I think it was Bruce Mau who said "Creativity is not device-dependent."

(I really like that.)

Innovation, is simply creativity with commercial focus... and it is one of the most valuable assets a company can have. (By the way, innovation comes from people, so if you want to inject some innovation into your brand's DNA, start looking for people who are naturally gifted in that department.) What does this all mean? I'll tell you: At its core, innovation isn't necessarily expensive, and that's good news.

If the subject of innovation isn't really something you have been spending a whole lot of time thinking about lately, you probably owe it to yourself to check out Renee Hopkins Callahan's post on technology and innovation. It'll get you back in the game in no time.

Here's a little bit of it (which echoes some of what I just told you about innovation):

"Egils Milbergs of Accelerating Innovation has posted on IBM's Business Leadership Forum, held in Rome in early April. His post included a this quote about technology and innovation:

Technology plays a leading role in innovation, but it isn't the only factor. What were once disruptive technologies now are commodities. Technology can be the establishing base for innovation, but people are the ones that drive it forward. Technology is really only the mechanics of the process. Real innovation is about great people generating and then implementing new ideas."

See? I told you. :) Read the rest of the post here. (Also check out the rest of Renee's work. It's fascinating.)

Now, to understand some of the hurdles probably facing your company right now, when it comes to fostering innovation, read Johnnie Moore's brilliant post on "security and insecurity" here. In the piece, Johnnie introduces us to Annette Clancy, who has some fascinating observations to share about organizational behavior. For example:

"The primary challenge to those of us involved in assisting organisations to strategise is the co-creation of a secure enough environment in which to envision a future that is insecure."

and

"All problems in systems are caused by an attempt to control someone else’s actions and behaviours. Attempting to police those situations more often than not results in the suppression of difference and generates the fantasy of collaboration. If we’re brave enough to accept that difference exists and is enriching and is part and parcel of all systems, then the task becomes one of managing and engaging with that difference. If there is room for difference then there can be a realistic and authentic agreement to move forward from that perspective. That, to me, sounds like a more authentic form of consensus than an imposed “rule” that we all have to be the same."

If you don't see the relation between Renee's post and Johnnie's post yet, don't worry. One is about concept, and the other is about process. Concentrate on the concept first. The process will come later. :)

Also be sure to check out Corante's newest network hub: the Innovation Hub, which will help you navigate the sometimes uncertain waters of the world of innovation, and hopefully make it easier for you to start integrating it into your organization's daily life.

A few good posts to start with are Renee's "Should companies have a Chief Innovation Officer?" and IFTF's "Drivers Of Change".

If you want to read more, also be sure to bookmark "H.R. 2.0", "Innovation & Brands", and "Innovation Starts Here."

Have a great Wednesday, everyone. :)