Talking innovation is much easier than taking action. Claiming it will not flip a switch and suddenly add innovation into an organization’s DNA. People typically need new mindsets and ways of working. This is one of the biggest mistakes I see—an organization saying, “Let’s be more innovative!” and then doing nothing to set the stage.
In a recent post about getting started with an innovation initiative, I suggested learning is a great place to start. For organizations demanding innovation, investment in professional development is a prerequisite. It isn’t reasonable to ask people to work and think differently without equipping them with training and new tools. Luckily, there are so many free or low cost options on the market, making professional development more accessible than ever before.
Professional Development Options
No Budget Professional Development Ideas:
Let’s say you only have time to devote to your professional development efforts. No hard cash. There are still ways you can invest in your people and their capacity for innovation:
- Have employees take turns curating and sharing articles that describe a new mindset or method. Identify ways to practice that skill or integrate it into your own work. Design Kit is a great source for learning and sharing new methods.
- Once people start learning methods and applying them to their work, you can host a show and tell, where team members show what they are learning. This encourages s others and helps spread new ways of working (as well as giving your team practice presenting and speaking).
- Find a free MOOC or online class that teams can take together. Be sure you allow weekly time to devote to the class readings and activities.
Professional Development When You Have Some Budget:
- Try organizing a team book club. Elect someone to lead discussions, and to find ways to apply what is learned directly into your organization. A good book to consider if you’re interested in creativity and design thinking is Creative Confidence.
- Take field trips to other other businesses for tours, presentations, or even information exchanges.
- Attend local workshops. You can peruse Eventbrite to find some options by searching for “innovation events in Indianapolis.” I’m biased since I’m on the board, but I do highly recommend Centric’s workshops and Day of Innovation conference.
- Send people through a certificate course in leadership or methods like design thinking. Yes and Yonder has recently partnered with Butler University Executive Education to create an online certificate course on design thinking. Send me a note if you’re interested in getting the news when it launches!
Whatever you try, it’s important to focus some energy on applying what you learn to your own problems or projects. Practical application will help practice those new skills and help your team gain confidence.
Let me know if you try any of these ideas. And if you discover some great resources or ideas for professional development, please share them here!