Consultants Don’t Kill Innovation, but Risk Aversion Does
Posted: January 11th, 2012 in Innovation Culture
By Amy Larson
A recent Fast Company article poses the question, “Do Innovation Consultants Kill Innovation?” And as an Innovation Consultant myself, I feel compelled to shout from the rooftops, “NO! Of course not!” But my cooler head has prevailed and I am forced to admit that this article makes some valid points about why companies, especially big ones, fail at innovation and what it takes to be a successful innovator, whether you hire a consultant or not.
Twenty years ago, the key to innovation was having a systematic process, so now we all have some version of a Stage-Gate system. Ten years ago we realized that process alone was not the answer; without strategic focus and goals, we would not get the results we wanted. Enter the Innovation Strategy. But something was still missing. As this article appropriately points out, successful innovators take risks. So an innovative company needs an Innovation Culture and Mindset that encourages and supports risk-taking.
And it’s true, big companies tend to develop systematic processes that help manage risk. And that’s for good reason; they have a lot at stake. But you can use a systematic process to develop the next Burnt Sienna crayon color, or you can use it to develop Crayola Color Wonder™ markers that don’t color on anything except the paper for which they’re intended. The difference is not in the process itself, but in the Innovation Strategy, Process, and Culture that collectively bring about innovation results.
So what do you do it you’re tasked with leading innovation, but you work in an inherently risk-averse environment? Fundamentally, you need to inject some risk-taking attitudes and behaviors; you need to address culture. And as the article suggests getting the right people and looking outside the company/industry can be great ways to do this … or, if all else fails, you could talk to someone with expertise in innovation culture and mindset … like a consultant.