How to use creativity in your business | Jul19 Newsletter
"Creativity is intelligence having fun." So said Albert Einstein, and while it might not be up there with "E-MC2", it certainly might help you take your business to the next level.
That’s because being creative is vital for any small business, whether you run an accounting firm or a florist shop or anything in between.
Creativity is the way you come up with new ideas and solutions for the problems that your business – or your customers – are facing. In making an effort to focus on creativity, you can look at issues from another angle and pave the way towards innovative resolutions.
It's more than just using your imagination; it's combining imaginative ideas with action. That’s how you create a new solution, product or idea.
How to be creative in your small business
To harness your creativity in business, it’s a good idea to think about the tools you can use to help you get there.
- Brainstorming: It’s an old term with new meaning in small business. There are countless ways to brainstorm that may work for you. Whether you choose a method like a SWOT analysis, a mind map, visual brainstorming or another way that suits you, this could be the tool you need to put your finger on the best ideas yet.
- Collaboration: This might mean joining forces with a mentor, business partner or allies within your industry, or it might be that you see an opportunity to collaborate with your customers. Whatever it means to you, collaborating with others who have creative ideas can be the key to bringing great solutions to life.
- Productivity: It’s the key to business success, but productivity is so often stilted in small businesses. Use some online tools and technology to come up with creative ways to improve productivity, and you might find yourself with the time to create other new solutions.
- Mistakes: While this might not sound like a tool for success, the truth is that being open to making mistakes is a great sign. It’s very hard to be creative if you’re holding on to a fear of getting things wrong, so be open to learning from trial and error. The important thing is that you keep being creative to find what doesn’t work and, of course, what does.
And if you think you’re not a creative type, think again. Creativity comes in many forms, from an artist to a businessperson brainstorming new ways to create their next piece of success.
It’s one thing to be clever at what you do, but giving your mind permission to think differently is a sign of true business intelligence.