Innovation and Imagination at Work

At the beginning of the new millennium, innovation is no longer an optional extra for industry, business and management. In today's competitive and global environment, doing the same as in the past is not enough. From now on, developing innovation will be the key to future prosperity. In "Imagination and Innovation at Work", the Australian Institute of Management draws together a collection of articles, written by industry leaders and creative thinkers, that examines the innovation imperative for Australian business. The book's message is simple - business must innovate or perish and the key to success lies in harnessing creativity at all levels of the organisation, using it to meet strategic objectives and to drive profits and improvement. The articles explore how organisations can ensure both survival and success. Uniquely, the book also investigates the crucial role of imagination in the Australian innovation process. For Australian business, innovation is no longer about technology and invention. In most organisations, regardless of their size, it is about working smarter, faster and better. It is not about technology, research or processes - it is about people and creativity, and turning vision into a competitive advantage. The issue of leadership is also extensively discussed, as a business will only reap the benefits of innovation if imagination and freethinking are encouraged from the top. With the right leadership, innovation can be strategic, focused, embedded in systems and the culture, and ongoing. Entrepreneurship is also needed to turn innovation into commercial success. "Imagination and Innovation at Work" examines the crucial role that imagination plays in the corporate life cycle. Each chapter builds on the previous one, delivering different perspectives and coming together to present a cohesive guide for Australian companies seeking to use innovation as a business driver.