  Real innovation—be it innovative thinking, processes, attitudes, behaviour, tangible products or business strategy—is undoubtedly the most important driver of economic growth at organisational, and economy-wide levels. In essence, innovation is the key to competitiveness.
Innovation is a hallmark of leading companies as they change
the game to stay ahead of the competition. Leaders with the courage to deliver
innovation today will position their companies for long-term growth and help
them emerge from the downturn even stronger.
Many think innovation in term of breakthrough discoveries
and fortunate accidents rather than as the result of a focused effort to
introduce new ideas and ways of doing business. Successful innovation is not an
event; it occurs 24/7 enabling companies to beat competitors. Astute executives recognise that their companies lose ground when the pace of change outside is greater than the pace of change within. Innovation is not random; it emerges when there is structure
to inspire it. Jazz is a good analogy for how this type of structure fosters
innovation. While jazz may sound spontaneous, the musicians are actually
following a basic musical structure. This allows them to display individual
creativity and personal strengths, yet enables the collaboration required for
blending rhythm, chord progression and tempo into something customers will pay
to hear night after night.
Innovating requires concentrating on gaining the right
structure, focusing on interdependencies, targeting the right capabilities, and
making it happen.
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