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Incentive Primer: Ideas Rock
May 05, 2008
By James Feldman
Creative ideas are what turn ordinary companies into market leaders. These companies see the end result first, and then innovate to achieve those results.
Unfortunately, in most companies today, the environment fails to foster creative or innovative ideas, resulting in lost profits and opportunities every day. However, creativity and innovation are key elements that propel businesses to the top. Without either, your company comes in second, at best, and no one remembers number two.
Answer these quick questions to learn if your company lacks creativity and innovation.
• Are your profits stagnant or slowing?
• Are your customers satisfied, but not loyal?
• Do your employees lack enthusiasm?
• Are you selling the same products and services that you were five years ago?
Any answer of "yes" indicates that your business may not be around for the long term. To revitalize your organization, follow these guidelines:
Foster a Business Climate That's Open to Innovation and Creativity
Innovation is the ability to come up with ideas and solutions to pressing problems. It is the process of producing something that a) has value, and b) did not exist before. Creativity is the ability to take that new idea and make it valuable in your customers' eyes.
Realize that every problem has a solution, although the solution may not be in plain sight. To make the solution more apparent, remove "standard operating procedures" whenever possible and inspire creative thinking throughout the organization. Reward business associates for finding the "innovative solution" and for "thinking creatively."
As you encourage your people to display innovation and creativity, be prepared for mistakes. When they know that mistakes are part of the process, they'll be more open to take risks and think in new directions. Success only comes when you learn from failure.
Become #1 With Your Clients
The more satisfied your clients are, the more business you'll have in the future. Realize that the only commodity your clients know is you. Since you are the catalyst providing the solution to their problem, you are accountable for fulfilling their needs. As a result, you need to invest time in keeping the channels of communication open.
When communicating, be sure to listen more than you talk. Ask questions that solicit more than a "yes" or "no" response. Understand their needs, and then provide a solution that works. Also, thank your clients for their business on a regular basis. A simple "Thank you. Are you happy with our products and service?" works wonders.
Create a Partnership with Clients
All business transactions are based on someone delivering a promise to fulfill a specific desire or need. Companies that spend millions of dollars promoting their products or services only to make the client wait on hold or have to redial numerous times to lodge complaints erode the partnership.
To create a true partnership with clients, become a problem solver. Clients like when the companies they work with function as thinkers. Become your clients' best solution, and they'll stay with you for the long term.
Create a Partnership With Employees
Asking people to be creative and then shooting down their ideas creates rifts in your organization. Instead, show people that bringing their imagination on the journey is welcome. Listen to your employees as you would your clients. Their insights will likely make your company better at what it does.
Remember that the more offbeat, the more diverse, the more eccentric, and the more unusual, the better we learn and the more we retain. So allow so-called "mavericks" and their ideas into your organization, as they will likely offer a new perspective to the same old routine.
James Feldman, CITE, CPIM, CPT, MIP James Feldman is an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. He develops and delivers performance improvement programs through the James Feldman Associates Inc. marketing agency and Incentive Travelers Cheque International. Learn more about Jim Feldman at www.jfainc.com.
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