You only have two choices in life, Innovate or die.  Many companies have learned this fatal lesson over the years and became extinct.  Do you remember MySpace, Blockbuster or Circuit City?  They failed to innovate and were swallowed up by the competition.

 

Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, say it best.  Doing more with less is a crucial principle to learn; especially if you are going to be in business in this rapidly changing world.”

Bold leaders understand the importance of innovation.  Are you the person that gets excited about change?  Or are you the person who is satisfied with the status quo?  If you are the latter, you will soon become extinct.

 

Today we are going to look at one of the world’s most innovative companies.  Discuss their 8 pillars of innovation and discuss how you can use this information to transform your organization.

In March of 1992 I was 2 months away from completing the most rigorous education and training program in the world.  I was about to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy.  I had dreamed my entire life about becoming an Air Force Pilot.  But unbeknownst to us the Air Force had different plans.  The Chief of Staff announced that over 60% of our class would be deferred and may have the opportunity to complete pilot training at a later date.  My dreams were crushed.  Emotions ran high and I really wondered why I had wasted the last 4 years of my life.  It was awful.  Little did I know how much this decision by the Air Force would positively affect my life.   As a brand new 2nd Lt I learned the importance of embracing change.  Eventually, I attended pilot training and spent 17 years of my life flying mission all over the globe.  The lessons I learned early in my career afforded me the opportunity to command 3 squadrons and reach my goals.  

 

Being innovative means that you are quickly able to adapt and change with the environment.  No company on earth understands this better than Google.  Let’s discuss Google’s 8 Pillars of Innovation and how you can change your company to compete like never before.

1. Have a mission that matters
2. 1. Work can be more than a job when it stands for something you care about.  People are more inspired and work harder when they follow a mission or a cause as opposed to an individual.  If people don’t believe in the mission, they work for a paycheck.  I can tell you from experience that this does not benefit your company.   Think about our young soldiers that put there life on the line everyday.  Most of them make less than $30,000 per year.  They step in front of bullets, jump on grenades to defend your freedom.  They don’t do it for the person in charge, they do it because the believe in the mission.
   1. No matter how ambitious the plan, you have to roll up your sleeves and start somewhere.  Have you ever heard the phrase how do you eat an elephant… one bite at a time.  Huge dreams and goals seem impossible at first.  You feel overwhelmed and many times don’t know where to start.  The challenge is to just start.  Once you take that first step and see progress it will motivate you to keep moving.  The journey will be amazing.  You will learn many lessons along the way.  The path may change.  Just don’t stop.  Keep mo