The reason innovation fails is not because of technology. Innovations fail because of people. The people who might employ a new technology may not be sold on it, they might be afraid of it, or they might feel threatened by it. Welcome to the dark side of innovation.

However, the biggest threat to a new innovation your company is trying to develop will be your own people. This threat comes in one of several forms, and sometimes in all of them. First, your people may want to cling to the tried and true. After all, tried and true ideas and products give people comfort. Or they may not want to cannibalize an existing product with a newer technology. Often, your people will feel threatened by a new innovation because they think it will make their skills, and therefore their jobs, outdated.

When you are introducing innovation into your company, you have to neutralize these threats. Here are seven ways to introduce innovation into your company:

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.