Companies may be their own worst enemy when it comes to innovation, new research suggests. In a recent survey from global staffing firm Robert Half, CFOs cited too much bureaucracy (30 percent) and being bogged down by daily tasks and putting out fires (27 percent) as the biggest barriers to innovation.
These obstacles may also have the potential to hinder hiring efforts. In a separate survey, 87 percent of workers said a company’s reputation for being innovative is an important consideration when evaluating potential employers.
“Businesses strive to be innovative but all too often get in their own way due to self-imposed barriers. Organizations need to find a way to let ideas rise to the top quickly and create clear paths to implement them,” said Paul McDonald, senior executive director for Robert Half, in a news release.
“When hiring, companies should position themselves as innovators and reassure applicants that their ideas will be heard and valued. Top candidates want to be associated with forward-thinking, nimble organizations,” McDonald added.
Robert Half offers the following do’s and don’ts for managers when it comes to fostering innovation:
The surveys were developed by Robert Half and conducted by independent research firms. The CFO survey is based on telephone interviews with more than 2,200 CFOs from a stratified random sample of companies in more than 20 of the largest U.S. metropolitan areas. The survey of workers includes responses from more than 1,000 U.S. workers 18 years of age or older and employed in office environments.
