Creative Business Model

Having a creative business model is not just coming up with a great product or name; it means you embrace creativity in every aspect of your business – and it directly impacts your bottom line.

Imagine your company could set records in regards to growth, launch a product successfully at a rapid-fire pace, or get more press in the first six months than most companies get in years --- if ever. Imagine that you could negotiate better than the most savvy, seasoned negotiators and save your company thousands, or even millions, in revenue. You can - with creativity as your competitive edge.

I know some of you are thinking, well I just wasn’t born creative. Those self-sabotaging thoughts will keep you from training your brain to be as creative as it can possibly be. Yes, I believe some people are born with an innate sense of creativity, but that doesn’t mean others can’t train their thoughts to think like a creative person and see opportunity everywhere.

Teaching people to be creative is a deeper “lesson plan” than many realize. It strips you down to the core of who you are, what your belief systems are and challenges your perspective of the world. By encouraging your colleagues (as well as yourself) to adopt a creative mindset, you will help them become empowered, and everyone will benefit.

I recently read a story about a man who was trying to learn how swing on a trapeze. After making several forty-foot leaps through the air in unsuccessful attempts to reach out for the bar, he realized he was afraid of the unknown — even though the unknown carried so many possibilities of success. Once he grabbed onto the trapeze and went for a ride he couldn’t remember why he was afraid or why he hadn’t tried it sooner.

We often are so determined to stick within our comfort zones that we learn to live with disappointment and complacency, because it’s safe. Thinking creatively is thinking outside of the “comfort zone”. It involves exploring places and thoughts you never acknowledged before, but once you enter the creative zone you see how your possibilities are endless and this can be as exhilarating and rewarding as jumping forty feet in the air to swing from a trapeze.

Research some of the great pioneers---from Ben Franklin to Bill Gates---and you’ll see first-hand how they thought differently. At forward-thinking businesses such as Procter & Gamble, there’s an entire division created to develop consumer-created products within the company. It might have seemed an obvious solution to consumers, but on the part of P&G it took a lot of courage. Creativity is not just having a great idea but more importantly it is having the courage to take the risk. Only by taking risks can we accomplish extraordinary feats.

For example, if you are launching a product and you know that everyone in your industry will go to a tradeshow to display their products, then you should contemplate doing something totally different - take a different approach. Make sure you stand out in your industry; don’t blend in with what everyone else is doing.

Here are some tips to achieve the creative competitive edge to increase productivity and growth:

1) CHALLENGE your employees and everyone you do business with to think outwardly, differently, creatively; encourage it, demand it!

2) REWARD your employees and colleagues for thinking outwardly and taking educated risks—even if the concept “fails”. Remember “failure” is an opportunity to grow and learn.

3) SUGGEST books, magazines, and experiences for your employees and colleagues to read and take part in.

4) THINK POSITIVELY. Never think something can’t be done; it can, you just need to figure out how. (The adage “an obstacle is just another word for opportunity” will serve you well!)

5) EVALUATE how you are doing things now; in every aspect of your business. Are there changes that could be made? For example, how is your accounting being handled? Is it done through simple spreadsheet software? Is there a more efficient way you could get your accounting to connect to all the other facets of your company like shipping, payroll, inventory and replacements?

6) READ other people’s success stories and be open to apply that knowledge to your company.

7) NEGOTIATE. Remember negotiating is a very powerful opportunity to exercise your creativity. “Everything is negotiable.”

8) COLLABORATE Collaboration is a powerful tool that allows creativity to flourish through your life and business environment. Instead of compartmentalizing departments or job descriptions in your company, encourage and praise idea sharing and holistic thinking. Remember that allowing people to explore creative freedom will enhance their performance and productivity, and create a positive work environment.

Remember: Creativity is not something you can give precise directions for. Creativity is a mind-set, a fresh perspective, the training of your brain to function without limitations, to see everything as an opportunity. By thinking and acting creatively, you’ll discover that your thought processes are no longer limited. The creative mind does not follow old rules but creates its own rules. Creativity is confidence. To execute your creativity you need to be fearless, or at the very least, be willing to face your fears.

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