Innovation is a valuable asset that can help individuals compete in the competitive job market in an ever-changing and evolving world of work. However, before we understand the characteristics, benefits, and objectives of innovation, it is important to understand what innovation actually means.
Definition of Innovation
Innovation, according to the Big Indonesian Language Dictionary (KBBI), is the introduction or insertion of new things, renewal, new discoveries that are different from what already exists or what is already known (ideas, methods, or tools), or elements that undergo changes in modern language.
The ability and knowledge that enable someone to create and adapt to changes are called innovation. Innovative individuals possess abilities such as critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to research new ideas. They can use this knowledge to create new solutions that are beneficial to their team and the company as a whole.
5 Characteristics of Innovation
To create something new, innovation must have characteristics. Here are the characteristics of innovation:
1. Creating Something New
Everything made through innovation is a new invention or improvement from what already exists, so the first characteristic of innovation is creating something new. This new concept comes from in-depth discussions on how to maximize existing resources without reducing their function or role. Therefore, innovations made by innovators have never been made by anyone else before.
A new innovation also means that the idea has never been used by anyone else before. Regardless of whether it has occurred before, it shows that it is accepted because it fits the solution.
2. Planned
The desired conditions will determine the innovation plan. This is very important because it will impact the future. Innovations made by an innovator can affect life in the future, so they must be well planned and structured before being rushed.
3. Distinctive
Many people today are competing to produce something new. However, it should be remembered that new innovations must have advantages and features that distinguish them from their competitors.
Therefore, the created innovation will be considered different and not regarded as a copy. Although it is the result of adoption, there must be benefits when applied in a new place.
4. Observation
During the process of developing an innovation, evaluation must be done to determine whether it will have a positive or negative impact on society. This must be done from the beginning to the end of the process.
5. Have Clear Goals
Innovation must be well planned and have clear goals; without goals, innovators will not innovate again. With clear scientific foundations, there will be specific objects studied and wanted to be developed, so the direction and goals of innovation have been clear beforehand. Without a clear foundation, innovation can miss the mark, not be well implemented, or even fail to be applied.
7 Benefits of Innovation
Innovation certainly has benefits for society as a whole because it has a positive impact. Here are the benefits of innovation:
1. Providing Solutions to Solve Problems
Solving problems is a benefit of innovation. Old things that are considered problematic can be replaced with new ones. With new ideas and concepts, all problems can be solved well. In the case of old products, innovation must be done to attract consumer attention back to the product in the market.
2. Increasing Resilience
The ability to utilize one’s intelligence tends to make them resilient because to innovate they must adapt to new problems and find ways to solve them.
3. Enhancing Creativity
Innovation made by an innovator should not be considered as copying someone else’s idea; therefore, innovation can enhance creativity and boost confidence, as innovation can fail if an innovator doubts their idea.
4. Increasing Individual Productivity
A person will spend time using their brilliant minds to think of new ideas and concepts. Experiments or research will enhance the mind and innovation. So, by innovating, one has also utilized time to remain productive and creative. This can also be done by many people, including bosses, employees, students, and lecturers.
5. Can Produce Something Unique
Innovation can produce something unique and of quality, especially innovative people are considered quality. They can also produce something new and different from what already exists.
6. Creating Opportunities
Everyone has the ability to create innovation, and even some innovations can have a positive impact on society as a whole. Therefore, now is the opportunity for everyone to show their creativity and produce visionary innovations.
7. Can Achieve Success
In business, innovation is one of the best ways to achieve success. This is because innovation can be the key to being more successful than other competitors, earning more money, and accelerating success.
9 Objectives of Innovation
Innovation is basically aimed at improving what already exists. Most innovations certainly require a lot of experimentation, risk, and creativity. Therefore, there are many doubts about the right and fast way to achieve innovation goals as follows:
1. Increasing Knowledge
Without innovation, people may continue to learn science in old ways that are considered ineffective. With more innovation, we have more knowledge. Learning a foreign language may have been difficult in the past, but thanks to technological advancements, we can now learn online.
2. Improving Quality
One of the main objectives of innovation is to improve the quality of products and services. Innovation with new concepts and ideas is expected to make products and services much more valuable and of higher quality than before.
In addition, this goal becomes the most important of innovation because to improve our lives. One example is creating an environmentally friendly city map that allows a balance between humans and nature in the future.
3. Increasing Productivity
Increasing productivity is the goal of innovation. By applying it, we can do many things and produce many results in a short time. For example, by having a photocopy machine, notes don’t need to be copied onto paper; just put it in the machine and make many copies.
4. Can Create a New Market
There may be opportunities to enter new markets through product or service innovation. There are certainly many opportunities for unique and interesting things, especially those that have never happened before.
5. Saving Time
Innovation helps manage time. The goal of this innovation is to allow people to use their time more effectively and efficiently. For example, cookware manufacturers have made ovens and toasters that can cook food in less than ten minutes. It may have taken thirty minutes to complete. Therefore, time can be used very efficiently.
Moreover, various innovations are made to speed up various things, save time, and allow people to use their time more efficiently.
6. Expanding Networks
A product or service is expected to reach more markets with novelty. Like the e-commerce business that is growing widely today, innovation is expected to expand the business wings of a company. Because people like something new, the reach of innovative products will certainly be wider.
7. Providing Comfort
Innovation makes things easier and faster to do than before. It also makes people feel more comfortable, so they don’t have to bother doing things considered old-fashioned or ineffective.
For example, people can now fill out passport forms quickly and easily via the internet rather than having to go to the Immigration Office in the morning.
8. Replacing Previous Products
Innovation allows for the replacement of old products with new ones. In addition, if the previous product or service is not effective and efficient, innovation can be generated to improve the quality of the product or service.
9. More Efficient
By using innovation, one can become more efficient at work. By becoming more efficient, work can be completed faster and there is no need to worry about unfinished work. Moreover, high efficiency also without unnecessary costs or expenses.
Those were the summaries regarding the characteristics, benefits, and objectives of innovation!
