Business Opportunities Weblog

June 16, 2008 by Rich Whittle | 0 Comments

Lifehack.org:

Bill Gates recently said, “We are in an economic downturn but an innovation upturn.” Most people are focusing on the downturn and the dangers it poses rather than on the opportunity for innovation. Most businesses are restructuring and streamlining their operations.

1. Adopt a positive attitude. See the opportunity. Don’t be cynical about change. Don’t assume the worst. Don’t believe and repeat rumors about management’s conspiracies to do down the workforce.

2. Become a change agent. Make suggestions. Introduce ideas and recommendations. Look for ways in which your department could bring in new products, business processes or partnerships.

3. Listen to customers. Where can you find the ideas for change? One source is customers. In your dealings with clients you should make a point of asking how your product or service could be improved. What do they like and dislike about your offering? How are their business needs changing? What will they need in the future?

4. Watch the competition. Keep an eye on what they are doing and any innovations they introduce. Ask customers what other suppliers are doing that is smart and new.

5. Be sensitive to office politics. For most ideas it is best to talk them through with colleagues in your department and in other areas to test their workability before you speak to your manager. That way you have checked out the concept, cleared some obvious objections and gained feedback before you propose it.

6. Don’t insist on the glory. If you spark an idea and then other people adapt and improve it then that is fine. By letting go you have a better chance of it being adopted than if you insist on driving every aspect of the initiative because it “was your idea in the first place.”

7. Be prepared for rejection. Most managers are analytical and critical. They are good at finding fault with other people’s ideas. The more radical your proposal the more likely it is that people will feel uncomfortable with it. Propose it carefully. Lay it out in a logical way and explain the benefits.

Photo by clix.

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Tags: Downturn, Innovation, Operations