Getting Innovation Right: From Culture to Execution
Innovation is everywhere these days. Companies shout about it, careers depend on it, and entire industries are built on staying one step ahead. But here’s the truth: innovation, done just for the sake of looking innovative, doesn’t move the needle. In fact, without intention and structure, it can waste time, money, and even demotivate your workforce.
To truly get innovation right, businesses need to go beyond trend-chasing and build a system where creativity is valued, ideas are acted on, and change is embraced for the right reasons.
Innovation with Intention
It’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of the "next big thing.” AI, automation, new platforms; there’s always something new around the corner. But successful innovation doesn’t start with tools or trends. It starts with purpose.
Before launching any new initiative, ask the hard questions. What is this actually trying to achieve? How does it tie into broader business goals? What problem is it solving, and is it a problem worth solving in the first place?
Innovation should always be aligned with strategic objectives. If it’s not improving outcomes, efficiency, or experience in a meaningful way, it’s just noise. Having clear, measurable goals helps to separate meaningful innovation from distractions dressed up as progress.
Building the Right Foundations
You can’t layer innovation on top of shaky systems and expect results. Many organisations try to implement new tools or processes without the underlying infrastructure to support them, and then wonder why they’re not seeing ROI.
That’s where digital maturity - or digital health - comes into play. It’s not just about having the latest technology; it’s about how well your digital ecosystem actually functions. Are all your apps and systems integrated? Is there a single, reliable source of truth pulling data from across the organisation? Without that kind of foundation, you’re essentially building on sand.
This is especially true with data-driven technologies. AI might be the shiny solution everyone’s talking about, but without clean, connected, and consistent data, it’s all smoke and mirrors. For innovation to stick, systems must be integrated, data needs to flow freely across departments, and decision-making must be grounded in real insights.
And it’s not just about tech. Even process changes or new ways of working require the right support. If your teams are still working in silos or stuck using outdated platforms, those fancy innovation plans will likely fall flat.
Bring People with You
One of the most common barriers to innovation is people. Change is uncomfortable. New systems mean new habits, and new processes mean uncertainty. And most people, understandably, will default to the familiar unless you give them a reason not to.
That’s why communication is critical. Explain not just what’s changing, but why. Show how it aligns with company goals, what’s expected of employees, and importantly, how it benefits them. Will it save them time? Remove manual tasks? Make it easier to collaborate? People need to see how innovation helps them, not just the business.
Involving employees early also makes a big difference. Ask for input before launching major changes. Find out where they see inefficiencies or opportunities. You might be surprised where the most valuable ideas come from. Once decisions are made, close the loop and tell people what was chosen, what wasn’t, and why.
This kind of transparency builds trust and encourages a workforce that’s not just tolerating innovation, but actively contributing to it.
Innovation Is a Culture, Not a Department
Too often, innovation gets boxed into a single team or initiative like it’s a one-time project with a fixed endpoint. But true innovation is cultural. It’s about how the entire organisation approaches problems, embraces change, and experiments with new ideas.
That means giving people the space to think creatively, without fear of failure. Mistakes are inevitable, but when they’re treated as learning opportunities rather than setbacks, they drive progress. Likewise, recognising people who take smart risks or push for improvement - whether their ideas succeed or not - goes a long way in reinforcing that innovation is part of the job, not just a special assignment.
It also means carving out time and bandwidth for experimentation. If employees are constantly buried under day-to-day tasks, there’s no room to explore, test, or rethink. Making space for creative work sends a clear message: new ideas matter here.
Innovation Builds Resilience
When done right, innovation isn’t just about big wins or disruptive breakthroughs. It’s about building resilience. It gives your business the agility to adapt when circumstances change. Whether that’s a shift in the market, a global crisis, or a competitor’s next move.
It helps you move faster, respond smarter, and stay focused on what actually drives success. And perhaps most importantly, it builds a culture that doesn’t just react to change but leads it.
The Bottom Line
Innovation isn’t magic. It’s not about having the most ideas or the latest tech. It’s about focus, alignment, and follow-through. It’s about building a foundation that supports growth, engaging your people in the process, and staying laser-focused on why you’re doing it in the first place.
Get those things right, and you won’t just look innovative. You’ll be innovative, in ways that actually move your business forward.
If you would like to find out more about how Zoho's software can support your business get your digital foundations in place, and move the dial with innovation, click here. Or if you are in the public sector,click here.
techUK – Unleashing UK Tech and Innovation
The UK is home to emerging technologies that have the power to revolutionise entire industries. From quantum to semiconductors; from gaming to the New Space Economy, they all have the unique opportunity to help prepare for what comes next.
techUK members lead the development of these technologies. Together we are working with Government and other stakeholders to address tech innovation priorities and build an innovation ecosystem that will benefit people, society, economy and the planet - and unleash the UK as a global leader in tech and innovation.
For more information, or to get in touch, please visit our Innovation Hub and click ‘contact us’.
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techUK's sprint campaigns explore how emerging and transformative technologies are developed, applied and commercialised across the UK's innovation ecosystem.
Activity includes workshops, roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and flagship reports (setting out recommendations for Government and industry).
Each campaign runs for 4-6 months and features regular collaborations with programmes across techUK.
techUK's latest sprint campaign is on Robotics & Automation technologies. Find out how to get involved by clicking here.
Running from September to December 2023, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of space technologies, bring more non-space companies into the sector, and ultimately realise the benefits of the New Space Economy.
These technologies include AI, quantum, lasers, robotics & automation, advanced propulsion and materials, and semiconductors.
Activity has taken the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report. The report, containing member case studies and policy recommendations, was launched in March 2024 at Satellite Applications Catapult's Harwell campus.
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Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from January to May 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of the technologies set to underpin the Gaming & Esports sector of the future.
These include AI, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, haptics, cloud & edge computing, semiconductors, and advanced connectivity (5/6G).
Activity took the form of roundtables, panel discussions, networking sessions, Summits, and thought leadership pieces. A report featuring member case studies and policy recommendations was launched at The National Videogame Museum in November 2024.
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Report
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Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from July to December 2024, this sprint campaign explored how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of web3 and immersive technologies.
These include blockchain, smart contracts, digital assets, augmented / virtual / mixed / extended reality, spatial computing, haptics and holograms.
Activity took the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in 2025).
Get in touch below to find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Event round-ups
Insights
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
Running from February to June 2025, this sprint campaign is exploring how the UK can lead on the development, application and commercialisation of robotic & automation technologies.
These include autonomous vehicles, drones, humanoids, and applications across industry & manufacturing, defence, transport & mobility, logistics, and more.
Activity is taking the form of roundtables, workshops, panel discussions, networking sessions, tech demos, Summits, thought leadership pieces, policy recommendations, and a report (to be launched in Q4 2025).
Get in touch below to get involved or find out more about techUK's future plans in this space.
Upcoming events
Insights
Event round-ups
Get in touch
Rory Daniels
Rory Daniels
Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.
During this time, Rory worked on the Government's response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK's Health and Social Care programme in 2022.
Before this, Rory worked in the House of Commons and House of Lords alongside completing degrees in Political Economy and Global Politics.
Today, Rory leads techUK's emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.
This involves co-running techUK's flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the 'Meet the Innovators' interview series), and launching 4-6-month 'sprint campaigns' on transformative technologies and sectors.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/rorydaniels28/
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Members do this by contributing blogs or vlogs, speaking at events, and highlighting examples of best practice within the UK's tech sector.
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