Innovation tips for small business : part2

Is your business stuck in a rut?

All businesses need to re-connect with customers at some stage. Or maybe there is a breakdown in communication somewhere in your process. Essentially, your business has a problem (or ‘challenge’ as we are now supposed to call it!), but you cannot see a solution. Well, sometimes the answer is right under your nose.
Ask your team!

Get your team together and get them brainstorming. They are the bones of your operation and they know how it works – possibly better than you do. They also have regular contact with customers or suppliers. They may have very good ideas but nobody has asked them. Asking people to contribute and implement ideas gives people ownership. They will feel more committed to the business. Brainstorming sessions can be valuable but tricky. People must be encouraged to be creative and all ideas, no matter how strange at first, should be considered.

If possible, have these idea-generation sessions away from the workplace. This will allow full concentration on the matter in hand and will also help to give a better perspective.
And if you are a sole trader? Don’t worry; just get a group of people together whose input you trust. They may be friends, family or people you have worked with. The more diverse the background, the better.

Things to be aware of:
1. Beware of people playing devils advocate – it’s a creativity killer.
2. Beware of being “the boss”. If you feel that you cannot step back from a management role then it may be better if you do not attend the session. Ideally, you will have an experienced facilitator to guide the session.
3. Make sure that there is a list of positive actions at the end of the session, and that they are implemented. If not, it’s a waste of everybody’s time.
4. Make it fun.
5. Tried and tested brainstorming techniques are generally more effective as they are designed to break the ice first and kickstart creative thinking.

Want more information about brainstorming facilitation, idea generation or small business innovation? Contact us at info@businessplanners.ie