Why is Innovation so hard for Small Business?

Innovation just seems like another thing that big business can do better & faster than small business.

But in fact, it isn't the big end of town we should be looking to.

This article is about the secrets to kicking off innovation in your business, so that the big end of town start to feel like THEY need to keep up with US.

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The secret lies with Chandler

For many small business owners, when we look at each industry's efforts around innovation, all we see is dollars. Big budgets spent on complicated systems designed to get ground breaking results. We might watch those big projects hoping to learn something we can apply to our business, but it all just seems way out of our league.

What we don't realise is that the first step to innovation is easy. It all begins with an ideas brainstorm, and the best place to learn how to get the response we want out of our teams isn't the big end of town, it's from world class comedians.

"Quick, say something funny"

Remember the Friends episode in Season 1 where Joey's Dad is in town? Everyone's hanging out at Central Perk when Mr Tribbiani manages to put his foot in it repeatedly, so turns to Chandler, and begs "Quick, say something funny".

Chandler is NOT impressed. And that's how it feels when we turn to our staff and say "Quick, we need a new idea!".

You see, ideas, like world class comedy don't happen because you demand them, they happen because you PREPARE for them.

So let's step through 3 key insights world class comedians can give us to help ensure our early idea brainstorming sessions land.

1. Great comedians don't do dinner shows

The last thing a comedian wants while they're trying to wow you with humorous anecdotes is for you to be distracted by food, cutlery and wait staff wandering around.

They want you focused. Preferably on them. And that's why the best of the best would NEVER do a dinner show.

And when we're planning for our next brainstorming session designed to draw out great new ideas for developing and growing the business, we need to do this too.

No distractions. This type of activity can't be in the middle of the office with phones ringing and people coming in and out as they go about their day.

Off site is absolutely the best way to go. But at the very least we need to give everyone the opportunity to move away from their daily tasks for the day. Arrange for a service to answer the phones, instigate a "mobile phones on silent" rule and then simply make sure we have sufficient breaks so people can deal with anything super duper urgent.

Give your team the best opportunity to focus. Because then you need to ...

2. Set the Scene

A great comedy gig will start with an up and coming comedian doing a short skit, then dramatically lowering the lights before the star of the show arrives on stage to flashing lights and heart thumping music.

They prime the audience. And we need to do this too.

We need to set the scene for our team. Why are we all getting together? Where do we see the business going in the future? Why do we value the team's input into the process? What is the day going to entail? When will there be breaks? What's going to happen after we come up with a stupendously creative list of ideas for the business?

Don't underrate the value of creating energy & anticipation in a brainstorming room. The very last thing we want to hear as we wrap up our introduction to the day is silence.

Comedians learn to hate silence with a passion. And we should too.

We need to do everything we can to ensure our team is buzzing, ready for the session to start.

And last of all, great comedians work with ...

3. A well practiced routine

Even the best and most ingenius of the "ad-lib" comedians (I'm thinking Will Anderson here) have well practiced techniques they use to get a laugh. Tricks and techniques to give them time to think, ways to draw out a crowd, and even tones of voice they use to illicit a response.

It may seem relaxed and off the cuff. But it is only possible after years and years of experience.

And someone who can deliver a well practiced routine is necessary for your brainstorming day. They need to be able to keep the tone light and entertaining. Ensure everyone takes part, and all voices get heard. And they need to be able to carefully draw out the types of ideas that can get your business on the right path.

Now unfortunately, that is rarely going to be the business owner or leader.

For starters, the leader needs to be able to sit comfortably as part of the team, and actively take part in the brainstorming. But more importantly, they're going to need help to NOT speak. To NOT solve. To NOT talk over the quieter members of the team, who in my experience often have the most interesting insights.

So if at all possible hire yourself a facilitator for the day. If they have experience in your industry then that's fantastic, but most importantly they need to have a good understanding of small business and the challenges we face. Free yourself up to take part and you will be simply amazed at both the results, and the camaraderie that will build within the team.

So get on it folks. Don't feel like Chandler, put on the spot to innovate.

Channel [insert your favourite comedian here] ?? and lets get your innovation efforts kickstarted with an awesome team brainstorming session!

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Welp, there you have it. My first Linkedin newsletter!

If over time, you find tips about curiosity and having the courage to use it aren't for you, then please feel free to unsubscribe. The last thing I want is to create more noise in your inbox.

If however you found this valuable, then why not share it with someone you think would enjoy it too ??

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And you are keen to take the next step, there are a couple of ways I can help out:

Are you inspired to run an ideas brainstorming day and would love some help both designing the day and facilitating it? Just book a free 15 minute Facilitated Brainstorming Discovery Call and we can at the very least get you on the right track.

Book your time here

Is your audience ensuring their staff have all they need to embrace change and take the business to the next level? If not, you might find my keynote on investing in Imagination Capital could be perfect for your next event. The session includes 3D slides, with 3D glasses for each audience member, creating a great vibe in the room ?? You can find out all the details below in my 2022 Speaker's Kit. And feel free to Direct Message to find out more.