Innovation: Implement or Invite?

BlawgThink2005 ended with a conversation with NetCentrics’ Jeffrey Phillips about a new product they are bringing to market now. IdeaBank is a central, web-based database for ideas, large and small, so willing to accept new ideas that it even has it’s own email address. Once ideas are entered there, the system lays out a series of steps for developing, evaluating and deciding what should be done with each idea. It’s all actively password protected, so only the right people see the right ideas.

Seems simple enough. Sweep all kinds of ideas, spreadsheets, proposals, down to sticky notes, from technical R&D to creative flashes and suggestions, into one place for purposefully rigorous consideration — and action. But how do you get such a system started? How do you replace a massively complex, organically distributed, and obviously inefficient — but existing — system with a simple, effective and centrally accessible — but brand new — system? Daunting, but not impossible, I think.

But first, tell me one thing: Is Innovation a technical process that can be mapped and automated, or a social process that must be nurtured and cultivated? Can Innovation be implemented or only invited and supported? And what kind(s) of Invitation are required to bring so many diverse views and practices of Innovation together into one new format? Is it enough to invite the data? I’d guess not. But how to invite the people? And how many does it take to tip the new space into active and productive use?

IdeaBank seems as good a tool as any for the technical task. Open Space has taught us much about Inviting the people. Want to Invite Innovation?

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