How can you find innovative ideas?

Innovation is relative. It’s recognized as advancement that moves beyond the norm, and the norm is dynamic. We tend to recognize innovation by measuring difference - the extent to which something is no longer recognizable and associated with what’s come before. Outcomes that are novel, may come from the synthesis of things that on their own are quite common or ordinary, but when recombined in new ways break out and stand apart.

I believe that along with keen observation & empathy, asking the right question is crucial. It can give the best framework to work with, and call people to bring the right ideas into the table.

Trying to take a new perspective on a problem can feel daunting, but approaching it in a playful way helps break those barriers down. I love dabbing around with absurd ideas and combinations to get warmed up - it's fun and helps get the juices flowing. There's always time to refine some of the best ones later - but getting comfortable with seemingly useless ideas can prove surprising down the line!

Alguna vez me dijeron que la innovación es el proceso salvaje con el que despojamos a la creatividad de su idealización y la aterrizamos al mundo real como mecanismo para resolver desafíos de una manera distinta, eficaz y valiosa. Este proceso implica bajar a las ideas de su nube, del ambiente etéreo y alinearlas a lo concreto, a través del aprendizaje y la experimentación constantes, moldeándolas hasta que se conviertan en soluciones capaces de generar nuevo y mayor valor medible y lo retribuyan en forma de productos, servicios, procesos, canales, modelos de negocio, propuestas o formas de hacer exitosas que cumplan satisfactoriamente los objetivos de su concepción.

Without creative innovation we become a stagnant marketplace. I have always had a knack in seeing odd niches that needed filled. As a serial entrepreneur and outside the box thinker, I see opportunities for new businesses by just paying attention to what currently exists and find ways to do it better or different. Find an industry you love, and watch it, research it, follow it and find that niche you can fill with a creative and unique approach, that others just don't see.

Disruptive innovation is vital for your value creation especially if you're in a saturated, price driven market. Unique selling points (USP) are useless if there is zero value creation on the table. Therefore one way of combating this is through the PESTLE analysis to determine what affects on external stakeholders you have. By being disruptive you appeal to potential customers that wouldn't normally consider the industry you are in.

Innovation is important because it also helps to drive excitement about your company, product evolution, and get both the team + customer excited about what's next.

Innovation is a vital force that fuels progress and drives positive change across various aspects of society and business. It empowers individuals and organizations to continually evolve and stay relevant in a dynamic world. Innovation has the power to create products, services, and technologies that improve the overall quality of life for individuals. Whether it's advancements in healthcare, education, or everyday conveniences, innovation can lead to tangible benefits for people. Innovation often involves collaboration among diverse individuals and organizations. This fosters partnerships and networks that can lead to new opportunities, insights, and resources.

And then, there is the personal side of innovation. The excitement of having a new idea and seeing it through to the final stage. Innovation can make you feel really good! In one of my positions, I brought TV's to clinics and to make it even more exciting, determined a way to create customized content/programming. At that time, no one was doing this. It was farmed out to vendors and you were stuck with existing materials. I worked tirelessly with a vendor to create our customized channel. Years later, this idea/innovation, is still in play and brings me a great deal of pride. Creating it, seeing it through it's evolution and the effect it had on the end user and the business is...amazing!

Pay close attention to your surroundings, experiences, and interactions. Observe the problems, inefficiencies, or gaps that exist in your daily life or in the processes around you. Furthermore, Mindful observation can often reveal opportunities for innovative solutions. Actively listen to people's conversations, feedback, and challenges. This could be in personal interactions, online forums, or professional settings. Listening attentively can provide valuable insights and spark ideas for addressing unmet needs.

When we innovate, we draw upon the knowledge and experiences of the past, building upon existing ideas, technologies, and discoveries. The past serves as the foundation for innovation, providing us with insights, lessons learned, and the starting point for new advancements. Simultaneously, innovation operates in the present moment. It involves analyzing current challenges, needs, and market dynamics to identify opportunities for improvement or new solutions. The present becomes the space in which we apply creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving to develop innovative ideas and approaches. Lastly, innovation has an eye on the future. It seeks to anticipate emerging trends, envision possibilities, and shape new trajectories.

In my experience, while tools are useful, observing and talking with suppliers and customers is a fantastic source of new ideas. Understanding their processes and products in depth and combining it with your expertise will provide you with many opportunities for innovation. When you've identified an opportunity, make sure to validate your ideas quickly (desk research, conversations, feasibility study...) before moving forward.

