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Definition of Innovation

Amabile et al. (1996) state: "All innovation begins with creative ideas . . . We define innovation as the successful implementation of creative ideas within an organization. In this view, creativity by individuals and teams is a starting point for innovation; the first is necessary but not sufficient condition for the second."

The above quote defines innovation as the successful implementation of creative ideas within an organization" and highlights the importance of creativity as the starting point for innovation, as well as the role of successful implementation in turning ideas into reality.

Innovation: Inspiration + Novelty + Value + Action

According to Innomantra, the term innovation can be seen as a portmanteau word that encapsulates its own ingredients: inspiration, novelty, value, and action. This definition suggests that innovation is the result of taking inspiration, adding novelty, and then acting on it in a way that creates value. In other word, innovation is moving from inspired novelty to value in action.

Inspiration is the spark that ignites the innovation process. It is the source of the idea, the thing that motivates the innovator to take action. Inspiration can come from a wide range of sources, including observations, experiences, needs, and problems.

Novelty is the key ingredient that makes an idea innovative. It is the element of uniqueness or originality that sets the idea apart from others. Without novelty, an idea is simply a copy or an imitation of something that already exists.

Value is the measure of how useful or beneficial an idea is. It is the element that determines whether or not the idea is worth pursuing. Without value, an idea is unlikely to be successful or make a meaningful impact.

Action (Implementation) is the process of turning the idea into a reality. It is the final step in the innovation process, and it involves taking the idea from its conceptual stage and making it something that can be used or experienced by others. Implementation requires a range of skills and resources, including problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and resource management.

Overall, this definition of innovation emphasizes the importance of inspiration, novelty, value, and action (implementation) in the innovation process. By combining these elements in the right way, innovators can create ideas that are both novel and valuable, and that have the potential to make a real impact.

Creative Ideas: The Seeds of Innovation

Creative ideas are the seeds from which innovation grows. Without the spark of an idea, there can be no progress, no improvement, and no growth. Ideas can come from anywhere and anyone, and can be sparked by a wide range of factors, including observations, experiences, needs, and problems.

But simply having a creative idea is not enough. For an idea to truly be innovative, it must be successfully implemented within an organization. This means taking the idea from its conceptual stage and turning it into a reality that can be used or experienced by others. It means overcoming the challenges and obstacles that inevitably arise during the implementation process, and finding ways to make the idea work in the real world.

Successful implementation requires a range of skills and resources, including problem-solving, collaboration, communication, and resource management. It also requires a culture of innovation that encourages creativity and risk-taking, and provides the support and resources needed to turn ideas into reality.

Some Quotes on Innovation

  • "Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity - not a threat." - Steve Jobs
  • "Innovation is taking two things that already exist and putting them together in a new way." - Tom Freston
  • "Innovation is the ability to convert ideas into invoices." - Leland Kaiser
  • "Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth." - Peter Drucker
  • "Innovation is the process of turning ideas into manufacturable and marketable form." - Watts Humphrey
  • "Innovation is the process of making changes in something established, especially by introducing new methods, ideas, or products." - Merriam-Webster Dictionary
  • "Innovation is the application of better solutions that meet new requirements, unarticulated needs, or existing market needs." - James D. Adams
  • "Innovation is the translation of new knowledge into novel products or processes." - National Science and Technology Council

Common Themes on Innovation

There are many different definitions of innovation, but some common themes include:

  • The introduction of new or improved products, processes, or services: Innovation is often defined as the introduction of something new or improved that has the potential to create value. This might include the development of a new product, the creation of a more efficient process, or the introduction of a new service that meets a previously unmet need.
  • The use of creativity and problem-solving skills to generate new ideas: Innovation is often associated with the use of creativity and problem-solving skills to generate new ideas. This might involve using techniques such as brainstorming, design thinking, or lateral thinking to come up with novel and creative solutions to problems.
  • The implementation of new ideas that create value: Innovation involves not just coming up with new ideas, but also implementing those ideas in a way that creates value. This might involve bringing a new product to market, introducing a more efficient process, or creating a new service that meets a previously unmet need.
  • The application of new knowledge to create value: Innovation often involves the application of new knowledge or technologies to create value. This might involve using research and development to create new products or processes, or applying new technologies or techniques to solve problems in novel ways.
To learn how leading Fortune Global 500 companies such as ABB, Bosch, Google, Samsung, and NetApp have used Innomantra's Functional Innovation Methodology to turbocharge their idea management process, schedule a meeting today at calendly.com/innomantra.

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