The physical environment for Innovation
26/03/2010, Author: Luigi Paiano
Pretty much every piece of literature on innovation will allude in some way to the ‘Innovative Environment’. We can work on enhancing this environment by considering two key elements:
o The collective mindset
o The physical environment
As psychologists, of course we will be coming back to aspects of the mindset in future posts. For now though, I’d like to share three hints that we have discovered to be useful during our own journey of discovery on this fascinating topic…
1. Create a space.
What I mean by this is ensure that there is space away from ‘Business As Usual’ where creative problem-solving and ideation can take place. On the whole, as innovation is often a collaborative event, the space would be for groups, but this can equally apply to ensuring that an individual has space.
Sometimes this can be a completely dedicated area - e.g. Innocent have a Product Development Area that is ‘open’ to all in that it is in the middle of an open space with its walls made of glass. Often this will be a meeting room that is simply away from the hubbub and occasionally converted to allow for pure creativity to take place.
Whether you have the luxury of this option or if you are simply seeking a space away from the desk (such as a coffee shop, a park and so on) – you will need to consider external features that can make the environment more or less conducive – for example:
Lighting, seating arrangements, plants, windows, toys, visuals, music, activity, noise, empty space to move around in, and materials (from work surfaces through to glue and glitter!)
These features will vary from person to person (e.g. some like noise, some don’t), so it is an important part of the process that you agree these up front. Of course if you are looking for individual space, that is much easier, as long as it is, as mentioned, away from the space associated with the day job.
2. Visual indications
The space is the biggest element and perhaps the biggest challenge. Even if you have a space, this is not to say that creativity and/or innovation can’t take place elsewhere! If you do find a space, then advertise it and ensure that it is fully inclusive.
Similarly – provide visual indicators as to what is going on in the organisation.
Public whiteboards, flip charts or flat screens advertising the latest ideas being mooted or worked up indicate to all staff that the organisation is striving to improve, and this will encourage further ideas.
Newsletters, a monthly intranet post and regular team meeting agenda items are excellent vehicles. Through these methods, updates on recent successful innovations, or advertising imminent ideas ‘forums’ will again demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to evolution as well as creating communities of interest.
3. Capture the moment – encouraging and discouraging
Finally, two boxes – one that can be used to encourage ideas, the other to discourage ‘anti-creativity’.
o The ‘suggestion box’. Very well known but very seldom used. This can be a physical box (my preferred method) or it be a virtual box such as an e-mail address. As long as ideas are regularly reviewed, advertised and (at least) acknowledged then this is an incredibly cost-effective and powerful method. I have seen too many organisations with no obvious route the proposal of ideas receive low staff survey scores on how much the organisation encourages innovation
o The ‘swear box’. This is essentially a pre-agreed tariff - where negative judgement (that is out of place – see last weeks post) carries a forfeit. It could be cash towards the Christmas party fund, making the tea or buying cakes. The punishable phrases are pre-agreed and advertised and of course everyone must buy in, and the box can either go in any designated creativity or innovation space, or, for wider impact, in the actual workplace.
I hope that these have been of use – have a great week and watch this space same time next week.
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