Five simple (but important) elements to include when creating a strategy for innovation success

During January’s SKILLS22 conference, Alicia Hardy from White and Case gave us some suggestions to ensure a law firm is successful when implementing innovative solutions. As a result of further reflection, I created this simple flowchart to help you clarify your course of action:

Creating a Strategy for Innovation Success

Think about these five areas carefully before embarking on any new course of action. 

Success is 90% in the planning

• Align your team with your organisation’s strategy
• Maintain clarity of mission without being too prescriptive
• Identify quick wins amongst the longer term goals
  
  

Put your people first

• Employ both a “top down and bottom up” approach to maximise buy in
• Understand the capabilities within your team and deploy your talent wisely
• Establish champions across your organisation to generate engagement
  
  

Let your branding do the talking

• Create a distinct brand which works across all your services and activities
• Establish your brand so that your services are instantly recognisable
• Tell your stories and build your brand across all relevant channels of communication
  
  

Does your service deliver?

• Embrace new technology to give your organisation a competitive edge
• Redefine or improve processes to deliver services in line with your strategies
• Listen to your clients (end-users) and be clear about the problem you’re trying to fix 
  
  

And finally

• Keep an open mind about everything
• Acknowledge the things that don’t go well because you always learn something from your mistakes
• If you come to the conclusion that you need expert input, reach out to your network and talk to someone
• Above all, be bold in your ambitions!