DISCOVER 10 WAYS TO CREATE A CULTURE OF INNOVATION!
Czas czytania: 4min.
Do you want the atmosphere in your company to stimulate creativity? The right atmosphere fosters the generation of new ideas and motivates employees to find new solutions. In the article, you will find up to 10 ways that can help you create a culture of innovation!
1.Prepare an inspiring workspace.
Large, open spaces, a cozy lounge, big windows, an inviting kitchen, and additional amenities such as showers or bike parking – these are some of the many suggestions worth providing to employees. If you are not setting up the office from scratch, you can hang whiteboards with markers (maybe someone will want to write down their idea?), provide employees with modern laptops and technological amenities that will stimulate the people employed in the company to think creatively.
2.Give employees the option to work flexible hours.
Some people come up with their best ideas in the middle of the night or during a long lunch when their mind is relaxed. For example, many developers are more productive in a quiet environment, which is usually when everyone else has finished work. As a result, they may prefer to sleep longer in the morning and then work late into the night.
If you want to encourage employees to be productive and generate inspiration, allow them to work flexible hours. The proposed solution encourages creative individuals to choose work with such flexibility. Usually, such individuals are highly engaged in the tasks they perform and efficiently complete the tasks assigned to them.
3.Offer employees unlimited vacation.
One of the most reliable ways to find inspiration is to take a break from continuous work. It is easier to come up with innovative ideas when we are freed from daily routines and familiar surroundings. We are then motivated by new stimuli.
Even one or two days off bring immense value. An employee can rest at home, go for a walk, or take their children on a one-day trip. Offering your team members – and yourself – unlimited vacation encourages not only a lazy day at home or on the beach but also the exploration of more distant places that can open a person to new ways of thinking.
4.Build a diverse team.
Many creative business owners complain that they have trouble finding good employees. Maybe because they are trying to find a replica of themselves? They mistakenly believe that having a ‘professional twin’ will have the best impact on the company.
However, hiring people with the same traits will not bring many benefits. On the other hand, building a diverse team will certainly impact business efficiency. Members with different professional experiences, education, and cultures can complement each other and jointly create products or services desired in the market.
5.Put your team first.
To have a truly creative company culture, your employees should be your top priority. You might think that customers should come first. If that’s the case, get inspired by the founder of Virgin Group – Richard Branson. He has proven that putting your team first not only makes customers happy but also shareholders.
6.Reward risk-taking.
Now that you have created time and space for creativity, remember to start rewarding risk-taking. Think about the companies that inspire you. How many of them have achieved success by sticking to tradition and rules?
Starting your own company has always been a significant risk. So why not surround yourself with people who also want to take risks and help you expand the company and its vision? Companies like Google place a strong emphasis on motivating their employees to take risks, for example, by encouraging them to spend some of their work time developing their own ideas. Breakthrough ideas usually do not emerge in rigid, standardized conditions.
7.Encourage differences of opinion.
Nothing combats complacency better than a disagreement with a team member. It’s not about leading an internal office war. A difference of opinion among professionals leads to debate, and that’s exactly what you need to ensure your company is constantly evolving.
8.Try group problem-solving.
In small companies, it often happens that employees need to help each other to complete large projects. For example, someone from the project team might work together with a member of the technical support department.
Creating a situation where members with completely different skills and perspectives have to work together can greatly stimulate creativity and lead to unexpected breakthroughs in employee thinking.
9.Be direct.
Allow employees to communicate what they feel without unnecessary diplomacy. Encourage team members to have open conversations instead of worrying about hurting someone’s feelings or being too nice. Create an atmosphere where employees ask each other tough questions and exchange opinions to find the most appropriate answer. By motivating employees to engage in open discussions, you will prevent complacency and encourage them to discuss the most important issues and ask the smartest questions. \n
10.Give employees space and encourage responsibility.
In a small company with a big vision, even the youngest employees have very responsible tasks. Make sure they know how important it is to perform their tasks well and efficiently, but also give them as much freedom as possible in making their own decisions (with a little support). This will create an atmosphere that supports creativity.
We also encourage you to read our previous article on questions and answers on the topic of innovation.