"Just as energy is the basis of life itself, and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress."
- Theodore Levitt

Innovation. "A game of guts"

Special Report: London Leadership Forum

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"Innovation is about balancing the idea of throwing the rule book away versus structure and predictability; eg .madness and measure"!

This week's leadership forum saw Matt Kingdon, Chairman and Chief Enthusiast of ?Whatif! Innovation talk about the subject of developing creative potential within business.

Matt's thoughts and anecdotes generated a great deal of discussion, notably around the question of how truly innovative the hospitality and leisure industry has been. There were a number of interesting comments made by the group on this point.

His key arguments were:

1. The balance between ambition and ego:
- Ensuring that ego does not outweigh ambition

"It's important to have ambition, but not to be frightened of acknowledging what you do not know."

2. Asking 'am I the problem'?
- Remaining open minded and connected to your people and customers
- Role model the behaviours you want to see in your people

It's very rare that consumers or the market is the problem, it's usually internal.

3. Are you asking the right people?
- Some of the best incremental innovation comes from grass roots level

Tapping into the operational level of a business is very important. Most people like things to work better, and it is important to ask for input.

4. How hard wired are you?
- Constantly see fresh experiences and inspiration from both inside and outside of your own category 'steal with glee'

Click here for the full report