All companies, whether they’re successful with innovation or not, have one thing in common: they have their own “personalities.” These personalities are their unique organizational cultures – the shared experiences, values, norms, assumptions and beliefs that shape individual and group behavior, and that (for better or for worse) ultimately impact their business success.

Video: Culture is the New Competitive Advantage

I created this video that outlines how culture is the new competitive advantage for the 21st century. Use it, download, and share it to kick off your business strategy meetings, organizational development programs, and discussions focused on dealing with disruptive change:

 

 

The Culture of Innovation Canvas

I’m also currently working on a book that will introduce the concept of the Culture of Innovation Canvas, a simple tool (download PDF or download PowerPoint) for defining the following dimensions of an organization’s innovation culture:

  • Leadership – How leaders influence innovation through explicit decisions and subtle behaviors
  • Processes – How growth strategies and innovation are executed internally and externally including functional and cross-functional processes, customer engagement, information sharing, product and service development, and other activities
  • Structure – The formal and informal organizing principles and functional designs that enable (or inhibit) collaboration and guide mindsets & behavior
  • People – The mindsets and skillsets of employees, leaders, external partners and even customers tied to creative thinking, prototyping, and execution of new ideas and opportunities
  • Metrics, Rewards & Recognition – The mindsets and skillsets of employees, leaders, external partners and even customers tied to creative thinking, prototyping, and execution of new ideas and opportunities
  • Technology – Capabilities and tools that allow employees, external partners and customers to connect, share knowledge, and innovate

More Great Innovation Culture Resources – Toolkits, Assessments and Surveys
Here are some additional resources and tools that I reference and that anyone can use to begin to create a culture of innovation:

Intuit’s Innovation Catalyst Toolkit

Building Blocks of Innovation (MIT)

KEY Creativity Climate (Harvard)

LEAPS Innovation Leadership Competencies

The most innovative companies pull the right levers to create a culture that leads to exploration, experimentation, rapid prototyping, and the innovations that surprise the market, create competitive differentiation, and drive growth. That’s where real business growth and “leapfrogging” comes from.