Fostering Innovation 101 for the Smart Business Owner
Innovation… you hear this word a lot these days, but what does it really mean for your business? No wonder that in this geo-social universe that we live in, we’re constantly seeking for something fresh, something that sparks… into the best ideas around – minus the heavy cost of a market research. It’s all about the attitude and spunk that will take your business to the next level. How?
Fostering Innovation 101 for the Smart Business Owner
Eric Clapton is not the only person who wants to ‘change the world’ – entrepreneurs do this everyday as they put their passion into work, driving their vision to a mission with action by:
Thinking Without the Box
Who cares if you’re in or out the box; remove the box completely and what do you have? Thought leaders succeed because they took the risk of being different and not minding that they are ( or what people say they are ). It’s like being a five-year old where anything is possible.
Having Strong Values
And keeping them as well! What do you value about your work? Are you an optimist? Imagine yourself as Christopher Columbus getting ready to navigate the world. Master innovators are all leaders in their industries and what sets them apart from the crowd is the way they follow their vision… by heart.
Using the Power of the Team
There is indeed power in numbers and what’s better than tapping into the power of your crowd. Whether you are doing a market research on your customers, or just having another huddle with your team – always be receptive to new ideas that can help you level up your business. Encourage small talks and take time to have a creative time off. You can’t take all the work by yourself so share the load.
Failing
Don’t get me wrong here. But there are those we call ‘healthy failures’ which made us learn from our mistakes. If Thomas Edison took a thousand tries before he made the light bulb glow, so can you.. in your own special way. If you don’t take the risk and leap into the unknown, you’ll never know that a pot of gold is waiting for you on the other side of the rainbow. As Michael Malone used to say ” Failure is Silicon Valley’s No.1 Strength. ”
Following the 20-80 Rule
Don’t take your market for granted and try reaching out to them by simply asking them to think of a solution for your product or service. You’ve got to be spending 20% of your time reinventing your business… and try leaving the 80% for your crowd to participate in the quest for the next big thing. Life’s a gamble; why not take one this time?
Appreciate Your People
Don’t we all love to receive a token of appreciation – from a big, sincere smile to rewards that can change lives. GE’s Ecomagination Challenge just made everyone at Twitter crazy with tweets on what’s up for grabs: $200 million dollars! Your workers may come and go, but your brand will always stay with you and a little appreciation goes a long, long way ( or a major one! )
Innovation is a process, not just a fancy word inside your head. You have to be open to continuous improvement and encourage people to share your vision. What good is a state-of-the-art technology when you don’t even have the focus to bring your ideas into life?
” Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. ” – Harold R. McAlindon
Rethinking Work
Something Interesting:
41 Ways Business Leaders Can Foster a Culture of Innovation
The Geosocial Universe
