Innovation does not happen in a vacuum. There needs to be some reason, or vision, or compelling future in place - one that calls for innovation as an essential competency if the future is to be realized.
Steve Job's vision for Apple can not be realized without innovation. Google did not get started, much less will continue to grow and prosper without innovation.
Our approach then starts with the compelling future. Either helping executives create it, or working inside a complelling future that already exists. We work to articulate the gap between what is predictable and the compelling future so that everyone is clear the gap will not be closed - except by innovation. Business-as-usual, no matter how stellar, will not be sufficient.
A pathway to close the "gap" is created. The pathway will consist of structures, processes and projects that exist, that are necessary but are insufficient to provide the outcomes needed for the desired future, and of structures, processes and projects that do not exist, where the desired outcomes are clear, but not the pathways ("breakthrough required" outcomes).
We coach the executive teams and team leaders on how to lead these projects with clear desired outcomes and no clear pathway, and we coach their projects teams on how to executive on these breakthough required projects. The outcomes of these breakthough required projects are successful innovations PLUS a cultural transformation, one that will allow for innovation to be a sustainable part of the organizations DNA.