User:Dancepants
From Innovationclass
Revision as of 07:43, 26 February 2008
Maggie's Innovative Organization
Making any organization truly innovative is difficult no matter its size. However, I believe dealing with a smaller group like 25, is much more manageable and realistic. I would like to base my innovative organization off of a PR firm in Boulder that I interned for. They are a relatively small firm and seem to have a special quality that I haven't yet seen in other work places.
I believe that one of the most important elements of making a workspace innovative is the actual office atmosphere. Having an office that is cozy, creative, and untraditional looking helps to add to this ambiance. The firm I interned for uses an array of bright colors in its office including the colors of the walls and even the materials that each employee's workspace is made out of. There are also no cubicles in this office. Each desk is a complete open space, which allows the employees to talk to one another as they are working and shout out comments to one another as needed. This helps to create a team-oriented vibe and allows the employees to bond over their work. The refrigerator in the office is always stocked with a variety of nutritious foods for the employees to choose from and munch on whenever they feel like it. A large kitchen with bar stools is also a big part of the general office space. This helps to provide a fun meeting place for the employees and allows them to work and socialize over food which makes what they're doing seem less like work.
Another important part of making an organization innovative is trusting the employees and giving them the opportunity to get their work done when they are most focused. Not to say that there shouldn't be deadlines in the work place, however, I don't agree with a workplace that stresses out its employees so much that they have no time for breaks and are stressed out to the point that they can't think clearly or produce their best work. This firm has flexible hours and generally lets employees come in when they want to and leave when they want to. Their timeline is up to them as long as they get the work done. They have the time to take lunch breaks and throughout the day if they feel like leaving and going for a walk, for example, they are free to do so.
Producing innovative and interesting work is of course one of the most important goals of any organization. I believe that if a workspace is designed to be innovative that producing innovative work just comes naturally. Remaining calm, relaxed, smart, healthy,focused,and hardworking are characteristics that employees of an innovative organization should have. As long as the basic structure of a space remains creative and different,then everything about the organization should continue to be innovative, as well.
