Why calendars are the real barrier to innovation

The calendar is the most overlooked obstacle to innovation. Most businesses are tied to a quarterly and yearly reporting timeframe, which restricts what can be accomplished in the short-term. Planning and budgeting expenditures on a calendar basis may also lead to defunded innovation projects. Scheduling conflicts with innovation teams present further challenges to getting ideas generated and discussed, and calendar years often begin with delays and end with a mad rush to finish. To combat this, innovators must recognize and ensure executives understand that innovation cannot be governed by a fixed calendar.