WorkMatters Tips Issue #24 – July 10, 2007
Publisher: Gayle Lantz mailto:[email protected]
https://workmatters.com
WorkMatters, Inc.
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A quick tip to help leaders and executives who need to motivate their teams and themselves, and catapult their business.
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Innovation Teams
If you’re trying to inspire a different way of thinking or operating in your business, focus sharply on innovation. Identify one or two specific areas of the business that would improve with some kind of innovation. If you had to choose one, what would you pick?
Here are a few general ideas to get you started.
* customer service/retaining customers
* internal operations
* leadership or career development
* your brand
* teamwork
* hiring process
* orientation
* performance development
* sales/new business development
Of course there are many more. List subcategories that apply to your own business.
Instead of assigning a traditional "task force" (which, as the name implies, sounds arduous), put together an "innovation team." An innovation team is responsible for generating or recommending improvements in a specific area of the business. Keep the focus narrow.
For example, don’t try to tackle all of customer service. Instead focus on one aspect of customer service, such as the customer’s first contact with your company or firm. Instead of taking on "leadership," pick one aspect, such as how leaders transition into new roles, how to reinvigorate seasoned leaders or transfer leadership knowledge.
Include people on the innovation team who enjoy building on ideas, those who think about new ways to achieve goals and who bring a fresh perspective to the team.
Innovation teams can bring about positive change with great energy and interesting ideas. Try it for yourself and let me know what improvement you make in your business.
PS: If you haven’t yet assessed your personal midyear goals or aren’t crystal clear about what you want to accomplish by the end of this year, read my latest blog post which includes a Midyear Goals Assessment for Leaders:
http://gaylelantz.typepad.com/weblog/
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ON THE LIGHTER SIDE
"If you’re not failing every now and again, it’s a sign you’re not doing anything very innovative."
~Woody Allen
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Reprinted from "WorkMatters Tips," a free ezine produced by Gayle Lantz featuring tips for leaders and executives who want to grow themselves, their team and their business. Subscribe at
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