In business we are often told that we must innovate to remain competitive. This innovation does not have to be the next big thing. Small and steady incremental improvements might be more than enough for you and your business. But if the next big thing is staring you in the face, are you ready to seize it?
Recently we read, The Power of Why by Amanda Lang the well known reporter and personality, from the Lang & O’Leary Exchange on CBC Television. The book was written to promote the power of Why?
The book asks some good questions such as:
Why do we stop asking questions?
Why do we want to fit in?
Why do we discourage kids from asking?
Why are we as a society comfortable with this lack or curiosity and complacency?
Why, why, why?
If you have kids in the “two’s” you have heard that magic question. The two year olds know what too many of us adults have forgotten
Recently we were once again asked to set up a poker tournment. Ho hum we thought. Then we began to ask some questions. The more we asked, the more we learned, the more interesting the event became and the more interested we became.
As Andre Michalopoulos says: “When we help our clients, we have found that it is not having the answer that is the key. It is having the experience to ask the right questions!” We find that very wise. Once you know which questions to ask, then you can do the thinking, research, ask the right expert the right question and get actionable responses.
So how this can help you innovate your business? Good question:
• Ask yourself what are you doing and can you do it better and make a list.
• Ask your clients what are you doing for them and how you can do it better and make a list (if you are the intimidating type you might consider getting survey service to help with this)
• Ask you staff and suppliers, what are you doing right and how you can improve on it.
Do not be agitated by their answers. Listen, process them and look for the clues for a better and more innovative service. Another tip: do not do it alone. Many studies have found, that innovation occurs best in small teams with different talents and outlooks!
So go ahead and ask a question, or two or twenty!
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