The Steps: Phases of Strategic Innovation Define and Discover
definition, dream and design process, with emphasis on DEFINE.
In other words, innovation just for the sake of innovation isn’t what we are looking for. We want to think creatively and consider new ideas that are aligned with our values and help us achieve what we have defined as success. Not every good idea will be a good fit for your operation. Along the way, you have to decide which innovations are right for you. This is why innovation and strategy go hand and hand. Define Your Filter Define the project, using your guiding principles, mission, vision and goals as a filter. Before committing to a new idea or project, ask these questions; • Does this align with our guiding principles? • Does it help us achieve our mission and propel vision? • Will this get us closer to our objectives or distract us away from them? If any of these answers are in the negative, the project is not a good fit or may need to be adjusted. If the idea is a good fit; time to get excited and start dreaming and designing! Now that I told you the secret….go make some magic.
In this phase you will align “what we do, why we do it, and how we accomplish it” with your guiding principles and mission statement. Remember to infuse innovation into these guiding principles. This lets your employees know that it’s okay to challenge the status quo and consider new ways of doing things. Next you will discover the best of what is. Explore the strengths of your team and the resources you have available. When you laser focus on the strengths you have at your disposal and the possibilities you can achieve – you move towards a future that everyone feels a part of. This is how you build your mission statement and create a culture where innovation and creativity can thrive. Dream The dream phase is the most exciting and inspiring phase. You invest time creating a shared vision for the future, engaged in strategic innovation. Imagine how things will change and ask the question, “What will it look like when we are a world class school nutrition program?” Design Once your vision for the future is clear and you know what success will look like, you can design how to get there. Create your goals and objectives by asking: • What are the individual goals that are needed to reach our vision? • What steps are needed to reach those goals? • What are the tangible outputs we can measure along the way? • Who will be responsible for each goal and objective? • What timeline is realistic for each goal and objective? Deploy Now that you have THE PLAN, implement what you designed and turn your vision into reality. Not all innovation is strategic innovation So, how do you make sure this innovated strategy you have created doesn’t get you off track? If the innovative idea is big enough to be considered a project, I recommend going through a simplified
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Jenna Kaczmarski, MSPH, RD, SNS Consultant, Kazmarski
LLC | Co-Founder/ President, Locally Grown Inc.
Jenna Kaczmarski is a Mom, consultant and co-founder of Locally Grown Inc. with 16 years of experience in school nutrition operations and a former School Nutrition Director. As a consultant, Jenna works behind the scenes to make you look good and make sure you achieve your goals through strategic planning, meeting/ workshop facilitation, administrative review prep, leadership training and project implementation management. She co- founded the non-profit, Locally Grown Inc to engage in the work of building resilient and equitable local food systems and sustainable Farm to School Programs.
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