From Small Tweaks to Big Shifts: Everyday Innovations Changing the World

Do You Have What It Takes to Innovate?

Let’s talk about innovation for a sec. Feeling ready to shake things up? If you are, great! If not, don’t stress — that’s exactly why you’re here. This is your chance to learn how to drive real change and make an impact, no matter where you are right now. Whether you’re leading a team or just looking to improve your own workflow, innovation is the tool that’ll get you there.

Innovation isn’t just some buzzword; it’s a mindset and a skill. And good news — both are totally learnable. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and dive in.

What Even Is Innovation?

Time to bust a myth: Innovation isn’t just for tech wizards or billion-dollar companies. It’s for everyone — including you. At its core, innovation is about creating a better future by turning ideas into value.

Think about it like this: tomorrow’s coming whether you’re ready or not, so why not steer the ship? Instead of waiting around to see what happens, innovation lets you take control, put your creativity to work, and shape the future. The best part? Creativity isn’t limited to artists or "idea people." Anyone can be creative. Yes, even you.

Once you’ve got an idea, innovation is the process that helps you turn that idea into reality. And no, it’s not just about making money (though that can be part of it). Innovation can also create value by improving lives, boosting confidence, or just making things run more smoothly.

Why Bother Innovating?

Here’s a reality check: if you’re not innovating, you’re getting left behind. The world’s moving fast. Did you know that more than half of Fortune 500 companies from the year 2000 are now extinct? Wild, right? Companies (and people!) that don’t innovate risk getting disrupted.

But there’s an upside. Innovation helps you reduce risk. When you’re starting something new, the unknowns are scary. But by experimenting and refining as you go, innovation lets you take small, smart risks that help you avoid big disasters down the line. Plus, it’s a lot more fun than just sticking with “how things have always been.”

What Makes an Innovator?

Newsflash: Innovators aren’t some special breed. They’re regular people with a knack for spotting opportunities and getting creative with solutions. Here’s the trick: they don’t just think up cool ideas. They do something about it.

So what makes someone an innovator? Well, they’re curious, they love to experiment, and they’re not afraid to fail (in fact, failure is part of the process). They also tend to ask a lot of questions, tinker with solutions, and collaborate with others. If you can dream up ways to solve problems and aren’t afraid to roll up your sleeves, you’re halfway there.

And let’s be honest — you’ve probably already innovated without realizing it. Whether you’ve improved a process at work, found a shortcut at home, or just figured out a better way to do something, you’ve already dabbled in innovation. It’s time to take it to the next level.

Everyday Innovation: It’s Simpler Than You Think

When you think of innovation, you might picture tech giants or groundbreaking inventions. But sometimes innovation is as simple as finding a clever fix to an everyday problem. It’s not always about revolutionizing an industry; sometimes it’s about making life easier — for yourself or others.

For example, ever heard of a company printing pictures of TVs on their shipping boxes to reduce damage to their bikes? Sounds small, but it worked. Simple tweaks, big results. This is what we call little “i” innovation — everyday improvements that make a real difference.

The Innovation Process: Your New Superpower

Here’s the best part: innovation isn’t just random. There’s a process. It’s simple, repeatable, and you can use it for anything. Whether you’re brainstorming a new product or just trying to solve an annoying problem, the innovation process is your go-to.

The steps are:

1. Diagnose the problem — fully understand what needs to be solved.
2. Dream — come up with as many ideas as you can. Go wild.
3. Prototype — pick an idea and bring it to life, even if it’s just a rough version.
4. Test — try it out, gather feedback, and tweak it until it works.
5. Implement — time to make it official and put your solution into action.

Rinse and repeat. It’s that simple.

Answer the Call to Innovate

Now that you’ve got the tools, the question is: what will you do next? Whether it’s improving something small in your day-to-day or tackling a larger project, innovation starts with a decision. You can create the future you want — you just have to start.

So, are you ready to take control of tomorrow? The future’s yours to shape, and it starts today. Let's get to it!

By the way, all of this was relearned via LinkedIn Learning Learnings Building Your Innovation Skills By: Leo Chan

Here are ten examples of companies shaking up the status quo and redefining innovation.

Example 1: TikTok’s Rise and Influence

TikTok revolutionized the social media landscape with its short-form, user-generated videos, and its algorithm that surfaces content tailored to each user’s preferences. It’s not just a place to watch dances or trends — it’s become a platform for activism, education, and even career growth. TikTok gave rise to new forms of content creation and engagement that resonate deeply with Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s desire for authenticity and creativity.