Often, innovative ideas are right in front of us. Users often solve their own problems. So-called unskilled or inexperienced people in a field often find ways to do things that their more experienced peers overlook (because they were 'trained' differently or because they learned solutions based on older technology or techniques). Ask junior colleagues, colleagues from other departments, people from outside your organization (and even outside your sector) how they would solve your problem (assuming they have no constraints). In fact, even ask children. Sure, the majority of the ideas will be illogical, unsuitable or unworkable. But so what...? That's no different than the majority of ideas that come from "grown up" and "mature" sources!

Observing the world around you is like mining for creative gold in your everyday experiences. It's about opening your senses to the details, frustrations, and unmet needs you encounter daily. By cultivating this skill, you transform ordinary moments into potential sources of innovation. Keen observation can reveal hidden opportunities, spark innovative ideas, and ultimately lead to solutions that make life better, easier, or more enjoyable. So, keep your eyes wide open, your curiosity alive, and your notepad handy – you never know when the next big idea might emerge from your observations. Peter Theil's book, "Zero to One," is a great book to read when you are looking to develop innovative ideas.

In my view, it is always best to evaluate an idea against one single value or metric, rather than trying to evaluate an idea against everything all at once. For example, you can evaluate an idea for business feasibility, technical feasibility, market (including legal & regulatory feasibility) or financial feasibility. However, trying to evaluate all of those at the same time is tricky and could lead to analysis paralysis. Start with one - whichever one you or your Team knows most about. For example, if you're a technical specialist you can probably evaluate technical feasibility quickly & easily. Not only does this allow you to move on, it also encourages others because they now believe it is technically feasible.

You can also evaluate your ideas by polling your existing audience or customer base. By tapping in and asking for their feedback on the idea you can get some initial perspective on how to improve the new offer before launch. I typically like to do this in person so that I can see the person, feel the energy, and hear what they're saying while immersed in conversation.

In the beginning phase consider what success would look like. What measures do you need in place and what would it take to get there? Thinking of the rapidly evolving arena of technology, consider using AI. It can a wonderful friend to quickly help you evaluate your idea. Then go out and do kitchen research. Take baby steps to see how a small portion of the market responds. Or if appropriate, run a pilot. Always smart to, with an NDA, run the idea and your collected evaluations by your trusted advisory board of colleagues. This board would be made up of a group of people in the industry who's opinions and values you trust. Most of all, don't be afraid to fail until you hit on the magic mix to bring your idea to life.

Innovation goes beyond following predefined steps or adhering strictly to a linear methodology. Innovators envision themselves in the future, contemplating the impact their creations will have on society, industries, or individuals. They embrace the ever-changing nature of time, recognizing that through constant exploration and discovery, they can arrive back at their starting point with a newfound understanding. "We shall not cease from exploration and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started, and know the place for the first time." Through the process of continuous exploration and discovery, innovators gain a fresh perspective, allowing them to see the familiar with new eyes and unlock new possibilities.

Develop a prototype or minimum viable product (MVP) to test your innovative concept. This allows you to gather valuable feedback, identify potential flaws, and refine your idea before a full-scale launch. Also, embrace an iterative development approach. Continuously refine and improve your innovative solution based on user feedback and real-world testing. Be prepared to pivot or make adjustments as you learn from the implementation process. You must engage with key stakeholders, including employees, customers, partners, and investors. Keep them informed about the progress and benefits of your innovation project. Their buy-in and support are crucial for successful implementation. Finally, develop a well-thought-out market entry strategy.

Finding innovative ideas can indeed be challenging, particularly in the face of complex problems, tight deadlines, and competitive markets. However, it is crucial to recognize that innovation is not an elusive talent reserved for a select few. It is a skill that can be cultivated and applied in any situation. By embracing the dynamic nature of innovation, with an understanding of the multi-dimensionality of time, you can unlock your creative potential and navigate the ever-changing landscape of innovation. Through continuous exploration, you have the ability to shape and influence the future, arriving at a deeper understanding and knowing the place for the first time.

When computers first came out, no one knew what to do with them. I had grown up and worked with computers all my life. With each college job I was relied upon to to use and set them up. When I was between jobs and computers became more readily available at home, it struck me, I could set up my own business teaching people how to use computers....fear free. I got a business license and placed an ad in the paper. My first client had her computer in the box and was afraid to touch it! This became a smart lucrative business that lead to business consulting and eventually I left for an executive position. So innovation can come in many forms. The key is not to be afraid to try and, as they say...learn from failures.

Innovation is often assessed based on the amount of creativity. But this thinking out-of-the-box (diverge phase) is only the first step in innovation. Way more important is de converge phase where you start thinking inside-the-box. This so called 'inventive thinking' is where you innovate within the limited world that is called reality. It's in this second phase where the real innovators are separated from the dreamers.