Many businesses focus their innovative activities on product innovation, which can produce valuable company assets.  In addition to product innovations, businesses should look for ways to streamline business operations by innovating business processes.

Here is an approach to business process innovation:

1. Big Question:  Is the process necessary? The first question to ask when evaluating a business process is whether the process is necessary.  What is the purpose or end result of the process?  Is it still needed – does it provide value to the business?  If not, don’t spend time “optimizing” the process, just eliminate it.
2. Identify the desired result of the process. Ask questions to determine the goal of the process.  Why was the procedure originally developed and what are the desired results of the process?
3. Eliminate continue reading…

There’s a common misconception that innovation is just for large companies.  However, identifying and developing creative ideas can benefit companies of all sizes – including small businesses that are just getting started.  Don’t wait until your business grows to a particular size to begin developing an innovation strategy – you may miss some great opportunities.

You don’t need a Research & Development Department or an Engineering Staff to take advantage of creative thinking in your business.  In fact, many small businesses can bring creative ideas to market faster than large corporations because of their smaller size.  Take advantage of the flexibility available to small companies and start the innovation process today.

Here’s all you need to start leveraging innovative ideas:

1. At least one person willing to spend some time doing “creative thinking”.
2. At least one “seed” idea.  This “seed” can be a problem or unmet need in your industry or in your own business.  Creative thinking exercises can start with seed ideas to develop potential solutions to these problems or unmet needs.
3. A way to record the creative ideas (paper/pencil, computer, audio recorder or a white board) – even a napkin and a crayon works (I’ve done this myself several times in restaurants).  If you use a white board, be sure to take a picture of the board before it’s erased or record the ideas using paper or a computer.
4. A system to evaluate creative ideas.  I have found that a small group of 4-6 people works well for evaluating creative ideas and refining those ideas into products or services that can be implemented in a business.

This is all you need to get started.  You can add more steps and activities as your innovation strategy develops – but keep things simple in the beginning.

I’m often asked the question “How does innovation ‘fit’ in my company?”  Many people believe innovations are limited to technology-based companies or restricted to large corporations with research departments.  But, I have seen countless innovations in all types of businesses in a variety of industries.  Many valuable innovations have been developed in “non-technology” companies.

For any business I’m helping to develop an innovation strategy, I point out the following three ways to innovate a business.  There are other categories of innovation, but these three provide a great start and give all businesses lots of ideas to work with.

1. Create Something New – Think about new products or services that can expand your existing business, or allow you to grow into a new market.  Consider unmet needs in your market, customer suggestions and continue reading…

In my last post, I identified several road blocks to innovation.  In the information below, I discuss several ways to overcome these road blocks and use innovation in your business.

A first step to leveraging innovation in your business includes learning how to stimulate new innovation throughout your company.  This begins by teaching the importance of innovation to the business leaders in your organization.  Once they understand the business growth opportunities provided by an innovation strategy, they can share this knowledge with other employees in the company.  This approach leverages the creative thinking of people in all parts of the company and builds a valuable innovation culture.

As part of the innovation education process, show continue reading…

Many companies fail to identify and develop innovations that could significantly improve the bottom line.  I have identified many “road blocks” to innovation during the past 15 years – here are several of the most common issues that hold back business innovation.

1. Lack of Knowledge – Many business leaders lack an understanding of how innovation can improve their business.  These individuals often believe that innovation is too expensive or is not appropriate for their company. In truth, innovation can have a positive impact on any business – regardless of size, industry or location.  Learning how to implement a system for identifying innovations is a first step to eliminating this road block.
2. Fear of Change – I also call this the “We have always done it this way” syndrome.  This is a common road block in many companies.  Employees (including managers and company executives) are afraid to change “the system”.  This is especially true when dealing with continue reading…