Using Groups to Create Company Innovation

Companies that don’t continue to improve eventually decline. Innovation fosters organizational transformation while encouraging the finding of new revenue streams. Research by Dew and Hearn (2009) help understand how hybrid groups can be as beneficial as nominal groups in promoting organizational innovation. Teams that work well together generate more ideas and find more solutions to organizational problems. 

Innovative development isn’t a wishful tactic. It has practical dollar and cents outcomes. Organizations that do not change, develop, grow, or adjust fall behind on the market. They stagnate while their competitors blast forward. Product development suffers and revenue declines. Innovation is about breathing new life into a company.

The very design of teams will determine their level of success. For example, social loafing occurs when one person doesn’t put enough effort into the team but receives the same benefits. Cognitive and social benefits from interaction can help in reducing the damaging effects of social loafing. Hybrid groups require individual effort during small group work while holding the entire focus group responsible to a bigger group. 

All groups are based on some level of interaction. The benefits of regular communication is that brainstorming in groups leads to more idea generation (Parnes & Meadow, 1959). Members build off of each other’s ideas to create new ideas. It is a process whereby one concept builds onto the next until a solution is forthcoming.

Before a problem can be solved it should be understood. Well defined problems can be converted to goals. Poor ideas are thrown out and the group settles on feasible solutions.  The generation of ideas offers opportunities to find and explore multiple solutions. 

The study included 672 participants and broke them into nominal and hybrid groups that engaged in problem solving. What they found was that hybrid groups work well and can be more effective for fostering innovation under the right circumstances. When group members are focused in small nominal groups, but must interact with larger groups, they are capable of creating greater idea generation and performance accountability. 

Dew, R. & Hearn, G. (2009). A new model of the learning process for innovation teams: networked nominal pairs. International Journal of Innovation Management, 13 (4). 

Parnes, SJ and A Meadow (1959). Effect of “brainstorming” instructions on creative problem

solving by trained and untrained subjects. Journal of Educational Psychology, 50, 171–

176.

Claire de Lune Offers the True Coffee Lounge Experience

Coffee Lounges offer an inviting atmosphere with laissez-faire experience. Claire de Lune provides an eclectic environment where people of all ages and types sit, read, browse the internet and engage in conversation. Looking more like a living room than a coffee shop people will feel at home regardless of their attire and background. 

As part of the North Park community they attract a wide following. The street is busy with stores, restaurants, bars, and activities. Foot traffic is high and the coffee shop fits with local market demographics. People seem to congregate there as they make their way through the commercial area. 

Friday and Saturday nights offer free music for patrons. The genre of the music changes but can be in the African, Latin, Guitar, and similar strains. For the price of the coffee you can sit down and enjoy live entertainment by local musical talent. Few places will offer the same. 

Claire de Lune also attempts to be a positive influence in the area. They host amateur art in an attempt to raise the stature of the artists as well as draw visitors within their business. Both the business and the artists receive a benefit through greater exposure while adding to the décor of a traditional coffee lounge. 

Their interior design is well thought out. Lounge chairs are arranged in a manner that invite groups and people to get to know each other. The tables are sturdy and can accommodate one or two people. For those who enjoy being on the balcony or outside on the patio that option is available for them as well. 

2906 University Avenue

San Diego, California 92104

http://clairedelune.com/

Getting Your Golf Swing Just Right at the Stadium Golf Center

If you are in the Mission Valley area and looking for a place to practice your golf swing before you embarrass yourself you may want to visit the Stadium Golf Center and Batting Cages. Two levels of driving ranges, an opportunity to try out clubs and purchase your golfing gear at their store provides a gloving enthusiast everything they need. For $9.50 you can grab your medium bucket of balls and make your way to the practice mats or real grass. 

They have an award winning golf fitting service that helps to ensure you have the right clubs for you. According to Golf Digest many golfers swing improperly because they have off-the-rack clubs that don’t fit well with their body or mechanics (1). By using modern equipment they will ensure that spin rate, ball speed, face angle, and club path are calculated to build you the right clubs. 

Of course if you need golfing lessons you may make your way into the center and ask about their classes and private lessons. They provide a variety of instructors to ensure that you find the right person for you. They will help you improve your swing and take strokes off your game. Nothing wrong with asking for a little help when you need it. 

2990 Murphy Canyon Road

San Diego, CA. 92123

http://www.stadiumgolfcenter.com/