How to be like Apple

How to be Like Apple – August 29, 2011

1)      Do’s and don’ts for facilitating innovation in an organization.

Companies should allow for both upward and downward communication.  Even today most organizations are hierarchical, which is shown in the article when it states that employee’s ideas are implemented on average only once every six years.  Companies, especially top management need to be deeply involved in the development of new products.  Companies should not forget about the importance of experimentation and failure as well as prioritizing of the most important ideas.  Like Dr. Govindarajan of Dartmouth University put it, “The key is to keep development costs low and test assumptions quickly so that companies can afford to experiment.  This in itself will provide a more comfortable environment for employees to come forward with intellectual and innovative ideas. 

2)       According to research scholars what practices make certain companies more innovative?

More innovative companies typically implement more employee ideas according to Dr. Anderson.  Great ideas come from all levels of an organization.  Also there needs to be an open flow of communication between different business units within an organization.  In having forward thinking managers, it can facilitate “the culture of ideas to percolate up” according to Dr. Anderson of Amherst.  Also some companies like Google provide employees the time for “unofficial activity” to work on creative ideas. 

3)       What specific activities could you engage in during college to become a more innovative thinker and to demonstrate that capability to prospective employers?

There are many things students can do to become more innovative thinkers.  One is to join different clubs, like business or science clubs that could work on innovation creation products.  Also there are many programs outside of the institution that can demonstrate one’s interest in innovative thinking.  Conventions, seminars,  and the other events can give college students a leg up in showing employees they value the importance of innovative thinking