The Innovation Worker

Innovation will be more important for growth than organic expansion in the years ahead. I read this recently and there is a deep truth to this statement. Substantial growth will come from change: to markets, to the way we do business, to the way we service customers.

Work traditionally done by the "knowledge worker" is shifting to the BRIC countries. Now demand is for the "innovation worker"--people with creative, design and innovation skills. The demand for skills is shifting from technical, hands-on skills to innovative thinking and creative skills. And by creative, I don’t mean drawing or painting. Creativity flows through everything we do. We exhibit creativity constantly in our day-to-day lives. Just because you can’t draw or paint or write the great America novel, don’t think you’re not creative.

Game changing creativity in business comes from an understanding of a business issue, a vision of a solution (even a hazy one) and a knowledge of the technologies, processes, and methodologies to get it done. Is the end crystal clear before you begin? Of course not. But don’t let that stop you. Get in the game and start figuring out when, where and how to innovate. You stand to gain a lot, and odds are you’ll have fun while you’re at it.