Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney

We kick off a new series where we will be looking at the best of past Killer Innovation shows. This episode is about creative qualities. Creative people often have a sense of limitless creative freedom and experimentation. Creative genius is a natural part of who creatives are. If you are not naturally creative, you can learn and develop your creativity by applying creative qualities. 12 Qualities of a Creative Person Curious: Creative people are always asking questions/looking for new ideas. They're not content with the status quo. Creative Confidence: Creative confidence is when you know what you are about to do/say/or create is original. Creative, confident people are not afraid to fail because they know it's part of the process. Thick Skin: Creative people must have thick skin, take criticism, reject rejection, stay persistent, and be unafraid of failure. Independent Rebellious Streak: Creatives can't be afraid to blaze their trail and stand up for their ideas. They must find the right balance between their independent, rebellious streak and supporting the team's mission. Flexibility: Creative people need to be flexible. If not, they might overlook new ideas, or you might be unable to adapt to changes a new idea would impose. Playful:Playing with ideas can help break through mental blocks by going outside the box to create new solutions or inventive ways of looking at old ones. Thorough: Creative people are more comprehensive than most because they never stop at the first idea. They always look around at what else they can do. Ambitious: Creatives are ambitiously striving to push the boundaries of what is possible. They crave feedback from others to improve and desire to create something new and unique. Energetic: Creative people constantly move, inspiring others with their creativity and energy. Naïve:Creative people are often naïve about their limitations but can be more creative than others because of this naivete. It's important to balance creativity and practicality. Dreamer:Creative people are sometimes called “dreamers” because they imagine new possibilities. Persistence: Creatives persist in their efforts over time despite any obstacles. Creative solutions result from patience and tenacity. To know more about creative qualities, listen to: The Best of Killer Innovations: Creative Qualities. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Visionary leaders possess unique characteristics that set them apart from other leaders. They have the confidence to make tough decisions and the creativity to develop innovative solutions. It is their willingness to embrace risks that truly sets visionary leaders apart. Qualities of Visionary Leaders Their ambition, creativity, and courage set visionary leaders apart from other leaders. They are naturally inquisitive, asking questions and looking for innovative solutions. Their entrepreneurial spirit drives them to take risks and embrace change. Let's take a deeper look at these qualities. Their courage is key, as they must make decisions even when uncertainty or risk is involved. Visionary leaders are not afraid to take risks, knowing that without risk, there is little chance of success. As such, they accept responsibility for their decisions and embrace failure as a learning experience. They believe that setting one's mind to something can accomplish anything, no matter how difficult it may seem. Visionary leaders push themselves further than anyone else to reach new heights, creating opportunities for others. Besides being ambitious and having an eye for potential opportunities, visionary leaders possess strong communication skills and empathy toward those around them. They understand everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, making them open-minded about strategies and solutions put forth by team members, which helps build trust between all involved. Lastly, visionary leaders know when it's time to move on from a specific project or task to progress further, which shows great awareness of internal and external circumstances. Embracing Risk Visionary leaders exhibit their willingness to take risks. They understand that to achieve success and reach new heights, one must be willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Risk-taking behavior for visionary leaders can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, they may take calculated risks to capitalize on opportunities leading to more significant rewards. They may also be willing to try innovative solutions or methods that no one else has tried before, as this kind of experimentation has the potential for breakthroughs. These risk-takers often go against popular opinion or convention to pursue their ideas and dreams. Visionary leaders recognize that sometimes taking the path less traveled is necessary, and they have the courage and conviction to act ‌even when faced with criticism or doubt from others. Visionary leaders understand that failure is an essential part of the learning process. They don't allow fear of failure or uncertainty to deter them from trying something new – instead, they embrace it as a source of knowledge and growth. They learn from each situation and use it as a stepping stone toward future success. The Benefits of Risk Taking risks as a leader is an essential part of developing into a successful visionary leader. To be deemed successful, one must think ahead and anticipate the possible consequences of taking certain risks. For example, if you risk investing in emerging technology that could become popular, you would gain from being ahead of the curve and having the opportunity to capitalize on its success before anyone else. Learning to identify potential opportunities for growth and success requires understanding risk-taking principles. This involves learning how to manage and minimize risks when necessary. Knowing when it is wise to take a risk and when it is better not to can be critical for staying competitive in the marketplace. Taking unnecessary risks can lead to severe setbacks or failures, so it's essential to understand what could go wrong with any decision before making it. Leaders who can identify potential risks and opportunities, while still willing to take necessary ones, will come out ahead in the long run. Effective risk management helps leaders make informed decisions that optimize their time and resources and identify opportunities with high potential returns versus those with low potential returns. This allows them to focus on more productive endeavors than simply following trends or relying on guesswork alone. While some may naturally thrive on taking significant risks without considering the consequences, this is rarely effective in the long term. Leaders must always use their knowledge of risk-taking principles and their understanding of their current situation to make informed decisions that will benefit them both now and in the future. By learning how to manage and assess potential risks associated with any decision, leaders can help ensure that they stay competitively viable while being able to capitalize on potential opportunities quickly before anyone else has the chance to! How To Take Risks To start taking risks and reap the rewards, one must first understand how to identify potential opportunities for growth and success while managing and minimizing risk when necessary. With this understanding of both sides of risk-taking, leaders can make informed decisions that will allow them to seize opportunities while mitigating competitive threats. Calculate Risk When embracing risk as a leader, the most important thing is to be mindful and ensure that any risks taken are calculated. This means not taking unnecessary risks where the potential upside does not outweigh the downside. To take responsible risks as a leader, taking an inventory of yourself and your organization is crucial. Identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to determine which risks are worth considering and which to avoid. What are the potential rewards and risks associated with this decision? What is the most likely outcome of taking this risk? Are there any alternative options that might be less risky? How can we protect ourselves against potential losses if things don't go as planned? Is my organization prepared to handle a negative outcome from taking this risk? How do I measure the success or failure of this risk taken? Decision-Making Process Including Risk Next, become aware of your decision-making process and how risk factors into it. Figure out what type of knowledge or information you need to make informed decisions about when it is appropriate to take certain risks. Consider investing in data analysis tools or hiring experts who can help you make better-informed decisions regarding risk-taking. Additionally, adopt a learning culture by encouraging others to share their successes and failures when discussing potential opportunities or threats. How can we analyze data to make a more informed decision regarding risk? What tools can help us assess the potential risks of specific actions? Are there any experts we could consult better to understand the implications of our decisions on risk? What have been other successful and unsuccessful experiences regarding managing risk in similar cases? How can we create an environment encourages open communication among stakeholders to make more informed decisions? Assessing Risk Success and Failure In addition to understanding when it is wise to take certain risks, leaders should also create processes for assessing each risk's potential success and failure before committing any resources to pursue them. Prioritize thoroughly evaluating new ideas rather than blindly investing resources into unproven concepts that could potentially fail with disastrous results if you do not take proper measures beforehand. What are the potential issues that could arise from this risk? What resources will be needed to make sure this risk is successful? How likely is it that this risk will generate a positive return on our investment? Do we have enough resources and personnel to successfully execute the plan for taking on this risk? What are some alternative strategies or solutions if things don't go as planned? Have Contingency Plans Leaders should also ensure they have contingency plans for different scenarios resulting from taking on a given risk. This will help reduce uncertainty while allowing them to pursue more daring endeavors without fear of total failure if something inevitably goes wrong during implementation. What are the possible risks associated with this decision? How can we mitigate each of these risks? What impact will the execution of the mitigation plan have? Are there any potential long-term consequences of taking this risk? Have all stakeholders been consulted about the potential impacts of taking this risk and the mitigation plans? Who would manage and mitigate adverse effects if something went wrong? Avoid Analysis Paralysis Ultimately, visionary leaders take risks and are comfortable with some uncertainty. They take on calculated risks based on thorough research and analysis. Still, they don't let their team