What Is Innovation?

I was recently listening to NPR discussing innovation and they used Apple as an example.  They compared the first iPhone with the iPhone 11.  When Steve Jobs introduced it in 2007 he described it as a combination of an iPod, communication, and the internet.  People went wild; it was new it was different it solved a problem of multiple devices in one. Now compare that to the introduction recently. It has a stainless steel body thicker glass and one of 4 matte finishes plus it is harder to break and is water resistant..

What is innovation and should we all be doing it? Innovation is significant positive change. It’s a result. It’s an outcome. It’s something you work towards achieving on a project. If you are successful at solving important problems, peers you respect will call your work innovative and you an innovator. Let them choose the word. Scott Berkun

How can you apply this to your business? What are you offering that is different and makes things better for your customer?  Notice I didn’t say new. It can be as simple as calling customers after a purchase to see how the product is working for them as opposed to sending surveys.  This is great especially with a large purchase such as an appliance or car. Peter Shankman in his book Zombie Loyalists talks about zombies eat brains and he defines brains as BRING RANDOM AMAZEMENT INTO NORMAL SITUATIONS.  He describes restaurants that customize menus for special occasions. Innovation doesn’t have to be major it just has to  make it better for your customer.

Love great French chocolate? Have i got a place for you! Oh you are nowhere near Santa Barbara or Carpenteria? No worries Chocolat de CaliBressan https://www.chococalibressan.com has a chocolate club and they mail you a new box every month. How Sweet!!!!

I know you have seen examples of this everyday.What keeps your loyalty to a company?  How do they solve a problem to make life easier for you?  How about having your new car delivered?  No charge.  Tustin Infinit did that for me.

Here’s something I do, and some of my clients are using a form of this as well, I call it my $100 deal.  If people have never worked with a consultant or advisor they don’t know what to expect or if it’s worth the money.  For $100, you and I spend an hour or so face to face or using Zoom to discuss your issues and possible solutions.  At the end of course I hope you will hire me and if you don’t you still have information to help you move forward. Isn’t that worth $100?

Let me know what you are doing that is innovative and making a positive change and I’ll post it to let more people know.