Many companies, especially larger ones with established processes, live by the adage, "If it's not broken, don't fix it." Once you've found a method that works, it's easy to fall into a routine and stop questioning whether there is a better, more efficient way to do things.
It's important to keep an open mind about HR processes and policies. You don't want to waste your resources on outdated tools and methods, simply because that's the way you've always done things. According to Forbes Human Resources Council members, here's how leaders can stay on the cutting edge of innovation without compromising their established company values.
1. Lead By Example
Comfort can be a killer. This perspective is a fast track to complacency, and nudges out innovation and progressive thought. Adapting new ideas in their own organizations allows innovative business leaders to lead by example, and takes the fear out of change for businesses. It also puts a bit of (healthy) competitive pressure into the organization to override the momentum of complacency. - Diane Strohfus, Betterworks.com
2. Foster Intrapreneurship
Innovation should be viewed as a standard process in a successful organization. However, rather than looking to revolutionize and deviate from the company’s core, adopt the mindset of an intrapreneur. Use the mission and vision as the compass and seek ways to lead new initiatives, programming or innovative ways of operating that enhance competitive advantage and support the company's core. - Dr. Kelly Lum, Highgate
3. Determine Weak Areas, Then Introduce Changes Gradually
Employers should remain open to new procedures in order to stay current in today’s market. However, they should proceed with caution, as drastic changes could do more harm than good. Through the use of retention or exit interviews and surveys, leaders should stay in tune with what’s working and what’s not, and introduce changes gradually by team or department before implementing them company-wide. - John Feldmann, Insperity
4. Be Open To New Ideas, Especially From Team Members
Change is important to help companies move forward and increase revenue. Leaders need to be open to new ideas and identify growth opportunities. Reaching out to other industry professionals can help leaders generate new ideas. In addition, asking team members to share ideas and feedback on streamlining processes will help them feel they have contributed to department changes. - Debi Bliazis, Champions School of Real Estate
5. Align Innovation With Clear Business Goals And KPIs
There are many cases where leaders simply followed innovation instead of embracing it, which is quite different. Followers look at what competitors do, but embracers are very clear about what they want based on their business needs. The best leaders embrace new technologies and innovations, ensuring what they need is not only innovative, but aligned with clear business goals and KPIs. - Steven Jiang, Hiretual
6. Promote Competitiveness Over Complacency
In today's labor market, organizational innovation is a competitive advantage that cannot be underestimated. Whether it's policy or process, company leaders should be promoting continuous improvement throughout all aspects of the business. Companies can implement change without losing culture by carrying out culturally aligned incremental change that elevates the organization's business maturity. - Dr. Timothy J. Giardino, Cantata Health
7. Be A 'Feedback Magnet'
Although there are some things that just work and are tried and true, all leaders should maintain the heart of a student. Read up on news, keep a pulse on trends and ask questions of those who are early adopters. Be a magnet for feedback. Even if you don't employ it right away, you can file the information away in the case that the current way of doing business just doesn't work anymore. - Angela Nguyen, Ad Exchange Group
8. Identify The Right Problem And The Right Techniques To Solve It
Scientists often begin experiments by asking, "What problem are we trying to solve?" followed by "What techniques would work best for this experiment?" Techniques from their previous job or from 10 years ago are rarely the right approach. HR and other leaders can apply the same process in their work. Start by identifying the correct problem and then look for new techniques and tools to solve it. - Michael Nicholson, PhD, Precision BioSciences, Inc.
9. Make Innovative Thinking A Daily Process
Incorporate innovative thinking in your day-to-day operations. Stay current by reading the latest information. LinkedIn can be an excellent source of news and success stories. Sign up for webinars and networking events to hear about what others are doing. Finally, practice the "stop, start and continue" exercise. - Margaret-Ann Cole, Crenshaw Associates
10. Test And Learn
Don’t innovate for innovation’s sake. It’s important to connect innovation to a real business problem, risk or opportunity — explain the why. You can start by trying pilots or experiments (e.g., “we’re going to do this for one quarter.”) Make these experiments safe with no negative consequences, talk about what was learned and work on making creativity and innovation more of a norm. - Laura Hamill, Limeade
11. Do The Math On Any Potential Innovations
Business analytics is an excellent tool to use when advocating for change. Innovation for the sake of "keeping up with the Joneses" is not a smart business move. HR leaders are well advised to understand the financial goals and drivers of the organization to better articulate the business opportunity they are seeking to address and the ROI of the proposed solution. - Lucy Rivas-Enriquez, Union Rescue Mission - Los Angeles
12. Improve Your Processes, Rather Than Changing Them Completely
Sometimes "the way we have always done things" refers to the ancient technology and not necessarily the policy. HR leaders and management should stay on top of the newest innovations that will help improve, not change, their current processes and policies. Moving data to an electronic HRIS database or new CRM software is a way to adapt while still remaining true to your core. - Tiffany Jensen, Pure Grips
