Running head: WEEK 5 LEARNING TEAM B

Week 5 Learning Team B Redrick B. Jones OI / 361 June 2, 2013 Professor Mark Kaestner

WEEK 5 LEARNING TEAM B Week 5 Learning Team B

How would you identify and characterize the roles of incentives, training, and education in promoting innovation in your organization? Team Response: Incentives help foster a harmonious work environment. It is the way organizations shape and influence the minds of the workers to work effectively in achieving the organizations goals and objectives. Incentives encourage workers to participate in various activities when they would be less likely volunteer, because it is not in their daily duties and scope. For example Project Teams, employees would be less likely to volunteer because it is more work at the same rate of pay. A bonus would be an incentive for the added responsibility. Training an Education is a resource that allows employees to perfect their craft and become more proficient and efficient at their jobs. It enables their creativity and innovation because it helps with theory. The incentive would be reimbursement of the training and educational cost.

What is the role of leadership in creating, managing, and sustaining innovation in your organization? Team Response: The role of leadership is to provide motivation, purpose, and direction. They have a responsibility to enforce core values and be fair and equitable in decision making. Leadership has to earn the trust and respect of the employees in order for them to buy into the company philosophy. Innovative leaders have to be able to trust the people around them. They personnel selected for the project must have skills sets that complement the project. As the catalyst they have to implement strategies that encourage innovation and drive success.

Would you describe your organization as innovative or non-innovative? Explain your answer Team Response: My organization Progressive Insurance would be considered innovative. As part of their core competencies they want to be first in the industry changing the way consumers view and purchase automobile insurance. Part of their innovative strategy is to use marketing icon FLO to help with name and brand recognition. Snapshot allows Progressive to follow consumer driving behaviors and set their prices based on these behaviors. Progressive uses social media for direct feedback. As Progressive continues to focus on the future they will exploit all resources that will allow their organization to sustain their competitive advantage.

WEEK 5 LEARNING TEAM B

References Rowe, A. J. (2004). Creative intelligence: Discovering the innovative potential in ourselves and others. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Von Stamm, B. (2008). Managing innovation, design and creativity (2nd ed.). Chichester, United Kingdom: Wiley. Wind, Y. J., Crook, C., & Gunther, R. (2005). The power of impossible thinking: Transform the business of your life and the life of your business. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.