6 Ways to Kickstart Business Innovation

1) Realize that innovation can be simple.

• We tend to think of innovation as a formal and complicated process, but it doesn’t have to be. Innovation is just a fancy word for improvement and invention. When you come up with better packaging, find a supplier who will give you a better rate, or try out a new marketing idea, you are involved in innovation.

2) Build innovation into your business routines.

• Set aside an hour each week to think  and exercise your creativity. (Here’s a collection of Creating Creativity and Innovation resources if you need it.)
• Build innovation into your business planning by setting goals that focus on improving products and processes. For example, one of your business goals might be to find and try out a new way to communicate with your customers.
• Create an innovation action plan to implement your innovation goals.

3) Actively solicit suggestions for improvement of your small business’s processes and products.

• Use both formal and informal methods to get customers to make suggestions for innovation, such as questionnaires, surveys, and casual one-on-one conversations.
• Talk to your suppliers and see what suggestions for improvement they might have.

4) Involve staff in the innovation process.

• Make problem solving a part of every staff meeting. For each meeting, for instance, you might set a question for discussion on a specific product or process that asks, “How can we improve…?” Publicize the topic of discussion a week ahead of time so people have time to think about it.
• Have a suggestion box.
• Reward staff for suggestions that are followed through on.
• Talk to staff impromptu. Get out of your office if you have one and make personal visits to chat about how things are going.
• Provide creativity/innovation workshops for staff.

5) Invest in innovation.

• Invest in technology that improves your business operations and make your company more competitive. Information and communications technology are particularly worthwhile.
• Invest in machinery and equipment that will allow you to make productivity improvements.
• Invest in developing new products and
  services.

6) Cultivate an innovation mindset.

• Continue to educate yourself about innovation by attending workshops, webinars, conferences, reading blogs
  and articles, etc.
• Stay on top of developments , technological and otherwise, in your industry. If you’re not a member, join at least one professional or industry organization and participate in its meetings and events.

It’s not enough to say that innovation is a priority; you have to actually work at it.

Source : www.thebalancesmb.com