Innovation Starts Here, Right Now

“Innovation” was the official buzz word. Now it’s “pivot”, “disrupt”, or “re-imagine”. Everyone is working on a strategy based on pivoting, disrupting, or re-imagining.

The reality of executing big ideas into any industrial business can be tough, especially when going through the journey alone. Given all your resources are tied up fire-fighting and working on existing business. They are easily drawn to defending and justifying all the reasons to not change. This is where it all gets complicated for any industrial!

So how do you make a start?

This great book I have been reading titled: The Little Black Book of Innovation offers a simple, five-word definition of innovation: “Something different that has impact.” This definition applies to all the “buzz” words surrounding innovation; posing the following question…

How do you make the first step to create a change?

By asking the tough questions and listening to the market, your customers, your people, and your competitors. Conduct a research study and record your key findings. You then need to brainstorm freely to identify and explore some new ideas, work through the challenges, and then experiment with one idea. Not 30 ideas you think may work – just one new idea you know will work, will be different, and make an impact.

Bring that idea to life, test it and tweak it. It may just be the one idea to facilitate revenue growth, turn things around, or even completely re-position your business.

There is an opportunity to now work on your business, rather than in it – to unlock its full potential. If you’re feeling uninspired and frustrated it’s time to rethink. You have the power to look at everything with a fresh set of eyes. Throw the “that’s how we’ve always done things” mentality out the window, and examine ways to improve.

The best ideas can come from one of your truck drivers, salespeople, or finance team who deal with your customers every day. Or even from one of your customers or dare I say it – your competitors. When you involve everyone and make innovation a constant activity, amazing things will happen.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison intends to revitalise Australia’s manufacturing industry in a bid to kickstart our economy. The plan would see an “advanced competitive manufacturing sector” take advantage of the country’s “highly skilled” workforce. This could provide a road out of the recession created by the coronavirus pandemic. With this, innovation will be needed to create and deliver customer value for the long-term.

Related: 6 Habits of Marketers Who Continue To Create

Other Reading: How Australia Can Build A World-Class Manufacturing Industry

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Peter Zafiris is an industrial marketer and founder of Industrial Ideas. Having built his experience in B2B marketing from the ground up, Peter understands what it takes to succeed with your marketing strategy. All client projects are personally managed by Peter to help industrials like you get the return on investment you deserve. Peter and team, work hard to become an extension of your business, to help you get the most out of your marketing efforts. Get your free 30 minute marketing consultation to learn more.