From Innovationclass

Innovative Oranization Proposal

Innovation, as defined by our class, has to due solely with change. Therefore, in creating an innovative environment of 25 people, change will not only be implemented as a major theme of the organization, but the name of the company as well. The company will focus exclusively on creative advertising, offering their services to many different firms much like a traditional contracting service.

The environment in which the employees exist together is one of the most important aspects to consider. In this case, I imagine a completely freewheeling surrounding in which everyone feels comfortable and inspired to create and share original ideas. The employees themselves will be broken up into teams of five. Each team with have their own space (a large room) to furnish and flourish. They will be encouraged to bring items that inspire them, for example, an old desk passed down to them or even their ratty old love sack from college. Having the freedom to create a space in which they feel comfortable will evoke creativity and originality. This will also create an environment in which change of surroundings, moving or swapping furniture for example, will most definitely be encouraged and implemented. We like to look at it as if it were your childhood bedroom. When you think about it, your bedroom grew up and changed along side you; so will the business and its surroundings. In addition to the five separate team rooms, there will be a large common area (a break room/meeting room) for all of the employees designed to inspire conversation as well promote collaboration among the separate teams. In addition to the collaboration room, every room (even the bathrooms) will have a large flat screen TV that will act as source of communication between the teams. Employees can post simple questions or comments, scan new ideas, or even text in ideas when away from the office. Each contribution will be displayed on the screens throughout the building and will act as a running collaboration of ideas.

As far as the chemistry of the individual teams goes, diversity will be the key component in the initial decision making process. Each team will be a melting pot of different genders, ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, etc. Diversity of thoughts and ideas is an extremely important value of this organization and therefore is just as important in the consideration of whom we want in our lineup.

The workweek will look nothing like that of a typical nine-to-five corporate job. Instead, every employee will have a set number of hours that can be completed at anytime within the full seven-day week. Again, this allows for growth and change of individual's schedules as needed. It will be up to the teams to decide on times when they can all get together. In addition, teams will be encouraged to meet outside the work place once a week. At first glance, the lack of structure may seem negligent. However, because there is no hierarchy among the employees, each person will not only be responsible for himself/herself but their team and the company as a whole. We are confident that by giving each person the same amount of authority, it will allow different individuals to rise to the position of power at different times, again promoting change and ultimately innovation.

We plan of sustaining innovation by keeping our roster at 25 employees as to not upset the balance of the environment and, of course, continually encouraging as well as implementing change. This is the kind of environment we want our employees to grow in love with, so much so that we hope to create a lifelong bond with each and every one of them. We want our employees to see "us" in their future.