Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
The actual approaches we take to innovation within organizations and our
careers has been changed by technology, globalization, and a type of social con-
ditioning that expects new technology on a constant basis. This wave of change
is also impacting how we manage our careers. To be credible we must meet and
exceed the expectations from a technical or function perspective; however, to
stand out as a leader and innovator we will need to introduce value-added prod-
ucts, processes, or activities. While many organizations provide career develop-
ment resources, the primary responsibility for career management lies with the
individual. Research [1-3] has demonstrated a shift in expectations for personal
development and illustrates that the responsibility for managing careers has been
gradually transferred from the organization to the individual. Given the critical-
ity of innovation, demonstrating an ability to be an innovator in your organiza-
tion can lead to recognition and opportunity for leadership. Thus, it is important
to understand how to bring value to your career through the use of innovation.
What does innovation mean for you, your career, and environment? Is it
required for advancement? Will it create new opportunities for you? Maybe
innovation means coming up with new and creative ways to do things or new
products and ideas to expand the life and growth of your organization. Another
question you should ask yourself is whether or not your company has an innova-
tive culture. The corporation's culture must be innovative if it's going to encour-
age innovation among its employees, but what does this mean to an individual?
The following sections will address some of these questions.
INNOVATION AND YOUR CAREER
Decide first of all if you want to be an Innovator - I assume you do or you are
at least considering it. What are the factors within the decision-making process
that you need to be aware of? Then identify a need, and come up with an idea
to meet this need. This idea can be a very general concept. For example, if you
realized that when you finish working out at the gym before work you don't
have time to wash your hair so you have to put hot rollers in it - an innovative
idea is a tool that you can put in while you are working out so when you finish,
your hair is already done and ready to go. This concept offers no design, no
materials, it may not even be feasible - it's just a general idea to meet the need
for nice post-workout hair.
Next, determine your process. This is the step where you start to think
seriously about how you would go about the process. Evaluate the idea and
determine what you have to do. At this point you might seek external resources
or private organizations that can help you design or produce your product.
Decide To Become an Innovator
If you answered “no” to the question “Do you want to be an innovator?” I
implore you to reconsider! Nurture the innovator in you and bring that person
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