Tuesday, October 07, 2008
How to Be Innovative
Last week I spent four days re-branding my company. I thought it would only take a few hours, and something I could quickly check off my To Do List. I was wrong. The truth of the matter is that innovation requires you to put in some time.
Then, it hit me: CLARITY + CREATIVITY = INNOVATION
In order to be innovative, you must be crystal clear in your thinking. You need to be clear about your needs, your customers’ needs, your expected timeframe, your purpose, your results - everything! Here are some tips and techniques that helped me during the branding process.
Steps to Innovation
1) Define ALL your needs for the project. Truly understand the scope what what you want to create.
2) Do not “guess” at answers. If you lack information, call in your team or your customers.
3) Get out of the office. Put yourself in a totally new environment in order to spur creative juices.
4) Be willing to put the project down if no new ideas are coming to you. Create small breaks; do something completely different.
5) Totally out of ideas? Bring in trusted team members and do a brainstorming brain dump. No idea is too ridiculous...at the moment.
6) Stop when you find an idea not thought of before.
I can tell you from experience that in 4 days it is possible to reinvent yourself, your department, your company. Seek first the clarity inside yourself! Now about implementing the action plan...that’s another story.
Producing a quality product does require a bit of production time—watch for the new Team Fusion “look” and services launching January 1, 2009.
Until next time...live like you mean it!
Marjorie