Overcoming the barriers to effective innovation

Purpose This article offers three key pieces of advice for companies that aspire to be successful serial innovators: don't just treat the symptoms. Don't only act on one root cause. Don't blindly copy best practices. Design/methodology/approach Explains how to conduct an “innovation diagnostic” to pinpoint your company's specific innovation issues and opportunities and how to build a tailored action plan to address your company's most critical issues. Findings The study found that companies that act systemically on all four root causes of innovation blockages have the best chance of success. Practical implications Companies that aspire to be successful innovators need to act on the root causes of innovation failure found in four areas: leadership behaviors, management processes, people and skills, and culture and values. Originality/value Explains why innovation dysfunctionality is systemic problem, not one that can be quick fixed with a few new techniques such as stage gates and idea generation sessions.