Takeaway: Innovation can be about creating a platform that fosters creativity and lets users shape its culture.

Example 2: Snapchat’s Augmented Reality (AR) Filters

Snapchat’s introduction of AR filters wasn’t just a fun feature — it completely changed how people interact with social media by blending the digital and physical worlds. From funny face swaps to virtual try-ons for clothes or makeup, AR filters are now a standard across social media, and Snapchat is leading the way in developing immersive digital experiences.

Takeaway: Innovation often comes from enhancing user interaction and making the virtual experience feel more personal and immersive.

Example 3: Roblox: The User-Generated Gaming Universe

Roblox isn’t just a game — it’s a platform that allows users to create and play games within its universe. For Gen Z and Gen Alpha, Roblox is where they can not only game but also learn coding, game design, and entrepreneurial skills. The platform empowers users to be creators, not just consumers, which has made it a significant cultural touchstone.

Takeaway: Innovation can come from empowering users to build, create, and customize their own experiences.

Example 4: Sustainable Fashion from Thrifting Apps (Depop, Poshmark)

Sustainability is a huge value for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Thrifting apps like Depop and Poshmark allow users to buy and sell secondhand clothing, turning fashion into a circular economy. What used to be seen as “used” is now “vintage” or “upcycled,” and these apps have made thrifting not only accessible but also trendy.

Takeaway: Innovation aligns with values when it merges commerce with sustainability, empowering users to make eco-friendly choices.

Example 5: Fortnite: The Metaverse Pioneer

Fortnite isn’t just a battle royale game anymore. It has evolved into a social hub and early version of the “metaverse.” From virtual concerts with artists like Travis Scott and Ariana Grande to collaborative gameplay modes, Fortnite gives Gen Z and Gen Alpha a place to hang out, socialize, and experience entertainment in an interactive, shared environment.

Takeaway: Innovation doesn’t have to be about new products. It’s about creating spaces where experiences merge — gaming, social interaction, and live entertainment all in one.

Example 6: Eco-Friendly Tech: Fairphone

Fairphone is a smartphone that prioritizes ethical production and sustainability. With features like modular design for easy repair and recyclable materials, it appeals to Gen Z and Gen Alpha's focus on environmental responsibility. Fairphone challenges the throwaway culture of tech by offering a more sustainable alternative to big-name smartphones.

Takeaway: Innovation speaks to younger generations when it aligns with social and environmental values.

Example 7: BeReal: Social Media with Authenticity

BeReal is a newer social media app that prompts users once a day to take and share an unedited photo within a 2-minute window. Its focus is on authenticity, stripping away the polished, filtered aesthetics of other platforms like Instagram. This resonates with Gen Z’s desire for real, uncurated moments in a world full of perfection-driven content.

Takeaway: Innovation in social media can focus on authenticity and simplicity, cutting through the noise of overly polished content.

Example 8: Duolingo: Gamifying Education

Duolingo has gamified learning, making language acquisition fun and addictive. Through bite-sized lessons, streaks, leaderboards, and rewards, the app engages Gen Z and Gen Alpha in ways that feel more like a game than studying. With its playful design and engaging approach, Duolingo is a great example of how education can be reimagined for digital natives.

Takeaway: Innovation is impactful when it transforms education into something engaging and fun, especially for younger generations who love gamification.

Example 9: Virtual Influencers and Digital Avatars (Lil Miquela)

Virtual influencers like Lil Miquela, a completely digital avatar with millions of followers on Instagram, are pushing the boundaries of what influencer culture looks like. Gen Z and Gen Alpha are interacting with these digital personalities as if they’re real people, blurring the line between the virtual and physical worlds.

Takeaway: Innovation can explore entirely new frontiers in social media, where even influencers don’t need to be real to have a genuine impact.

Example 10: Ethical Skincare: The Ordinary

Gen Z and Gen Alpha are more informed than any previous generation, and they’re applying that knowledge to skincare. Brands like The Ordinary have risen in popularity by offering transparent, no-nonsense products with simple ingredients at affordable prices. The Ordinary's approach is minimalistic yet scientific, appealing to younger generations who value authenticity and ethics in what they consume.

Takeaway: Innovation is not just in the products, but in the transparency and values behind them.