Make learning fun
It might sound like a cliche that you would expect to hear in relation to school children, but there is no question that employees will be more eager to learn when it is engaging and enjoyable. Continuous learning requires businesses to adopt an open mindset in which employees are actively encouraged and given the opportunity to embrace new ways of learning. The KICKBOX toolbox includes a host of fun templates that develops the right mindset for continuous learning. Crucially, the new skills and knowledge are contextualized by their innovative concepts and a focus on the the specific goals and objectives of the business, and of the employees themselves.
When employees want to invest their energy into learning, they will. And they’ll gain far more from it in the process.
Create an environment for experimentation
Scientific research and anecdotal evidence both affirm the link between burnout and decreased innovation. Given that the fear of failure will heavily increase the risk of burnout and disengagement, you must focus on promoting psychological safety in the workplace. Exploration and experimentation are vital concepts that allow employees to test, learn and adapt without fear of failure. Even success stories usually require an iterative approach, which is why accepting failure as a step on the path to unlocking the best innovations can transform the future of an entire business.
Above all else, there should be a sense of freedom. Innovation cannot be restricted to a set one-hour period within the weekly schedule.
Embrace Artificial Intelligence
Research shows that at least 30% of organizations now actively want to embrace AI and its ability to aid innovation strategy, product development speeds, and project cost-efficiency. AI can process information with far quicker results than humans while also visualizing the data to streamline decision-making processes. As well as increasing the speed, this added layer of accuracy ensures that the right innovations are pursued.
When persisting with outdated methods, the harsh reality is that the procedure of turning ideas into implementations is too slow. With AI, getting products to market while still satisfying the high consumer demands is far more viable.
Look for new ways to collaborate
Altering the way that individuals approach innovation and continuous learning is one thing, but adapting to a new way of work also means thinking about the way employees work with each other. Even established companies like CSS have shown that it is important to keep moving by encouraging ideas from individuals across all departments. CSS received over 50 ideas in three years, and using tools like KICKBOX enabled employees to work collaboratively to unlock the full potential of winning ideas. This cloud-based approach breaks down traditional hierarchies and fosters a collective effort for the success of innovative concepts.
KICKBOX also lets you leverage success from the collective knowledge of multiple organizations to solve problems and keep learning as a business.
Make continuous learning more social
A company-wide approach to innovation will statistically yield more ideas while community learning with co-workers, peers and experts ensures that new knowledge is relevant to the ever-changing business landscape. Employees will subsequently be happier and feel more valued as they become part of something bigger than themselves. Another important aspect of fostering a social environment is actively engaging with customer feedback and incorporating it into the innovation process. By listening to what consumers have to say, businesses can create a more social and customer-centric approach to innovation, where ideas are shaped based on the active understanding of client desirability.
Learning to impress the right people is just as important as finding new product solutions. To see how KICKBOX can help your business build a more effective innovation culture, get in touch now.
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