Business Culture: Don’t Underestimate Its Importance
Business culture: know about it, and just as important, don’t underestimate its importance
I read an interesting article in Harvard Business Review (Pisano; June 2015) about the need for better strategies in executing innovation in organizations. While the article has some great recommendations, it ignores one critical element of innovation: the importance of a business culture that nurtures the creative environment.
Here’s one way I could explain “business culture.” And, forgive me; I do like to use the “shipping” metaphor. So, let’s pretend that Ship A and Ship B have been given the assignment to go find a new route to some new place that will bring in lots of money. Ship A is run by a captain that seeks perfection, that likes to follow the path that other ships have taken before, and will not think about the point when his crew has reached the “fork in the sea,” and has to tell the guy who steers the ship which way to turn. Throughout this voyage, he has taken the safe route, has not considered the idea that taking a new route entirely may be the best way to go. He may either doubt his ability to lead in some way, or does not have the ability to think outside the box. I’m not feeling too good about Ship A’s chances. (more…)