Innovation as a Discipline
Innovation as a Discipline

Innovation can transform an industry. It can provide a competitive advantage or even solve a problem.  It can even be considered an artistic masterpiece.  But innovation doesn't usually happen overnight.  It happens over time as an organization develops and cultivates an idea.   Innovation is the result of strategic discipline and is just like any other skill.  The more you work on an innovation, the more you master it.

Innovating the Light Bulb

Thomas Edison is usually credited as the inventor of the light bulb.  This however, is not a completely accurate statement. 

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Business HacksAdam Witmerinnovation, innovation forms and types
How to Create a Great Culture
How to Create a Great Culture

A great corporate culture is an asset to the bottom line.  An ineffective culture, however, can be very costly.  The corporate culture of an organization is the difference between a great place to work and one that is chronically drained by spending energy to bring in and retain good talent.   Personally, I am always surprised at how many organizations are not pro-actively creating a culture that cultivates and attracts the type of employees they desire. 

So how is a corporate culture created, even in a small business? 

Be Pro-Active

The first step to creating a great culture within an organization is to understand that a culture is going to develop whether or not you plan for it.  If cultural outcomes are not strategically developed, the result is going to be less than ideal.

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Change Management, General Business StrategyAdam WitmerCulture, Corporate, Business
Three Types of Effective Meetings
Three Types of Effective Meetings

Meetings are often long, boring, and a waste of everyone's time.  Yet we still feel compelled to hold them and are usually expected to attend them.  The truth is that while they often lack efficiency and effectiveness, meetings serve an important purpose in our organizations.  The key to holding an effective meeting is to first understand why the meeting is being held.  Meetings can be summed up into three different categories: 1) Oversight, 2) Communication, and 3) Decision. (Yes, the acronym for this is OCD!)   

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Business HacksAdam WitmerEffective Meetings, Three Types of Meetings, Useful Meetings, Great Meetings, Innovation in Meetings, Smart Meetings