fall into “analysis paralysis,” where they never actually act on anything due to fear of failure. As a leader, it is crucial to make timely decisions that will accelerate progress for the organization. How can leaders ensure their decision-making process leads to action instead of stagnation? What is knowable, and what is unknown about this risk? Are we prepared for unexpected outcomes of taking on this risk? Are there any external factors that may affect our decision to take this risk? How can this decision provide a lasting benefit to our organization, customers, and team members? Example of a Visionary Leader One example of a visionary leader who took outsized risks is Elon Musk, the founder and CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors. Musk has disrupted the aerospace and automotive industries with his bold strategies for ushering in a new era of innovation. In 2002, Musk founded SpaceX intending to reduce space transportation costs to enable the colonization of Mars. No other private company had ever succeeded in reaching orbit, making this an incredibly risky endeavor. Despite this, he invested $100 million of his own money into the venture and tirelessly worked to develop reliable, reusable rocket technology that could revolutionize space exploration. After several failed attempts to reach orbit, SpaceX eventually succeeded in 2008 when its Falcon 1 rocket became the first privately funded liquid-fueled vehicle to do so. Since then, SpaceX has achieved multiple firsts. These include sending cargo vehicles to resupply the International Space Station (ISS). They have also launched the world's most powerful operational rocket (Falcon Heavy). Additionally, SpaceX became the first commercial entity to fly astronauts to the ISS with its Crew Dragon spacecraft. Finally, they produced highly reusable technology, such as its Starship vehicle, which could send people to Mars in the coming years. Through his achievements at SpaceX, Elon Musk stands out as a visionary leader through taking outsized risks that have pushed humanity forward. Conclusion Today's ambitious leaders face a challenge – take innovation risk despite uncertainty and doubt, or play it safe? It may seem like uncharted terrain at times, but taking risks has the potential for game-changing success. However, navigating risks requires careful planning to ensure informed decisions. It's vital to assess a situation by looking at the entire picture and considering all factors, from financial costs to potential outcomes. A successful risk-taker must be willing to take calculated risks, challenge assumptions, and understand that failure is part of any innovation journey. Ultimately, taking innovation risks can lead to rewards far more incredible than playing it safe.   To know more about becoming a visionary leader, listen to: Become That Visionary Leader by Embracing Risk. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Breaking down barriers to innovation is vital for fostering creativity and advancing progress. Innovative thinking is needed to develop new ideas, products, and services that can help improve our world. As such, it is essential to understand why breaking down barriers to innovation is important and how to do so. What is a Barrier To Innovation? A barrier is anything that stands in the way of achieving an innovative goal or idea. These barriers can come in many forms, such as physical objects, regulations, policies, cultural norms, lack of resources, and even beliefs. Some barriers are real, some are perceptions, and some are self-imposed. Understanding the difference between a real barrier and a perceived one is essential, as this will help us determine how best to tackle it. How To Overcome Barriers To Innovation? Breaking down innovation barriers is crucial in fostering creativity and progress. By recognizing the different types of barriers and developing strategies for overcoming them, organizations can create an environment where innovative thinking is encouraged and celebrated. Ultimately, breaking down these barriers will open up opportunities for growth and success. Types of Barriers Breaking down barriers to innovate is essential for turning creative ideas into reality. Physical objects, regulations, and policies are the most common barriers hindering the process. For example, a lack of resources or equipment could limit production capabilities, thus making it difficult to bring an innovative product or service to the market. Similarly, specific regulations and policies may restrict certain areas of innovation due to safety concerns or industry standards. Cultural norms and beliefs can also be significant barriers to innovation. Some cultures may resist change more than others, indicating that they may perceive revolutionary ideas as too risky or inappropriate in those contexts. Furthermore, beliefs such as fear of failure can lead people away from taking risks and trying out new concepts. The lack of time and motivation can also be a considerable barrier to innovating. Ideas often require extensive research and development before they come to fruition, which can take days or even months, depending on complexity. Ideas may languish without the necessary motivation for this process instead of being taken further. Finally, financial constraints often stand in the way of executing innovative ideas. Entrepreneurs may require external funding to implement innovative ideas due to significant capital investments. Developing complex products requires a significant investment that entrepreneurs may not have access to. This can prevent individuals from implementing innovative ideas without additional help. Many barriers can negatively impact innovation efforts if not appropriately addressed. Finding ways around these issues is crucial for turning creative ideas into tangible results – whether products or services – so individuals and businesses must try to break down those barriers when possible to foster progress and advancement within their respective fields. Overcoming Barriers to Innovate To overcome barriers, you must first identify them and develop strategies for removing them. This can involve developing processes or tools that make it easier to work around obstacles, creating an environment where creative solutions are embraced, and investing in resources that can help reduce the time spent tackling these issues. Let's examine the barriers grouped into real, perceived, or self-imposed. Real Barriers To Innovation Real barriers to innovation are those that exist in the physical world. These can include a lack of resources or equipment, regulations and policies that restrict certain areas of innovation due to safety concerns or industry standards, and financial constraints. For example, a lack of resources or equipment could limit production capabilities, thus making it difficult to bring an innovative product or service to the market. Similarly, specific regulations and policies may restrict certain areas of innovation due to safety concerns or industry standards. Across the world, cultures differ – with that difference comes a range of attitudes to change. Some may embrace it wholeheartedly, while others prefer slower transitions to preserve existing practices. So when revolutionary ideas come into play, these societies face a vital dilemma: take risks or stay safe? We should all be aware of it, as one size rarely fits all! Furthermore, financial constraints can often stand in the way of executing innovative ideas. One of the best ways to overcome real barriers to innovation is through process improvement. This can involve implementing new technologies or procedures that streamline operations and creating systems that make it easier for teams to work around obstacles. For example, automation and robotics can replace manual labor, reducing the time needed to complete tasks. Investing in resources and technologies can also give teams the tools required for their innovative endeavors. Companies commonly use a stage-gate funding model to address financial constraints, where they fund ideas at each stage of development. It can help ensure that the organization uses resources only when it has a high degree of certainty that the idea or product will be successful. Perceived Barriers to Innovation Perceptions-based barriers refer to how people view a situation which can influence how they tackle it. These most commonly come from long-held beliefs, assumptions, and norms. For example, many people think that innovation is only for technology-based companies when it's essential for any business looking to stay competitive and grow its customer base. Another common barrier is leaders acting as innovation antibodies. People in an organization must be open-minded about the potential of a new idea or concept; if everyone has a set way of looking at something, there may be little room for creative thinking. To overcome perceived barriers to innovation, one must challenge the traditional ways of doing things. This means questioning the status quo and challenging long-held “rules” or assumptions. Allowing the team to go outside the box and consider alternative solutions is an excellent way to open up creative thinking. An organization can foster an innovative mindset by creating an environment where failure is not seen as a negative but as an opportunity to learn and improve. Self-imposed Barriers to Innovation Finally, self-imposed barriers are those explicitly related to individual attitudes toward innovating. Their apprehension may hinder people unwilling to take risks when trying new creative solutions. SImposter syndrome affects some individuals who feel unqualified, preventing action even if they have ideas worth pursuing. Understanding mental roadblocks is crucial to breaking self-imposed barriers for innovative solutions to be found and developed successfully. Beliefs such as fear of failure can lead people away from taking risks and trying out new concepts. Individuals may not continue working on their idea if they lack incentives or motivation, which can ultimately hinder progress despite the shortage of time. To break down these barriers effectively, individuals must address these psychological factors. People must overcome their fear of failure and find motivation to innovate. Organizations can actively support their employees by providing resources and guidance to ensure success. This creates an environment where ideas are given a fair chance to succeed. However, some of this responsibility also lies on the individual. Incentives like rewards or recognition can motivate individuals and create an innovative culture. This can facilitate risk-taking and provide reasons to persist despite failure and experimentation. Organizations can implement such incentives to promote innovation within their workforce. These measures can help break down barriers to innovation success. Conclusion In conclusion, barriers to innovation can prevent individuals and organizations from reaching their potential. It is essential to acknowledge the existence of these barriers and create strategies to overcome them. Breaking down barriers to innovation can lead to significant potential benefits. Firstly, if a business can innovate effectively, it can set itself apart from the competition, build its brand and create a solid customer base. This could lead to increased revenue, market share, and overall success of the organization. In addition, innovation can lead to new products and services that benefit society. Lastly, fostering an innovative culture within organizations can help create a more positive work environment for employees, allowing them to feel empowered and valued. Ultimately, breaking down barriers to innovation is essential to business success and social progress. Identifying where the barriers lie and finding effective strategies to break them down is vital to unlocking a world of potential. To know more about breaking down barriers to innovation, listen to: Breaking Down Barriers to Innovation. