Three things innovative companies do to foster creativity

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Innovative companies find new ways to get creative based on the wants and needs of their customers, as well as the latest resources, tools and technologies at their disposal. From business models and processes to systems and logistics, they are committed to fearless innovation in the pursuit of excellence.

However, a company itself is not capable of innovative thinking. Only its people can do that. Making innovation a routine part of a business’s operations involves collaboration – it is a social process that can only happen when people and their ideas connect, mingle and cross-pollinate to become more than the sum of their parts. American advertising creative and co-founder of DDB, Bill Birnbach, once said, “An idea can turn to dust or magic, depending on the talent that rubs against it.”

Staying ahead of competition

Here are three things that all innovative companies do to foster creativity and stay ahead of the competition:

1. Focus on needs. Whether it’s a product or a service that is being developed, the challenges of the eventual user need to be a guiding force along every step of the way. Innovative companies pay attention to trends and listen to what people are saying to think ahead and anticipate people’s future needs.

2. Identify core strengths before venturing into uncharted territories. Companies should focus on perfecting their core products and services before innovating new ones. Data needs to be gathered and analysed to accurately judge performance of each, leaving the company free to capitalise on the findings

3. Make innovative thinking more likely to happen. Truly creative companies foster a culture where employees know that there is no idea too big or small, to make a real difference to the organisation and its customers. Whether from everyday employees, C-Level executives, partners or customers, an innovative business is always ready to take on the next big idea and find a way to make it generate value.

Being cognisant of consumer needs and keeping up with trends and the latest innovations to address these really is a key differentiator in terms of the relevancy and success of organisations within industry today.