The Importance of Innovation Architecture Sample Essay

THE IMPORTANCE OF INNOVATION ARCHITECTURE

ASHANTE BANKS

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

ENT-435

04/23/2016

RICHARD FARRELL

 

 

 

The Importance of Innovation Architecture

History has amply demonstrated that innovation in the public sectors is the most important key to long-term U.S. prosperity and economic competitiveness (Baily, 2011). Innovation is a process that involves turning an idea into a culture that is not costly and resolves a specific problem. Innovation is very important to the success and failure of any organization. Innovation encourages growth and leadership. Employees should feel at ease when presenting new ideas to the organization. Over the year’s organizations have come up with different ways employees can share their talent and creative ideas. Supporting employee’s ideas builds innovators who help the company grow. Throughout this paper, you will learn how three different organizations have successfully capitalized the essence of innovating by mobilizing and monetizing the imagination of employees, customers and business partners (Skanzynski and Gibson, 2008), and how to successfully use innovation to help an organization continue innovated success.

For starters, let’s discuss three totally different organizations that have all been in the economic competitiveness for many years and counting. Companies like Comcast Cable, Disney Studios and Google have all used innovation architecture to keep their companies moving forward and satisfying their employees, customers, and stakeholders. Innovation is not an option it is a must. Without innovation a company will not grow. Staying in a comfortable spot does not show effective leadership. It demonstrates a lack of growth and change.  The following will take a look into how three companies encourage the culture, process, and style of innovation.

Comcast Cable

With the understanding of innovation and why it is important to the success of an organization. It is evident that Comcast Cable Company has successfully supported a culture of innovation. Comcast is a company that has been expanding and growing for over fifty years and counting. Comcast Cable Company is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these to many businesses (Comcast, 2016). This organization employee many individuals within the U.S. Comcast has proven to be one of the best companies to work for. At Comcast Cable they take pride in cultivating a diverse and inclusive workforce. Employees work together, grow together and leverage diverse perspectives (Comcast, 2016) Leadership like this creates innovation. Other aspects that contribute to the culture of innovation for this organization are employee resource groups and workforce development. Comcast is also making changes that will change the way of technology for the future. The management team wants to increase the satisfaction of the way customers enjoy Tv and videos, the speed of internet and the overall customer experience. Comcast expresses that their number one priority is the customer experience.

Disney Studios

At times challenges arise and cause chaos to occur at some of the biggest corporations around. Looking from the outside it may seem as if everything is good and working out smoothly. However, some organizations face very traumatic moments. One of the biggest movie production studios faces chaos daily. This organization is Disney Studios. This production studio successfully supports a culture of innovation by being the first network (ABC) to sell Tv episodes on iTunes. Also to encourage innovation Disney pushes control far down into the organization. This style of leadership helps employees understand what it takes to get the job completed effectively.

Google

                Google took the world by storm when they entered into this economic competition. As Google grew and expanded they were very productive and change the way many individuals do many things. The explanation for Google’s continued success is not magic or lies. Google actually has a recipe for its success, it is called nine principles of innovation. These principles help guide the management system of Google. They also help employees come up with innovated ideas from anywhere no matter how big or small the idea is. The fact of the matter for Google is being ten times better than before. They encourage their employees to think outside of the box. One thing that stands out the most of the nine principles is principle number six. This principle allows employees to take twenty percent of their work time to pursue projects they are passionate about, even if it is outside the core job or core mission of the company.

Successful innovation vs. Non-successful innovation

Running a business is not an easy task. Any individual looking to become an owner or is already an owner. No matter how big or small the company, should always dream bigger and work as if the company is failing. It is evident that no company knows how successful they will be when they begin. However, what sets apart successful companies and non-successful companies is their lack of innovation. Innovation goes hand and hand with change. Change may be scary but it has to happen. For example if a company has noticed that there is a consistent problem occurring with a product it should be handled right away. If for some reasons a company allows the problem to continue. The company will end up in a failed situation. Companies who act fast or allow all employees to be involved in the success and fails of the company will know how important it is to continue to come up with ideas that bring in new customers, make a profit and satisfy the stakeholders. All three organizations, Comcast Cable, Disney Studios and Google all have an innovation team that is responsible for creating an innovative architecture for the company. Upon research it became evident that to be successful a company has to value its employees, as well as their customers. For example Comcast Cable demonstrates diversity, humility, creativity, teamwork, vision, and integrity. All of these characteristics explain why Comcast Cable is as successful and growing. Disney has been able to capitalize on innovation because they push ideas to the limit. They are the epitome for thinking outside the box.  It is a fact that many movies such as Toy Story were almost canceled. However, a group of individuals locked themselves in a room in came up with innovated ideas that help create the very first Pixar movie. Examples like this show dedication and teamwork. Without those two characteristics any company will fail.  As for Google, the reason for their success falls within the nine principles that were briefly touched on previously. Principle number four “Bet On Technical Insights” simply explains that Google is not afraid to take risk. Taking risks can be scary but the outcome may be well worth it. No one organization got anywhere without taking risk. The underlying key to starting a business and keeping it growing is taking a risk.

Stifle Innovation

There are many organizations that have trouble with innovation architecture. The process is simple but can cause conflict and misleading assumptions if not handled correctly.  It is obvious that in order to not stifle innovation companies need to communicate, take risks, praise and reward employees, be open to new ideas and stick to key management styles.  Organizations have to know when to cut struggling ideas. It is important to know when to dismiss a project that is causing the company to lose profit instead of making one. Speaking of profit, many companies stifle innovation when they are focused more on profit instead of the consumer. It is highly important to ensure that the customer will be satisfied with the product. The key to new projects is making sure that the customers keep coming back. Loyal consumers keep a business growing and prospering into a large organization like Comcast, Disney or Google. Another reason why organizations stifle innovation is their lack of employment development. It is important to help employees continue grow. Training and education will help employees understand the mission of the company and create new ideas to maintain it.

My organization

In the event that I had my own organization, the structure that I would put in place to foster a culture of innovation in my organization is having a business that attracts people with a personality to fight for what is right. Communication is at the top of the list for my organization. Communication between the owner and employee with help both parties create a company that is filled with people who know how to listen and understand the needs of each other. Next, I would have a team that focused on what is in the best interest of the company and what is not. Doing this will justify which ideas will be set in place, which ones will be dismissed and which ones are risky but worth the chance. Finally, I want my organization to put employees, customers, and stakeholders first. It is highly important to know who contributes to the success of the company. If these three parties are not top priority for a company it will more than likely end in failure. Running an organization is not easy but can be done if carefully throughout and handle with care.

 

References

Baily, M., Katz, B., & West, D. (2011, May).  Building a Long-Term Strategy for

Growth through Innovation. Growth_innovation pdf. Retrieved April 24, 2016.

 

Leong, C, Kathy. (2013, November 20). Google Reveals Its 9 principles of Innovation. Retrieved April 24, 2016

http://www.fastcompany.com/3021956/how-to-be-a-success-at-everything/googles-nine-principles-of-innovation

Skarzynski, P., & Gibson, R. (2008). Innovation to the core: A blueprint for transforming the way your company innovates. Boston: Harvard Business School Press. ISBN-13: 9781422102510

 

 

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