Killer Innovations with Phil McKinney - A Show About Ideas Creativity And Innovation

Continuing our Best of Killer Innovations series, we focus on finding creative inspiration and incorporating creativity into all aspects of life. Creativity is a state of mind that can be achieved with practice, enabling you to stand out as an innovator. Everyone is creative.  Yet some people seem more creative than others.  What do those people have that others might lack?  What's the secret to creativity? This week we talk about finding creative inspiration outside of work.  I'll share my thoughts on what makes people creative. We'll also hear Kym McNicholas interview Tania Katan.  Tania has just come out with a book called Creative Trespassing: How to Put the Spark and Joy into Your Work and Life. Finding Inspiration Humans use creativity every day to solve complex issues.  Some people are more creative than others in problem-solving.  How do these people manage to stay ahead of everyone else creatively?  First, these people are inspired. Find something piques your interest and drives you to go above and beyond, experiment, and learn.  You can find creative inspiration even at work. If you are passionate about your work, you are feeding your creativity. Practicing Creativity Another common denominator of creative people is that they practice creativity.  People do not just wake up already skilled at something. They have to practice it until they have mastered it.  Practice can be defined as two things: * To do repeated exercises for proficiency * To pursue a profession actively There is a myth that you can't practice creativity and innovation.  You can practice and become proficient. There are many ways to exercise your creative abilities.  There are exercises for the daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly practice of creative skills. Talking Creative Inspiration with Tania Katan Tania Katan shares with Kym McNicholas how people's creativity in their personal life can enhance their work.  Her book, Creative Trespassing: How to Put the Spark and Joy Back into Your Work and Life, examines the impact of bringing personal creative exercise into the workplace. Tania wrote this book because she saw a disconnect between people's creativity and what they did at their jobs during the day. Tania says that if you are looking for innovation, you must bring your creativity to your job.  We could solve problems with innovation if we put our creativity to work. The book contains exercises called “Productive Disruptions” throughout. These are creativity breaks. Stanford's study was called the “Walking Creativity Study.” This proved that people who went for walks experiencing creative blocks experienced 60 percent higher creativity afterward.  Disruptions and breaks are scientifically proven to help improve creativity. Many people don't enhance creativity because they don't have the right experience or training.  We must break through that barrier and ask “what if” questions. Stop trying to solve problems the same way and try creativity. Some of the most significant takeaways from the book are: * Our job does not have to be uniquely creative for us actually to be creative. * We must feel free at the workplace to create a creative revolution inside our bodies, minds, and cubicles. One of the biggest roadblocks to creativity is the fear of thinking and doing things differently. The best way to get through that obstacle is to face it.

Picking up our Best of Killer Innovations series, we examine in detail FOBO and how to overcome mental barriers that can hinder innovation. The fear of a better option (FOBO) can paralyze decision-making. It is also the enemy of innovation.  In this episode, I share four ways to deal with FOBO. FOBO versus FOMO What is it that causes that hesitation at decision time? Patrick McGinnis calls it FOBO: the Fear of a Better Option. Patrick describes it as “paralyzed at the prospect of actually committing to something, out of fear that we might choose something that was not the perfect option.” The result is that you get stuck in analysis paralysis and never decide. The sister term to FOBO is FOMO, the Fear of Missing Out. If you miss out, you will not have that one magic piece of data that will give you perfect information. So, our fear of missing out feeds our fear of a better option. The result is saying “yes” to everything. I used to say “yes” to every request to speak or teach, no matter the impact on myself or my family. When you combine FOBO with FOMO, you can be afraid of doing anything. That is FODA, the paralysis that turns into a fear of doing anything. What I had to learn was to say “no.” Breakthrough came when a newspaper article about me forced me to go public with a secret that fed my imposter syndrome. I deal with FOMO by creating criteria for myself that help me prioritize the requests for my time and attention. FOBO in Innovation For innovation, deciding to move forward on an idea to commit to resources, such as people and money, is ripe for FOBO. A leader has hesitated to give a team the green light on a project because they are not yet convinced it is the best/perfect idea. No idea is a perfect idea. FOBO could mask a more general fear of failure. But not deciding means zero chance of an innovative idea. The primary objective is to innovate and to do that. It would be best if you tried your ideas. Come to terms with the fact that most of your ideas will fail.  FOBO, fearing a better option, is the enemy of innovation. It is the tool antibodies will use to brush off your ideas. FODA (the Fear of Doing Anything) When you combine FOBO and FOMO, you can find yourself paralyzed, not wanting to commit to anything. This is FODA, the Fear of Doing Anything. It would be best if you learned to be decisive. Here are four ways to deal with FOBO and not get caught in the trap of FODA: * The Ask and Watch method. Patrick McGinnis says to whittle your decision to two options. Assign each item to either the left or right side of your watch. Look down and see where the second hand is at the moment. Taking the final decision when you have two good options out of your control releases you from doubt. * Criteria method. Create a clear criterion that works for you. Mine are the Five F’s: Faith, Family, Friends, Fitness, and Finances. Score requests on your time against your list of criteria. * The Innovation = Ranking method. With innovation, use your funnel and ranking process to create a list of “next best ideas.” These are the ideas based on their ranking score from the 