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Creativity is a powerful tool, and many underestimate our creative potential. Creative potential is your ability to generate new ideas and connect seemingly unrelated concepts to create something unique or solve problems innovatively. It goes beyond simply having an open mind; it is about actively forming connections that lead to discoveries, inventions, and insights. Many people are unaware of their creative potential and overlook its importance when attempting to reach their personal and professional goals. Tapping into your full creative power requires more than just a few random ideas – you must learn how to channel your inner creativity into meaningful projects. By learning to recognize existing patterns in your environment, develop creative strategies for problem-solving, and think outside the box, you can unlock your creative potential and achieve tremendous success in all areas of life. What is Creative Thinking? As we just discussed, creative potential generates new ideas and connects seemingly unrelated concepts. Creative thinking is the process of using this potential to gain insight into how we can solve problems in innovative ways. Several elements comprise the fundamentals of creative thinking – divergent thinking, convergent thinking, synthesis, and analysis. Divergent thinking is separating complex problems into smaller pieces and producing multiple solutions. Convergent thinking is the opposite – collecting information from various sources, analyzing them, and combining them to form one solution. Synthesis requires creative thinkers to combine different elements in an organized manner to create something new. Analysis requires creative thinkers to evaluate ideas objectively by considering their strengths and weaknesses so that only the best solution is implemented. Overall, it takes practice and experimentation for someone to develop successful creative skills – creativity isn't just about having an out-of-the-box idea. Learning to think creatively can help individuals create new solutions for everyday challenges or seek previously uncharted opportunities for growth and development. It provides a framework for approaching complex tasks in novel ways using logic combined with imagination and curiosity to gain unexpected insights through seemingly simple problems. Example of Unlocking Creative Potential One example of creatives leveraging their creative potential for unexpected success is the story of Shonda Rhimes, the creator and showrunner of popular television series such as Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. Rhimes has achieved unprecedented success in the entertainment industry by consistently pushing boundaries and taking risks with her writing. She has been recognized for her innovative approach to storytelling, using complex plot lines and dynamic characters that draw viewers in like never before. Rhimes was born in Chicago, Illinois, where she began writing stories at a young age. She eventually went on to study screenwriting at Dartmouth College, but after graduation, she found it difficult to find work in Hollywood, but she kept at it. In 2005, Rhimes' hard work paid off when ABC greenlit her first show—Grey's Anatomy—which became an instant hit. The show blended medical drama with romance and created a loyal fan base that continues today – it has become one of the longest-running medical dramas in history. From there, Rhimes created other hugely successful shows, including Private Practice and Scandal, which earned critical acclaim for their unique storylines. Rhimes credits much of her success to tapping into her creative potential by staying true to herself as a writer – something that pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable television content at the time – while also remaining open-minded enough to take risks with story ideas and character arcs. Her creative vision has earned her numerous awards throughout the years – proving that through creativity, anything is possible! Explore Your Creative Potential Exploring potential requires exercising your creativity by brainstorming, visualizing ideas, and experimenting with different approaches. It also involves challenging yourself to think critically and question fundamental assumptions. Additionally, it helps to take breaks from the task at hand to allow your mind to wander freely so that new connections can be made between seemingly unrelated topics or problems. Finally, it is essential to document any insights you have while working on creative tasks; this will help you track progress over time and provide valuable reference points for what inspires your creative spark. One exercise you can add to your daily routine that will exercise your creative muscle is to set aside time in your day for free writing, where you let your thoughts flow without worrying about structure or grammar. This free writing allows you to explore your subconscious, see what ideas flow, and develop new solutions to problems. You can also try taking a break from your routine and trying something new, like writing, cooking, or painting. This helps foster creativity by having you explore different mediums to express yourself. Spending time away from the monotony of everyday life gives you room for creative thought and exploration. Finally, take time each day to reflect on what inspires you and log these thoughts. Build Your Support Network Building a supportive network can be a critical factor in the success of unlocking your creative potential. The support of others who share your vision and enthusiasm can help provide you with additional resources and motivation. Here are some tips that may help you build such a network: Start local: Look to your immediate circle of family, friends, co-workers, or members of your local community who may have similar interests or values to yours. You can also reach out to professionals or organizations related to the topic of your project — they may offer valuable advice and referrals or open up opportunities for collaboration. Network online: Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram are great places to find people with similar interests. It's also important to join relevant discussion forums, industry websites, blogs, and other digital resources related to whatever you're working on so you can stay informed about developments in the field and get feedback from others familiar with the subject matter. Participate in events: Trade shows, conferences, networking events, and seminars are excellent ways to meet potential connections—not just from within your profession, but from outside it too! Attending these events can allow you to connect with professionals in person and through follow-up conversations afterward. By creating an extensive network within which you can exchange ideas freely, brainstorm collectively, and gain new perspectives on issues that arise during any project development process—you will formulate strategies far more effectively than if working alone—ultimately leading to better outcomes for all involved! Discovering Areas for Creative Potential To discover areas for growth and development in creativity, it is essential to recognize the need for personal assessment. Self-reflection can be a powerful tool in uncovering areas of strength and weakness that can help improve your creative potential. Look at your mindset when approaching a creative challenge or task. Ask yourself questions such as: Am I embracing the opportunity to explore new ways of problem-solving? Am I open to making mistakes and learning from them? Do I find motivation from challenging myself to think differently? This self-evaluation will help identify limitations or blind spots that may be holding you back from reaching your full creative potential. Seek feedback from people around you who may have insight into your strengths and weaknesses regarding creativity. This could include mentors, peers, acquaintances, family members, etc., who know what kind of work you do and understand the creative challenges you regularly face. Their perspective on how well you manage these tasks and approach different projects can provide valuable input into areas where you could improve further. Online resources are available that offer tips on how to leverage your creative potential. These can range from books about creativity techniques, podcasts about design thinking strategies, articles about innovation best practices, and specific tools like mind-mapping software used for visualizing ideas — all of which can help spur new approaches towards tackling problems more innovatively. Staying abreast of new developments in your field or industry is also essential if you want to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to being creative and finding solutions no one has thought up before. Whether it's reading up on current trends or attending industry events like exhibitions and talks, knowing what's happening will allow you to spot opportunities or inspire fresh insights that help propel your work forward. Project Diversity Increases Creative Potential One of the best ways to increase creative potential is to work on diverse projects. Working on different projects can open up new opportunities and provide fresh ideas and inspiration. Here are some tips that can help enhance creativity when tackling various tasks: Experiment with unfamiliar methods and techniques. Trying something new or outside what's already comfortable can lead to innovative solutions and unexpected results. This could involve experimenting with different software and tools and exploring various creative disciplines such as photography, video editing, animation, etc., if they're outside your usual expertise. Set challenging goals for yourself to stay motivated when facing complex problems. A clear plan can motivate you to push through roadblocks and strengthen problem-solving skills. Collaborate with other creatives for feedback and advice. By discussing ideas with colleagues or mentors who are experienced in similar fields or have tackled similar challenges, you'll gain insight into how they solved their problems and benefit from their advice on how you could tackle yours. Look for sources of inspiration through books, movies, music, art exhibitions. Even conversations with friends can lead to new possibilities that have not been considered before. Reading industry news will inform you of the latest trends. They ensure you don't fall behind while looking for creative solutions to your problems. Take on complex projects requiring you to step out of your comfort zone and think beyond what's expected. Doing this regularly over time will build muscle memory (intuition). Muscle memory enables more efficient problem-solving in the future when faced with challenging tasks. Conclusion One last piece of advice I would give is … practice! Like any other skill, unlocking your creative potential requires consistent effort and practice to achieve sustained improvement. It is important to remember that creativity involves more than just generating new ideas. An idea from concept to reality includes organizing tasks, setting goals, and adapting quickly as needed when dealing with unexpected obstacles. An idea without execution is a hobby. And innovators are not in the hobby business. With dedication and focus, anyone can unleash their creative potential. By following these tips consistently over time, you will see an improvement in your level of creativity! To know more about unlocking one's creative potential, listen to: Unlocking Your Creative Potential. