Top 5 things innovation doesn't need

As it applies to business, I've been noticing the growing trend of 'innovation' becoming a buzzword that's all hype, no substance. Lots of attention has been garnered on businesses' need to be more innovative, but this only results in endless lists of shortcuts to getting folks to 'think outside the box' (I hate that phrase!). The focus seems to be on an innovation to-do list of things you can magically implement to result in instant innovation, rather than looking at the culture of innovative companies that leads to fresh, unorthodox ideas being allowed to rise to the top. In response to all these lists, I've created my top 5 list of things that businesses do/don't need in order to become more innovative.

Top 5 things that innovation doesn't need:

1. A dedicated Innovation department
2. Continual and incorrect use of the word 'innovative' as a synonym for 'new'
3. 'Innovate or die' pressure to innovate quickly
4. Quirky or arty 'idea spaces' designed with ultimate feng shui to get ideas flowing
5. Treatment of innovation as yet another formal 'thing' to be implemented, such as a performance management system or issue-tracking process

Top 5 things innovation needs to thrive:

1. A culture that recognises 'failure' as simply another way to say 'learning & growing by trying'
2. A culture that embraces and rewards cross-team and collaborative working
3. Openness and readiness to learn from your customers, suppliers and other contacts
4. Broad understanding that innovation can be painful, expensive and/or slow
5. Recognition for innovation that takes place outside R&D departments and/or from below manager level