Returning to our best of Killer Innovations series, we dive into the importance of reading for the innovator and some stimulating books to stir up your creativity. Building a library of inspiration in your innovation studio ensures you have a ready source of ideas. This inspiration library can come in the form of a collection of innovative books. I am a visual learner, so reading books is where I often find my inspiration. I will walk you through some essential books and explain why I value them. My Design Innovation Books The first book is “Frank Lloyd Wright: A Visual Encyclopedia.” I grew up in Chicago, where the author started and became famous. Personally, this book reminds me to create my style. Frank Lloyd Wright separated himself from others. He developed his style and put a different spin on the design of his buildings. The next book is called “A Pattern Language” by a professor at UC Berkeley, Christopher Alexander. Used by the original Sims game developers, the author breaks down patterns found by building houses, cities, and other buildings. While you can't apply what is in this book and apply it directly to a product or service, the book teaches an important idea. You can generate a certain feeling or experience through your patterns and designs. “Designing Interactions” by Bill Moggridge is the third innovation book in my library of inspiration. The author focuses on designing experiences and offers important insights into the origins of Google and others. The fourth book on my list touches on what to do with design, where problems can occur, and how to avoid them. It is “The Universal Principles of Design” by William Lidwell. My Creative Innovation Books The fifth book is “Thinker Toys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques” by Michael Michalko. In my opinion, this is a book that every innovator should have. The book brings together tools, approaches, ways to brainstorm, uses of SCAMPER, etc., that are very useful for innovators. Pretty much anything that Michael puts out, I buy. Another book is “Six Thinking Hats” by Dr. Edward de Bono.” His TV show on PBS introduced me to the innovation and creativity space when I was a kid. Over six or seven shows, Dr. de Bono, taught viewers about unleashing their creativity, which sparked something inside me. The book is a great reminder to change your perspective and keep a fresh mind and is a great piece to have in your library of inspiration. Fun Books I Keep Now I will share with you some fun books I keep that make me laugh. The first is “The World's Worst Inventions: The Craziest Gadgets and Machines Ever Made” by Jack Watkins. This book discusses some inventions that have been deemed stupid by many. Ironically, some of these inventions have gone on to be successful after this book was published. The next book is “Fail Harder: Ridiculous Illustrations of Epic Fails” by Failblog.org Community. This book humorously discusses human failings and reminds us of our human nature. To learn more about creating your inspiration library, listen to this week's show: The Best of Killer Innovations: My Innovation Library.

