Trust is consistently seen as a make or break component of innovation - particularly because the freedom to fail is an important part of innovation.

Most people probably become more jaded the longer they work in the world of work.

Even an organization that doesn't do much work internationally will benefit from a culturally intelligent strategy to innovation. Working across different generations, business units, regions, and functions are all factors that can also influence the innovation process.

There are highly innovative companies in the U.S., Germany, and India. And there are many stories of companies that failed to innovate in all those countries. This is good news because it means, regardless of your cultural background or where your company is based, it can become innovative.

The distraction, particularly of technology, impedes the innovative process. And when you add to that the distraction of working with colleagues who are in different time zones and/or who have a different approach to urgency and distraction, the potential for losing focus is abundant.

What really makes the difference in innovation is whether the corporate culture is paying attention to innovation.

May we all beware lest our innovative ideas appear very cliche before we even blink.