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Mindful innovation is a way to approach problem-solving from a different perspective. Instead of just looking for quick ideas or relying on existing approaches, mindful innovation calls us to slow down and take the time to deeply understand the problem before attempting to solve it. It also encourages us to be open-minded and seek new perspectives and insights while considering our ideas' impact. Mindful innovation is a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world. Benefits of Mindful Innovation We can create more sustainable and successful solutions by taking a mindful approach to innovation. We can consider the effects our solutions will have on society in the long term and come up with creative ways to address these issues. Additionally, this type of innovation allows us to work collaboratively and draw on the combined expertise of multiple disciplines. Finally, mindful innovation encourages us to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our motivations, which can be invaluable to innovating. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is being present with an open, accepting attitude and without judgment. It involves being aware of one's thoughts and feelings from a place of non-judgmental observation. Mindful awareness allows us to be more conscious of our internal experience and external environment. Through mindful awareness, we can observe our thought processes and be attentive to the emotions that arise, allowing us to respond more mindfully to our challenges. Mindfulness helps us become attuned to how we feel in the present moment and how our current thoughts may influence those feelings. Focusing on the present moment instead of worrying about the past or future can cultivate an inner sense of peace and contentment. Mindful living encourages us to take a step back from stressful situations to observe them objectively rather than getting caught up in them emotionally or cognitively. This gives us space to make choices that come from clarity rather than fear or anger. Mindfulness doesn't just help slow down racing thoughts; it also helps strengthen attention span by re-training your brain's focus abilities over time through regular practice, which has been found helpful for combating stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, mindfulness practice has been linked to improved immune system functioning and physical health, such as lower blood pressure and better sleep quality. Regular practice cultivates mindfulness, a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional well-being. By being mindful of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, we can become more aware of how our thoughts and actions affect our well-being and make decisions that come from a place of clarity and compassion. How Does Mindfulness Relate to Innovation? Mindfulness and innovation are closely related concepts. Mindfulness encourages us to be present at the moment and open to new perspectives, which makes it a valuable tool for innovators who need to look at problems from different angles and come up with creative solutions. Mindful innovation also allows us to take the time to understand a problem before attempting to solve it, which can help us create more sustainable and successful solutions. Mindfulness encourages us to observe our thoughts and feelings rather than get caught up in them. This helps us think objectively about a problem instead of being influenced by our emotions or biases. We can develop more creative solutions by taking a step back from the situation and slowing down. Mindfulness also allows us to focus on the present moment and not be overwhelmed by the future or bogged down in the past. This helps us remain focused on our current tasks, allowing us to brainstorm more effectively and work more efficiently. Additionally, mindful innovation encourages us to consider the effects our solutions will have on society in the long term, giving us greater insight into potential consequences that may arise from our decisions. Benefits of Mindful Innovation Mindful innovation can bring a variety of benefits to the table. Enhancing Creativity & Problem-Solving Abilities: Mindful innovation sharpens the ability to think outside the box, enabling a more creative and innovative approach to problem-solving. This can lead to solutions that are both effective and efficient. Improving Decision-Making: Mindful innovation encourages an individual or team to slow down and evaluate all possible options before making any decisions. This decision-making method equips individuals to make sound decisions that result in successful outcomes. Enhancing Self-Awareness & Focus: Mindful innovation encourages individuals and teams to be more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors to understand better how they interact with their creativity. This helps them stay focused on their tasks while also allowing them to avoid distractions. Reducing Stress & Anxiety: Mindful innovation has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety. By taking a mindful approach, individuals can learn to manage their emotions more effectively, leading to greater mental clarity and creative productivity. Increasing Openness & Acceptance: Mindful innovation encourages an open and accepting attitude toward new ideas or practices. This enables individuals to be more willing to accept change, which can often lead to faster results in the workplace. Amplifying Leadership Skills & Responsibility: Mindful innovation also enhances leadership skills and responsibility. By taking a mindful approach, leaders can better understand their team's dynamics and provide direction that is best suited to achieve success. Mindful Innovation and Society Mindful innovation has numerous benefits when it comes to addressing both positive and negative innovation impacts on society. Not only does it help maximize success through creative thinking and exploration, and it also helps minimize risks associated with implementing innovative solutions by being aware of potential pitfalls beforehand and taking steps accordingly. Thus by embracing its power of creativity and exploration, teams can be sure they're doing everything they can not only achieve their goals but also create positive change within society at large. Mindful innovation encourages organizations to think beyond themselves; instead of simply focusing on short-term profits, companies should also consider how their products and services can improve people's lives and have a positive effect on society in the long run. This helps create a more socially responsible approach to decision-making and innovation, ensuring that any changes are beneficial for the organization and the wider society. Mindful innovation emphasizes values-based thinking within teams, ensuring that innovative concepts or solutions align with the company's core values and beliefs. This ensures creativity and integrity when it comes to making the idea real. When an organization fully embraces mindful innovation, it bridges the gap between technological advancement and humanitarian needs by encouraging organizations to take a more holistic view of innovation which takes into account all stakeholders involved – including consumers, employees, partners, and investors – rather than simply focusing solely on profits or market share. By doing so, companies can ensure they are introducing solutions that will benefit the organization and society. As such, organizations should embrace their power of creativity and integration to ensure they are developing solutions that can benefit everyone involved.  Mindful innovation is the key to a brighter future for all. Practicing Mindful Innovation Practicing mindful innovation is essential for today's rapidly changing business environment. Cultivating A Growth Mindset: The first step in practicing mindful innovation is cultivating a growth mindset. This involves the willingness and ability to adapt and accept new ideas, perspectives, and methods. It also consists of openness to explore solutions that can lead to better outcomes. Standing Out: Taking a mindful approach to problem-solving allows individuals and teams to stand out from the competition by presenting creative solutions that are both effective and efficient. By doing so, they can set themselves apart from their peers and demonstrate their leadership capabilities. Encouraging Innovation & Creativity: Mindful innovation encourages taking the time for exploration and experimentation to foster creativity and generate innovative ideas. This can result in more successful strategies for success and help drive. Regularly Reflecting And Adapting: Taking a mindful approach also involves regularly reflecting on past successes and failures to learn from them. This encourages individuals and teams to adapt their strategies for success as the environment changes to remain competitive. Identifying Opportunities For Change: Finally, identifying opportunities for change is another way to use mindful innovation. By taking a mindful approach, individuals and teams can gain insight into how the innovation environment is shifting and capitalize on any new trends or developments that may present themselves. This helps to ensure that strategies remain relevant and successful in the long term. The Path to Mindful Innovation In mindful innovation, individuals tend to ideas like gardeners, with thoughtful planning and maintenance. It requires proactive problem-solving and leadership to stay ahead of competition. Mindful innovation presents creative solutions that are effective and efficient, while staying abreast of new trends. It's an invaluable tool for maximizing success in today's fast-paced business environment. Teams can embrace creativity and exploration, set themselves apart from peers and learn from successes and failures. Those who fully commit to mindful innovation will reap its rewards come harvest time. To know more about mindful innovations, listen to: The Power of Mindful Innovation. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