Resuming our best of Killer Innovation series, we take a deeper look at the contrasting characteristics of coaching and mentoring. The topic is one that I have touched on over the years in various ways. People reach out to me all the time, asking about this.  Coaching, as well as mentoring, often get placed in the same category. In reality, they are different. We will discuss the differences between innovation coaching and mentoring and run through some application scenarios. Innovation Coaching Many people often find themselves confused when it comes to coaching and mentoring. They don’t understand that innovation coaching and innovation mentoring are different. Coaching is the most common activity when it comes to innovation. In general, coaching and mentoring are two of the top five most popular jobs out there. Innovation coaching is kind of like a sports coach. In baseball, a pitching coach trains pitchers to improve their craft. Pitching coaching is just like innovation coaching, as it seeks to help one improve in a specific area based on an assessment. It tends to be limited in duration. Also, it only works best with measurable and tangible improvement opportunities. A good innovation coach will offer clear direction for improvement based on assessing one’s needs. Coaching can be on the individual level, team level, or for an entire organization. An innovation coach should be able to evaluate and tell you what area you need to improve. They should plan to improve and be more successful in a specific area. Innovation Mentoring Mentoring is a less specific and tangible area that looks at the big picture, such as your career. An innovation mentor is a trusted advisor that crosses personal and professional lines and might be with you for many years. They help craft broader goals and the skills and experiences to achieve them. When looking for an innovation mentor, choose someone you can learn from. You want one that has achieved innovation success in their career. Usually focused on the individual, I have also done long-term mentoring for innovation teams. Mentoring sessions are less formal than coaching sessions and are on an as-needed basis. Fees for mentoring most likely come from the individual. A successful mentoring role should last many years and stay constant, no matter if your organization changes. No fees may be required in rare cases if you become close to the mentor. Don’t expect mentoring to be free just because some mentors might typically do it out of the kindness of the heart. Remember, mentoring relationships require time and transparency to be successful. A mentor can’t do their job if you are not honest with them, and vice versa. Coaching vs. Mentoring One of the best ways to show the differences between an innovation coach and a mentor is to run through some scenarios. First scenario: Your team is struggling to create a pitch for an idea to secure funding from your organization. You must determine the best way to structure your pitch to secure funding. Is innovation coaching or mentoring the best way to aid you?  You could hire an innovation coach in this situation because it is a specific issue you are trying to resolve. You want to find a coach with an excellent track record of helping teams craft pitches. Pay the coach for their work rather than saying you’ll pay them upon success. Second scenario: Your CEO has asked you to develop innovation leaders within your existing staff. Would this be innovation coaching or mentoring? With a longer-term goal that is not tangible, so in this case,

Continuing our best of Killer Innovations series, we explore the hidden benefits of successful failures. For innovation leaders, it is vital to learn how to turn failures into successes. Innovation is all about seeing opportunities others don't see and seizing them. Successful failures lead to triumphant innovations. The Importance of Failure The experimentation phase is within the innovation process often full of failures. These failures are not always negative. When things are unplanned, failures allow us to see what needs change. Successful innovations require risk and a capacity for productive failures, which reveal something new about the problem you are trying to solve. To experience productive failure, you have to fail successfully. Three characteristics help you figure out if your failures are successful. Three Characteristics of Successful Failures * Effort: Firm commitment is a must for innovators, even when others give up hope. Ask yourself, “Did you give your project your 100% best effort?” * Perspective: Reflect on what happened during each failure, learn from it, and apply what you learned to future innovations. Ask yourself, “what does the experience teach you about what works and what doesn't?” * Inspiration: Experiment failure might lead to lessons about the nature of the problem, inspiring better solutions. They can also teach us something about how we think. Through failures, you can learn how to solve problems better. Ask, “Does this new understanding inspire a new understanding that wasn't there before?” To know more about successful failures,  listen to: The Best of Killer Innovations: Successful Failures.

