How to Create Processes Within A Business That Stimulate Innovative Thinking: Progress is the Goal

At the heart of any progressive business are processes that stimulate innovative thinking. New and ongoing growth is dependent upon innovative thought by employers and employees. Thus, the question becomes one of how to create processes within a business that stimulate innovative thinking.

Understanding what processes are will prove beneficial in terms of stimulating innovative thinking.

The businessdictionary.com defines the word process as

“Sequence of interdependent and linked procedures which, at every stage, consume one or more resources (employee time, energy, machines, money) to convert inputs (data, material, parts, etc.) into outputs. These outputs then serve as inputs for the next stage until a known goal or end result is reached”.

What can employers do to encourage their employees to become innovative thinkers?

An employer who is receptive to new thoughts and ideas from employees is more likely to stimulate innovative thinking than one who chooses to ignore or stifle them in this regard. Encouraging new thoughts and ideas invariably opens up or expands new horizons for business.

An employer regularly practicing brainstorming with his or her employees shows receptivity to new thoughts and ideas with respect to the business in question. While not every new thought or idea is necessarily appropriate or something to act upon, brainstorming can lead a business into innovative transitions that will benefit the business, as well as the employer and employees.

Selectivity is important when it comes to new thoughts and ideas. When an employer is selective about the kinds of thoughts and ideas that he or she chooses to act upon, employees sense it. This also gives them some idea of the direction the business is heading. Breaking free of traditional thought allows new thoughts and ideas to surface.

While what has worked in the past may still be appropriate in the present and on into the future, there is usually room for progress. Note that employers and employees often struggle with transition from traditional thought to non-traditional thought, at least until they see and understand that there are better ways of doing business. Setting new goals has the potential to be progressive.

Incentives like promotions and bonuses from employers encourage innovative leaders in any business, as well as separate them from their non-innovative followers.

Caution is always important, as an employee who appears to be a non-innovative thinker may not feel significant enough to bring forth new thoughts and ideas. Every employee should have an equal opportunity to present new thoughts and ideas without mockery, ridicule or having to suffer any kind of reprisal.

Be aware that the ultimate goal of innovation is progress. Innovative thoughts and ideas lead to and often ensure progress. The investment of time and energy to create processes that stimulate innovation normally prove worthwhile.