In today’s world, innovation is a fundamental component of successful business strategies. It allows organizations to stay ahead of the competition, develop new products and services, and create value for customers. However, scaling up innovative ideas can be challenging because of the complexity of the process and its associated risks. Taking an idea or concept and expanding upon it to make a greater impact requires focus and effective scaling strategies. Why Is Scaling Important? In today's world, it is not enough to have a great idea or concept. To make it successful, organizations must scale their ideas as they enter the market. This could be — reaching a larger audience or market, increasing operational efficiency, generating more revenue, or enhancing customer experience. If they don't scale, the niche status of the innovative idea will prevent it from having the impact needed to be considered a success. This lack of scaling will open the door to your competition to step in with their idea and quickly dominate the market. Common Barriers to Scaling Innovation One of the major barriers that can stop organizations from scaling up their innovations is a lack of resources. For instance, many companies may not have the capital to invest in new technologies or hire additional personnel for research and development. Organizations may lack access to talent or have difficulty finding qualified workers with the skills necessary to implement innovative ideas. Organizations may face structural issues that inhibit innovation, such as bureaucracy, rigid hierarchies, and bureaucratic decision-making processes. These organizational structures often impede creativity and responsiveness, making it difficult for companies to scale new products and services. Many organizations are unable to respond rapidly enough to changing customer needs or industry trends, and it may leave them behind in terms of competitiveness. Another barrier to scaling up innovations is cultural resistance. Organizations must create an environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and innovating without fear of failure or repercussions. This includes fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency so that all stakeholders know the potential benefits and risks involved in scaling up an idea. Without this type of supportive atmosphere, innovative ideas will likely never be given the chance they deserve to reach their full potential. Examples of Successful Scaling One example of an industry that has successfully scaled up its innovations is the technology sector. Companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Google have created products and services that have revolutionized how people interact with technology. These companies are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and developing new products and services to stay ahead of the competition. Through their investments in research and development (R&D) they can develop products and services that meet customer needs faster than their rivals. The entertainment industry is another example of a business sector that has embraced innovative strategies to remain competitive in today's market. Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video constantly innovate to provide customers with improved experiences and better value for money. These companies rely heavily on cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to strategically analyze customer data to create tailored content recommendations for each user. In the automotive industry, manufacturers like Tesla are pioneering a new era of sustainable transportation by embracing innovative ideas for electric vehicles (EVs). Tesla has invested billions into R&D over the past decade to continuously improve its EVs’ performance, safety features, range capabilities, charging infrastructure, and overall driving experience. This company has also been very aggressive with its expansion plans around the world while introducing new features like Autopilot self-driving options into its cars. Healthcare organizations like Epic Systems have invested significantly into scaling up their innovations to improve patient care outcomes while reducing costs. Epic Systems has developed advanced software solutions to streamline medical records management, track patient health status more accurately, enhance communication between clinicians and patients, automate administrative tasks related to healthcare organizations' operations, etc. All these technological advancements were made possible through Epic System’s large investments in R&D, which enabled them to make huge strides in improving patient care outcomes while keeping operating costs under control. Strategies for Successful Scaling Organizations can use several strategies to scale up their innovative ideas successfully. Developing partnerships with other companies is one such strategy that can help organizations grow and reach greater heights. By collaborating with other companies, organizations can leverage each other’s expertise and resources to develop creative solutions and bring them to market faster. For example, Apple partnered with IBM in 2014 to create enterprise mobility solutions, which allowed businesses to access corporate data on mobile devices securely. This partnership enabled both companies to benefit from each other’s strengths while ensuring the success of their joint projects. Another strategy organizations can use when scaling up their innovative ideas is open innovation. Open innovation involves leveraging external sources of ideas, such as customers and research institutions, to innovate quickly and cost-effectively. Organizations that implement open innovation have increased chances of success because they can tap into a larger pool of creativity than if they had tried to innovate solely in-house. Organizations can also use experimentation as part of their scaling strategy by testing novel concepts with prototypes or running pilot programs for new products or services. Experiments allow organizations to examine the viability of an idea before investing heavily in it, which might save them time and resources if the experiment reveals flaws in their approach. Finally, organizations need to ensure that they have proper processes and systems in place when scaling up innovative ideas so that they don’t experience any hiccups along the way. This includes embedding strong project management practices across teams, setting clear expectations around timelines and deliverables, developing robust communication protocols between stakeholders within and outside the organization, etc. These processes will help organizations maintain control over projects while mitigating potential risks associated with scaling up innovations. Using Emerging Technologies to Scale Innovation In recent years, emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), have revolutionized how businesses operate and scale their innovations. AI-powered solutions can automate processes and tasks to increase efficiency and reduce costs. AI can also generate insights from data for informed decisions about product development, marketing campaigns, and customer service improvement, among others. However, organizations must ensure that they have the right infrastructure before attempting to leverage these cutting-edge technologies so that they don’t experience any hiccups. This includes having a strong IT team to maintain and manage the systems, adequate data security measures, and robust processes for handling customer data that comply with relevant regulations. By investing in the right infrastructure and using emerging technologies, organizations can gain a competitive edge when scaling up innovations. This will enable them to stay ahead of the competition while providing better products and services to their customers. What Happens Once You Start Scaling? When scaling up innovations, organizations may face several challenges, especially introducing new and potentially disruptive technologies into their products and services. A key challenge for organizations looking to scale up innovations is the lack of an established framework for developing, testing, and launching successful products. Without a well-defined process for innovation, there is a risk of wasting resources on initiatives that do not achieve desired outcomes or meet customer needs. Organizations must ensure they have the right processes to guide their decision-making and manage projects from conception to execution. Organizations must also be prepared to manage customer expectations. As innovations are implemented, customers may expect features or functionality that could require substantial investments in time and money. In these cases, organizations must explain why certain decisions were made and what benefits customers can expect from the new product or service. Moreover, organizations must be agile when responding to changing market demands or customer preferences. Customer needs are constantly changing because of factors such as lifestyle changes or economic conditions, so companies must continually adjust their offerings accordingly while maintaining high levels of quality control. Companies should also monitor reviews and feedback from customers as this can provide invaluable insights on how best to improve products or services over time. Finally, organizations must develop strategies for ensuring long-term success when scaling up innovations. This includes creating robust systems for tracking progress and performance over time so that any issues can be identified early and addressed quickly before they become major problems. This investment in advanced analytics solutions can help generate actionable insights regarding user behavior patterns, which can inform marketing efforts and product development strategies. Overall, scaling up innovations requires careful planning and implementation if it is going to succeed in today’s competitive environment. Example of Successful Scale-Up: Amazon When reviewing successful scale-ups, one case that stands out is that of Amazon. Amazon began as an online bookstore in 1994 and has since grown to become one of the largest companies in the world, with a market capitalization of more than $1 trillion. Amazon has been able to scale up its innovations through several strategies successfully. First, they have invested heavily in their IT infrastructure and data security measures to ensure that their systems are running smoothly and securely at all times. They also developed robust processes for managing customer data, including encryption algorithms and two-factor authentication, which help protect user privacy while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations. Second, Amazon has been agile when responding to changing market demands or customer preferences. Through its advanced analytics solutions, the company can identify trends in customer behavior patterns, which can inform product development strategies and marketing efforts. Third, Amazon has invested heavily in research and development (R&D) initiatives which