For businesses to grow and stay relevant, they need to innovate. Without innovation, a company will cease to exist. Every organisation knows that innovation is important, however they still struggle to make it happen.

Business procedures and old processes can be hard to uplift and change, especially when the outcome of that change is unknown. This uncertainty is why it’s difficult for managers to make decisions on what they want to change within their business.

There are numerous examples of companies that failed to innovate and now no longer exist. They were inevitably disrupted and paid the ultimate price. In the fast-paced digital world we live in, this happens to organisations of all shapes and sizes. No-one is safe when technology is developing at the pace it is.

When done correctly and at the right time, innovation can have a profound effect on an organisation. However it’s also a risk – and business leaders always have this at the back of their mind. The risk factor is also the main reason why it’s so hard to get employees willing to participate in the process of innovation.

Research indicates that there is a large disconnect between senior business leaders and employees when it comes to innovation. The Harvard Business Review conducted a study with over 3,500 employees from across North America, Europe and India to find out why this disconnect exists. The study found that when employees feel that they aren’t being taken into consideration, they inevitably feel out of the loop, and as a result they stop caring. Many of the employees will simply continue to do as they are told, continuing with their routine instead of looking for new and innovative ideas for growth. When this happens, work is more like a chore than a career and the employees will not support the business leaders on any of their innovation strategies.

Here are some ways that organisations can encourage a workplace that fosters innovation:

Innovation needs to be at the core of strategy

The only way to maintain growth over an extended period is through innovation. The same product will not continue to win in the marketplace unless you innovate. For innovation to be successful, it needs to occur within a workplace that makes it simple for employees to play their role in business growth. Once innovation is accepted in all aspects of a business, then everyone will have their role and contribution to make.

It can often be difficult to get employees to take the risks required to innovate, as they know that sometimes the risk won’t work out. However, once they know the difference between taking a risk and being reckless, they will be more willing to experiment and take the risks required to be innovative and try new ideas.

Challenge your employees to try new things

To encourage your employees to be innovative, it’s imperative that they know they have your support to explore new ways of getting things done. Listen to your employees when they have a suggestion and ensure they’re engaged. They’re ideas need to be valued in order for the employee themselves to feel valued, this makes them more likely to perform at their peak. Your employees may see opportunities to innovate that you’ve missed, as you can’t be everywhere at all times.

Always back your employees

When employees are supported, they can commit their time and effort to being innovative. If you don’t give your employees ample time to think creatively and try new ideas, your company will suffer. Encourage your employees to set time aside each day or each week to stop and think of how current processes or products can be improved.

It’s also important that as a leader you dedicate time to the development of your employees. Offer training and support to build the type of culture that will encourage them to try new ideas. You also need to be honest with them about which of their new ideas will be pursued and which will not. This type of communication will embed trust and respect in the team and ensure they’re not afraid to continue to innovate.

Final Thoughts

The above three tips will put you on the way to creating a culture within your organisation that embraces innovation and encourages employees to try new things. This type of culture will help get the best out of your employees and ensure they feel comfortable with taking risks and experimenting. Creating a culture of innovation is the only way to ensure your business is still around in the decades to come.