Raw Materials for Innovation

When we make product we start with raw materials. In the manufacturing world with Just-In-Time and supply chain integration, our raw material suppliers are vetted and their quality assessed, specifications analyzed, sample material inspected etc. This happens well in advance of approving the supplier for routine material purchase. How does this apply in the innovation realm? Our raw material is our people creating actionable ideas. These are not only the ones within our four walls but those we choose to engage with for innovation which includes suppliers, customers and outside sources.

If people are the raw material, how are they vetted for creating an innovation culture that leads to quantifiable results? The short answer is that in many cases you may be stuck with a raw material inventory of naysayers, "not invented here" types that if they were actual raw material vendors they might be replaced. In the company culture, we have to use what we've got and bloom where we are planted so to speak. Since we can't choose the company culture let's at least understand where people are coming from.

Here are some sample survey questions you may want to consider for an anonymous poll of your key decision makers and workers who make it happen every day. From my experience, the answers varied little from top management to the shop floor. A simple 1-10 scale defining what a 1 and 10 is for your organization (in 1-2 words each) is a easy way to gather and tally your results. Here's to the start of a great internal survey to help you understand the raw materials you're working with:

1. What do you think is your company's need to innovate it's offerings to be competitive?
2. How urgent do you think #1 needs to be done?
3. How successful in the past has your company been on innovative products/services?
4. What is your impression of the company's boldness towards taking on new ideas/innovations?
5. Is creativity/innovation rewarded at your company?
6. What is your level of optimism based on your company culture to taking action on new things?

There can be many others. What are your thoughts?