Why Innovation Matters Even More Today - Transforming Your STEM Career Through Leadership and Innovation - page 29

3. Find a need that's not being filled in your area of knowledge
This can apply to career innovation, product development, or services. Ask
yourself, “What is it about my career that needs to change in order to differ-
entiate me or move me forward?” This can be your carrier technical area,
services offered on a community or personal level. Start by finding this
area that needs a “change”. (Hint: I suggest you start small.) Then make
that change! Find an area where your unique contribution will make a real
difference. It may be as small a matter as getting the street around your
home cleaned or repaired, or getting extra streetlights in your neighbour-
hood, but your contribution will be of great importance.
4. Create a brief but clear explanation of the innovation
Write down why it matters and make sure it's not currently being done.
Your brief explanation can be as short as a paragraph or a bulleted list, but
write it down!
5. Determine who wants this innovation
Who does it matter to? Who's willing to pay for it? Where does it add the most
value? What are those environments and who are those individuals? Your con-
sumer is ultimately the person who will benefit from your innovation, and you
need to know whom you're helping in order to create the best product for them.
6. Protect your idea/innovation
You are protecting not only your idea but also the manner in which you
want to see it manifested. At this point you may want to seek legal counsel
or research on how you can protect your idea.
7. Identify a trusted person who can be your “Innovation soundboard”
Your innovation soundboard is a person you are comfortable talking about
your career with, or the ideas you intend to develop.
8. Develop a “core team” of three to five supporters
These are advocates with key areas of knowledge who you can trust to help
you carry out your innovation.
9. Create a plan to develop the idea to at least a “proof of concept”
Write down a more detailed plan in which you design a process to go from
idea to development, or a “proof of concept” of your idea.
10. Decide if you want to take the innovation to the finish line or if you will
partner with organizations/other individuals to see it realized
If it is your career we're talking about, you're probably going to carry out
that form of personal innovation on your own. However, if you're develop-
ing a product, letting others take over can be a smart thing to do because it
allows you to keep your STEM “hat” on while others come in and do what
they are educated or trained to do in order to see the innovation realized.
INNOVATION AND WOMEN
Given the critical importance of innovation and the low percentage of women
in the STEM workforce, it is clear that we need to come up with incentives
to promote and encourage innovation among women in research, technology,