While I am sure I will write more on creating a culture of innovation in the future, today I would like to pass on to you the number one way to achieve a culture of innovation.

Everyone wants to have a culture of innovation; or at least everyone says they want a culture of innovation. Be warned that innovative organizations can be a very disruptive place, and as a leader, you will need effective change management strategies.

Here it is, the number one way to encourage an innovative culture, is to implement innovative ideas. Do not hear me wrong, this is not a codependent statement; I am not saying that in order to have a culture of innovation you need to be innovative. What I am saying is that when people in your organization suggest an innovative idea and you drop it, you have just discouraged them and everyone else from even suggesting another innovative idea. You must learn to push forward innovative ideas, to see where the trail goes. Not all ideas will make it to the finish line, but in order to have a culture of innovation you must start by actually implementing ideas.

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In my post When to Make a Pitch to Investors I touched on the fact that if you are going to make it big you can’t be the board chair, CEO, CFO, COO, designer, marketer, administrative assistant, and the janitor all by yourself.

This isn’t a case of “stick to what you are good at”. In fact, as an innovator and designer, I would be the first to suggest you to try new things. Nonetheless, as you build your new business, new product, or new innovation I would encourage you to take five minutes to check your status.

Where are you now? Where do you want to be? And should you give up control of one or more aspects of your business to get there?

I was reading a very politically-correct article the other day in which the author suggested, “let’s focus on solutions, not problems.” It suddenly struck me that this is part of the reason for Canada’s lack of achievement in innovation. We are afraid to focus on problems. In our culture, the word “problem” conjures up emotions of fear, anxiety, and panic. For myself, on the other hand, there is nothing more exciting than facing a difficult problem. Why? Problems point us in the direction of hidden opportunities. They are the “X” that marks the spot where the hidden “treasures” of your business are buried.

For those companies that are willing to focus on these problems and take the time to clearly define the issues, innovative solutions will follow. These are the “buried treasures”, the hidden business opportunities that are available for companies that are willing to invest the time and effort to discover them. These innovations will help your company improve its market share and increase its margins. So don’t shy away from problems and ignore them out of fear or anxiety.

Written by Guest Blogger: Tim Burke, P. Eng., President, Quark Engineering and Development Inc.

Don’t stop innovating just because you had a great idea and a successful product launch. It won’t take long for the competition to come along, so add to your idea. Here are some resources to keep you ahead of the competition

1. Look for emerging trends that will begin to impact your product. See also How to Identify Emerging Trends.

2. Plan out how you will restart your product’s life cycle.

Working on an innovation right now? It is time to check your logic.

1. Are you still solving the right problem? See if you got off track.
2. Is your innovation possible? Look at the big picture.
3. Will you investment pay off? Check you budget.
4. What assumptions are you operating on? It is time to test assumptions.

Need more help checking your logic? Check out 50 Questions that Will Make Your Next Idea Thrive and the Top Ten Reasons Ideas Fail.