Comments on: How innovation can be a game of perception http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/ Open innovation, social media tools and intrapreneurship Wed, 08 Feb 2012 08:07:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Industrial Design http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-72 Industrial Design Wed, 25 Mar 2009 04:53:05 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-72 Stefan, Great read, it very true the more innovative you encourage you company to be, the your business will benefit. Stefan, Great read, it very true the more innovative you encourage you company to be, the your business will benefit.

]]> By: Val Vadeboncoeur http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Val Vadeboncoeur Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:28:05 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-71 Well, reality has to somewhat jive with those in-house marketing efforts. If it doesn't, and employees catch management exaggerating, spinning, or flat out lying, great harm can be done to the trust which must exist between upper management and the rest of the organization. The people in the trenches KNOW how the battle is going; they are waging it every day. If the generals announce victorious success, and the front-line folks experience it much differently, then you'll be dealing with a backlash and wasting a lot of good will and resources. Share successes, by all means, but don't substitute perception for reality...EVER! That's how we got into this global financial crisis! Well, reality has to somewhat jive with those in-house marketing efforts. If it doesn't, and employees catch management exaggerating, spinning, or flat out lying, great harm can be done to the trust which must exist between upper management and the rest of the organization. The people in the trenches KNOW how the battle is going; they are waging it every day. If the generals announce victorious success, and the front-line folks experience it much differently, then you'll be dealing with a backlash and wasting a lot of good will and resources. Share successes, by all means, but don't substitute perception for reality…EVER! That's how we got into this global financial crisis!

]]> By: Amitkumar Dharia http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-70 Amitkumar Dharia Thu, 19 Mar 2009 04:34:31 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-70 Perception is reality and reality is perception! In the very beginning of my career as a young engineer, I worked for a great corporation (now Tyco). Every fiber of that company and every employee was involved in innovation-new ideas - new way of doing things. There was no one looking over your shoulders to correct you - you learn by doing things, watching things, and very soon you become a value player. The environment fostered honest competition and rivalry. The most amazing thing I had found is management's ability to take risk and foster habit of taking risk. No idea was a small idea and no question was a stupid question. As a result, I became an avid risk taker, technology observer, and an inventor. How did I perceive this company to be innovative? Through reality. Company had amassed valuable patents and other IP. The compnay had hired a diverse group of engineers and scientists - from top schools and from many nations. The compnay value training. The company provided resources and encourage innovation (and rewarded). Reality is perceiving with trained eyes and open mind ! You can throw seds everywhere, but it will grow only where there is a right balance of nutirition and care! Perception is reality and reality is perception! In the very beginning of my career as a young engineer, I worked for a great corporation (now Tyco). Every fiber of that company and every employee was involved in innovation-new ideas – new way of doing things. There was no one looking over your shoulders to correct you – you learn by doing things, watching things, and very soon you become a value player. The environment fostered honest competition and rivalry. The most amazing thing I had found is management's ability to take risk and foster habit of taking risk. No idea was a small idea and no question was a stupid question. As a result, I became an avid risk taker, technology observer, and an inventor.

How did I perceive this company to be innovative? Through reality. Company had amassed valuable patents and other IP. The compnay had hired a diverse group of engineers and scientists – from top schools and from many nations. The compnay value training. The company provided resources and encourage innovation (and rewarded). Reality is perceiving with trained eyes and open mind ! You can throw seds everywhere, but it will grow only where there is a right balance of nutirition and care!

]]> By: Rhian http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-69 Rhian Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:03:57 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-69 Annalie, the essence of perception which you talk about is the power of influence, I agree with you although I don't see it as a linear process; its pretty complex. The essence of building an innovation reputation is how you tell your story to those stakeholders who matter (varies between organizations and companies of course) in a way whcih is conducive to their interests. The Innovation DNA is a critical part of the story; although its sometimes hard to crack and put into words. Annalie, I'm curious which company that you work for :)? Annalie, the essence of perception which you talk about is the power of influence, I agree with you although I don't see it as a linear process; its pretty complex. The essence of building an innovation reputation is how you tell your story to those stakeholders who matter (varies between organizations and companies of course) in a way whcih is conducive to their interests. The Innovation DNA is a critical part of the story; although its sometimes hard to crack and put into words. Annalie, I'm curious which company that you work for :) ?

]]> By: Tobias http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-68 Tobias Mon, 16 Mar 2009 04:43:19 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-68 @Stefan An interesting point it is you try to make. How do you see this in line with things as RBV? "What if it is not a question of becoming, but one of being?" This is interesting, and true in my opinion. Most company's can do a lot better in marketing their innovations/innovative powers. Good point! @Stefan
An interesting point it is you try to make. How do you see this in line with things as RBV?

"What if it is not a question of becoming, but one of being?"

This is interesting, and true in my opinion. Most company's can do a lot better in marketing their innovations/innovative powers. Good point!

]]> By: INTRAP http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-67 INTRAP Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:40:42 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-67 Hi Annalie, I enjoy your comments and the perception I get is that your company is innovative just by reading these. This taps nicely into your second point on perception - When others say you are". By the way, why do you not mention your company name more often? This could help create an even better perception and to be honest I cannot even remember the name of the company you work for - just you as an individual :-) Stefan Hi Annalie,

I enjoy your comments and the perception I get is that your company is innovative just by reading these. This taps nicely into your second point on perception – When others say you are".

By the way, why do you not mention your company name more often? This could help create an even better perception and to be honest I cannot even remember the name of the company you work for – just you as an individual :-)

Stefan

]]> By: Annalie Killian http://www.15inno.com/2009/03/16/how-innovation-can-be-a-game-of-perception/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Annalie Killian Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:30:36 +0000 http://www.15inno.com/?p=361#comment-66 I agree that perception is an interesting dynamic....but perception is formed as a consequence of 2 things....repeated consistent personal experiences that build over time, or the influence of an opinion leader whose judgement you rely on. In my own workas Director of Innovation, I cite the fact that our company is 160 years old as an innovation milestone. Whilst no-one will rank it up there with Google in the innovation stakes, I remind employees to build on the cultural meme that already exists in the DNA of this company...there is no way we could have survived and thrived this long if we were not able to continuously re-invent ourselves- and we can be really proud of balancing innovation with pragmatism and risk...so even in this Global Financial Crisis when competitors are crumbling, we stand strong. The other definition I use also leverages the power of perception. It goes to the question of "How do you know when you're innovative?" The answer is simply..."When others say you are. " It's like a shareprice...its based on sentiment PLUS underlying factors, not underlying factors alone....the perception has to align! I agree that perception is an interesting dynamic….but perception is formed as a consequence of 2 things….repeated consistent personal experiences that build over time, or the influence of an opinion leader whose judgement you rely on.

In my own workas Director of Innovation, I cite the fact that our company is 160 years old as an innovation milestone. Whilst no-one will rank it up there with Google in the innovation stakes, I remind employees to build on the cultural meme that already exists in the DNA of this company…there is no way we could have survived and thrived this long if we were not able to continuously re-invent ourselves- and we can be really proud of balancing innovation with pragmatism and risk…so even in this Global Financial Crisis when competitors are crumbling, we stand strong.

The other definition I use also leverages the power of perception. It goes to the question of "How do you know when you're innovative?" The answer is simply…"When others say you are. " It's like a shareprice…its based on sentiment PLUS underlying factors, not underlying factors alone….the perception has to align!

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