Authors:
- Defines a new corporate culture grounded in diversity of thought and attitude that creates an environment conducive to innovation
- Packed with personal insights from senior international executives and case studies from radical corporate cultures across the world
- Offers practical value to the reader with clear, actionable recommendations
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Table of contents (7 chapters)
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Front Matter
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Five Cultural Elements
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Front Matter
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Back Matter
About this book
This book explores five cultural traits – Diversity, Integrity, Curiosity, Reflection, and Connection – that encourage the birth and successful development of new ideas, and shows how organizations that are serious about innovation can embrace them.
Innovation – the driver of change and resilience – It is totally dependent on culture, the social environment which shapes how ideas emerge and evolve. Ideas need to breathe, and culture determines the quality of the air. If it’s stuffy and lacks flow, then no idea, however brilliant, will live long enough to fulfil its potential.
Creating these innovation-friendly conditions is one of the key challenges facing organizations today, and one that is especially difficult for them – focused as they are on efficiency and control. Innovation, Anna Simpson argues, begins with diversity of thought and attitude: the opposite of conformity and standardisation.
Likewise, with ongoing pressures to deliver results before yesterday, howcan organizations allow sufficient space for the seemingly aimless process of following interesting possibilities and pondering on the impact of various options?
Anna Simpson shows how large organizations can adapt their culture to enable the exchange of different perspectives; to support each person to bring their whole self to their work; to embrace the aimlessness that fosters creative experimentation; to take the time to approach change with the care it deserves, and – lastly – to develop the collective strength needed to face the ultimate ‘sledgehammer test’.
Reviews
“This book is brimming with ideas and positive examples of how people can work in a positive way. It is part guide book, part menu, part cornucopia - a feast of ideas and avenues to explore. Reading it is an invitation to innovation itself. I emerged engaged and transformed. Thank you Anna for improving the world we live in by showing the importance of culture to innovation; and that is not only possible to change but enjoyable too.” (David Aeron-Thomas, Chief Curiosity Officer, Enquire>Measure>Change)
“In her new book, Simpson invites us to discover the true face of innovation: not a response to a risk or a trend, but an expression of what we can truly see, do and be. And she includes the manual on how to do it, too!” (Greg Bernarda, Author of ‘Value Proposition Design’ and Associate at the Institute for Science, Innovation and Society, Oxford University)
“Thought provoking for any type of organization particularly for the corporate which in an ever-faster changing world, risks becoming redundant if it focuses too much on efficiency and productivity while failing to harness the collective knowledge and power of its most important asset - its people.” (Georgie Passalaris, Skills and empowerment manager, DIAGEO)
“Anna has curated emotional and intellectual insight into the amazing innovation and work of people from around the world as they seek to improve the way we live and interact with each other sustainably. Above all else it is a motivation to participate because, in Anna’s own words, “we have more agency than we recognise”.” (Colin Payne, HR Director, Swire Pacific Offshore)
“So many organisations want to be innovative and so few master it. As Anna Simpson reminds us here - fundamental to this ambition is getting the culture right. In this thought provoking book she breaks down the elements needed to create a culture where ideas can flourish and in this age of enormous challenges we really need those ideas.” (Hugh Knowles, Head of Innovation, Forum for the Future)
“Anna Simpson's new book is a source of inspiration. Through excellent writing, a strong evidence base, a 360-degree approach, and above all passion, she sends her message to the world: that in an ever-changing environment, it is innovation, supported by particular virtues, that can help organizations enhance their resilience and ensure a sustainable future - for themselves and for the broader ecosystem.” (Dr. Marilena Fatsea, Fidel & Fortis Ltd.)
“In every chapter, Anna has assembled a vast treasure trove of future insights, enough to jolt the most sluggish mind into imagination. This is a book that can help organisations become better listeners - which I consider an essential skill for the future. The closer organisations can come to the deepest motivations of their workforce, the better they will be placed to act on them.” (Dr. Scilla Elworthy, Founder: Oxford Research Group; Founder: Peace Direct; Co-Founder: Rising Women Rising World; Councillor of the World Future Council)
“This is an important book at a critical time in the evolution of global culture and will add an essential perspective to the ‘how to’ of thriving in increasingly trying times. It focuses on nurturing innovation through strategies that support needed change and organizational renewal. … The author has crafted a path for the reader, both to a fuller understanding of the value of innovation while providing the outline for viable and common sense steps that lead to its likely achievement. This is a useful and inspiring accomplishment and will surely bring Ms. Simpson recognition that she clearly deserves.” (Timothy C. Mack, Past President, World Future Society)
Authors and Affiliations
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United Kingdom
Anna Simpson
About the author
Bibliographic Information
Book Title: The Innovation-Friendly Organization
Book Subtitle: How to cultivate new ideas and embrace the change they bring
Authors: Anna Simpson
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-48302-7
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan London
eBook Packages: Business and Management, Business and Management (R0)
Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017
Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-137-48300-3Published: 27 February 2017
eBook ISBN: 978-1-137-48302-7Published: 10 February 2017
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: X, 205
Topics: Business Strategy/Leadership, Human Resource Management, Innovation/Technology Management, Entrepreneurship, Start-Ups/Venture Capital