Innovation, creative problem solving and ideation are fruits of individual thought and effort.  In many cases today, management theory and behaviour suppress that thought and effort.  If you are an individual creative, be willing to think creatively and have the courage to drive your ideas forward.  If you are in management, be willing to listen to the ideas of your employees and have the courage to promote creative thought in your business. An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.

Globally companies are increasingly adopting design processes as a key driver for their innovation practice.

The real profit of a great idea
comes when you turn it into reality
–Tom Peters

Design thinking: Step 4 – Deliver

Design approach = Choose and Implement + Learn
Business approach = Go into the marketplace with options and test the solution, product, or service with consumers, invite customers to co-create, and integrate feedback.

DT = DEFINE  +  DREAM  +  DESIGN  +  DELIVER

Idea generation is a creative process. Only when those ideas are profitably implemented might they be considered innovations. What’s important is the execution: how to systematically and effectively bring ideas to life in a strategic manner. It is not sufficient for businesses to create a vision for an innovation culture – executives must create ownership and accountability for execution. To deliver results businesses must treat innovation as any other business discipline by aligning resources, tools and processes with a clear set of performance goals and metrics. Effectives metrics are driven by strong vision and purpose and are always outcome and results based.

Possibility driven organisations allows time and space for their people to be creative; there structure and culture are indoctrinated so that innovation is more challenging than in other organisations. Leadership drives culture and innovation requires leadership. Virgin, for example, has creativity, innovation, and empowering employees at the centre of its strategy.

Put simply, concepts are only ways of delivering value. So value is at the heart of the design process. The effectiveness of the thinking process depends on the values provided at the end.