INNOVATION THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Innovation it is said has been at the forefront of driving technological advancements across industrial nations for a good part of this century. Almost all that we value today is a result of this complex yet simple process of thinking outside the box. So what exactly does one mean when one says that innovation will drive growth and development in the future. What does innovation mean , does it mean streamlining process and systems so that they deliver more , or does it mean doing something differently in order to achieve more. Interestingly, I think it means both these and, maybe even more . Innovation in my opinion is a way to achieve a goal faster , better and maybe even cheaper. Many people confuse it to be something that is complex and often confounding. I might sound naïve in saying so but in my opinion it might not necessarily be that. Infact it might actually be something simple and basic. One of the most important enablers for innovation is the ability to think differently and that in my opinion is the real stumbling block that most people face today. As managers most of us are not programmed to think creatively and therefore we fail to innovate while at work. We simply see systems and processes in the same light as most others and are therefore not able to bring about that change or innovate. What we desperately need today is a breed to fresh young energetic and fearless managers who will literally go beyond and in the process innovate . Business schools need to play a very critical role in this process by building capacity in the fresh managers to see beyond and bring about change. Unfortunately most schools have not been able to do that in the past and therefore have failed in delivering value to the nation. Some schools have tried to do their bit in terms of ensuring that students atleast know about the process of innovation, but I think they have not been able to do anything substantial on that front. It is therefore imperative for schools to undertake this as the next big challenge and contribute towards the growth and development of industry in India.  Learning by rote has often been the objective of the school system in india. This needs to change as it is detrimental to the cause that we need to work towards. Schools have paid too much attention to the fact most lessons must be learned and then used to the benefit of the learner. In my opinion, this does not work as what I experience often stays longer with me than what I have merely read or studied. In order for creative thinking to become a process and a habit, all parties to the process will need to commit. The B-schools teaching management, the professors delivering the content and most importantly the students who received this new and innovative pedagogy. Even if one part of these three sides of the process was to renegade on its commitment, the process would fail . Therefore the change needs to be inclusive and must necessarily have the Buy-In of all parties concerned.