Step 2. Choose a dot on the horizon
Choosing a focus is essential in innovation, otherwise it remains a vague activity. This innovation assignment can serve as the well-known 'dot on the horizon', where all colleagues can focus their gaze. Van Wulfen explains that you keep this focus as a guideline at moments of choice. For example, when you determine the approach, or the participants in your innovation trajectory. The author also shows how to set up an innovation assignment.
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Step 3. Be open and think in opportunities
Original ideas only come to you when you are open to new impulses. And for that you first have to take off your blinkers. Don't sit there, googling away at your desk, but go out into the real world of people, go in search of inspiration. The magic of innovation, according to Van Wulfen, mainly takes place outside your comfort zone. So dare to take risks, let go of existing patterns and learn from people with completely different ideas than your own. It is also wise to zoom in on the biggest annoyances of customers. They can also make you think hard about innovation.
Frustrated and waiting for a eureka moment? Nope, that won't help you. Innovating in your overtime full of stress? That's also pointless. A calm mind usually turns out to be the best basis for a new idea. That's why the boss of Google once came up with the idea that all his employees are allowed to freewheel for half a day a week : hong kong mailing database thinking about improvements, trying things out, as long as it's related to their work. The search engine company is convinced that innovation mainly takes place in those 'messing around hours'. And of course, an attractive working environment is part of that. In his book, Van Wulfen shares various methods to generate creative thoughts: from brain dump to 'getting under the skin'.
A calm mind usually turns out to be the best basis for a new idea.
Step 5. Experiment and learn
Only when you share an idea do you get reactions. Because user feedback is worth its weight in gold, Van Wulfen believes that you should let people watch as early as possible in the production process. He therefore calls experimenting 'learning by doing'. He also points to the striking abbreviation that someone once came up with for the word 'FAIL': First Attempt In Learning. It is better to find out early in the process that you have a flop than at the very end of the ride.