have helped them stay ahead of the competition by creating innovative products such as Alexa or AWS. By staying ahead of technological advances, Amazon can maintain its competitive advantage while providing customers with cutting-edge products and services. Finally, Amazon has used strategic acquisitions (“innovation by acquisition”) to gain access to new markets or technologies, which have enabled them to expand their reach worldwide while still staying true to their core mission: “to be Earth’s most customer-centric company.” This includes the acquisition of Whole Foods Market chain stores throughout North America as well as investments in healthcare technology firms such as PillPack Pharmacy Services, which could help revolutionize the way medication is delivered and processed on a global scale. Through these strategies and tactics, Amazon has been able to successfully scale up its innovations over time while staying ahead of the competition by leveraging new technologies such as AI or cloud computing services for maximum benefit. As a result, they have become one of the world’s leading e-commerce businesses. Conclusion Innovation scaling is a complex and multifaceted process. It requires strategic planning, vision, and commitment from businesses to ensure success. Businesses need to assess the risks associated with scaling an innovation before taking any major steps. They must also consider their current business environment, resources, capabilities, and customer base to determine which strategies are best suited for achieving the desired results. By understanding how various aspects of innovation scaling tie together, businesses can ensure that they are future-proofing themselves and setting themselves up for long-term success. Ultimately, if approached strategically, innovation scaling can help propel organizations forward while providing them with a competitive edge in their respective markets. To know more about creating strategies to scale innovations, listen to: Proven Strategies To Scaling Innovations. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Introduction to Intuitive Thinking Intuitive thinking sometimes referred to as ‘thinking on autopilot,' is based on prior experience and mental shortcuts. It involves using heuristics and pattern recognition to make decisions quickly and efficiently. Intuitive thinking is essential because it allows us to make decisions without pausing for conscious analysis or deliberation. This helps us react swiftly when we don't have enough information or time – which is common in innovation. One can argue that intuitive thinking is essential to everyday life. It allows us to save energy and make decisions more quickly than if we were attempting to analyze every single detail of a situation. It also allows us to see/intuit things that are not obvious such as solutions to problems others do not see. Furthermore, intuition often helps us make better decisions than conscious thought processes alone. Studies show that we can trust our instincts in specific scenarios, such as predicting the outcome of sporting events or guessing the answer to a problem before checking the answer key. Intuitive thinking has drawbacks, however, as it relies upon past experiences, which may not always lead us in the right direction. Personal biases and assumptions may influence and cloud our judgment. As such, we must take time out from relying on intuition periodically and instead use conscious thought processes more deliberately when making decisions. Example of Intuitive Thinking An example of a person using intuitive thinking to innovate can be seen in the story of Henry Ford and his development of the Model T automobile. Ford had a vision of making an affordable car that could be used by families, and he knew that he needed an innovative solution. He began experimenting with different designs and materials until he eventually settled on mass-producing vehicles. However, it was not just the technical specifications that made this decision successful; Ford also relied on his intuition to ensure that what he was trying to achieve would be successful. He believed that people were looking for something new, reliable, and affordable, and he took a chance to create his product line – one that would revolutionize transportation as we know it today. Ford trusted his gut instinct and went against industrial trends at the time, believing in himself and his vision despite the risks involved. His intuition guided him toward making the right decisions, such as choosing assembly lines over hand-building cars or inventing new tools like wheel molds instead of relying solely on manual labor. Ultimately, these decisions ushered in a new era for car manufacturing – one where efficient production could result in cost savings for consumers without sacrificing quality or reliability. By trusting his intuition, Henry Ford created an innovative solution to a problem that had existed for years: how to make transportation more accessible and affordable without compromising quality or reliability. It was only after years of trial-and-error experimentation coupled with intuitive thinking that Ford succeeded with his Model T automobile design – leading to one of the greatest inventions of all time. History of Intuition Intuitive thinking has been a part of human decision-making for centuries. It is the ability to make decisions based on instinct, insight, or gut feeling rather than relying solely on conscious thought processes, facts, and figures. While intuitive thinking has long been viewed as an innate trait that some people possess while others do not, recent research suggests otherwise; anyone can cultivate intuition through practice and experience. The concept of intuitive thinking dates back to ancient Greece when philosophers such as Plato argued that all knowledge was already present within the soul and could be accessed if one were willing to trust their instincts. This idea spread throughout Europe during the Renaissance and gained popularity among scientists who saw its potential applications in fields like medicine. In more modern times, intuitive thinking has become increasingly accepted by academics and business leaders alike due to its efficiency in helping us make quick decisions without being overwhelmed by too much information or analysis paralysis. As a result, many organizations have begun utilizing data visualization tools that allow them to analyze large datasets better while allowing room for intuitive thought processes when necessary. Our brain programming allows for rational thought and intuitive insight, essential in decision-making processes like identifying growth opportunities or creating something new from scratch. While rational thought enables us to analyze data objectively, intuitive thinking gives us access to subconscious information, which may provide more creative answers than traditional methods alone. Ultimately, this shows that with proper training and practice, anyone can develop their own unique decision-making style, which includes both conscious analytical and intuitive thinking.  Combining the two makes it possible to make better decisions more quickly and efficiently than ever before. Types of Intuition Three primary types of intuition exist: cognitive, emotional, and spiritual. Cognitive intuition is the ability to draw on experiences and use them to identify patterns or trends to make more informed decisions. It involves making connections between facts, experiences, and observations quickly and accurately without spending time analyzing the data in detail. Emotional intuition involves interpreting people's feelings and intentions and responding accordingly. Instinct, gut feeling, or intuition about how someone might behave in a specific situation forms the basis of it. By understanding the emotional state of our customers, partners, or stakeholders, we can come up with more meaningful and impactful ideas. This type of intuition also helps us understand what our competitors may be doing, allowing us to stay ahead of the game and create something unique. Spiritual intuition taps into our inner wisdom, connecting with a higher power or source of knowledge. It is about trusting our instincts and being open to new possibilities and ideas, even if they may seem far-fetched or unlikely to succeed at first glance. By connecting with a greater power, we can look beyond what is known and explore uncharted areas of thought to create something truly innovative. Developing Your Intuition Developing intuition is essential in improving decision-making, problem-solving, and overall well-being. We can take several steps to nurture our intuitive skills, such as calming the mind, focusing on one goal at a time, trusting our gut feeling, and seeking expert advice. Calming the mind is critical to developing intuition. We must clear away distractions and noise to listen more closely to our inner voice. Meditation and mindfulness exercises are great ways of achieving this, as they help us become aware of our thoughts and feelings without judgment or attachment. Taking time each day for introspection will help us gain greater insight into ourselves and our environment. Focusing on one goal at a time also helps in harnessing intuition. When faced with tough decisions or looming tasks, it helps to narrow down our options and prioritize what needs to be done first. Making lists or breaking down complex tasks into smaller achievable goals helps us keep track of progress and focus on the task at hand. Trusting your gut instinct can also be beneficial when trying to make sense of information or finding creative solutions to problems quickly. Intuition typically works faster than conscious thought, so learning when and how to trust our gut feelings can help us make decisions more efficiently and accurately. Seeking advice from experts is another excellent way of boosting our intuitive powers. When faced with complex problems that require specialized knowledge or experience, talking to someone who has been through similar situations can give us valuable guidance about what might work best for us in any given case. They may also be able to provide insight into how others have approached similar dilemmas in the past, which could provide valuable lessons for us going forward. Developing intuition takes practice, but it can be conducive when making difficult decisions or solving complex problems quickly and accurately. Achieving a state of calmness, clarity, focus, and trust in oneself is vital to honing this skill set over time. When Should You Follow Your Intuition? Using intuition to make decisions versus more structured approaches has benefits and drawbacks. Intuition can be used in decisions when the situation is complex, abstract, or uncertain, when the decision-maker needs a “sixth sense” to interpret specific cues, or when speed is of the essence. Intuitive decision-making allows us to draw on our experience and knowledge, subconsciously process data, and act quickly in response to changing conditions. However, there are also situations where more structured approaches are more beneficial. If a decision involves complex information that needs to be