Innovation is a superpower: Unlocking Creative Genius

Why give a damn about Innovation?

I often come across founders who are tired of feeling like their startup is stuck in a rut or out of luck. If you're in the same boat, then it's time to take a step back and evaluate your approach. The truth is, if you're not innovating, you're falling behind. In today's fast-paced and competitive startup world, you need to stand out from the crowd to succeed. And the best way to do that is to unlock your creative genius and tap into the power of innovation.

But why should you care about innovation? For one thing, it can give you a much-needed competitive edge. By coming up with fresh and innovative ideas, you can differentiate yourself from your rivals and carve out a unique position in the market. Innovation can also help you solve problems faster and more effectively, whether you're trying to improve your product offerings, streamline your operations, or expand your reach to new customers.

There's another reason why innovation matters: it can future-proof your startup. Let's face it and yes we may be sick of hearing it but the truth still is that change is the only constant in the startup world. By embracing innovation, you can stay ahead of the curve and adapt to new challenges as they arise. Whether it's technological advancements, shifts in consumer behaviour, or changes in industry regulations, innovation can help you stay nimble and responsive. So if you want your startup to succeed in the long run, then innovation isn't just important - it's vital.

Creative Thinking Myths

Alright, now let's talk about some of the BS that's out there when it comes to creative thinking. One of the biggest myths is that you have to be some kind of artsy-fartsy, free-spirited hippie to be a creative thinker. But that's total bullshit. Sure, some people might be naturally better at it, but creative thinking is a skill that anyone can learn. So if you're not a natural Picasso, don't worry - you can still unlock your creative genius.

Another common myth is that creativity is all about being spontaneous and unstructured. But that's a load of crap too. In reality, creative thinking works best within a structured framework. That means you need to have a clear process and guidelines to follow. It might not sound as sexy as just letting your freak flag fly, but trust me, it works. By understanding the different stages of the creative process - like preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification - you can maximise your chances of coming up with killer ideas.

Some people think that creativity is just for the big guys with deep pockets. But that's a bunch of bollocks. In fact, startups are in the perfect position to be creative and innovative. You don't have all the red tape and bureaucracy that comes with big companies, so you can experiment, take risks, and try out new things. And if you think that being a startup founder means you can't be a creative thinker, well, that's just a load of horse sh*t. Anyone can be a creative genius - you just have to give yourself permission to think outside the box.

The Creative Process: Stages of Preparation, Incubation, Illumination, and Verification

Now that we've cleared up some of the myths about creative thinking, let's talk about the creative process itself. There are four stages to the creative process: preparation, incubation, illumination, and verification. Each stage is important, and each one has its own unique challenges and opportunities.

The first stage of the creative process is preparation. This is where you do your research, gather information, and get all your ducks in a row. It might not be the most exciting part of the process, but it's crucial for setting the foundation for your ideas. During this stage, you're basically priming your brain for creative thinking by giving it all the raw materials it needs.

The second is incubation. This is where you let your brain marinate on all the information you've gathered. You might take a break, go for a walk, or just stare out the window. The point is to let your subconscious do its thing and connect the dots. This stage can be frustrating because you might not feel like you're making any progress. But trust the process - your brain is doing some heavy lifting behind the scenes.

The third stage is illumination. This is where the magic happens. Suddenly, you have that "aha" moment and the pieces start to fall into place. It might happen in the shower, while you're jogging, or when you're in the middle of a conversation. The key is to be open and receptive to new ideas. And don't be afraid to take risks - sometimes the craziest ideas are the best ones.

In the end comes verification. This is where you take your ideas and test them out in the real world. You might prototype a product, run a survey, or do some market research. The point is to validate your ideas and make sure they're worth pursuing. This stage can be challenging because it involves getting feedback and sometimes facing rejection. But don't be discouraged - it's all part of the process.

Yesterday, I had a chat with a friend who helps startups and deals with the ones among the best in the industry. He shared with me a cool tech idea that made no business sense for the use it was put for. It felt like a solution looking for a problem.?I am sure a smart salesperson can sell ice to Eskimos, but not sure if you want to design a startup or success that way.

Tools and Techniques for Startups

As a founder, you're constantly facing new challenges and obstacles that require creative solutions. That's where tools and techniques for your creative thinking can come in handy. One popular technique is brainstorming. This involves gathering a group of people and generating as many ideas as possible without worrying about whether they're good or bad. It's a great way to get the creative juices flowing and build off of each other's ideas. Brainstorming can be done in person or virtually, depending on your team's preferences and needs. I recently ran a session that was about creating fuel for brainstorming. (Brainstorming is a result of what is in the collective brains already but how you are preparing your brain to stretch itself is more important ). If you are interested in future sessions or want to be involved, please do drop me a note.

