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Thomas Edison made a great statement about innovation: "There’s a way to do it better—find it." If there is a better way, I am all for it. But how do you find that "better way"? To find it, you must be willing to question the status quo—and that’s where things can get messy. Whose toes will you be stepping on when you decide to change a policy, procedure, or rule? What is this going to cost? Will it work? Who gets the blame if it doesn’t work?
I have one rule: QUESTION EVERYTHING. Nothing is sacred, untouchable, or unchangeable. Why? Because the day you stop improving is the day you start losing. It may not be immediate, but in the end—YOU WILL LOSE.
The great automotive genius Henry Ford once said, “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said a faster horse.” One of the key aspects of innovation is its ability to disrupt. Ford gave people something they had never seen, driven by the idea of “creating a better way.” Steve Jobs said, "Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity—not a threat." Too often, in companies today, if someone questions the status quo, they are seen as a threat to authority, a problem, or not a team player. That is just plain STUPID. I see them as just the opposite. I see them as someone who is trying to make our company better, which in turn will make us more profitable.
We all have a natural resistance to change. Innovation involves change, which can disrupt established routines and processes. Many people are comfortable with the status quo and fear the uncertainty that change brings. Then there is the fear of failure because innovation carries the risk of failure. When new ideas are implemented, they might not succeed, leading to potential financial losses, career setbacks, or reputational damage. This risk can be daunting for individuals and organizations alike. That attitude needs to change if your company is going to succeed.
Understand this: there are seven words that will destroy a company— “That’s the way we’ve always done it.” Embracing innovation, despite the challenges, is essential for growth and progress. If you aren’t sure what needs changing, start with a list of customer complaints and look for redundancy. If it is happening over and over again, then fix it.
Change, as I see it, is all about looking for a competitive advantage: what is it going to take to beat my competitors? We’ve all heard it a thousand times… The only constant in life is change, so don’t you think it is time to embrace it? I suggest you implement a way for employees to suggest changes without fear of retribution and reward them when their suggestions work.
You will be amazed at how ideas will flow
when there is something in it for them.