The call to innovate has never been stronger given the current market challenges. The dilemma faced by many organizations is that reality is never simple and often there is a significant mindset block in tackling how innovation requires a change in Operating Model.

The fear of failure, loss of influence or power, lack of control and inability to trust in a guaranteed outcome block changes. How do organizations navigate this?

No strategy? Leaders need to step up to the call to action and develop a plan to utilize innovation. This plan must address people, process and technology. Hoping technology adoption will happen just through training is over simplistic – what does it mean for the user experience? The innovation needs to deliver a well thought out advantage and resolve the WIIFME (What’s In It For Me) ‘balancing act’ across the end-to-end process. Innovation for innovation sake is not a plan. The strategy needs to be clear, insightful and deliver value.

Investment, leadership sponsorship, ‘A’ team formation are of course the usual prerequisites.

Still keen to to innovate? Establish a super user audience to ensure your strategy is smart. Even the best innovation can result in a ‘hot mess’ which will be considered as a ‘great idea, just badly executed’ if there is no clear understanding of the outcome benefits and process to capture value.

Know your audience! Transform the mindset.

This is Cognitive.