Beyond Tech and Elusive Geniuses – The Everyday Innovation Heroes

Most companies are not Apple, Google, or General Electric, and rely on ordinary employees without genius-level skills to drive innovation. The collective intelligence of a workforce is an underutilized resource, and managers should recognize and leverage the potential of their workforce. Idea management software function as "idea markets," and Six Sigma-like programs can help build a constituency within a company to support initiatives. Exago's Innovation Sigma program is a four-level curriculum and toolkit for building innovation proficiency throughout an organization. Innovation needs to be a daily exercise practiced by all, and businesses need to build a culture of collaboration sustained by technology, processes, capabilities, and behaviors.