Only Innovative Organizations Survive

If one were to go through the Forbes list of top companies, there is a constant turbulence in the rankings. In most cases the employees are the same, the organizations do not change much, they do the same business, then what is that changes the fate of these organizations in a matter of 365 days of which  the working days are even less. The reason is the lack of innovation.

Change is the only thing that is constant in the universe and today’s corporate world is no exception. Organizations must realize this need to constantly renovate if they are to survive. Employees are the most important part of any organization. So if they are satisfied, the organization is sure on the path to growth. Though appraisals are a good method of satisfying the employees, the duration of these appraisals need to be considered. And one year appraisal is too long a time to appraise the employees. Year end appraisal or annual appraisal should be a thing of the past because today’s employees are expected to perform day in and day out. So doing a performance appraisal once in a blue moon is only going to leave the organization feeling blue.

Appraisals are only part of the solution. Along with the appraisal organizations must also look into the career progress or the career growth of the employees. An organization might need the employee for a job opening but an employee joins an organization for a good career. So organizations must innovate and create new job positions, restructure its human resource or create new job postings in its domain. This will make the employees work for a higher career goal apart from the appraisal clause, but again money and power is not enough for one’s survival.

There is always scope for improvement, that should be the mantra of an organization and it must not make the mistake of resting in its past glory. Organizations must look into the under achievers or average performers as well. Find out if something is required from the organization side else give suitable career guidance, job tips for the improving the self confidence of the under achieving employees. For this organizations can have dedicated in house career counselor or counseling services.

The organizations must not only focus on becoming No1, it must also encourage a social atmosphere. A little bit of fun can go a long way in building goodwill among the employees. For this organization can have common eating place for both the supervisors and the team members. They can also arrange for fun activities like secret santa, celebrating birthdays, personal happiness like marriage etc without disturbing the work schedule.

First impression is the best impression. Even the new job entrants must not be taken lightly. They too must be encouraged from the start. Organizations can assign an ‘office buddy’. The new job entrant can ask the office buddy regarding any problems he faces at work. This way the new job entrant does not feel left out nor takes time to gel.

Lastly the good old suggestion box must be necessity even if it’s biting the dust, because ideas are the starting point of innovation.