Innovation to an Organization

Current successful cultural components

The current organizational culture of Microsoft is open with less power distance. The structure is very flat and allows open communication between all levels of employees. The organizational environment appreciates all the employee which present novel ideas and unique solutions for problems. There is an appraisal and reward system for innovating ideas and creative approaches which motivate employees to think out of the box and create a unique solution to unique problems. There is a support system for innovation which is enforced through the creation of a work environment, which also supports innovation and creativity.

Current cultural components requiring redesigning

The current organizational culture is innovation-supporting, but there is a continuous competition between rival organizations due to changing market trends. For this need, there are certain components which need redesigning like employees would be sensitized for new opportunities through innovation in product and services and provide continuous motivation to employees to create intact engagement with innovation. Employees must be provided with essential resources, space, and structure which enables them to innovate and create new product and services. The organization also needs strategic clarity for future trends. The current programs and features will be surpassed by future technology, for which strategic clarity is very crucial (Hengsberger, 2018).

Strategies to strengthen the innovation culture

Microsoft is already employing certain strategies for introducing innovation in the organization. Some other strategies can be the creation of a communication channel through which innovative needs are communicated to employees on a continuous basis. Another strategy could be arranging workshops based on innovation and ensure active participation and involvement by employees. They should know innovation means of their particular field and how important it is. Another way for innovating work culture is by introducing crash courses for innovation. This is very effective if it is implemented on a continuous basis because it keeps employees motivate for innovating. Organizations can introduce innovation days where all the employees from the top level to lower level could get together and share their ideas and produce new ideas. It will not only motivate employees but also gets them the required appraisal and appreciation, which will empower them for more innovative ideas.

Innovative structure communication

Every successful organization must have an Innovation structure which supports the innovative ideas of its employees and gets them across to other relevant people. Microsoft has its own built communication channels and mediums, but a new communications setup built solely for sharing of innovative ideas could be great. It will help employees stay motivated, and it will be well-coordinated. This communication medium could be software or an app where employees could share their ideas, and those ideas will be shared with other team members who could give their response in real-time and improve the idea. At the same time, the idea will be attached with the name of the innovator who presented it and this way the employee show has more innovative ideas could build up their profile which shows which employee has presented more innovative ideas. This will be a motivator factor for other employees to innovate and think out of the box.

Building Capacity

Microsoft could build capacity for creating an innovative team through right strategies for human resource management which considers innovative and creative thinking as a key skill while hiring people and once employees are hired they are involved n innovating workshops, crash courses for innovation and pitching contest where they could remove their fear and openly present their ideas. This will help in creating a workforce of innovative minds, not just a department or a few thinkers (Lerner, 2019).

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