How do you develop an innovation culture in an organisation

Some time back, I ponder on this question.

"Innovation culture" - I define as an environment which interesting and creative ideas will be present and flowing continuous.

Then how do we develop an Innovation Culture in an organisation? Having working in both SME and MNC environment, I have this perfect "culture" in mind. Many of us love to log on to Facebook and other social networking website - either to kill boredom at work, to relax your mind, or to simply connect with friends and colleagues.

I have read an article commenting how much time is wasted by employees while browsing social media sites (unfortunately I'm unable to retrieve the file). As an management executive, I would agree totally and definitely would not like to see my staff doing that.

However as the marketer's side and coming from an employee communication channel, I find that rather an intriguing idea to use social media to connect with corporate staff, and not forgetting the corporate leaders and management too. Privacy may be one issue that we are not going this direction. Many of my Facebook friends are still concerned letting their bosses know that they are on Facebook. What about WhatsApp and eBuddy on our iPhone and Blackberry? I'm sure they know whether you have been messaging during office hours by just checking when you are "online".

There are also various articles which show that playing with online social media can improve our memories and decision-making process. Read "Video games lead to faster decisions that are no less accurate" and "The Right Decision".

How can we have an innovating organizational culture when the users are not embracing the new era of new media. I seriously think for HR and employee communications to take on this step. It does not apply to marketing communications. But as a way for us to "gel" in a different dimension.

Worry about the system being abuse? I'm sure employees will exercise self-discipline provided the companies have laid down the terms & conditions. Many companies have security system. Though it may not be a true reflection, it definitely tells us which site you "have been to".

Marketing gurus have also shared the same sentiment in using new media to advocate communications. It is not surpised to see our Minister exercising this move since he started blogging.

Also read:

• http://www.innovationfactory.eu/blog/2010/04/14/how-do-you-get-people-to-share-their-knowledge/
• http://www.innovationfactory.eu/blog/2010/04/07/roi-of-internal-communities/
• http://www.innovationfactory.eu/blog/tag/culture/
• http://rapidbi.com/management/creating-an-organisational-wide-innovation-culture/