The title, (don’t let my marketing ’spin’ fool you its all for effect), you see innovation can be the little things that make a difference or the quantum leaps that propel us out of the ball park so to speak.

Lets take a look at the incremental today… (the other is too big for me right now…)

To get precise lets look at innovation as being the little differences in an otherwise banal existence. Business is moving along but lacks the voom to take it to the next level or the path to a next level at least, lets call it the level you want to be at. Consider a small change to the otherwsie banal daily grind of your business (don’t get upset, many businesses have the mundane thing happening) it could be a change of routine for the staff, the introduction of a morning tea break as a vigourous brainstorming chat on customer serivce, or the introduction of a brilliant spray of flowers at the reception desk.

Lets amp this up a little… (I like radical approaches) consder all new full time employees having a time allotment of 30 hours, not 35 - 40 (did that wake you up?) and then set a roster where they come in later and or leave earlier and set it up so they overlap to cover the time slots missed. My guess is the existing staff will be “gobb smacked” (locked jaw hitting the floor after being punched) and be miffed, if any dare to stand up and ask for the same hours, then give it to them… as long as they don’t tell others about it… and see who asks and how long it takes them (to find out and communicate their interest.) Oh and make it a rule that the newbies don’t tell anyone what hours they work, make it a point of confidentiality.

What’s that? You are too afraid it will cause confrontation, upset the status quo, rock the foundations, cause you sleepless nights. Look at it this way, you will have caused it and its something you can have some control over. It also gives you a chance to see who the leaders are in your organisation (or the bullies!)

I know you will probably see it as too hard to do and NOT BOTHER! You will probably take the easy way out (the ol’ path of least resistance) and keep on going the way you have always gone… and the path of change will keep on doing what it does (changing) and your business will probably be made defunct as you blink one day and say “What the? I didn’t see it coming!!”

Wake up, change happens. Either you make it happen or it will simply happen to you (usually not in a good way either).

Take the example of the 30 Hr week, (okay you hate the thought of losing 5 or more hours of production per staff member.) Now put yourself in the boots of the new person being hired, if that was you, what would you think… (I work less hours and get paid the same… mmm got to like that!). Now ask yourself if I like that so much, will I be happier? Happier enough to put in more “productive effort” (read effective not just efficient). Happier enough to speak in more positive ways about your new employer? Happier enough to be more engaged in what’s happening in the induction phase? Happier enough to want to put your hand up for new projects with interest…

Even if its only half the benefits, there is enough in it to make it work. (You know there will be many more benefits anyway).
I will not try to coerce you into do it, I will not even hint at you trying it. It’s your business, business is a game, play it well and you reap rewards, fail to play and you get what you get.

Think outside the square and consider the rewards it could bring.

Stumble it!