Champions Fax Archive

Upside is a technology magazine focused on the communications industry. In a new column written by Robert Buderi in the March 1998 issue, he describes an interview with a long time leader in communications technology, Lee Davenport. Davenport gives basic steps for research labs to develop innovations that make a difference in the marketplace.

Church Champion organizations can serve as these idea developers for local congregations. Here are the steps along with explanations for Champions.

1. "Success is based on schedules and results, not effort or job difficulty." It is one thing to have great ideas. It is yet another to refine the idea to produce a result. In many organizations a great idea may not have a measurable result. There are always other ways of doing things. Does the new way produce a better result?
If you're going to spend the time to bring it into reality, make sure it makes a big difference.

2. Break projects into segments. Give each segment a measurable goal. Some projects look endless at the beginning. Break them into workable, definable segments and work toward those milestones.

3. "Never allow general goals." The goal is not to study or explore, a goal must be to affect behavior and action. Make sure your idea and project moves participants towards action. Most churches have had enough talk and study and too little action-oriented results.

4. Encourage the idea people. Too many times the idea people get discouraged by the realists. Put them in teams with a blend of gifts and strengths to help them bring ideas into action. Many idea people leave Church Champion service and go to a place where they can implement ideas quickly. While this is great for the other places, it is a loss for Champion organizations. Are you frustrating your best idea people unnecessarily?

5. "Find product champions." This goes back to building a team around the idea. Some idea generators make lousy change agents. Pair idea people with team members who have the gift of communication to help sell the idea to a wider audience.

6. Pilot the idea with a small, bootleg budget. Too many ideas are grandiose and far reaching at the beginning with 'shot in the dark' probabilities. Prove the idea through small budget pilots and hit it with larger commitments of time and resources when it proves itself.

7. "Hire young blood." What is the average age on your team? High tech companies stay fresh by always hiring recent college graduates. Age is more than chronology of course. Could you constantly bring young pastors and leaders through your organization through focus groups, listening sessions, internships and other short-term means? Why not work with a college or graduate school class to let them find fresh ways to address your organization's needs? You may find some unexpected, workable and affordable approaches to your work.

Research and innovation are always gambles. Improve your odds by being systematic and disciplined in your approach.

"The Face of Innovation" by Robert Buderi is found in the March 1998 Upside magazine. Back issues are available online at www.upside.com.