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Spotting the Barriers Preventing Innovation & Productivity

Updated: Mar 1

Innovation and productivity are crucial components of any organization's success. However, various barriers can get in the way and hinder progress. Here are some common barriers to innovation and tips for identifying and overcoming them:

  1. Fear of failure: Employees may be afraid to try new ideas and solutions due to the fear of failure. To overcome this, organizations should create a supportive and inclusive culture that encourages taking risks and learning from failures.

  2. Lack of resources: Limited resources, such as budget and manpower, can be a barrier to innovation. To address this, organizations should prioritize innovation initiatives and allocate resources accordingly.

  3. Silos and departmental rivalries: Competition and silos between departments can prevent collaboration and hinder innovation. To overcome this, organizations should encourage inter-departmental communication and collaboration, and foster a culture of teamwork.

  4. Bureaucracy and red tape: Excessive bureaucracy and red tape can slow down decision-making and limit the ability to implement new ideas. Rigid rules and regulations can slow down the decision-making process and stifle creativity. To overcome this, organizations should streamline processes and simplify decision-making.

  5. Resistance to change: Some employees may be resistant to change, especially if they have grown comfortable with the status quo. To overcome this, organizations should involve employees in the innovation process and provide training and support to help them adjust to new ways of working.

  6. Resistance to new ideas: People within the organization may resist new ideas, making it difficult to implement innovative solutions.

  7. Poor communication: Ineffective communication can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and subpar results.

  8. Short-term focus: Prioritizing immediate goals over long-term vision can limit investment in innovative solutions.


By identifying these barriers and taking steps to overcome them, organizations can create an environment that supports innovation and productivity. By fostering a culture of innovation, organizations can stay ahead of the curve, remain competitive, and drive success.


Here's Some Tips for Overcoming Barriers to Innovation:

  1. Encourage open communication and collaboration: Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and collaborating with others. Encourage cross-functional teams to work together on innovation projects. Upgrade your digital environments to better fit your remote collaboration. Instead of Slack, try WeTransact's more fo