In the competitive business world of today, every company is trying to become innovative. Innovation is the only way to keep up with the competition or to have an edge over your competitors. However, very few companies succeed in this quest. Fast growing companies that also happen to be the most successful ones understand that their employees are their most valuable resource.
“Innovation comes from the people that your business employs and not from the strategies or code that you adopt,” said Issa Asad, experienced Florida businessman and CEO of Q Link Wireless and Quadrant Holdings. “By creating a systematic approach to the development of a culture of innovation a company can be able to get and maintain a competitive advantage.”
Here are 3 tips for creating an innovative business.
1. Hire the Right People
Before hiring anyone, you should know who they are and why you want to hire them. This is one of the most important decisions that you have to make in your pursuit to create an innovative business. Generally, you should seek to hire two types of people.
The first type of employee is a person that is comfortable and productive when doing only what is expected of him or things that are within the general plan of your business. The second type is the person who loves to work in a challenging and fast-paced environment.
Both types of employees will add value to your company and so to ensure that you develop a culture of innovation you should find the right balance between the two types of employees. You should find the right mix and make them work together in harmony.
2. Fit Is better Than Experience
What works well for another business will not necessarily work well for your business. Due to this fact you should focus more on hiring a person who fit in well with the core values of your business rather than hire the most experienced person.
Look at the personality of a potential employee and try to understand how they think to determine whether they will fit into your company’s team. Even if they are not the most experienced consider their desire to learn and their future ambitions. Lastly, you should also ensure that what the new employee brings in will help improve others in your team and the company.
3. Create the Right Work Environment
For your employees to be innovative, they need to be themselves at work. Corporate cubicles do not work well for everyone, and so you should encourage your employees to personalize their workspace as much as possible. The best way you can do this is to let them do some personal decorations on their space.
You should also be democratic with the office layout by letting your employees choose what they want. Let them decide whether they want private cubicles or if an open office plan will work best for them. Other things like a ping-pong table for entertainment, a nap room or a breakfast nook are also important, and you should consider having them in the office. These spaces are important as they provide employees with a place to play and think.
Productivity should not be measured by the number of hours spent in the office but by the accomplishment of targets and quality end results. To create a culture of innovation, you should hire the right people and give them some space to work. As a business owner, your role should be to support your employees and intervene only when it is necessary.
