Be Creative and Innovative

By Derek Gupta

This is very important to have a constant flow of new ideas. New ideas are the lifeblood of our business. So it is important to encourage creativity and to be truly innovative. But creativity and innovation are not the same. Creativity is all about coming up with new ideas, whereas innovation involves putting new ideas into action.

New ideas can be very difficult to find. When you do find them and put them into action, they can provide powerful marketing tools and become a license to print money.

Here are some ways to help generate new ideas:
Ask For Opinions

You could hire consultants or you could simply seek opinions from someone who knows absolutely nothing about your business. We get so involved in what we are doing, that often we can't see another way of doing things. There are times when we need to step outside our own environment because sometimes ideas used in one trade can be adapted to another.

Encourage Staff Creativity

Encourage your team members to come up with new ideas and let them suggest a better / smarter way to be innovative. You will need to be open-minded and encourage their input.

Brain Storm

One of the best ways to tap new ideas is through brainstorming. This could involve family, friends and other team members. The purpose of a brainstorming session is to produce a bunch of ideas. Its quantity, not quality. Refining the ideas come later.

Re-educate The Mind

There is an old saying, "you never stop learning" and its true. If you are willing to make a personal commitment to perpetual re-education, you'll reap the rewards.

Read And Subscribe

There is a wealth of information on the Internet and most of it is free. Search other areas of business rather than just your own as you might be able to adapt a totally unrelated idea.
You can often find ideas in the most unlikely places. Business, fashion and trade magazines are all worth a dekko. These days its easy to subscribe to any number of national and international newspapers,magazines or newsletters.

Travel Opens Your Eyes

Visit different places or even unrelated businesses areas. You'll be surprised at how freely many of them share their knowledge, after all you are not a threat to them.

"The main purpose of a business is to bring in customers; and there are really only two ways to do it... through Creativity and Innovation

Thanks and please let our creative juices flow. Feel free to discuss your ideas with your immediate supervisors or reach me any time at derekgupta@gmail.com but do not let them go waste.

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