Today’s best managers know that company structure can get in the way of innovation that brings together ideas across departments. Managers can help innovation happen by bringing together people from different areas. Some employees have informal social connections that cross company boundaries. These employees are helpful at bringing about innovation. However, managers must help them by encouraging formal communication across company departments. Periodically bring together key people who typically don’t work together and encourage them to discuss their problems and potential joint solutions. Help employees build strong social webs that can generate new innovative ideas.
Source: Kleinbaum, A. M., & Tushman, M. L. 2008, July-August. Managing corporate social networks. Harvard Business Review, 26-27.
