Innovation: 8 steps to implement innovation in SMEs
Start writing a post

Innovation: 8 steps to implement innovation in SMEs

The innovation is a formal process that has a methodology and tools themselves allow, in a structured and systematic way, creating innovations.

63
Innovation: 8 steps to implement innovation in SMEs

If we ask business owners what is their way of innovating , most of the time they will tell us that they are identifying new product opportunities based on their business experience: they come up with something, they discuss it internally, and they develop it little by little, inserting economic and human resources into the process as much as possible.

Therefore, innovations are often lost along the way if they do not have clear mechanisms, a person with name and salary, as well as exclusive financial resources for the process.

It is useless to have an innovative product or service, if the company does not manufacture it, does not distribute it, does not sell it, and does not promote it well. Hence, innovation per se is not enough to have a return on investment and generate wealth. We can structure this process through the following eight steps:

1. Create the innovation strategy within your business plan

It consists in considering in your business the necessary resources to generate innovation. These resources must be reflected in their economic projections since money is required to innovate in a structured way. Personnel in charge of creating innovations in new products or services, with a specific salary, office and workshop areas, prototype and testing machinery, materials and cost of information sources (such as patent banks) are some of the investment points in innovation It is very difficult to create innovations with the time that remains for our current staff, since time and mind with full availability are required by someone responsible.

2. Develop new products or services

Through an adequate process of design and development of new products, the entire company, suppliers, and customers must be involved to creatively generate innovative concepts. Many creative techniques can be successfully implemented in the company.

3. Technological surveillance

To respond to the threats and opportunities of the environment, the company must learn to systematize them through technological surveillance tools (patent search, technologies), Benchmarking and best business practices, and information on the latest available technologies, as well as scientific discoveries. That allow us to have the most up-to-date information to make decisions to innovate, avoiding spending time in generating something that we later realize that already existed.

4. Management of technological and innovation projects

An innovation project cannot be managed in the same way that any other activity is managed. In innovation there are several aspects not clearly defined, a fuzzy front end or uncertainty, development times longer than conventional projects, etc. Therefore, we have to develop specific management tools that allow us to manage innovation from the beginning.

5. Financing of innovation

Obtaining financial resources for the generation of innovations is a decisive aspect to carry them out. Most of the time, this money is not available or available to some companies, so it is necessary to obtain information on how to obtain these resources, either governmentally or privately. It has to do directly with the funds and procedures to fill out the applications and obtain them.

6. Innovation assurance

To get a clear advantage as a company that has generated an innovation, it is important to create an appropriate industrial property strategy. This includes learning how to protect with the greatest possible benefit, everything generated in the company, from brands, industrial designs, utility models and patents. Knowing how much it costs to do it, how it is done and abroad and how it can be sold or rented, is essential to obtain a return in the future.

7. The exploitation of innovation in the business strategy

Innovation exists if it generates an economic return. In such a way that a new product or service may require a new business model to be able to exploit it. It is important that before carrying out an innovation project a study is made of its impact, both commercial and the improvement of our competitive position.

8. Conservation and use of company knowledge

If we want the knowledge generated and existing in our company to be a differentiator to the competition, we must boost its creation, and make it part of our intangible assets and know-how. Implementing a system and tools that allow us to keep it and share it within our company, can over time make our business model based on knowledge creation.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

40591
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

25203
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

950831
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

132507
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments