Innovation is gauged by different measures. Innovation can be as simple as switching to a new financial software provider that increases business office productivity. Innovation can be the creation of shared transportation services to save the district money so students can have a new bus. Innovation can be career- and life-changing—leaving one career for another.
I hope that after reading this, you will feel empowered to do something innovative.
School business officials are innovators. Every day, we are challenged to pull another rabbit out of a hat. So how do we do it?
Veteran business officials could probably share hours’ worth of stories about times they needed to be innovative. Here are some insights on being an innovator.
Listen and observe. Don’t stay in your office. Go out and visit every building and department. Talk to the team members who make up your district. Listen to what they have to say about what works and what doesn’t. What items are on their wish lists? What would they like to change?
Observe the dynamics. Seeing departments in action as you learn about the professionals who compose those departments will give you the ability to consider different options if financial decisions need to be made.
Talk to your colleagues. At times, you may feel that you are on an island, especially if your district is so large that you really are on an island; however, the best way to keep your sanity is to reach out to your colleagues. Go to roundtable meetings; attend professional development sessions and conferences, even those outside your home state. It is safe to say that someone on your professional path has had experiences similar to yours, and they may have a recommendation (innovation) for you.
Recognize the value of talking to your colleagues. If you believe a process can be done better, you do the talking—speak up. My district uses an accounting software package that has a ticket system to report an issue. The ticket system also has an option for suggested improvements. I love this option. How often ave you asked why your accounting software can’t do something? This situation calls for an innovator.
Volunteer. You cannot be an innovator by sitting at your desk all day crunching numbers. You also cannot be an innovator when you are overwhelmed and want to clear your desk, leave the building, get a offee, or just people-watch. Volunteering for anything—whether speaking at a conference, writing for School Business Affairs, or joining a state association committee—can give you ideas for innovation.
Sometimes, magic just happens. All the planning for a lifetime career can come to an excruciating halt if an issue involves finances. In a perfect world, revenue would equal expenditures, and we would not pull our hair trying to get everything to balance. When the budgets don’t want to tie out, and you need to “make it work,” trust your instincts; be innovative.
Some examples of being innovative include working with a district foundation, parent–teacher association, parent–teacher organization, or parent group to offset potential budget cuts or preparing a five- or seven-year plan for technology and transportation with no surprises.
Sometimes, innovation is not about work. Innovative ideas do not always relate to the workday. Our district makes a bus available to the local senior community to attend district plays and concerts. The class of 2006 donated a Sabrett hot dog cart to the district. They intended clubs to use the cart to raise money at athletic events. However, it has been used in recent years for the district’s annual Hot Dog Day.
Originally held at the end of June, Hot Dog Day has become the lunchtime event at the new staff orientation in August. For 90 minutes, everyone takes a break from the end-of-summer rush to meet the new members of the district family and to catch up with coworkers.
Innovation by Any Name
I hope that after reading this, you will feel empowered to do something innovative. Leaving work on time is an eligible action of being innovative—and that will be my goal next week.