I’ve been challenged lately with the idea that we may need to make changes to some powerful systems and processes we have used for a long time. It is interesting that in business, we build systems and processes to create consistency and dependability.  They become the backbone of how we operate and help to foster growth and excellence. But as someone once said, “What got you here won’t get you there.”.

Innovation is a word that we hear often. It is a positive word. It is about “keeping up” with change or stepping out in front of change. Many of us have made innovation or constant improvement part of our culture. If we don’t keep changing, we fall behind, so we are always looking for ways to be better.  However, even with this focus, it is easy to be a little blind to our own level of just plodding along, doing what has always worked. We continue to do what we have always done, allowing our established systems and processes to hinder innovation.

Whatever is causing the need to adapt and change, we often fail to recognize it soon enough and end up moving forward with the status quo for too long. It is easy, particularly in a growing business, to keep your eyes on the near-term and stop casting a vision for the future.  How do we challenge ourselves to innovate?

One of the best things I can do is get out of the routine. You can be purposeful about this or wait for something to come up that knocks you off balance. Obviously, the intentional approach is better. Taking a day to meet with customers (if that is not your normal), taking a day away from the office to think and plan in a different environment, or attending a class that generates thought can spur ideas that may not have time to surface otherwise.

Another great way to challenge yourself to change is to ask your team. One of the things that we have done at CTaccess each year in a company meeting is to ask the team what is working well, what is broken, and what is confusing. This can be unnerving, because you can’t ask the question without truly listening and being interested enough to evaluate and adjust. We always draw a great deal of value from this exercise and use it to help set goals for improving things in the coming year.

The other side of this coin is that sometimes the team does not want change or see a need for it, but it is the leader’s job to challenge the team. Sometimes it is necessary to challenge them to try a change for a few weeks to see how it works. I’m always encouraged to see our team step up to that challenge and help us prove a new solution.

Another key to innovation is to ensure you gather enough outside information. This seems simple, but when I feel uninspired, it is often because I have gotten tunnel vision. I am only seeing the four walls of our business and not getting enough external influence.  Maintaining a regular flow of information through reading, listening to podcasts, and attending conferences helps feed the mind, making innovation flow a bit easier. It is still work, but without new data, identifying new ideas that might elevate your game is pretty tricky. Seeking external input not only broadens your perspective but also empowers you with new insights and ideas.

One other way I have found value in broadening my perspective lately is to join an industry peer group. This can be frustrating because sometimes these peer groups are unstructured, and the conversations can go all over the place. However, hearing what my peers (regionally non-competitors) are doing has had two great results. First, it has helped me avoid specific approaches, vendors, and products that wouldn’t have been a good idea. Second, it has challenged me to consider different ways of doing business. After a meeting, I am thankful that we have some things running well, but I am also challenged to recognize that we may need to make some changes to adapt and grow. Joining peer groups not only exposes you to different perspectives but also makes you feel connected and supported in your innovation journey.

Sometimes it is challenging to get yourself into “innovation mode” on command.

Here are Some Questions that May Help:

• What would a startup do in this situation?
• What is the customer pain that we are ignoring?
• What would it take to pilot this idea? Is there a downside to giving it a shot?
• Is there an uncontested market space we could take advantage of?
• What would we do differently if we were starting from scratch?
• How would I feel if I were… <insert an employee or a customer name here>?
• What technology should we explore that might elevate our operations or our customer experience?
• What gaps are there in <choose an area like customer experience or service offerings>?

It is easy to get comfortable and stick with the status quo, but eventually that leads us to decline. It is better to be a little uncomfortable and grow! As Ginni Rometty, former CEO of IBM, said, “Growth and comfort do not coexist”. So, let’s meet the innovation challenge and grow!