When Communication Is At Its Best, So Is Innovation
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Now is the time when many leaders are looking into the future, deciding where to invest their valuable time and resources. Digital transformation, innovation and workplace model change is undoubtedly high on the agenda. Sadly, in my experience, most of these much-needed initiatives will fail.
I believe that the single most critical element that separates innovation success from failure is communication. After all, sustainable and successful transformation requires us to communicate, communicate, communicate. And then? Communicate some more. When communication is at its best, so is innovation, and here is why:
1. Unlike invention, innovation can’t exist without communication.
The lonely innovator is a myth. Solo innovation does not exist. Unlike invention, it’s a team sport. Working in solitude may lead to invention, but not innovation because it requires communication with others.
Innovation only happens thanks to groups of people working together to achieve specific goals. It is at its best when it’s a result of communicating across inclusive, diverse, cross-functional teams that are empowered to make decisions and enact change. As a leader, it’s your job to create an environment where teams like these can emerge and succeed.
2. Digital transformation requires focused communication.
The internet transports hundreds of millions of emails, not to mention countless media posts and news articles, every hour of the day. As a result of digitization, we are bombarded with information that we often can’t even comprehend.
As you execute on digital transformation initiatives, you will inevitably make it much easier to communicate, leading to a higher volume of content. It’s essential that you plan for that and communicate precisely and consistently, thus helping separate the important content from the noise.
3. Ecosystem co-innovation puts communication into the spotlight.
Customer experience gets a lot of credit, and rightfully so, but when it comes to innovation, you’re looking at the entire ecosystem, not just pockets of the population. To bring change, you must communicate effectively with multiple audiences, understanding what they care about and how best to connect with them.
Internally, the focus is not just on your employees, but also on your fellow leaders, managers, executives and stakeholders. Externally, you’re speaking to your customers and partners of course, but you also want to make your voice heard by the rest of your industry, competitors, collaborators and the public, as many of them are potential consumers or employees.
Innovation is also about constant active listening and is impossible without an inclusive dialogue. If you don’t listen, you’ll never understand what problems your customers, employees and partners have that you can solve with innovation.
Communicate or get left behind.
Despite all the above, open avenues of communication and transparency are lacking in most companies, causing employees to lose focus and disengage, executives to discard innovation as a trend and the public to lose interest in your efforts. Clear, consistent communication is rare, and normally focuses on messaging, not listening.
Ironically, investment in communications is generally the last priority in many innovation teams or programs. Leaders pour money into hardware, software and engineering capabilities, basically anything but communications. The irony is undeniable: Given the pace of technology, many technical skills will be obsolete within a few years, but leaders are happy to fund their development. Communication skills and shared institutional knowledge, however, will stay with employees throughout the rest of their careers, benefitting all.
As a leader, you must understand the importance of communication and fund it properly. Your vision, strategy, plan and metrics must then be communicated both internally and externally. Your goal is to demonstrate the value you are generating and how your organization is capturing that value to help employees, customers, partners and the public.
As you consider how your organization will shape the future, don’t forget to communicate, communicate, communicate.
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This article originally appeared in Forbes.com on January 31, 2022
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Developed and led AI and Innovation strategy for multiple Fortune 100 companies, driving double-digit revenue growth.
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What sets Alex apart from other top AI speakers and innovation experts?
With AI and innovation elevated to buzzwords, there are plenty of speakers in this space. While many offer insightful keynotes, few can bring the depth of understanding, hands-on experience, and diverse viewpoints that Alex can. Alex doesn’t just talk about AI and innovation. He’s led it at Dell, Pfizer, and Cisco. He’s sat across from C-Suite execs to build global innovation plans. And he’s resonated with audiences at Google, AWS, Disney, Coca Cola, and dozens of other companies with keynotes tailored to their unique AI opportunities. A frequent contributor to Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, and Fast Company, Alex has been identified as a Top AI Voice on LinkedIn. He is also the author of a Wall Street Journal Bestseller, Fearless Innovation. Alex’s style is personable, approachable, and human. It’s never caught up in techspeak, or jargon so he resonates with any audience. Learn more about what sets Alex apart. Get in touch.
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No two organizations’ AI or innovation opportunities, or challenges, are the same. So canned keynotes or one-size-fits-all workshops just won’t do. Instead, Alex uses AI and data to tailor his engagements with available pre-event surveys. Analyzing responses, Alex customizes his content to address key needs and pain points, ensuring his message is meaningful. Speaking with leadership and other event stakeholders, Alex further customizes the content to ensure resonance and relevance, engaging audiences. Add it all up and you have keynotes and workshops that feel like they’ve been created for you—because they were. Learn more about Alex’s methodology. Get in touch.
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With so much experience leading large-scale innovation initiatives, Alex is able to reach and resonate with any audience, no matter their knowledge level, industry, culture, or department. Captivating audiences from a live stage, or a virtual event, Alex is a fixture at C-Suite summits, innovation conferences, policy talks, offsites, and employee all hands meetings, plus governmental and academia events. An audience looking for fresh perspectives, real solutions, and custom content will find Alex’s keynotes engaging and actionable with ideas they can start applying right away. Curious about Alex’s recommendations for your event? Get in touch.
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While every keynote or workshop is customized to an event or audience, Alex is often requested by clients to bring a fresh perspective and real-world expertise on topics, including: AI’s impact on work and education Innovation in the age of AI Building buy-in and reducing hesitancy towards AI Policy and ethics related to AI C-Suite and leadership insights on AI Employee engagement in innovation The impact of AI on society Use cases, solutions, and strategies for AI and innovation Innovation culture and proven frameworks Reskilling and workforce preparedness Education and academia policy Government AI policy and legislation For additional topic ideas and recommendations for your event, get in touch.
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