Innovation language is something that is desirable but not essential, although to obtain the best of our new organizational forms, it must have a high priority.
Organizations that innovate in the manner described in the recent blog publications will bring together employees of many different disciplines and many different areas of the world. The globalization of innovation will lead to problems around language. See soup, play and chai, organic innovation, the best path to follow and soft infrastructure after coronavirus to see examples of new forms of innovation.
Obviously, there will be problems with employees of different nationalities, but this is easy to overcome. We simply specify a dominant language such as English or Spanish.
Other problems arise due to terminology, not to language itself. Common terms as ‘strategy’ or ‘plan’ can mean different things depending on whether their background is in marketing or IT. Then there is the problem of context or even the cultural context.
Even so, we still have something. What about the verbs we use to describe the things we do? Terms such as building, planning, creating or incubating may have very different meanings. The trick is not to have a huge and heavy dictionary, but to ensure that everyone understands the language used within a particular innovation environment.
When we communicate with people, there are generally two parts for any communication, the message (the spoken or written text) and the meaning (the context and the unpatient/written clues that help us understand). This context can also be different depending on which organization an individual works and is linked to cultural norms within the organization.
Finally, there are technical terms and new words or phrases that arise through need.
All this must be available as a common language and vocabulary for employees to understand and use in their daily work. This does not mean that people should use this language (and only this), but that this provides a common exchange and understanding and perhaps a greater development of organizational language.
Creation and exchange of common language can be achieved in many ways. The test and error are simple and babies use with great effect. Adults can use different media, such as images, music or video. Language also evolves over time, more and more focused and efficient.
If you want to know more about the creation and use of your own innovation language, contact.
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