How to Innovate on Demand

by | May 13, 2021

Innovate has a bad rep. Along with its cousin, innovation, the word is on more than one hated business jargon list.

That’s too bad. The concept of making a change or doing something a new way has brought us some of our best products and ideas.

So, for at least today, let’s focus on the spirit of the word and not its overuse.

Innovate on Demand

Imagine your life without your smartphone, personal computer, or vehicle. If someone hadn’t looked for a better way, you’d be waiting on Pony Express for your messages, mail, and information (in the form of newspapers only).

Sometimes slow sounds inviting, doesn’t it? Well, we may have thought that until a pandemic crashed our world.

But, as any good entrepreneur knows, being able to find a better way is what breeds success.

Always innovate.

Sounds great but isn’t that a bit like telling someone to “be creative”? Economist Theodore Leavitt thought innovation was even more difficult than creativity alone.

 

So, how do you innovate on demand?

Counseling for the Business Soul

Consider this marriage counseling for your business and your business communication.

It’s easy to put our business (and communication) on cruise control – kind of like marriage.

  • You have no major complaints
  • Things appear status quo
  • Then whap – your best customer leaves you for another business

How did this happen? You were so happy together.

Try a little counseling for your business soul.

1. Try dating again.

Marriage counselors take couples back to square one of the relationship – dating. The hope is the couple remembers what it was that attracted them to each other. Communication bridges then and now. Let’s try that with your business.

Make a date with your business. Imagine it’s your first date. It is new and it is exciting (hopefully).

  • Remember when anything was possible
  • Relive the joy of delivering something new
  • Rediscover the passion

Hopefully, you already schedule time for checking on your business. You do that, right?

2. Try listening.

What’s the #1 complaint of spouses?

You never listen to me. Okay, at the risk of gender bias, that may apply more to women than men.

  • Translate that complaint to customer service
  • Isn’t it the same sentiment?
  • Whether business or personal, people want to be heard

Listening to customers helps you innovate on demand.

  • What problems do customers have?
  • Identify solutions they already tried
  • Now, what can you try that’s new?

Do not assume you already know the answer.

  • Engage your employees and others in your counseling sessions
  • Have regular counseling sessions for innovation
  • New can be as simple as delivering better customer service.

3. Ask Why

You know that stage children go through when every response of yours is met with a Why? Can drive you nuts, right?

However, when you weren’t pulling your hair out, you knew it was how your child learned. So, ask yourself Why? about your business and business communication.

 

Find a New Way

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s businesses that survived learned to pivot. Can’t relate? Try this image.

  • Have you ever broken your writing hand?
  • How did you cope?
  • Did you learn to write with your other hand?

I volunteered at a center for handicapped children. I always remember one remarkable child who had no hand. She could do anything the other children did. She simply did it a different way.

Innovation is different.

Think about 2020 and the ongoing pandemic. I know. We’d all rather not.

  • Did you lose some capability of your business?
  • Did some clients leave?
  • How did you pivot?

Innovation discovers a different way – a new way that works even better.

Going back to the drawing board delivers a new perspective.

  • A reminder of business goals
  • Forgotten ways that did work

What is old can be made new again. At least this old business writer believes that.

Always Innovate

Innovation lives in the hallways of an open mind. Flip the light switch on innovation.

  • Try counseling
  • Ask why
  • Find a new way

 How do you innovate on demand?

Note: This May 13, 2021 post updates the original published in August 8, 2012.

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14 Comments

  1. Anne Wayman

    Great examples. I once lost a whole bunch of writing in a shipwreck in the South Pacific. The only replacement paper I could get was A8 which is a bit narrower and a couple or so inches longer than our legal paper here in the US – I had to learn how to write on that – seems easy now, but it sure felt strange.

    Recently I’ve been in a class on profitability and I’m learning how to focus on what’s really important in my business… partly by listening to it.

    Reply
  2. Cathy

    Thanks, Anne. Now, that’s a story. 🙂 A shipwreck? Love it.

    I like that theme – listening to your business. I think you discovered another post, Anne. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  3. Lisa Kanarek

    This is a motivating list of ideas for getting inspired again. I like the idea of going back to what worked before. So many of us (myself included) like to find different ways to do things when the old way still works. Your post is perfect timing. I’m reevaluating my business and deciding what is and isn’t working. I’ll keep doing what IS working and will change direction on the areas that are no longer working.

    Reply
  4. Cathy

    Thanks, Lisa. It’s always nice to hear you’ve inspired someone. 🙂 We would love to hear what you decide. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts, Lisa.

    Reply
  5. Lisa

    Cathy,
    You ask the good questions, girlfriend! These are excellent and timely for me. I have this stack of stuff ready to go tomorrow to do a similar thing with my own biz as you describe. Now, I just need a good cup of tea 🙂 Thanks for making me think. I feel like I have permission to explore my creative side in biz.

    Reply
  6. Cathy

    Thanks, Lisa. The good thing about this kind of post is it makes me re-examine my own business. You know ~ practice what you preach. 🙂

    Enjoy your cup of tea and feel free to share some of that creative side. 🙂

    Thanks for dropping by, Lisa.

    Reply
  7. Ann

    Great advice, Cathy. Sometimes I think I have broken my head and when I type everything comes out backwards and misspelled. I have to ask myself what I need to do to work around a broken head. The answer is to keep working anyway.

    Reply
  8. Cathy

    I know what you mean, Ann. 😀 I also have broken eyes-at least that’s what I blame typos on. 🙂

    Thanks for stopping by, Ann.

    Reply
  9. Lynn Brown

    Cathy: Such a great comparison…marriage & business! A bit of humor, a bit of reality with a dash of questioning/communicating/counseling — perfectly fits both scenarios! I particularly like the point you made about listening to customers. Many times I’ve spent hours/days trying to get those creative juices flowing…imagining what to do next…what is “needed” that I could “supply.” Just as many times, the answer is right in front of me. By reviewing comments on my blog or reading tweets (etc), I’ve been able to discern what areas of demand are present & create a solution to fill that niche. When all else fails, I return to my trusty whiteboard & brainstorm away until the “Ah-Ha” moment strikes!

    Reply
  10. Cathy

    Thanks, Lynn, for the nice words. You bring up a great point. I don’t know why it is I forget to check comments for ideas. Every time I do I find a treasure trove of ideas.

    I like the whiteboard method, too. Thanks for sharing some great ideas, Lynn! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lisa

    Thanks so much and always love your posts 🙂 xo

    Reply
  12. Cathy

    Thank you, Lisa. I appreciate that. 🙂

    Reply
  13. Roberta Budvietas,

    Great advice. Sometimes going back to the basics is the only way to move forward. I guess that is why when I work with businesses I always start with what is happening for you.

    Reply
  14. Cathy

    Thanks, Roberta. I find going back to the basics help shake out the cobwebs and refocus.

    Appreciate you sharing your thoughts.

    Reply

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