While just one revolutionary idea can turn an industry on its head and brand a business as innovative, usually it is the combination of the little things that a business owner does or stops doing that brings about its ability to truly be innovative.
Ask the right question.
Anyone can ask, “How do we increase sales?” or “What do our customers want?” But, by asking variations on the common questions, you start to approach problems, issues and opportunities with a different mindset. Ask questions that challenge everyone’s thinking in new ways. Resist the urge to continue asking common questions that only produce stale ideas that have been recycled repeatedly.
Put yourself on the frontline.
When you were starting out, working on the frontline was a necessity. You wore most, if not all, of the hats. You had a front row seat to where the fulfillment of your product or service took place.
Don’t just do something, stand there.
Your work ethic and commitment to get things done is a huge contributor to the success of your business. However, all that busyness can be an obstacle when it comes to being an innovative entrepreneur.Innovative entrepreneurs regularly push back from the desk to do nothing. Actually, it isn’t “nothing” in the truest sense of the word, but they know the value of taking time to think.
Create a state of “flow.”
While it is impossible to describe all that goes into creating a state of flow here, understand that creating it resides within your ability to pursue clear goals that challenge your strengths.
There are activities that you do well and others in which you excel.
Let others use their own strengths as well.
We view the world through our own biases and experiences. As a result, we tend to think our way is the right way and in extreme cases, the only way. However, if you want to run an innovative business, you need to let others use their strengths as well.
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