"Innovation distinguishes between a follower and a leader," Steve Jobs, the late co-founder of Apple had been known to say. In tough economic times, companies and teams need to innovate to survive. However, driving team members to innovate is not always an easy task for the modern-day manager. Shreya Roy speaks to a few managers on ways to get the best out of people.
Be in tune with the market
The market is changing at a breakneck speed. Managers need to encourage their team members to be in touch with what is going on, not just within the organisation, but also outside. "In our team, everyone is expected to know what competition is doing to the industry," says Anil Warrier, director-talent acquisition, SAP.
Create thinking spaces
While some do well walking in a park, or sitting at their desk, it helps to have a room, or an area specifically designed and equipped with tools or technology that can help innovative thinking. Mindtree, for instance, has a dome, built specially for its product development team, with touch interface systems and a detached environment, to help spur innovative thinking.
Incentivise innovation
Incentivising innovation and giving people a designated outlet for expression help spur innovation. Pooja Gupta, VP for human resource, Myntra, says, "We have a programme called big ideas, where we encourage anyone to walk up and present an idea that helps solve a business problem." The best ideas are taken up by the company and employees are given rewards such as iPads, etc.
Include in key deliverables
Letyour leaders know that innovative thinking is not an added bonus, but an integral part of the requirement. Ravi Shankar, chief people officer, Mindtree, says, "We make driving innovation within teams a key deliverable of our leaders, and it is part of their KRA."
Give staff the freedom to err
People are not likely to innovate if they live in fear of severe consequences for going wrong. Allow people the freedom to make mistakes, learn from them, and build ownership, HR managers say.