How to write about Innovation in MBA Application Essay

Innovation means different things for different people. For a technologist, a technical solution is an innovation, for a Banker a financial service is an innovation, for a consultant a process is an innovation, for manufacturers– a new product is an innovation and for the common man – anything new is an innovation.

If you look at the definition of Innovation in Webster, it is:

“the introduction of something new”

Free Dictionary defines Innovation as

“something newly introduced, such as a new method or device”

In MBA Application essays, you have to write about innovation in multiple contexts - career, teamwork, or individual achievements. AdCom wants to learn about innovation at project level.
1) Did you create a new methodology to solve a business problem?

2) Did you come up with an idea that was the basis for a new solution?

3) Did you introduce a new process to improve the efficiency of the team?

4) Did you introduce tools that enabled the team members to solve the problem, communicate, and manage the tasks in a more holistic manner?

When you are part of a big organization, innovation is a buzzword for selling products. Other than that, you follow the rules of a traditional company with strict adherence to processes and quality guidelines, but even in a strict controlled environment, ideas sprout. Explaining the ideas devoid of any jargons and industry terms is a challenge.

If you were one of the founders or part of the founding team in a start-up, the opportunities to address innovation are plenty - right from developing the idea for a new product, to implementation, to marketing them to a targeted audience, to offering customer service - there are several instances for innovation, and opportunities to address them.
 
AdCom should understand the context and the environment of a start-up. They appreciate resourceful candidates and innovation by definition requires thinking outside the box.

Resourcefulness + Innovation = Great Candidate

Any environment that encourage experimentation with a higher degree of tolerance for failure will eventually produce more innovative solutions. Unique ideas do not come from a team that fears failure. You can explain how you created an environment of experimentation.

Introducing new ideas, tools, and processes are not enough when you think about innovation from a business context. What does it mean for the organization? Did you increase revenue for the company with an innovative solution? Innovation should increase the revenue or save money for the company. Otherwise, it is just a creative solution. Be ready with the numbers - the dollar saved or earned with the solution. Calculate the man hours saved; travels avoided, or overall savings in project costs when you quote the numbers.

To learn how to position yourself as an innovator, and a leader different from the run of the mill candidates who write about trivial problem solving or achievements as Innovation, read F1GMAT's Winning MBA Essay Guide