What Causes Innovation to Fail? Innovation can fail for a variety of reasons. This is due to a lack of imagination, lack of creativity, and fear of risk. Each of these problems can be addressed, but often it is not the right thing to do. Guinness Light Despite its name, Guinness Light did not originate from a spaceship. It was a failed attempt to create a weaker version the traditional stout. This is a good example of how much experimentation can be disastrous. The success or demise of a business is contingent upon learning from mistakes. The Guinness Light story is a an excellent example of a product that has gone too far in the wrong direction. One of the primary lessons from Guinness Light is the importance of understanding customer needs. Instead of focussing on the traditional, high-calorie pint, Guinness Light tried to attract a younger generation of beer drinkers by offering an alternative with fewer calories. The company employed scientists to improve the brewing process. The scientists also rethought the way in which beer is served. Traditionalists were not happy with the idea. However, the new method was successful and improved Guinness's reputation overseas. It was so well-liked that it was extended to all draught outlets in an entire year. Guinness has a long-standing tradition of making bold business decisions. In reality, they have an environment of innovation at their headquarters. This has been a key aspect in their success. In 1896, Thomas Bennett Case was hired as the company's first scientific brewer. His goal was to figure out how much of the "soft resin" in hops would be released when brewed. Another new development was the introduction of the first on-site clinic. It offered free consultations and offered treatments. Three doctors and two nurses were employed in the clinic. They also paid an additional allowance to children under 14 years old, and provided funerals for employees. And then there was the "easy pour" product. The company launched a new product in 1959 that made it simpler for Guinness to be served. The initial version of the easy-pour technique demanded the use of a plunger. But, this was an issue. Some people asked what happens should the plunger be dirty or not available. Many Guinness traditionists rejected the new "easy pour" method. Guinness Light was launched in 1979 by Guinness. Although the new beer was a big hit but it was too diluted to be comparable to a traditional pint. Unfortunately the publicity campaign made the light beer appear like a weaker version of the real thing. Inspirational deficiency Lack of imagination is the reason your company isn't a leader. You can take steps to prevent this from happening by making it a goal to develop a creative mindset. Imagination is an essential component of leadership. It allows us to imagine a future state, define it, and develop a plan to get there. Without it, a company loses out on many opportunities. Using the power of the mind to imagine what's possible can be a struggle. However, you can expand your possibilities by using your unconscious to come up with new ideas. Your subconscious mind to envision an ideal future state that can help you recognize triggers in various situations. This will allow you to collaborate more effectively with others. Using a more creative process to envision a future condition can also increase your ability to see the steps you need to take to reach that goal. When you do this you'll be able to spot the obstacles that could hinder your efforts. Identifying the best possible approach to a problem is the first step in solving it. A great idea may kick around for several years. But if you don't know where to begin you'll end up settling for poor solutions. If you are unsure of the best place to start, try exploring the creativity of prospective employees. Though imagination can be difficult to master, it's possible. One of the best ways to improve your imagination is to ask questions. This will allow you to find ways to improve your abilities and help you get to know other people. It is ideal to create an environment that encourages people to share their thoughts. To be a successful innovator, it is crucial to think outside the box. You'll never be able to develop a product or service that will boost your company's profits or improve the lives of your customers. Any business leader must have imagination. Processes don't lead to innovation Innovation is an important part of any business's success. It is essential for survival in a highly competitive business environment as well as for creating competitive advantage and revenue. However, it is not as simple as just making an announcement. A successful innovation strategy requires the right process and people. Innovative ideas that are most successful require a comprehensive approach that includes effective communications. For instance, a brilliant idea can be stymied by poor implementation or a lack of funding. Employees need to be encouraged to think outside of the box. Also, a creative attitude is crucial to build an innovation culture that is sustainable. Many companies are plagued with innovation initiatives that fail to achieve the desired outcomes. These include creating innovative products and services that are not different from those already available. They could also be a result of inadequate or insufficient funding or a shaky strategic plan. While there are a myriad of factors that could lead to the demise of new processes, there are a few important factors. The slowness of large companies making decisions is among the most important. This is particularly true when contrasted with the speed of startups. Another problem is the absence of an explicit and well-defined plan to meet the goals of innovation. It is not surprising that large and complex organizations are plagued with these issues. They typically have too many layers and much ambiguity within their business decision-making process. This can make it hard to determine the best path to innovation, or the one most likely to bring an income. While it is not always possible to guarantee success, the best method is to create a transparent and collaborative decision-making process. Other factors that might be beneficial to innovation management include regular gate meetings as well as an interconnected workforce. The most important aspect of any business plan is to generate the right ideas and then put them into practice. With the right resources and an innovative culture it is possible to achieve this. The innovation process can be complex and may even cause problems in the best of circumstances. Fear of the Innovation efforts can be hampered by fear of failure. There are strategies that can help you overcome this hurdle. Leaders will want to learn how to overcome this hurdle to build a culture of innovation. Leaders must establish an environment of learning that helps their team and their organization overcome their fears. Be it fear of criticism or uncertainty the fear of failure can be a major stumbling block for new ideas. Developing a learning culture will assist your employees to overcome their fear of failing. One of the most common ways to address anxiety is to develop a risk-management strategy. There are many options to choose from which include plan-driven and agile approaches as well as incremental innovation. Choosing a risk-management approach can assist in establishing an innovation culture. If you're looking to launch a product it is important to comprehend the market's needs before placing any bets. It's not a good idea to put your product on the market only to discover that it's outdated within several months. You'll need to take chances when working in a competitive workplace. Innovation requires you to test things to fail, try again, and learn. If you do this, you'll be less likely to repeat mistakes in the future. You must overcome your fear of failing if you are looking to become an effective leader. This can be a daunting task for professionals with experience. The rewards could be immense. It's a great way to increase your impact and involve more people. Understanding the difference between risk management and other business decisions is vital. Then , you can apply this knowledge to navigate the challenges ahead. Last but not least, you should motivate your employees to take on the risk of failure. Although it may take more effort than you would like, it will be worth it in the end. No matter if you're launching the first business or product, the most important thing to success is focusing on the first time. Fear of failure can keep your team back from creating an innovative sustainable, long-lasting business. Innovation can be stressful However, it can also provide you with great rewards. Get involved today to assist your team to overcome fear of failure and establish an innovation culture.