Another effective tool for creative thinking is mind mapping. This involves creating a visual diagram of your ideas, using branches and sub-branches to show how they're all connected. It's a great way to organise your thoughts and see the big picture. Plus, it's a lot more fun than just making a boring list. Mind mapping can be done using a variety of software programs or on paper.

For more targeted creativity, you can use the SCAMPER method. This acronym stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange. This technique involves taking an existing idea and applying one of these seven techniques to it in order to generate new ideas. It's a great way to spark creativity and come up with fresh solutions to problems. SCAMPER can be used individually or as a team exercise, depending on the needs of your startup. By experimenting with different tools and techniques for unlocking creative thinking, you can tap into your team's full potential and come up with innovative solutions to your startup's unique challenges.

Innovation Culture: Experimentation, Risk-Taking, plus Growth Mindset

Now that you've got the tools and techniques for your creative thinking, it's time to think about the innovation culture in your startup. This means promoting experimentation, risk-taking, and a growth mindset among your team. First things first, you need to create an environment where people feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things without fear of failure. This means celebrating both successes and failures and viewing mistakes as opportunities for learning and growth.

Encourage diverse perspectives and foster a growth mindset by seeking feedback from different team members and stakeholders. This is?done through regular meetings, surveys, or one-on-one conversations. When the input is valued and ideas are heard, people are?more likely to be invested in the success of the startup and more willing to take risks. When it comes to ideas treat all as equal. Unfortunately, some are often treated as more equal.

Leading by example is the key. As the founder, you set the tone for the rest of the team. This means being willing to take risks and try new things yourself, and being open to feedback and new ideas. With a growth mindset and a willingness to experiment, you'll inspire your team and all those you influence to do the same. As a leader, you can always be the best listener in the room

Some Awesome Startups Stories

Let's take a look at some of the successful startups that have leveraged creative thinking to disrupt their industries, eh? One of the most well-known Aussie startups that have done so is Who Gives A Crap. These guys took on the traditional toilet paper industry by offering eco-friendly, recycled toilet paper that's also aesthetically pleasing. They also donate 50% of their profits to help build toilets in developing countries. Who Gives A Crap has become a household name in Australia and beyond by creating a unique and socially responsible brand.

And another is Thankyou. This startup produces a range of everyday consumer products, such as water, body care, and baby care, with a unique social mission. They donate a portion of their profits to fund life-changing projects around the world, and their products are sold in major retailers like Coles and Woolworths. By creating a strong social mission and brand identity, Thankyou has become a leader in the social enterprise space.

Creativity vs Pragmatism and the?Downsides of Creativity

Don't get me wrong, creativity is important in any successful startup, but sometimes too much of a good thing can be, well, a bad thing. Take for example the Juicero. These guys developed a high-tech juicing machine that used proprietary juice packs. The machine cost a whopping $700, and the juice packs or cut fruits were also expensive, with prices ranging from $5 to $8 per pack. But here's the kicker: the packs could be squeezed by hand, making the expensive machine essentially useless. This is a classic example of creativity gone too far.

Another example of creativity leading to negative consequences is the Segway. Do you know those self-balancing personal transportation devices that you see occasionally? Well, they were developed with the intention of revolutionising transportation and becoming the primary mode of transportation for people in cities. But, as we all know, that never happened. The Segway turned out to be impractical and expensive, and it never caught on as a viable transportation option. Sometimes, it's important to balance creativity with pragmatism and to consider the practicality and usefulness of an idea before diving headfirst into it.

That said, don't let?cautionary tales discourage you from thinking outside the box and being creative in your own startup endeavours. Just remember to balance creativity with pragmatism and to always consider the potential downsides before investing too much time and resources into an idea that might not be practical or sustainable in the long run.

Winning the game

In the world of startups, innovation is the name of the game. Without new and creative ideas, startups can quickly become stale and outdated, leading to missed opportunities and ultimately, failure. Creative thinking can help startups identify and capitalise on new opportunities, allowing them to grow and expand in ways they never thought possible.

But creative thinking isn't just about coming up with new ideas. It's also about problem-solving and finding efficient and effective solutions to existing problems. By encouraging a culture of creative thinking and innovation within your startup, you can foster a team that is always looking for ways to improve and optimise processes, products, and services. Your aim should be to solve a problem and not create a solution looking for a problem

(c) Sameer Babbar

[email protected]

Disclaimer: This is for information only. It does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. The author, his company his associates, his directors, his staff, his consultants, and his advisors do not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation, any loss, which may arise directly or indirectly from the use of or reliance on the information provided.