Innovation requires learning systems thinking, but learning innovation requires even more systems thinking.
Innovators usually face systemic problems. Therefore, learning systems thinking can help us improve our ability to analyze and solve these complex problems.
On the other hand, to improve a company’s innovation capabilities, using systems thinking methods, innovation itself is also a system. A basic principle of systems thinking is that “structure determines behavior.” To form innovative behavior, the real key is structure – that is, the people, cultural environment, organizational structure and processes within the company. Therefore, promoting innovation means finding the key points in the company’s innovation structure. Where are the obstacles to innovation? Finding and solving the key resistance to problems can have a huge impact.
For corporate innovation, a significant leverage point is entrepreneurs. They are usually senior managers responsible for innovation within the company, such as Chief Executive Officers (CEOs), Chief Innovation Officers (CIOs), and Chief Product Officers (CPOs). For them, a commonly overlooked but very important issue is: how to clarify management knowledge? Management is a developing discipline; some knowledge is outdated and some knowledge is not applicable to innovative companies. In the field of innovation management globally over the past 20 years, both theory and practice have made significant breakthroughs and a new management model for innovative enterprises has been formed. Therefore, helping entrepreneurs master this new management knowledge and improving their innovation management capabilities is an urgent and important task for us.
But at the same time, if we understand corporate innovation as a systemic problem. We need to know that if we want the entire corporate innovation system to run smoothly, we need to enable the entire innovation team to use a common language of innovation, have a common culture of innovation, and be able to use new processes and methods.
Take the “QGENIUS Innovation Management Course” chosen by many innovative companies at home and abroad as an example. This solution provides different levels of innovation courses according to corporate needs. For senior corporate managers, QGENIUS offers the “QCIO Chief Product Officer Course.” This is a face-to-face course that helps C-level senior managers of innovative companies master new theories and practical paradigms of innovation management. At the same time, QGENIUS also provides an online “QCIM Innovation Manager” app learning solution that can help junior and middle managers of companies master common innovation processes and methods and enable teams to use a common language of innovation.
Innovation requires learning systems thinking, but learning innovation requires even more systems thinking. For innovative companies, talent is the real key to innovation. We should use systems thinking to empower corporate innovation. Innovation is not illusory. When team capabilities are improved and structures are straightened out, naturally everything falls into place and innovation will definitely happen!