understood in detail, a methodical approach will likely result in a better outcome than relying on intuition alone. For example, if you need to choose between two investments with complicated financial models attached, it would be wiser to take your time and analyze the underlying data rather than rely on instinctive feelings about which option is best. Structured approaches are also helpful when dealing with highly predictable tasks such as budgeting or task management—following a set plan makes it easier to stay on track. Although intuition can help us make snap decisions in difficult situations, it pays off to reflect before committing ourselves. It's important to remember that intuition is not infallible. Sometimes we lack enough information or experience with the problem at hand for our intuitions to be accurate. Conclusion Intuition allows us to use our experience, knowledge, and gut feelings to make snap judgments in difficult situations. The more experiences you have, the better your intuition will likely be, and vice versa. It also helps to learn from those with more experience than yourself by either working with them or having them mentor you. However, intuitive thinking should always be supplemented with an objective analysis of facts and evidence before deciding. A balance between these two styles allows us to maximize our chances of success by combining instinctive reactions with rational thought processes. Ultimately, the key to successfully using intuitive thinking is to remain aware of our biases and limitations. By taking a mindful approach to decision-making – considering multiple perspectives, sources of feedback, and potential risks – we can ensure that our decisions are based on sound evidence rather than relying solely on our intuition. Doing so can help us avoid misguided decisions and maximize the potential for successful innovation. To know more about hiring a nontraditional workforce, listen to: Is Intuition Required for Innovation? RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast  

Tom D'Eri, Co-Founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, joins us to discuss the gap neurodivergent individuals face while entering the workforce and how to bridge that gap by changing hiring methods and implementing strategic operations that are inclusive to those with different skill sets. Prospective job seekers with autism face a massive disparity in the job market. Unemployment rates of this group of individuals are between 60-80 percent. Taking that percentage of people out of the workforce when only 16 percent of autistic people face a significant intellectual disability is holding many businesses back and harming the economy. Tom D'Eri started Rising Tide Car Wash to help his brother with autism find employment rather than be a statistic in a rigid workforce not designed for those facing mental disabilities. So many neurodivergent individuals are capable and have much to offer employers. A change in how businesses look at people and how teams function must take place for the future of the workforce to become more inclusive, diverse, and ultimately successful. Barriers One significant barrier neurodivergent people face is the traditional hiring process. Most businesses are not designed to accurately assess the capabilities of individuals with autism during the hiring process. They don't see past external dissimilarities and can often overlook great talent simply by not realizing that the thought process of a neurodivergent person, though different, is not a handicap but can be an asset to a business. Employers need to reassess their methods to support neurodiversity better. Ensuring these individuals have the tools to be successful in the workplace will further ensure the business's success. Benefits of Creating a Diverse Team To better support a nontraditional workforce, Tom believes you do not have to do anything structurally different; you need to do things better. Better communication, clear feedback, and managers who care enough about your employees to make a safe and trusting environment will help a nontraditional workplace thrive. Tom mentions how people with autism are extreme users of organizational systems, which is extremely beneficial to a team because it creates better management skills and processes and provides more communication clarity. Those who are neurodivergent think differently. People with different thinking styles can help drive a good innovation strategy by bringing a different perspective. Tom believes having diversity of thought on your team is one of the most impactful ways diversity can influence an organization. Not being afraid to try unconventional approaches to problem-solving will push teams in new directions and promote learning and innovation. Tom's groundbreaking book, The Power of Potential, focuses on how the unemployment of neurodivergent people is an issue that can be solved. There is a need for talent, and there are people who supply that talent in the neurodivergent community. By expanding past traditional systems that aren't built for the neurodivergent community and creating more inclusive and innovative business operations, businesses can unlock vast untapped potential and benefit the lives of those involved. About our Guest: Tom D'Eri Tom D'Eri is the Co-Founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, an organization that employs over 90 individuals with autism in a successful car wash business. His entrepreneurial success has led him to be listed on Forbes's 30 under 30 list, and most recently,  he has authored a book, The Power of Potential, on the benefits of a nontraditional workforce. Check out Tom D'Eri's Linkedin here and learn more about him and his work on his website here. For further information on his book, click here.   To know more about hiring a nontraditional workforce, listen to: Tom D’Eri on Hiring and Managing a Nontraditional Workforce. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

Jim Kalbach, Head of Customer Experience at Mural, joins us to discuss innovation efforts in the world of visual collaboration. Remote work was at nearly one hundred percent during the pandemic, creating a need for effective digital whiteboards. Not only did people need a working space, but also a space for visual collaboration to take place. Since the pandemic, new modes outside of remote work have arisen, such as in-person, asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid. The challenge has been finding a happy medium these different modes can meet in. Jim Kalbach believes shifting the focus from getting teams remote to ensuring teams can work fluidly throughout these different modes will ensure that teams can collaborate to come up with innovative ideas. Experimentation and Understanding Having an experimental mindset is key while concepts are developing. It can be a challenge while experimenting with new techniques and tools, but a willingness to experiment and try different things, along with having patience when concepts don’t work out, is crucial in improving visual collaboration. As modes for digital whiteboards change, Jim says the key to understanding the new way how things work is having the proper mindset. You have to come in with the mindset that things start and end digitally. Understanding a digitally defined workplace is important because even if you are in person, other parts of your team could be remote. Therefore, it is vital to understand the platforms other team members are using so that things run smoothly. Intentional Collaboration Making team collaboration intentional is vital in ensuring your team is productive, creative, and innovative. Coming at situations with collaborative intelligence will ensure your teams have all they need to thrive. Having a methodology that your team follows, facilitating a culture of transparent communication, and understanding that there is room for learning will help teams effectively collaborate while using digital whiteboards. About the Author: Jim Kalbach Jim Kalbach is the Chief Evangelist at Mural, a collaborative intelligence company that offers a shared workspace for training on the LUMA System, the practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply. Jim is an expert in the areas of experience design, visual methods, strategy, and remote facilitation. He is a world-renowned speaker, and author of the following books: the JTBD Playbook, Mapping Experiences and Designing Web Navigation.   To know more about visual collaboration, listen to: Jim Kalbach of Mural on Visual Collaboration. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast

There's no question that business model innovation is a hot topic in today's business world. After all, who wouldn't want to be the next Uber or Airbnb? But what does it take to create a new and successful business model? It turns out that business model innovation is not just about having a great idea but about execution and timing. It's also about being willing to take risks and experiment. And, of course, it helps if you have a bit of luck. So, what does it take to create a new and successful business model? Let's take a closer look. What is a Business Model? First, let's define what we mean by a business model. A business model is a way a company creates value for itself and its customers. It includes the company's value proposition (the unique selling point that differentiates it from competitors), the channels through which it reaches customers, the relationships it builds with them, the revenue streams it generates, and the costs it incurs. In other words, a business model is a company's framework to generate revenue and profits. To be successful, a business model must be viable, scalable, and sustainable. A viable business model can generate enough revenue to cover its costs and make a profit. A scalable business model can grow to meet demand. And a sustainable business model can be sustained over the long term. Why Do Business Models Need Innovation? There are several reasons businesses need to innovate their models. First, the market is constantly changing, so companies must evolve. Second, technology is constantly changing and evolving, which means that the way businesses operate also needs to change. And third, customers are constantly changing and evolving, so companies need to find new and innovative ways to meet their needs. One will become irrelevant if a company doesn't innovate its business model. Its products and services will no longer be in demand, and it can no longer generate profits. So, it's essential for businesses to continuously experiment with new models to stay ahead of the competition. How to Innovate a Business Model So how can a company go about innovating its business model? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as every company and industry is different. However, there are some general steps that companies can take to get started: 1. Define your value proposition. What makes your company unique? What do you offer that nobody else does? Figure out your unique selling point and focus on developing products and services that capitalize on that advantage. 