Innovation = Process = Innovation

A client once told me that she'd "love to innovate but I have to stick to the process." I immediately jumped on my soapbox—"Innovation and process go hand in hand."

That may seem counterintuitive. If process prescribes the way things should be done, and innovation is all about finding a better way, how can the two co-exist?

When a job needs to be repeated in a consistent fashion to a specific standard, you define a way to get it done. That allows you to train your team and provide systems and tools for doing the job efficiently. No process, no system.

What if your process could be improved? Maybe it was created in different times and demands have changed. Or maybe it was a first shot.

How do you figure out how to do the job better? You innovate. Or you ask someone who's got a better version. Then you create a better version of the process.

On the flip side, even the best innovations are of academic value until they are implemented in process.

Viewing processes as rules can prevent your team from innovating. The best process is one we all follow, and continually challenge.

A PROCESS FOR CHALLENGING YOUR PROCESSES

Give your front line people carte blanche to challenge the way things are done and ask them how they would make life easier for the customer.

Review the best suggestions and decide which ideas should be implemented.

Encourage your team to come tell you when they have a better way. If you don't hear back for a month ... repeat THIS process.

... and if you missed these related articles, go back and take another look:

Your systems are the best way to restrict innovation
When you need to be best—and when you don't
The most virtuous loop