What are innovative companies doing

Knowledge about the innovation process is the differentiator between innovative and non-innovative companies. Innovation can be seen more like a business skill that all employees can develop. Companies that innovate always understand how innovation happens and innovate on purpose and in very organised and structured ways. 

Find out the 6 innovative strategies that companies all over the world do to remain on top:

1. Innovation is everywhere

Innovation is about inspiration coming from continuously listening for the unexpected which can come at anytime from anywhere! You never know where you are going to find a good idea. Innovative companies should look inside and outside the box to have the “big picture”. Think like a startup, looking for ideas everywhere and being decisive. 

2. Everyone can be innovative

Things are changing. Innovative companies always wants all employees to be creative and innovative. Everyone should look for better ways to do things differently in their jobs, and be rewarded for that. With that in the companies’ values and culture, new ideas flourish. Great ideas are not only coming top-down, they're coming from interns, they're coming from customers sharing their best ideas out of love for a brand. 

3. Test your ideas

Innovative companies can’t be strictly attached to all the ideas that employees have over time, but know the best ones to choose between them. One of the best ways (and cheapest) to know which ideas are valuable is to “use” your internal personnel to try them, being your guinea pigs. If your internal consumers are in control, then re-center your thinking on how people live their lives and what they want to talk about. Respond favourably when your research and insights team asks for resources to broaden beyond surveys to mine social media, search terms, retail, digital behaviors, and customer care. Don't pigeonhole innovation to a team or a project, instead commit your company to a culture of listening for the unexpected.

4. Spend R&I money thoughtfully, not profligately

Innovation continues to be a top-three priority for three-quarters of the companies around the world. So, who are the most innovative companies of 2014? The most innovative companies don’t spend everything on R&D. Of the list of the 50 most innovative companies, we can pointed out the 10 best – Apple, Google, Samsung, Microsoft, IBM, Amazon, Tesla Motors, Toyota, Facebook and Sony – in a report released in October 2014 by BCG – Boston Consulting Group