Culture of Innovation

A culture of innovation is a workplace environment that encourages creativity and new ideas.

It is a place where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, even if they are not fully formed.

It is also a place where employees are given the resources and support they need to turn their ideas into reality.

There are many benefits to having a culture of innovation in the workplace.

For example, it can help to:

• Attract and retain top talent. Employees are more likely to want to work for an organization that values creativity and innovation.

• Increase productivity and profitability. When employees are able to share their ideas and contribute to the innovation process, it can lead to new products, services, and processes that can improve the bottom line.

• Foster a sense of community and belonging. When employees feel like they are part of a team that is working to solve problems and make a difference, it can create a sense of community and belonging.

There are many things that organizations can do to create a culture of innovation. Some of these things include:

• Encourage risk-taking. Employees need to feel like they are safe to take risks and experiment with new ideas.

• Provide resources and support. Employees need to have the resources and support they need to turn their ideas into reality. This includes access to funding, training, and mentors.

• Celebrate successes. When employees are successful, it is important to celebrate their successes. This will help to encourage them to continue to innovate.

• Create a positive work environment. A positive work environment is one where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and taking risks. This can be created by fostering a sense of trust and respect among employees.

Creating a culture of innovation takes time and effort. However, the benefits can be significant. By following the tips above, organizations can create a workplace where creativity and innovation are encouraged and rewarded.

Here are some additional tips for creating a culture of innovation:

• Set clear goals and expectations. Employees need to know what is expected of them in terms of innovation. This will help them to focus their efforts and make sure that they are working on projects that are aligned with the organization's goals.

• Foster a culture of collaboration. Innovation is often the result of collaboration between different departments and teams. Encourage employees to work together to solve problems and come up with new ideas.

• Empower employees. Employees need to feel empowered to take risks and experiment with new ideas. This means giving them the freedom to make decisions and the resources they need to succeed.

• Measure and track innovation. It is important to measure and track innovation so that you can see what is working and what is not. This will help you to identify areas where you can improve your innovation efforts.

Go create a culture of innovation in your organization that will help you to stay ahead of the competition!

How Thriving Associations are Embracing Innovation and Blazing a New Trail to Relevance

The following is based on a webinar I attended, moderated by Michael Hoffman, with Gather Voices, on the subject of the title of this post.

For a copy of Mary Byers and Harrison Carver's book on Race for Relevance go HERE.
 
They started out by talking about communication styles during the pandemic.  Do you know the preferred ways of communication for your members?  If not, ask your members how they want to be communicated with.
 
Generations play a role in how each want to be spoken to and how they will engage with your organization.
 
They discussed the idea of going back vs moving forward with how we communicate with our members based on in-person or virtual meetings.  You need a separate virtual strategy, not just streaming a live event.
 
Younger members are not engaging like the older members.  Are your membership business models changing?  Do you have a non-member revenue strategy?  It’s about building influence in your industry or community.  Mary asked the question, “do these folks need to be members?”
 
They pivoted to having a discussion on organization boards.  Does your board represent the different generations in your membership and community?
 
Think about how you are selecting new board members.  The old model of the volunteer journey may be over.  The thought of it taking 10-15 years to get that board invite after you’ve participated in other activities within the organization are over, or they should be!
 
Do you have a designated board slot for the Gen Z group?
 
They went on to talk about how innovation plays a role in our organizations – things they’ve seen: creating a strategy, set aside money to experiment, list possibilities and then prioritize and finally test.  Corporate America has been doing this for years.
 
It’s important to focus on what’s working (think delivering value to your members) and getting rid of sacred cows.  For a blog post on killing sacred cows go HERE.
 
“Keys to innovation is abandonment” – what a great quote.  How are you evaluating your program of work to decide what you should be focused on doing?  Is your program of work mission specific, do members participate, do you make money on these programs?  You must look at your resources and capacity to deliver a great product.

I did a previous post on the Hedgehog Theory which goes into more depth on the idea of the previous paragraph, for that post go HERE.
 
Use data to make these decisions and be consistent in whatever questions or metrics you want to use to decide what programs you will maintain and those that you will shutter.
 
Create a matrix and use it to evaluate each of your programs. That way you’re comparing apples to apples and oranges to oranges.
 
Remember, nonprofit doesn’t mean don’t make a profit.  Run your chamber like a business.  You are a business organization, right?
 
Fail forward and fail fast.  That too is a part of innovation. Launch your new program and see if your members react.  Did they engage, attend, buy?  If not, tweak and try again, or drop it and move on to the next idea!
 
For a copy of an updated version of the Race for Relevance book go HERE.

Culture of Innovation

Megan Lucas, President and CEO of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance moderated a discussion on the culture of innovation as it relates to our organizations.

