In Search of Innovation - WSJ

Innovation is a practice and a discipline. It isn't a tactic or public relations pitch. The Wall Street Journal published - In Search of Innovation - a brief, straight-forward article on innovation that is worth passing around.

Here are some of the approaches they describe.

BUILD SCENARIOS
Many companies use teams of writers with diverse perspectives to create complex scenarios of what future markets may look like. The writers try to imagine detailed opportunities and threats for their companies, partners and collaborators. An oil company that wants to explore energy opportunities in cities of the future, for example, might want to work on scenarios with writers from construction, water and utility-management companies.

MOBILIZE THE STAFF
By engaging more of its own workers in the search for innovation, a company can broaden its vision. For example, the duties of procurement, sales or finance groups can be expanded to include learning about trends they encounter that ordinarily might be considered not of primary interest to the company.
 
START A CONVERSATION
Sometimes innovations arise when different departments talk to each other. But what’s the best way to start the conversation?

Many companies set up so-called communities of practice, which are typically internal Web sites where employees are encouraged to share knowledge and skills important to the company.

There are some good ideas here. You'll have to do some research to find ways to implement them, but it is a good list of options.