Finding Your Innovation Inspiration

Innovation is the driving force behind business. For many people it’s the reason they started a company altogether. There’s a thrill in thinking up the next big idea, and breathing life into a product or service that revolutionizes the way we think and live. Then again, innovation doesn’t always have to be HUGE, as long as you’re solving a problem or meeting a need in a new way it still counts.

No matter how you define it, innovation begins with the germ of an idea. Genius is not required, rather all you need do is drop your pre-conceived notions, and open yourself up to new experiences. Here are a few ideas to get your brain matter sparking:

1) Start with yourself. Keep a notepad in your pocket and make a note of everyday products or tasks that either frustrate you, or take up an absorbent amount of time. If it’s causing you headaches, chances are you’re not alone.

2) Look to your hobbies. Look and the tools used and products you buy for your hobbies. Why do you like them? What makes them better then the ones you don’t buy? Can they modified and applied to a different industry?

3) Shop yourself and competitors. Viewing a business as a customer is an eye opening experience. A service that sounds great on paper can be frustrating in reality.

4) Ask your employees. Your employees are implementing all the processes and talking to customers, they can provide excellent insight into innovation opportunities.

5) Ask your customers. Who better to ask than the people actually using your products? Don’t limit this just to your fans, you can glean a lot from talking to your detractors.

6) Ask “what is this?” If you have a unique product, remove the labels and instructions. Then give it to someone who is not likely to use the item, and ask them what it is, and how to use it. You’ll be surprised at the responses, and new ideas they generate.

7) Start Reinventing. Do you have discontinued products lying around? What about other resources no longer in use? Take a look at everything available to you, and ask how can I make this useful?

8) Don’t Limit Yourself. Great ideas can be squandered before you think them through, simply because they seem too big. Your insecurities can get in the way of innovation. What’s the difference between famous innovators you admire and yourself? Often it’s simply the believed in ideas you would have dismissed.

9) Pick up a book or watch a movie. Immerse yourself in worlds beyond this reality. Giving your imagination room to roam will spark ideas that you may turn into reality.

Your ideas will create tremendous value, perhaps one may even change the world. Just remember to cultivate a curiosity for your surroundings, and a desire to leave things better than they were and the innovation will follow.

Guest Poster Bio: Josh Kashorek is the ecommerce manager for Premier Packaging, a gift bag, box and packaging supplier for specialty retailers. For the latest small business and sustainable packaging info follow him on Twitter @retailpackaging.

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