Strategic Innovation: Embedding Innovation as a Core Competency in Your Organization

THE PATH OF CHANGE MANAGEMENT AT WHIRLPOOL

Although embedment is about the last stage in many change management processes, the institutionalization of change—in this case, innovation from everyone and everywhere—requires a strong discipline in change management. As we moved through the embedment process, we realized that many processes, systems, skill sets, assumptions, and behaviors still needed to be modified and adapted to meet our requirements around embedment. Embedment, albeit the codification of just one change process, spawned the need for many other change initiatives.

Whirlpool has long had a history of using specific, focused change management processes. The culture and values change effort described in Chapter Five is one example ...