To become a successful innovator, one person has to be creative in all aspect. How the creativity in innovation happens?

When we look at the picture, what are the first things that we will think? Yes, the first thing that we will say is it’s all about creative and innovative products. 

Creativity is a continuing mental and social process after the ideation stage to produce something original and valuable. To be creative, the idea must be new and different from the norms. If the idea is likely same as the previous idea, it is not the creative idea.

Creativity also is not the product of single individuals. It is the product of the social systems making judgments about individual’s products. The audience is as important as the individual to whom the creative idea is credited. The audience is the one who will credit the idea whether it is creative or not after the gatekeeper or also known as judge in innovation.

To be recognized as a creative idea, it must be happen in the environment. Environment plays the important role because they will be the user of the idea that had been produce by the people who are creative to make something new and fresh to the market. For example, as we can see nowadays, there are no people who can make the car can fly in the air. So if one people can make it, it will be called as creative idea because it is new to the norms and also new in the market.

Creativity is a process that can be observed at the intersection where individuals, domains and fields interact. There is also a set of rules and practices are to be considered for creativity to occur. The individual must produce a novel variation in the content of the domain. The variation then must be selected by the field for inclusion in the domain. The field comprises the gatekeepers who decide what should and should not be included in the domain. The gatekeepers are the judge in the innovation and they will decide whether the idea is new or not, the idea is creative or not, and also the idea can be continued to the next step or not.

As a conclusion, with the creative idea, the new innovators can go far in the market. When the idea is accepted by the gatekeepers, and also received a good feedback from the user. It will be the greatest happiness for the innovator. To create something new and different from other people is not the easy ways. Some people can create new thing but it is usually similar to the older product. What we call creative here is create something new, different from the norms, accepted by gatekeepers and also received the good feedback from the environment. This is the best way to call your idea was creative.

References: http://www.renjuna.com/2011/05/12/creative-innovative/

Why Malaysia has to be innovative to compete globally?

Before we going to discuss more details about this topic, let we define what is actually mean by “innovative”. Innovative refers to renewing, changing or creating more effective processes, products or ways of doing things.

For businesses, this could mean implementing new ideas, creating dynamic products or improving our existing services. Innovation can be a catalyst for the growth and success of our business, and help us adapt and grow in the marketplace.

So, why Malaysia need to be innovative?

As we know, Malaysia has long been a top producer and exporter of a long list of products. But we still cannot compete with other top countries like Japan, Germany and other countries. The current global slowdown and the rise of new economies may have impeded our progress but it must be seen as an opportunity to re-visit our strategies and re-design the way we have been operating for the past few decades. Malaysia must become a country that stands alongside the very best in the world. We must succeed in creating more products the world wants to use and more brands the world wants to buy.

In order to make Malaysia same level as other countries, we must have many innovators in our country. Innovators will always searching for opportunities to be more productive with the new ideas of creation something new that can give many benefits to all people.

There are some advantages of being innovative for workers in Malaysia.

1. Market Expansion

Innovative technology can help even smaller businesses in Malaysia to compete on a global stage. Innovations such as the Internet, for example, allow a sole proprietor to offer her products or services to prospects around the world through the use of a website. She can provide detailed product descriptions and photos of her products to provide prospects with all the information they need to make an informed buying decision. Social media vehicles like Facebook and Twitter also allow her to network with others who may have an interest in her business, without the need for face-to-face interaction.

2. Cutting Costs

Innovation can also help business owners in Malaysia keep costs to a minimum. With the use of automation, a small manufacturer can reduce his dependence on human beings to perform some of the necessary production processes. As a result, the business can reduce employee expenses such as salary, benefits and turnover. Technology can also help to streamline the production process, eliminating costly waste. Implementing a "lean" manufacturing process like Six Sigma, for instance, offers the opportunity to meet customer demand more quickly and efficiently.

3. Employee Concerns

While innovative technology may reduce the dependence on a workforce, the flip side is that employees lose jobs in the process. In the case of a small business owner, this may mean she needs to make a difficult choice between increasing profits or letting go long-time employees. Even if the implementation does not result in job loss, some employees may have difficulty adapting to the change. There may also be a learning curve when instituting the change, resulting in reduced productivity in the short term.

4. Upfront Costs

While new technology can result in savings in the long run, it sometimes results in a significant upfront expense. A small business owner may not have the resources to purchase a state-of-the art computer system or new machinery, or may need to borrow the money to do so. If the new purchase doesn't increase production or reduce expenses over the long haul, it could have a crippling effect on the long-term viability of the operation.

References:

i. http://www.mpkotamarudu.my/news/2009/thestar050809.html

ii. http://www.business.gov.au/BusinessTopics/Innovation/Pages/Whatisinnovation.aspx

What is Genovasi?

Genovasi is the combination of "Generasi" and "Inovasi" or "The Innovation Generation".

The establishment of Genovasi as an innovation organisation where young Malaysians will be able to receive an induction into innovation is spearheaded by Unit Inovasi Khas (UNIK) under the Prime Minister's office.  

Genovasi will provide young professionals and graduates with a one-of-a-kind opportunity to become Innovation Ambassadors via the Innovation Ambassador Development Programme. Innovation Ambassadors will be catalysts for change to spread the concepts, best practices and applications of innovation. 

Innovation Ambassadors will be expected to bring positive changes to three core areas:

The Innovation Ambassador Development Programme combines design thinking with business and organisational thinking. 

There are two tracks within the programme:

Genovasi is partnering with leaders in innovation to anchor the Innovation Ambassador development programme:

References: 

i. https://www.facebook.com/mygenovasi/info