Leader’s Guideto InnovationeBookdalecarnegie.com

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Leader’s Guide to Innovation
In today’s fast-paced business world, if you are not innovating, you are falling behind. Everyorganization today needs to do more with less, reach new customers and use resources wisely.
Whether you are developing a completely new game-changing product or simply finding a newprocess to save money, these are all innovations.
As a leading-edge business leader, it’s your responsibility to revolutionize the workplace and meet theever-increasing goals of your team. When employees’ talents are recognized and valued, it creates a
positive work environment that inspires new ideas. When a team communicates openly, they learn torespect and appreciate one another, opening doors for opportunity and innovation.
Sometimes innovative ideas come naturally, but more often than not, innovation can be a difficult
process. To make sure you see innovation through to success, you must have a process with thefollowing steps. Fortunately, there are time-tested steps you can implement that will help you up yourgame in the innovation arena.
“Dale Carnegie Training Leader’s Guide to Business Innovation” provides a proven process thatenables you to accept the challenges and overcome the obstacles of innovative genius!

“Innovation has nothing to do with howmany R&D dollars you have ... It’s notabout money. It’s about the people you
have, how you’re led, and how muchyou get it.”
-Steve Jobs

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Visualize

Picture the ideal future, the “Should-Be” state.
What is your ideal outcome? Develop a clear picture of what that looks likeand put a plan into action. Whether it’s an opportunity you want to takeadvantage, or a problem you need to overcome, visualize your objective andset a path that takes you there.

Find Facts

Determine the “As-Is” state.
Get the facts. Look at the “who,” “what,” “when,” “where,” “why” and “how”
of situations. Gather the data within the current state. Don’t judge; simplyaccumulate the facts. Once collected, the facts point to symptoms and causesthat should be eliminated in order to solve the challenge.
If you understand the problem, you’re ready start a process for innovation.
Think inventively and step up to the challenge. Ask yourself: How can we
increase sales? Decrease cost? Improve marketing?

Find Ideas

Brainstorm and do “Green-Light Thinking” for ideas.
During “Green Light Thinking”, all ideas are welcomed
for consideration. Whether you’re looking for ideas
individually, or in a group, an open-minded environmentis essential for innovative thinking. When brainstorming,
concentrating on quantity versus quality is a major key inreaching groundbreaking ideas.

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Find Solutions

Do “Red-Light Thinking” to determine the best
idea or approach.
Evaluate the ideas produced in the “Green-lightthinking” stage. To determine conclusion, getconsensus from the team, vote for the best idea,
or use the criteria method.

Find AcceptanceGain approval and support.
Unless you are working individually, make sureto get others involved. Anticipate any objections
that might require you to start from scratch
again. It’s possible that a solution can becomea problem, so don’t forget to involve others andgain the perspective of the team before moving
forward.

Follow UpMonitor the implementation.
Stay on track! Set up follow-up meetings 30
to 60 days after the implementation. Keep themomentum going!

Evaluate

Identify and assess the end results.
Is the outcome what you envisioned? What
was the cost, benefits, or roi for you and theteam? Make sure to track each step of theway, whether it’s your accomplishments orsetbacks. Sharing the outcomes with teammembers, managers, or shareholders isessential to inspire innovative thinking.

Implement

Put the accepted solutions into action.
Execute! Set a timeline with specific goals anda time frame for each objective. Make sure eachteam member is in the loop along every step of`the way”.

“Innovation is the specific instrumentof entrepreneurship ... the act thatendows resources with a newcapacity to create wealth.”- Peter Drucker

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