4's Createch 2019 | Andrea Baez
Companies feel that innovation is a necessity. However, some companies do not understand that innovation, just the sake of innovation, is useless. There are different perspectives and assumptions about the word "innovation." During the 4's CreaTech 2019, leaders in the industry of Research and Technology pointed out some false beliefs, problems, opportunities, and recommendations for creating innovative initiatives that deliver real value to society.
"The Innovation Biome"
Dr. Kumar Mehta, Ph.D, Founder, Bridges Insight
What are some common assumptions about technology and innovation?
"One of the most common assumptions in business is that companies love innovation, but the reality, is that innovation involves change and change is uncomfortable." - Dr. Kemar Ph.D
Dr. Kumar, on his conference, provided an exciting approach that companies seeking to innovate should consider. He offered tools that companies could use to build and create high-value products. By understanding all the elements in a company and by implementing a system that sets the ground to innovation to flourish.
"All the industries are trying non-stop to change the world. What they do not ask to themselves sometimes is, changing towards what?" - Dr. Kemar Ph.D
He calls "The Innovation Biome" to those companies that have a creative and productive work environment where employees are encouraged to work when they like and how they want, giving them time to think outside of the box.
Common Fallacy: "the NEXT BIG THING"
Media and society have theories and expectations about what is going to be the next big thing that will revolutionize the world. The next big thing is something that gives value to society. It is not always about "THE THING" but more about small changes that change everything. Or a small piece of the product that people don't even realize.
"Like for example: when computers were created, the big innovation was not the computer itself, but the software. Many of the best innovations are small and invisible." - Dr. Kemar Ph.D
"Experimental innovation: How to make something better."
Innovation is now democratized. You have to use everything that is out there. Here a series of rules and steps to follow to make something better:
- Go back to the essential components
- Question every assumption
- Question all your systems and products
"UNLEASHING CREATIVITY"
Many people can come up with the best ideas, but no one can change the world with just a thought. To change it: the vision, creativity, and execution have to work together. There are some people with creative potential and others with creative achievement. For this to happen, the best thing is to create a team where both possibilities work together.
INNOVATION BIOME
Biome: Is a metaphor of the ecosystem of companies represented by all their teams, systems, organizations, and culture. The success of the company depends on the Biome; it will only succeed when the environment is working together. The best type of Biome is the rainforest: different trees help to grow better.
CHANGE MANAGEMENT
Businesses are continually trying to adapt to change. In this part of the conference, some industry leaders talked about how to overcome some barriers companies have about change, such as lack of purpose, lack of motivation, and ambiguity.
Moderator: Tim Leake, SVP/Chief Marketing & Innovation Officer, RPA Michael Speakers: Lebowitz, Founder & CEO, Big Spaceship
Melissa Lentz, CEO, MAGNET Global Network, Owner, M.Hatter Consulting LLC Philip Rackin, VP, Business Transformation, R/GA
How can to overcome a lack of purpose?
- Analyzing horizontally and from all levels, from entry levels to executives.
- Identifying potential in everyone
- Creating an artifact that everyone knows in the company
How to overcome a lack of motivation?
- Play with an uncomfortable environment and thinking outside of the box.
- Making your employees understand is more about the process than about the goal.
- Listening without barriers to everybody
How to overcome ambiguity?
- Writing clear values, mission, vision, etc.
- Work in the details of the job description of each of the positions
- Making use of real measurement tools
Stop Mistaking Innovation for Futurism
Moderator: Mauricio Ruiz, Creative Technology Director, Grey New York Alexis Lloyd, Head of Design Innovation, Automattic
Neil Redding, Executive Technologist, Digital Futures Strategist
Jared Weiner, EVP & Chief Strategy Officer, The Future Hunters
"Need to solve problems for people, not more futurism."
To build a better version of tomorrow, we need perspective, understanding, and investment. Innovation disruption is another part of the design process. It is about understanding the value of a brand but also about finding the gaps and opportunities. People ask what will happen in the future when the most important why's.
Should brands have their version of the future?
Each brand should understand their responsibility in society and that they were already having an impact in the world consciously or intensely. Innovation is about imagination. Brands should start having discipline in long terms.
TAKEAWAYS
- Having an idea is a different thing than materializing it.
- Innovation for the sake of innovation is useless.
- True innovation comes from the value that is giving to society.
- To achieve real innovation, you have to provide an environment where ideas can growth.
- The best teams are a mix of people's creative potential and people with creative achievement.
- The best type of Biome is the rainforest: different trees help to grow better.
