In earlier posts we identified some of the most common barriers to innovation.
Since then, we’ve posed the question to a number of improvement leaders and specialists, and have been presented with some interesting responses!
Here are just a few:
“The greatest barrier is communication. Companies often adopt a culture change without building communication into their strategic plan… the KPI’s and objectives required to accomplish the change. It has to be two-way communication to effectively engage the entire workforce.”
“The greatest barrier to innovation is simply not believing that it is necessary. Many companies view innovation merely as a corporate marketing exercise, like a new flavour of their product. Real innovation is going to turn an organisation into a place where things change for the better.”
“I see lack of motivation as main barrier. Innovation in the context of a company has to do with its core processes, products & services, defects & quality costs, or market status elements to name a few system component where innovation is usually expected to take place. That requires aiming at efficiency of operations, not just the effectiveness of an implemented system.”
“The biggest barriers I’ve seen are resistance to change and Group Think.”
“The chief barrier to innovation is the Barrier Of Strategic Success, colloquially called the Boss.”
“To me, the most common barrier to innovation is within ourselves. Innovative thinking is in all of us, but when is the last time you really let it out; and once out, really championed it across your organization. Even innovations must be “sold” to peers, superiors and even subordinates before that vision can be transformed into reality. Usually it’s fear that stops people from making their vision known.”