Basically, it's the idea of taking something that exists and make it unique, different, and better.

What’s holding your organization back in innovation?

The following items were discussed and an honest conversation was had on the challenges we all have in trying to be innovative for your chambers.

• Longevity of staff;
• Ego’s;
• Attitude;
• No shared vision, not on the same page, no buy in from staff;
• Lack of prioritization;
• Unwillingness to take risks, status quo;
• Fear of future and longing for the past;
• Stale leadership;
• Time based on current work load;
• Lack of trust; and
• Silo’s and remote staff.

Then the discussion moved on to ways you can share the vision internally or externally:

• Publicity - COPE (create once publish everywhere) in all your collaterals, ribbon cuttings, press releases, backdrops, email signature line, and invoices;
• Staff meetings - updates on culture and strategy, make it a screen saver;
• Put it on your coffee cups, note pads;
• Hashtags;
• Visuals around your building - use the space on your walls to share your vision for staff;
• Share a vision award for staff; and
• Create a dashboard outlining the vision for board members and share at every board meeting.  At every meeting have a board member report on each of your pillars (economic development, advocacy, leadership, education, etc.).

So what is required to build an innovative culture?  You must have:

• An open mind;
• Be creative;
• Have trust;
• Be optimistic;
• Be acceptive;
• Show passion;
• Have a safe environment to share;
• Accept wild ideas;
• Be honest;
• Have accountability;
• Show a tolerance for risk; and
• Demonstrate the ability to follow-through.

Good luck in innovating for your members and community!

Fail Forward: Learn From Your Failures

I attended an educational session recently, on the title of this blog, conducted by Professor Rita McGrath, from Columbia University.

I found it fascinating!

There are many business books out there that talk about this concept.  In fact, the business community knows this concept all to well.

Statistically speaking, over 50% of small businesses fail each year (Small Business Association statistic).

The key is to learn from these failures and not make them again.  That's what a free enterprise system is built around.  Your small business members understand this concept.

Do you run your chamber like a small business?

Are you trying to be innovative, cutting edge for your membership and delivery value while at the same time learning from your successes and failures?

It's been said before, running a nonprofit (chamber) does not mean don't make a profit.

Be innovative and create value for your members.  Don't be afraid to fail. Learn from your mistakes and move forward.

For a copy of her book go HERE.

For a great resource on performance measurements from The Bridgespan Group go HERE.

Innovation: Are You Pushing The Envelope?

Are you building a pipeline of new member programs, products and services through innovation?

Your members expect it from their chamber.  That’s a reason why they join.

Don’t go in with your eyes closed, set a plan: 1) Process; 2) Culture; 3) Resources; and 4) Fail Forward.

• Process – set-up a mechanism so you can capture ideas from staff, volunteers and your members.

• Culture – you need a cheerleader within the organization that can articulate the need for creating an innovative atmosphere.

• Resources – commit the resources needed (staff and actual dollars) that shows a commitment to succeed.  If you show a commitment your board and your members will follow.

• Fail Forward – this may be the most important part of your success.  Learn from any failures and “fail forward.”  Remember, the story of the “yellow sticky notes” by 3M?  It was an outcome from a different project that failed.

In my blog post “Delivering Value,” I use the term “pushing the envelope.”  If you have a background in military flying you know what that term means.

Create a form that outlines what the new project may be that takes into account the resources needed (staff and money), the time expected to bring this new program to fruition and what success will look like.  Think of it as a scorecard on the new projects business plan.

It will be ok to fail as long as you show your members that you are learning and trying new things to stay cutting edge for them.

Remember, make sure you’re always delivering the “core good” to the membership while pushing the envelope, and continue to innovate while keeping your members in mind on how you can better serve their needs.

That’s worth paying dues for, just ask any business person.  They took a risk when they opened their doors.  That’s what entrepreneurship is all about.

Start that new project today!

Delivering Value

In today’s economic times, it is more important then ever to deliver the core good to your members.

I’d like to refer to a book I read on the restaurant business recently. The author is Anthony Bourdain, his book is titled, Kitchen Confidential.

In the book the author suggests that we go to the same restaurant year after year after year and order the same meal for one simple reason, we know what we’re going to get and we love it! The restaurant is delivering a core good.

What is your core good?

As chamber leaders it’s important that we continue to push the envelop of innovation. Our members expect us to be cutting edge. It’s ok to fail. In fact, I know of one organization that has a line item in their budget for “new projects.”

Many chambers have incubators for entrepreneurs to get a start on their business idea. This is your little slush fund for you to be innovative for your members and potential members.

Having said all that, it is important to note that while you are allowed to try new things and fail, you must never stop delivery the core good that Mr. Bourdain talks about in his book. That’s why your members renew their membership.

Are you on the cutting edge while continuing to deliver your core good?