When we hear the word “Innovation,” images of high-tech gadgets like the latest smartphone, disruptive services like Netflix, or transformative business models like Google’s Adwords often spring to mind. These headline-grabbing innovations are undeniably powerful. But what about the equally impactful, yet often overlooked, opportunities for innovation within our own internal processes, procedures, and project execution methods?

Fancy new products and services get the limelight because their outcomes are visible and exciting. However, the same innovative thinking used to disrupt external markets can be applied internally to dramatically improve how your Small or Medium-Sized Business (SMB) operates, unlocking significant efficiencies and freeing up resources for growth.

The Weight of Legacy: Are Your Internal Processes Stifling Progress?

Take an honest look at your organization’s internal workings. Unless you’re exceptionally unique, you’re likely carrying some legacy of “scientific management” or control frameworks: perhaps numerous templates for every document, cumbersome approval processes for simple expenses, or extensive documentation for even minor projects (sometimes driven by well-intentioned but overly applied standards like ISO or CMMI). Consider the annual budgeting exercise that can span much of the year, based on assumptions about a distant future market.

Many of us recognize these situations. We either grudgingly accept the “process pain” or find individual workarounds, creating inconsistencies and inefficiencies. But what if we applied the same innovative mindset we champion for product development to these internal operations?

Applying Innovation Internally: The Path to Leaner, More Agile Operations

To be clear, internal innovation requires a thoughtful approach, especially concerning change management and engaging those responsible for maintaining existing frameworks. The goal isn’t to discard necessary controls, but to ensure every process truly adds value. The benefits of addressing legacy overhead, especially given today’s accelerating pace of business, far outweigh the challenges. The trick, as with most change initiatives, is to help all stakeholders see their own benefits in innovating for greater efficiency and effectiveness. Often, in areas where innovation has been rare, teams are surprisingly eager to engage in making things better. Toyota famously demonstrated that employees doing even the most repetitive jobs can be incredible sources of ideas for process improvement.

As a fractional CIO, a significant part of my work with SMBs involves looking at their internal IT operations, technology-driven workflows, and project management practices through an innovative lens. Can we automate this? Can we simplify that reporting structure? Can we use a more agile methodology for this type of tech development?

Innovate Your “How,” Not Just Your “What”

Regardless of your role or department, bring an innovative perspective to your work. While streamlining document templates or cutting unnecessary steps from an approval process by 60-70% might not make tech blog headlines, the cumulative impact on your organization’s efficiency, agility, and bottom line can be profound. Fostering an innovative culture means recognizing these practical benefits, even in seemingly small improvements.

Innovation isn’t just reserved for products, services, or business models. It’s a mindset that should permeate every aspect of your organization.

What’s Next

Innovate Everything. This should be the mantra for any SMB looking to thrive in today’s environment. By applying creative problem-solving and a continuous improvement mindset to your internal workings as rigorously as you do to your external offerings, you build a more resilient, efficient, and successful business, ready to “Succeed Sooner.”

Are there internal processes or “ways of working” in your SMB that are ripe for innovation? If you’re looking for a strategic partner to help you identify these opportunities and leverage technology to streamline your operations and unlock hidden efficiencies, let’s connect with Succeed Sooner Consulting.