Fostering Innovation through a Sense of Belonging and Supportive Environment a la MUC
Innovation is one of the essential elements in ensuring a company continues to grow amidst the ever-changing business ecosystem and competition. However, executing innovation is not simple. There are challenges and obstacles that need to be overcome for innovation to be achieved, ranging from limited resources to an unsupportive work culture.
Innovation Challenges in Indonesian Companies
Innovation is often seen as the result of advanced technology or big ideas, but in reality, innovation challenges often arise from fundamental things. One of the biggest obstacles is resistance to change. Many employees tend to feel comfortable with long-established work methods, making them reluctant to try new approaches. According to a survey conducted by McKinsey & Company in 2023, approximately 70% of organizations in Indonesia identified the "comfort zone" as one of the main obstacles to implementing innovation.
Of course, budget and human resource limitations are also constraints. Not all companies, especially SMEs, have enough funds to conduct research and development. Not to mention the lack of skilled human resources in technology, which hinders certain developments. This complex challenge of innovation is further compounded by research from the Ministry of Manpower in 2022, which shows that 40% of the workforce in Indonesia still needs basic technology training to contribute to innovation.
MUC Consulting's Principles in Fostering Innovation
In facing the challenges mentioned above, MUC Consulting has its own unique approach and principles to promote innovation within a company, which begins by fostering a supportive work culture and ensuring that every individual at all structural levels feels safe to innovate. However, what kind of work culture does it refer to, and how did MUC Consulting manage to establish a sense of security in the work environment?
1. Creating a Supportive Environment
Innovation starts from the work environment. MUC creates an atmosphere that allows employees to experiment freely without fear of failure. This effort has been made from time to time, using various manual and digital instruments alike. MUC not only encourages its employees to be critical and generate new ideas every year, but also provides appreciation in the form of rewards to innovators who are considered to have brought about innovative ideas.
2. Empowering Employees
Innovation is not limited to top management. MUC ensures that every employee, from the highest to the lowest level, feels they have a role in creating something new (sense of belonging). One effective way is to provide relevant training through the Innovation Project, which is held annually. Each participating employee will be grouped into an innovation program accompanied by selected coaches and mentors.
By applying the two principles above, MUC has "reaped the rewards" of innovation emerging from its employees. Some of these innovations have made the Digitalization of Internal Work Systems ("Digitalisasi Sistem Kerja Internal"; DSKI) at MUC easier, more efficient, and digitally integrated, including Medical Reimbursement, which supports employee well-being by providing health insurance; the Training System, a platform for employees to access online training; and the Track and Trip System, a digital recording tool for employee transportation needs and document transfers with clients. These innovations have made it easier for companies to operate because they can reduce the likelihood of errors or human error in the work process.
Currently, MUC is preparing for opportunities to use AI in work processes as the next step in the innovation process. It cannot be denied that the presence of AI has the potential to make performance processes easier and more efficient. This process is currently in the research and database collection phase before the feasibility of its application can be confirmed.
For MUC, innovation is no longer just an option, but a necessity for the company to continue to grow and be beneficial both internally and externally. Although the challenges are not simple, MUC believes that building a culture of innovation can be a long-term solution and investment. By supporting employees to think creatively, maximize technology, and create a collaborative environment, MUC Consulting can take further steps toward a brighter future.
