We approach these 2 areas as critical components of business success. We also believe that they are both linked to culture and humility.
Organisations that ‘drink their own cordial’ will believe that they both innovative and sustainable, even as the wither and die on the vine!
Sustainability is particular means both environmental (are we behaving in a way that help the planet survive) as well as financial. Are we able to continue to trade and operate in a manner that meeting our customers, shareholders and employees expectations over the medium to long term.
Critical Factors provides advice and implementation strategies in the following key areas linked to innovation and sustainability:
Right people, right role sounds obvious but there is a science behind people and their different skills and motivations. More than 50% of the working population has a behavioural preference profile that avoids change. That means that innovation is not just about coming up with the ‘innovation’ but then implementing new products or services/processes in a manner that will work. The world is full of fantastic innovation that went nowhere because of a lack of adoption.
The challenge most organisations have is that their cultures have just developed. There was no plan around the type of culture that they want.
We work with you and help you decide on the type of type of culture that you want, one that drives what is important to you. If innovation and sustainability is important to your organisation then this MUST feature in your workplace culture plans and strategies. This must also feature in strategic and business planning activities and the way you measure success.
Scaling and growing a business requires innovation and sustainability, otherwise you are very likely to ‘grow broke’. Clear plans, metrics and measurements for success are critical components in any growth plan.
What we measure drives behaviours and outcomes and as such requires very careful consideration. Measure the wrong things and as a result drive behaviours that you want to see more of rather than the unintended consequences of an unplanned, inappropriately measured business. revenue is not a measure of sustainability.
This sounds obvious but more than 70% of the senior leaders we talk to believe that they have a culture that supports this statement. When we work with their front line teams it is the other way around. More than 70% of Supervisors and below are afraid to fail or make mistakes because of the fear of consequences from senior leadership.
There is an obvious link to the true organisation culture in this space.
The closer we are to our customers (Government readers please note that the taxpayer is your customer!) the better we are able to understand their needs and challenges. Innovation is business has to be focussed on our customers. What they need, the challenges they face and our ability to help them are key to innovation. If you are not close to your customers then you attempt to innovate at your own peril.
