Time to innovate, people!

Innovation isn't a #buzzword. Here's how to leverage it to start kicking ass.

TL;DR:

1. Innovation isn't just a fancy #buzzword. It's a matter of finding new ways to get things done better, and it can be a real game-changer (for you, and for your clients).

2. Creating innovation is one thing. Turning others into innovators is even more fun 😊

3. Innovation starts at your own door. What decision could you make today that would change what your tomorrow looks like?

4. No clue how to make a difference? Give yourself a kick in the butt and sign up 👇 for my free, 5min twice-a-week tips!

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There's been a lot of talking and brainstorming with clients over the past couple of weeks on what innovation means, and on how it can be leveraged and deployed efficiently even if your business doesn't have millions to spend on Research and Development. Internally, but also outside of the business (i.e. with clients).

There's usually an issue though: innovation is easily seen as a #fancy, #trendy, #buzzword and that makes it very difficult to grasp. Let alone leverage.

Ask around you how people would define innovation and see for yourself.

People often associate the word with tech, which makes is difficult to reach for those who aren't tech savvy. In fact, even those who work in the tech field may have a hard time realizing how their skills create a new form of value that can be leveraged.

Innovation is also fairly easily associated with social entrepreneurship, where social and people-focused change is at the heart of everything.

And it also gets aligned with process development, even though most people won't realize that even a tiny change can be a game-changer.

Long story short?

Tesla is still innovation.

PayPal was innovation (until it got tons of competitors).

Apple techs were innovation (before they became the norm).

Nuclear fission was an amazing innovation as far as energy is concerned (until it turned into bombs and nuclear waste).

Light was innovation.

Gutenberg's press was innovation.

Cinema was innovation.

Impressive? Yep.

Does it mean you need a PhD in rocket science to deliver innovation? Nope.

Realize what innovation actually means.

Think that innovation is just a matter of technology? Think twice, you can do it too.

I got curious and looked for a definition of innovation, just in case.

Meh.

That or nothing… right?

So I digged a bit further and found that instead.

Better, isn't it?

Innovation is a sexy word suggesting that change has happened. Innovating means moving your a** to make sure that something will soon get better.

But the best part is this: the definition doesn't say you need a PhD to get it done!

New methods, new ideas, new products. That's it.

Add new processes, new standards, new mindsets, new perceptions, and new systems in general. You'll realize that pretty much everyone can innovate.

I know! Right?

Now I can hear you. ‘How do I do that?’

Thanks for asking, here's a few ideas.

Bring innovation to them

First, bringing innovation to people (and clients, obviously) can happen in two ways.

One, spotting a big, nasty, pain in the butt painfull (excuse my French) issue that costs them energy, time, and/or money is a good way to make a difference.

By spotting that problem (and by making sure it’s really a problem) you can design and build a solution that reshuffles the cards and give them an advantage (preferably unfair) they'll be able to leverage.

That's time well spent, but there's another way to make kickass change happen. Hint: less energy, more fun.

It's called facilitating innovation and it's means that, instead of bragging and pulling the cover to your side of the bed, you'll focus on making sure you're partner is the one that gets warmed up.

Give them ways and methods to think differently.

Make them realize that just adding a pinch of spice could land them a totally new dish.

Put their fingers on the problem they're not seing. Fingers in the plug I say, there's no better way!

That's called making people come up with Aha! moments, and that's innovation in (gold) bars.

Use your business model to innovate (for you)

Often though, the first step on the road to innovation consists in starting with yourself.

Building processes and stuff that can make you save time is a huge way to innovate. Things you don't have to do anymore make you more efficient, performant and profitable - how can you make others do it if you don't do it yourself?

Better than that though, is to revise your business model!

You can do that by turning your consulting job (long frustrating hours) into a facilitation Aha! moment-making (and adrenaline producing) job.

You can do that by turning expertise, billable hours and custom jobs into a scalable product that works when you don't.

You can do that by turning one-shot deals into recurring clients who'll want to keep innovating with you.

You can shift from a 'business as usual' mindset to a 'let's do this differently' mindset that'll take you to the moon instead of keeping your feet in a block of concrete.

I used to have this poster in my room when I was a kid, no wonder where the influence comes from...

Wrap up. Innovate, it's easy.

The five minutes are over, time to wrap up.

No need to go to the moon. Get to your own moon, that'll be good enough.

The best question to ask yourself, really, is this one: what decision could you make today that would change what your tomorrow looks like?

👉 Change the way you do things to save time, energy and money!

👉 Revise the way you create value to improve your revenue stream(s)!

👉 Create innovation to give others an (unfair) advantage, and make them come up with their own innovation!

The most difficult part is to start thinking differently, which is up to you. You only get what you tolerate, remember?

And as usual, shout if you need your butt kicked, and share this post with someone - it really helps. 🤘❤️

Until next time!

A.