Unit 3: Discussion 2 Peer Response Week 3 MBA695
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Unit3Discussion2PeerResponseWeek3MBA695.docxResponse Comments - After posting your initial response to the question, begin making comments to your peers. A minimum of two comments made on two different days must be posted in the discussion for a passing grade. The comments must be early enough before the end of the week to allow for replies.
Wendi Minzler (Student 1)
In Dyer et al (2020), Chapter 10: Strategy in Practice: Where Do Innovative Strategies Come From? (p. 188), the examples are based on the actions of individuals. Is it also possible for innovation to occur at the organizational level? Justify your viewpoint using sources for support.
Also, describe a company that is doing something considered to be new or innovative. Based on the reading, do you agree that the company is innovative? Why or why not?
Innovative Strategies
The Dyer et al. text discusses business innovators such as Thomas Edison, Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos and questions if people are “born intuitive and divergent thinkers” or is it a learned skill (Dyer et al., 2020)? Research by Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton Christensen reported in The Innovator’s DNA confirms others’ work that creativity skills are not simply genetic traits endowed at birth, and that they can be developed (Dyer et al., 2020). It was determined that general intelligence is a genetic gift but creativity is not. About two-thirds of our innovation skills come through learning – first from understanding the skill, then from practicing it, and ultimately gaining confidence in our capacity to create (Dyer et al., 2020).
The text further explains that five discovery skills distinguish innovators from typical executives:
· Associational thinking – helps discover new directions by making connections across seemingly unrelated questions, problems, or ideas
· Questioning – consummate questioners who show a passion for inquiry, frequently challenging the status possibly pushing others to think differently
· Observing – carefully watching the world around them and their observations of customers, products, services, technologies, and companies help them gain insights into and ideas for new ways of doing things
· Networking – spend a lot of time and energy finding and testing ideas through a diverse network of individuals actively searching for new ideas by talking to people who offer a different viewpoint
· Experimenting – constantly trying out new experiences and piloting new ideas exploring the world intellectually and experientially
Dyer et al. states that collectively, these discovery skills - the cognitive skill of associating and the behavioral skills of questioning, observing, networking, and experimenting – constitute “The Innovator’s DNA”, or the code for generating innovative business ideas (2020). An article in Forbes explains how executives can and should create conditions where all people who work in organizations can emerge as leaders of innovation (Harrison, 2019). David Urbanik, COO of a Connecticut law firm Halloran Sage says his firm places great emphasis on internal innovation by fostering a culture where everyone feels comfortable bringing forward ideas (Harrison, 2019). They hold meetings where employees suggest improvements the company may later implement. However, there are three steps to promote success (Harrison, 2019):
1) Create space for innovation – and follow through -- He asks employees to make a business-focused case for their ideas and if convincing and they have a plan, they are given a shot to try it out.
2) Leadership snowballs if you let it –Executives at the top may be uncomfortable widening the circle of people who have a say in the future, but when everyone great things can happen.
3) Keep the ball rolling – Urbanik noted that when doors to innovation are opened, the results can be remarkable. He was surprised the number of innovative ideas which spurred from one meeting and how much everyone enjoyed collaborating with each other and having the opportunity at a really high level.
He admits not only is the process improving operations and efficiency, but it is also rewarding for those involved in the creative process (Harrison, 2019).
Dyer, J. H., Godfrey, P., Jensen, R., & Bryce, D. (2019). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases (3rd
Edition). Wiley Global Education US.
Harrison, Kate. (January 31, 2019). 3 Strategies To Encourage Innovation At Every Level Of Your
Organization. Retrieved from Forbes.com on June 22, 2022.
Eric Kotlyar (Student 2)
Class,
It is possible to be innovative at the organizational level. Although the innovation is different from the examples in the book, companies at the organizational level can innovate the way certain ways business is conducted, or even enter new areas of a market. Innovation is the conversion of a concept into a product, process, or business model that generates profit (Dyer et al., 2019, pg. 182). Companies at the organizational level have to remain innovative to improve upon current processes. Innovation can be something as simple as Wal-Mart using less cashiers and more self checkout lanes, or something as complex as taking a traditional vehicle and making it electric. A company does not have to create new ideas to be innovative. Creating new ideas is part of the invention process. Innovation improves upon inventions.
A company that is innovative is Tesla. Tesla expanded upon the modern internal combustion engine and innovated it by making a vehicle fully electric. Not only did Tesla innovate the vehicle industry, the innovated the way business is conducted (Furr & Dyer, 2020). Elon Musk's tweets garner a lot of attention, and he is essentially a one man marketing team every time he sends a tweet. The way the vehicles are named (S, 3 X, Y) is childish but humorous, and get people talking about the product. Tesla continues to innovate beyond a product, they're innovating the way business will be conducted in the future. It will be fun, and it won't be boring.
Sources:
Furr, N., & Dyer, J. (2020, February 12). Lessons from Tesla’s Approach to Innovation. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2020/02/lessons-from-teslas-approach-to-innovation (Links to an external site.)
Dyer, J. H., Godfrey, P., Jensen, R., & Bryce, D. (2019). Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases (3rd Edition). Wiley Global Education US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781119563143
