5 Keys To Developing an Innovation Mindset for Your Next New Initiative | Inc.com

For example, BlackBerry was really the first in the smart mobile phone market, but they never thought beyond their tiny physical keyboard as they added new features. Meanwhile, Apple and Google came up with real innovation through touchscreen logic and a whole new user interface controlled by finger swipes, and even voice and image recognition. BlackBerry was left behind.

For most of us, the longer we have done things a certain way, the harder it is to think outside the box, and find more innovative ways to change. Yet I believe it is possible, and even more fun, to challenge your thinking and practices, to develop that innovative mindset that can keep you on the forefront of business. Here are a few key initiatives that I always recommend:

One way to do this is to nurture mentoring relationships with experts in other disciplines, as Bill Gates did with Warren Buffet. Plus you can challenge yourself to keep abreast of technology advancements in related industries, looking for a fit in your own. Always practice thinking outside the box.

Make is clear to your team and everyone around you that the “normal” thinking pattern and culture is not acceptable and will not be tolerated. Generously reward your team for learning from innovative ideas, including failures. Keep a list of changes evaluated, and tag each as linear or innovative.

You need to see these as opportunities for growth and a chance to get ahead of competition. Don’t wait for a crisis to force change thinking. Promote change in team culture, and provide support through smart hiring, attending industry conferences, and periodic training to all team members. 

It’s easy to jump to the conclusion after some initial business success that you can relax and keep doing what you are doing without further pivots. My advice is never to fall into that trap, and remember that change is the norm, rather than no change, so face reality. 

This will allow you to take advantage of complementary strengths, and new ways of thinking. It will also force you to look more broadly in your industry, and outside, for innovative ways to combine new customer sets, resources, and use existing assets in new ways to grow your business. 

It’s always good to ask customers what they want, but it’s even better to give them something new to evaluate, before you roll it out in a big way. I recommend that you set targets, like planning for a new experiment each month, and then measure each for acceptance and return impact. 

Amazon has long been a leader in change experiments, and Jeff Bezos credits much of his growth and success to this initiative. He believes that if you double the number of experiments per year, you’re going to double your ability to outpace the competition.

In all cases, even with the right mindset, it’s important to remember that coming up with innovative ideas and implementing them requires more than a flash of inspiration, and much perspiration. It requires a rigorous process, great leadership, and a committed team. If business success is important to you, I recommend that you start today on all the initiatives outlined here.