| In an ever-changing marketplace, innovating your way | | | | for their employees? |
| to career success means keeping your "innovation | | | | Listen for... |
| potential" at peak performance. You risk a career | | | | - Is there a company-wide policy that governs flexible |
| setback by accepting a position that doesn't excite | | | | options for employees? |
| you or working with a company incapable of keeping | | | | - How creative and competitive are the company's |
| your innovation threshold humming at a higher level. | | | | flexible benefits? |
| As a talented professional, much of your success | | | | - Are flexible benefits available to all employees or only |
| depends upon the partners you select and how you | | | | a subset? |
| collaborate and innovate with them, so why not | | | | Question 5: How does the company leverage |
| approach a job interview from the perspective of | | | | innovative technology? |
| selecting a new business partner? | | | | Listen for... |
| Think before you act. Below are seven questions to | | | | - Does the company use a full range of social media |
| ask the recruiter, staffing professional or hiring | | | | tools? |
| manager before you consider joining an organization. | | | | - If, so, are employees encouraged to use social media |
| Question 1: What innovative talent incentives has the | | | | and networking sites as part of their job? |
| company introduced in the past year? | | | | - Is "social capital" recognized, valued and rewarded by |
| Listen for... | | | | the company? |
| - Breadth and depth of the company's offerings. | | | | - What technology tools are available to employees |
| - Programs for real people versus corporate in nature, | | | | across-the-board? |
| e.g., positioning for a "Top Employer" list. | | | | Question 6: Does the company have an |
| - How does the selection process work? How | | | | entrepreneurial culture beyond "innovation-speak"? |
| frequent are the incentives awarded? Who | | | | Listen for... |
| determines final recipients? | | | | - How does personal and professional risktaking |
| Question 2: Can you provide me with two or three | | | | translate into everyday business (not just high-profile |
| recent examples of how your company has managed | | | | initiatives and projects). |
| employee setbacks, mistakes, and failed attempts? | | | | - How do company executives and leaders model a |
| Listen for... | | | | culture of risktaking? |
| - How the company defines and communicates the | | | | - What type of entrepreneurial training is available for |
| "innovation playing field" for its workforce. | | | | employees? |
| - Two or three top reasons why employees fail at the | | | | Question 7: What does collaboration look like for the |
| company. | | | | company? |
| - Types of consequences associated with failed | | | | Listen for... |
| attempts. | | | | - How do teams form within the company--formal, |
| Question 3: Is continuous learning a core value for the | | | | informal or both? |
| company? | | | | - Does the company provide technology tools to |
| Listen for... | | | | increase collaboration, i.e., video cams for remote |
| - Do policies exist for employee training and ongoing | | | | work? |
| career development? | | | | - How are teams and team members recognized for |
| - What types of training and formal education | | | | their successes? |
| programs exist for employees? | | | | - How does accountability factor in for project team |
| - How much money does the company spend annually | | | | setbacks? |
| in workforce training and education? | | | | ©2010 Dolores McCrorey, Risktaking for Success |
| Question 4: Does the company offer flexible benefits | | | | LLC. All Rights Reserved. |