Many people still associate creativity as the topmost skill required to ideate or innovate. This is very limiting as some individuals may then consciously or subconsciously feel that they can’t really be part of the innovation process. This article debunks some of the common myths of how ideation happens, and recognises other ways in which ideas can emerge. When individuals embrace the fact that creativity is not a necessity in ideation nor innovation, many more will feel that they too can contribute.
As 2012 unfolds before us, many companies of our companies to embark on risky ventures means scramble to devise and formulate new lower chances of Malaysian companies growing through strategies for growth. Some continue on innovation and being in the same league as Apple, the same path by increasing efficiency Google or Facebook.and cutting cost, while others divest their non-corebusinesses or acquire other companies to increase Innovation push and pulltheir scale or gain access to new markets.
In recent times, innovation has been the latest buzzword added to an organization’s vocabulary. However, how attuned are leaders to the innovation needs of their organization? This article explores new approaches towards innovation. This article appeared in the January 2012 issue of myForesight Magazine, published by MIGHT (Malaysian Industry Group for High Technology).
This report on Stimulating Innovation for Large Firms in Malaysia later became part of the National Innovation Strategy. It was commissioned by the Special Innovation Unit of the Prime Minister’s Office. It gives the reader a good insight into what is innovation, examples of innovation from around the globe and how to drive innovation within large organizations, not only from an organization’s perspective but also from a country’s policy point of view.
Our Leading Fundamentals of InnovAsian® BookIn 2010, we published Leading InnovAsian®: Embedding Innovation Culture in Malaysian Organizations, a book with fresh insights on innovation that has been highly praised by many global corporate leaders. It guides readers on how to drive innovation within the Asian context, taking into consideration unique elements of the Asian environment as well as Asian culture and values.
This book is available in Kinokuniya Singapore and Kinokuniya Malaysia. Reviews“In their new book Leading InnovAsian, the co-authors and Principal Consultants in Alpha Catalyst Consulting, Azim Pawanchik and Dr. Suraya Sulaiman offer insights as to the differing approach towards innovation, when they compare the culture of Asian innovation practice to the culture of Western innovation practice. They compare the importance of harmony in Asia, always trying to maintain a harmonious relationships resulting in less likelihood of challenge to existing boundaries, as opposed to the Western notion of innovation that seeks to establish control over environments by challenging boundaries and beliefs” Ralph Kerle, Chief Executive Officer, The Creative Leadership Forum, Australia “Are Asians capable of innovation? Of course they are, but innovation in Asia is different than what we see in the more mature (on innovation management) Western parts of the world. I recently read a great book, Leading InnovAsian – Embedding Innovation Culture in Malaysian Organizations, and I liked the perspectives on Asian innovation given by Azim Pawanchik and Dr. Suraya Sulaiman from Alpha Catalyst Consulting” Stefan Lindegaard – a Copenhagen based author, speaker and strategic advisor who focuses on the topic of open innovation. “While the frameworks presented lay out a clear “process of innovation” that demystifies the concept of ‘innovation’, the most powerful impact this book delivers is to spur Malaysians to be BOLD and EMBRACE INNOVATION – challenging us to believe in ourselves and not let our culture hold us back in any way.” Azran Osman Rani • CEO AirAsia X “Never before has a book tackled the subject of Innovation in the Asian context so comprehensively. It is well laid out and offers an innovative approach towards incorporating Innovation into the Asian culture” Rosman Hamzah • Director of Business Development,Working for a European MNC “Packed with practical guidance on how to lead innovation” Edgar Pushparatnam • Senior Vice President,Technip Asia Pacific & Managing Director,Technip Malaysia. “Azim and Suraya have written something fresh, pragmatic, relevant and current about the innovation climate in Asia particularly in Malaysia. The Malaysian Innovation Climate Survey and its findings provide some feedback on the driving and hindering factors for Malaysia’s aspiration to move into an innovation economy from an employee’s perspective. “Leading InnovAsian” is useful for policy makers, dreamers and doers, corporate executives, lecturers, students, and those interested in the innovation landscape” Dr. Raslan Ahmad • Chief Executive Officer,Yayasan Inovasi Malaysia “In a world where the word innovation is totally bastardized, Azim and Suraya have managed to put into context what innovation really is and what value it can bring. It is a great read for those that want to understand the subject as well as those that think they are experts in it already. If you think you are an expert, that is the first sign that maybe you are no longer innovative! As a struggling entrepreneur, I live and die by what they have said here.” Roslan Bakri Zakaria • Chairman, myHarapan,Youth Trust Foundation “I remain impressed by the Azim Pawanchik/Suraya Sulaiman eye opener, ‘Leading InnovAsian: Embedding innovation Culture in Malaysian Organizations’ for two reasons: firstly, this is a truly uncommon Malaysian publication grounded in hard data based on meaningful research and secondly, it offers a refreshingly different treatment of innovation for having embedded it within the subtleties and nuances of the Asian environment. For any organization that seeks to purposefully respond to the nation’s clarion call for innovation, Leading InnovAsian is a ‘must read’. As Malaysia moves along the economic transformation path it has charted for itself, this marmoreal and timely work by Azim Pawanchik and Suraya Sulaiman serves to instill new hope in our collective future.” Vasu Subrahmanyam • Director, Organizational Development, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC)
This report is based on the Malaysian Innovation Climate Survey 2009, which was designed and managed by Alpha Catalyst Consulting in collaboration with Microsoft Malaysia’s Innovation Center. ACC designed a survey to tap on the experience and reflections of employees from diverse industries and age groups. The survey itself is largely based on ACC’s Catalyst for Change® Innovation framework as well as inputs from various parties.
In March 2009, Alpha Catalyst Consulting in collaboration with Microsoft Innovation Center Malaysia, launched The Malaysian Innovation Climate Survey 2009. The report that resulted from this survey looks at the innovation scene in Malaysia, from a pragmatic bottom-up perspective, exploring innovation at an operating level. The report also explores views on innovation as well as the drivers and the barriers to innovate.
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