Ep 15 | Innovation - Create the Future with Bella Rushi

INTRODUCTION TO EPISODE 15Innovation has become a hot topic of discussion in the world today. Companies are struggling to come up with breakthrough ideas and strategies.What can they do to adopt the best practices for continuous improvement and innovate better?Join Mike Acker on this episode of the Advance Podcast as he interviews Bella Rushi from Symmetri Consulting, a consulting firm using science and a systematic approach to build innovation strategy and drive communications. Listen in for insightful tips to overcoming challenges and embedding innovation into an organizational process!CONNECT WITH BELLA:https://www.symmetriconsulting.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/bellarushi/(For the full show notes and more resources, at no cost, visit https://connect.stepstoadvance.com) EPISODE 15 SUMMARY & HIGHLIGHTSWhy is innovation such a huge topic of discussion right now?1:50Companies are stuck between two options. One, finding out how to barely survive, and second, how to thrive....What are the challenges in front of companies right now?4:47Because of the pandemic, many companies are struggling just to connect with their customers today. So they have to look for ways to either find new products or new services to develop, so they can connect with their customers. As a fresh entrepreneur, what should anyone do to innovate?7:53One, develop a culture of innovation. Create an atmosphere to praise and give recognition to your employees for experimenting, innovating, and learning from their failures.8:13Second, companies need to understand their DNA, their core strengths. They need to re-examine what their capabilities are. 8:28Lastly, CEOs must be involved when talking about innovation. Their vision needs to be communicated and reinforced to their employees. Key-takeaways for the listeners21:53Innovation happens through collaboration, collaboration within your company, your partners, your suppliers, your customers and all the people you can involve in the whole ideation process. 22:45Innovation is a continuous incremental process. KEY QUOTES:3:16-3:21“It seems obvious to look to innovation, but it always is not easy to create the business of tomorrow.”6:55-7:07“Many companies are understanding that customer focus is what they need to really be thinking about right now. And shifting their business models is a great place to start.”8:43-9:05“The idea to innovate actually begins at the CEO level, who then has to create this culture of innovation, and understanding, examine their capabilities, and then create partnerships within their organization as well as external partnerships to support the innovation process.” CONNECT WITH BELLA:Website | LinkedIn