Decide on a Cadence

Once you’ve run a successful pilot it’s time to set a rhythm for your innovation.

Here’s a simple format for your first year: one focused idea collection challenge every two months, plus two-always-on idea collection for general areas of improvement. Each challenge gets a kickoff, a review date, and a result update.

Monthly evaluator team check-ins and an annual meeting to review innovation goals with leadership are also a good idea.

Cadence turns one-off innovation into a habit, a heartbeat for a healthy culture that moves ideas forward. It also gives contributors a reason to come back and try again. Pick a simple cadence, write it down and stick to it.

Remember, innovation dies in silence. If no one follows up, then noone knows what’s next, and people stop paying attention.