Innovative working is staying agile in a changing world

What is innovative working?

Innovative working is breaking free from existing patterns. Often, people work for years using the same methods. We continue to hold on to methods that no longer deliver the desired results. For example, because the world around us has changed, because our roles have expanded, or because our goals have shifted. “Innovative working is mainly about continuously questioning whether you are still doing the right things,” says Maaike Verberk, director of DEN. “This keeps you sharp and allows you to adapt to change.”

Put your audience at the center

Our cultural sector revolves around the audience. Yet many institutions do not yet place their audience at the center of their work processes. Innovative working also means involving your audience in the development of your program. It challenges you to think customer-oriented, for example through design thinking.

Design thinking: an effective innovation method

With the design thinking method, you place the needs of your target group at the center and work in five steps towards a first version of your product or service. Innovation expert Jon Heemsbergen (Art-up) explains: “By empathizing with your target group or user, you can develop something that truly meets their needs. You test your ideas in practice and quickly gain insights, which allow you to further develop your concept. This keeps your offering dynamic and ensures you work based on real input instead of gut feeling.” In this way, innovative methods help your organization break out of a tunnel vision.

Innovative working strengthens digital transformation

Digital transformation: a continuous change of your entire organization, driven and supported by digital tools. The key to transformation is a change in the business model, where you keep questioning how you deliver value to your target group.

Innovative working provides an answer to this challenge. Digital transformation affects all aspects of your organization, from culture to strategy, processes, and skills. By investing in new ways of working, you can embrace this change.

Now it's your turn!

Anyone can be the driver of change. Do you notice work processes that could be improved? Take the step and work innovatively.

Here's how:

• Ask the right, critical questions. For example, check when a process was last evaluated or updated.
• Approach a project differently: think from the perspective of your target group
• Utilize digital tools that make your work easier