After firms experience initial success, leaders frequently turn their
attention toward producing and selling their products or services more efficiently,
likely at the expense of ongoing innovation. This seemingly prudent decision may
unintentionally lead firms to become one-hit wonders, effectively limiting their
potential success over time. To help prevent a firm’s early success from being its
only success, small business executives should adopt practices that promote innovation
yet don’t come at substantial cost given limited financial resources. Focusing on
the positive influences of ability, commitment, and feedback, we propose a system of
high-performance work practices (HPWPs) as an economical means of encouraging
innovative behavior that allows for efficiency without losing an emphasis on creativity
and entrepreneurial action. This article outlines and discusses nine specific HPWPs
targeted for smaller businesses that are expected to promote and fully realize the
potential of employees as the driving force for innovation and sustained success