When we talk about innovation in general, we talk about three steps. First, new ideas need to be collected and thought through. Establishing a culture that is open to creativity and giving the freedom to think differently are essential for this step. Only then can new ideas be shared, and horizons broadened. The second step begins with deciding which of these ideas are worth developing and working on. Those ideas that are identified as desirable should be adopted. To be able to make this decision, you need a structured system that can evaluate the potential of the end product and its success on the market.
Put yourself in your customers’ shoes to consider what they would like about your product or service, what they would miss and what the pain points are for them. After thinking this through and adjusting your idea to customer needs, get feedback. Ask customers their opinion and listen to them carefully, because their opinion is what matters the most. Iterate, experiment and evaluate, because only after that will you be ready for the third step: testing on the real market. During this whole process, it’s important to think about the company’s proper atmosphere. People need to feel that it is possible to try and fail, and learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of others.
Every company has its own journey, and you should approach innovation in such fashion. Holistic innovation thinks about the company and its people as a whole.