2. Identify your channels of distribution. How do you reach your customers? Are there any new or innovative ways you can reach them? Can you use digital channels to reach a wider audience? 3. Build relationships with customers. How can you create loyalty among your customers? Can you create a community around your product or service? Can you find ways to delight your customers? 4. Generate revenue streams. What are the different ways you can make money from your products or services? Can you find new ways to monetize them? 5. Cut costs. How can you reduce the costs of running your business? Can you find ways to automate or streamline processes? Can you outsource tasks or functions that are not core to your business? How Do You Test The New Business Model? Once a company has developed a new business model, it's crucial to test it to see if it's viable, scalable, and sustainable. There are several ways to do this: 1. Pilot the new model in a small market. Testing a new business model in a small market can help you determine if it's viable and scalable. This will help you determine if the new business model is feasible and if it has the potential to be scaled up. 2. Experiment with different pricing models. One way to test a new business model is to experiment with different pricing models. This will help you determine which pricing structures generate the most revenue. You can also try different promotional strategies to determine the most effective ones. And you can experiment with different combinations of pricing and delivery methods (e.g., free shipping) to see which ones are most popular with customers. 3. Use beta testers. Beta testers can be invaluable resources in testing a new business model. They can provide feedback on how well the new model works and offer suggestions for improvement. To find beta testers, you can put out a call for volunteers on social media or your company website. You can also reach out to customers who have previously expressed an interest in your product or service. Make sure to ask beta testers to provide feedback on various aspects, such as the overall feasibility of the model, the customer experience, and the impact on revenue. And be prepared to make changes based on their feedback. 4. Get feedback from stakeholders. When testing a new business model, getting stakeholders' feedback is essential. This includes employees, outside partners, and other key stakeholders. Employees can offer valuable insights into how well the new model works and how it can be improved. They may also suggest how the new model can be adapted to meet the company's needs better. Outside partners can provide feedback on how the new model affects their business and whether they see the potential for collaboration. They may also have ideas for marketing the new product or service. Other stakeholders may have insights into how well the new model works and what changes (if any) need to be made. Gathering feedback from all these stakeholders will help you ensure that the new business model is successful. 5. Monitor results closely. When testing a new business model, it's important to track key metrics, such as sales, profits, customer satisfaction, and engagement. This will help you determine if the new model is successful, needs to be adapted, or should be scrapped altogether. Barriers to Innovating the Business Model When it comes to innovating a business model, organizations face several common barriers. These include: 1. Lack of resources. Developing a new business model can be costly and time-consuming, and companies may not have the financial, human, or technological resources to invest in creating a new model. This can be a significant obstacle for companies that want to stay competitive and keep up with the latest trends in their industry. Without the necessary resources, it can be challenging to come up with a new business model that's viable and scalable. 2. Resistance to change. An organization's resistance to change can be a significant barrier to business model innovation. This is because the new model may be very different from the old one and may not fit with the company's existing structure or culture. If there is resistance to change from within the company, it can lead to conflict and delays in implementing the new model. It can also hamper the company's ability to take full advantage of the new business model's potential. Organizations must embrace change to innovate their business model successfully. This includes being open to new ideas and willing to make changes. 3. Fear of failure. Many companies are reluctant to experiment with new models because they fear failing. They see it as a risk and are unwilling to take that risk. This fear can keep companies from exploring new opportunities and reaching their full potential. There are a few ways to overcome this fear. First, companies must understand that failure is a natural part of innovation. Second, they need to create a culture of experimentation where it's okay to fail. And third, they need to have a clear plan for how they will learn from their failures. 4. Lack of creativity/innovation. Some companies may not have the creativity or innovation skills to develop a new business model. This can make it difficult for them to create innovative solutions that will help them stay competitive in today's market. Without creativity and innovation, companies may be limited in developing new and innovative ideas. If a company lacks creativity and innovation, it may need to invest in training or hiring new employees who have these skills. It's also crucial for companies to create an environment that encourages creativity and innovation. This includes open communication, inspiring new ideas, and allowing employees to experiment. One option is to consider securing the services of an Innovation Agency that can bring innovation skills and expertise to your efforts. 5. Complexity/overwhelming choice. Complexity and overwhelming choice can be a barrier to innovating the business model because it can be difficult for companies to stand out from the competition. To successfully innovate their business model, companies need to create a unique offering that is different from what their competitors offer. However, with so many choices available to consumers, it can be difficult for companies to stand out and attract customers with their new business model. Another challenge that companies face is that the market is constantly changing. What may be popular today may not be popular tomorrow. So, to keep up with the latest trends and stay competitive, companies must continually innovate their business model. This can be daunting, especially if the company lacks creativity or innovation skills. Examples of Business Model Innovation There are a few ways to innovate your business model. You can either pivot your existing model or create a new model altogether. Pivoting your model means changing your current model to make it more effective. On the other hand, a new model is an entirely new way of doing business and may not have anything in common with your current model. Several factors contribute to the success or failure of innovating your business model. Below are a few examples of successful and unsuccessful business model innovations. Successful Business Model Innovation 1. Apple Apple is a prime example of a company that has successfully innovated its business model. They've been so successful that they've created an entire industry around themselves. One reason for their success is that they've always been willing to experiment and take risks. For example, when they first introduced the iPhone, many skeptics didn't think it would be successful. However, Apple overcame these challenges and became one of the world's most popular smartphones. 2. Amazon Another successful company that has innovated its business model is Amazon. They were one of the first companies to introduce online retailing and change how consumers buy products. They've also successfully diversified their business into other areas, such as cloud computing and streaming media. Amazon has stayed competitive by continually innovating its business model and exploring new opportunities. 3. Southwest Airlines Southwest Airlines is another company that has successfully innovated its business model. When they first started, they faced many challenges, such as high operating costs and competition from other airlines. However, they overcame these challenges by introducing low-cost fares and becoming the first “no-frills” airline. This allowed them to compete with the more prominent airlines and eventually became one of the largest airlines in the United States. Unsuccessful Business Model Innovation 1. Blockbuster Blockbuster is a perfect example of a company that failed to innovate its business model when it needed to most. Many don't know that Blockbuster was one of the first video streaming services. It launched in January 2002, but with limited consumer broadband, the market for this business model innovation was way too small to be sustainable, and they gave up on the service soon after its launch. When Netflix introduced online streaming, Blockbuster didn't react quickly enough, given its earlier attempt, and ended up going out of business altogether. 2. BlackBerry Another company that failed to innovate its business model is BlackBerry. When they first introduced the BlackBerry smartphone, it was a revolutionary product that changed how people communicate. However, they failed to keep up with the competition and eventually lost market share to companies like Apple and Samsung. BlackBerry could not adjust its business model quickly enough to keep up with the changing market, so it went out of business. 3. Toys “R” Us Toys “R” Us is another example of a company that failed to innovate its business model. They were the go-to store for toys and children's products when they first started. However, they could not keep up with the times and eventually lost market share to online retailers like Amazon. Toys “R” Us could not adapt its business model to the changing market, resulting in bankruptcy. Surviving and Thriving Business model innovation is a critical component of success for any organization. However, it's not always easy to achieve success. A company must be willing to experiment and take risks to succeed. They must also be able to adapt quickly to changing market conditions. While most organizations think they have the innovation skills and resources in the heat of competitive battle, some organizations cannot maintain the pace of change required to survive and succeed. This is often because they lack the agility to pivot their business model in response to market changes quickly. As a result, these companies find themselves at a significant disadvantage and eventually go out of business. To avoid this fate, companies must continually invest in innovation and ensure they have the necessary resources and capabilities to succeed. Companies can survive and thrive in today's competitive marketplace by constantly pushing themselves to be better.   To know more about business model innovation and agility, listen to: Business Model Innovation – Why Agility Matters. RELATED:   Subscribe To The Newsletter and Killer Innovations Podcast