Module 1: Why innovation is EASY

STEP 1: UNDERSTAND
This step attempts to provide you with a quick overview of the topic for a particular module. While there may the occasional PDF to read or glance at, most of the information will be in 60 second videos.

Despite what you may have heard, innovation is actually very, very easy.  This is not our opinion - it is based on volumes of research and tangible examples.

There are two keys to creating and innovation culture.   The first is creating what The Innovation Company calls a POP! Culture® where POP! stand for The Positive Outlook Principle.   The second is having a simple process to bring ideas from thoughts to ACTION.  We call this process NEWIDEA™ where each letter (N,E.W, and so on) represents a specific behavior.  By creating a POP! Culture and using the NEWIDEA process, negative and innovative crushing behaviors and statements that stifle creativity will be replaced by positive and encouraging ones.  The result will be the ideas and voice of EVERYONE will be unleashed AND there will be ACTION.  
  • Click here to download your free PDF copy of Mustard Doesn't Go On Corn!  (password = Mustard)
  • Click here to download and read a quick story from book (PDF)
  • Watch the two 60 second videos below: 1) What is a POP! Culture and 2) what is the  NEWIDEA™ process 
STEP 2: EXPERIENCE 
The goal here is to have you actually experience the module so that the information from step one sinks in and you say, "I get it."

To begin to experience the topics in this module please play the games below.  After you play the games there are some questions for you to consider.   These reflection questions are also contained in Step 3 below.

Click here to play
​The Cloud of Negativity™

​Click here to
​play ListenUP! 
​STEP 3: REFLECT and DO
The action items are designed to only take about one minute to complete, are fun and easy, and help put what has been learned into immediate practice.  The survey  (optional) is an opportunity to get feedback, ideas and REFLECT on the experience.  It will be conducted using an online survey tool.  ​

1. Review the questions below again from the games and simulations.   
The Cloud of Negativity reflection questions
  • ​How do negativity and red tape effect innovation and creativity?
  • How much more energy and effort (both physical and mental) did it take to play the game at the higher levels? How does this relate to fostering innovation is a work or school environment? 
  • Assume you scored the same amount of points in each level but the second and third took more effort.  How does this relate to employees being willing to share and try to implement new ideas when there is a lot of red tape and negativity?  Would they be more inclined to stay at a company where they can get their ideas implemented but it takes a lot of effort or leave and go to a company where they can get their ideas implemented with less effort?  Sounds like a silly question, doesn't it?
ListenUP! reflection questions.
  • How does listening impact innovation and creativity?
  • There is a famous saying "seek first to understand and then seek to be understood."  How does this apply to innovation. 
  • How do you feel when someone is truly listening to you? How about when a person is not listening to what you have to say?
  • One of the goals of the game is to help people appreciate how difficult it can be to truly listen.  There is a need to concentrate and focus which, in this day and age, can sometimes be an issue. What made the game difficult? What made it easy?
2. Find someone to talk to.  It could be a co-worker, a family member, or a friend.  Tell them you would like to do a listening exercise with them.  Ask this person to tell you about his or her day or any other topic.  About 10 seconds after they start talking start looking at your phone, tie your shoe, i.e. become distracted.   How did they react?   Then, if there is time, restart the exercise and FOCUS with no distractions.  What was the difference for both you and the person who was helping you?
3. Complete this quick survey (optional)
For custom data collection please contact us.