reach customers. For example, food delivery apps like DoorDash make restaurant meals available at home with just a few taps.
Best Practices for Innovation
Create Space for Ideas: Provide forums, labs, and time for experimentation.
Lead with Purpose: Reward progressive thinking and normalize learning from failure.
Diversify Teams: Encourage cross-functional collaboration to inspire new solutions.
Foster Open Communication: Build transparent dialogue across all levels.
Build Resilience Through Learning: Recognize “smart failures” and invest in upskilling.
Begin Your Innovation Journey with Us
To translate ideas into action, organizations need custom training programs that equip teams with innovation tools and mindsets.
This is where The Global Training Association (GTA) excels. Through innovation-focused corporate training solutions, GTA helps businesses:
Facilitate innovation workshops and ideation labs.
Implement employee upskilling programs in creativity and problem-solving.
Apply models like ODI and Blue Ocean Strategy to real business contexts.Strengthen organizational readiness through workforce development training.
With GTA, innovation becomes more than a concept: it becomes a practiced, measurable advantage.
FAQs
1. What is innovation in business?
It’s the process of introducing meaningful changes—new products, services, or processes—that create value and drive growth.
3. How does culture influence innovation?
A culture that values safety, collaboration, and learning makes innovation sustainable.
4. What steps can leaders take to foster innovation?
Leaders can create space for ideas, diversify teams, and invest in ongoing training to embed innovation.
5. How can The Global Training Association help?
GTA delivers tailored training that embeds innovation models and practices into workforce strategies, enabling organizations to grow with agility.
References:
Harvard Business School Online. (n.d.). What is innovation? Harvard Business School. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/importance-of-innovation-in-business
Kim, W. C., & Mauborgne, R. (2004, October). Blue ocean strategy. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2004/10/blue-ocean-strategy
WeWork. (n.d.). The four types of innovation and how to approach them. WeWork Ideas.https://www.wework.com/ideas/professional-development/creativity-culture/what-is-business-innovation