We kick off a new series where we will be looking at the best of past Killer Innovation shows. This episode is about creative qualities. Creative people often have a sense of limitless creative freedom and experimentation. Creative genius is a natural part of who creatives are. If you are not naturally creative, you can learn and develop your creativity by applying creative qualities. 12 Qualities of a Creative Person * Curious: Creative people are always asking questions/looking for new ideas. They're not content with the status quo. * Creative Confidence: Creative confidence is when you know what you are about to do/say/or create is original. Creative, confident people are not afraid to fail because they know it's part of the process. * Thick Skin: Creative people must have thick skin, take criticism, reject rejection, stay persistent, and be unafraid of failure. * Independent Rebellious Streak: Creatives can't be afraid to blaze their trail and stand up for their ideas. They must find the right balance between their independent, rebellious streak and supporting the team's mission. * Flexibility: Creative people need to be flexible. If not, they might overlook new ideas, or you might be unable to adapt to changes a new idea would impose. * Playful:Playing with ideas can help break through mental blocks by going outside the box to create new solutions or inventive ways of looking at old ones. * Thorough: Creative people are more comprehensive than most because they never stop at the first idea. They always look around at what else they can do. * Ambitious: Creatives are ambitiously striving to push the boundaries of what is possible. They crave feedback from others to improve and desire to create something new and unique. * Energetic: Creative people constantly move, inspiring others with their creativity and energy. * Naïve:Creative people are often naïve about their limitations but can be more creative than others because of this naivete. It's important to balance creativity and practicality. * Dreamer:Creative people are sometimes called “dreamers” because they imagine new possibilities. * Persistence: Creatives persist in their efforts over time despite any obstacles. Creative solutions result from patience and tenacity. To know more about creative qualities, listen to: The Best of Killer Innovations: Creative Qualities.

Are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Visionary leaders possess unique characteristics that set them apart from other leaders. They have the confidence to make tough decisions and the creativity to develop innovative solutions. It is their willingness to embrace risks that truly sets visionary leaders apart. Qualities of Visionary Leaders Their ambition, creativity, and courage set visionary leaders apart from other leaders. They are naturally inquisitive, asking questions and looking for innovative solutions. Their entrepreneurial spirit drives them to take risks and embrace change. Let's take a deeper look at these qualities. Their courage is key, as they must make decisions even when uncertainty or risk is involved. Visionary leaders are not afraid to take risks, knowing that without risk, there is little chance of success. As such, they accept responsibility for their decisions and embrace failure as a learning experience. They believe that setting one's mind to something can accomplish anything, no matter how difficult it may seem. Visionary leaders push themselves further than anyone else to reach new heights, creating opportunities for others. Besides being ambitious and having an eye for potential opportunities, visionary leaders possess strong communication skills and empathy toward those around them. They understand everyone has different strengths and weaknesses, making them open-minded about strategies and solutions put forth by team members, which helps build trust between all involved. Lastly, visionary leaders know when it's time to move on from a specific project or task to progress further, which shows great awareness of internal and external circumstances. Embracing Risk Visionary leaders exhibit their willingness to take risks. They understand that to achieve success and reach new heights, one must be willing to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. Risk-taking behavior for visionary leaders can manifest in a variety of ways. For example, they may take calculated risks to capitalize on opportunities leading to more significant rewards. They may also be willing to try innovative solutions or methods that no one else has tried before, as this kind of experimentation has the potential for breakthroughs. These risk-takers often go against popular opinion or convention to pursue their ideas and dreams. Visionary leaders recognize that sometimes taking the path less traveled is necessary, and they have the courage and conviction to act ‌even when faced with criticism or doubt from others. Visionary leaders understand that failure is an essential part of the learning process. They don't allow fear of failure or uncertainty to deter them from trying something new – instead, they embrace it as a source of knowledge and growth. They learn from each situation and use it as a stepping stone toward future success. The Benefits of Risk Taking risks as a leader is an essential part of developing into a successful visionary leader. To be deemed successful, one must think ahead and anticipate the possible consequences of taking certain risks. For example, if you risk investing in emerging technology that could become popular, you would gain from being ahead of the curve and having the opportunity to capitalize on its success before anyone else. Learning to identify potential opportunities for growth and success requires understanding risk-taking principles. This involves learning how to manage and minimize risks when necessary. Knowing when it is wise to take a risk and when it is better not to can be critical for staying competitive in t...

Breaking down barriers to innovation is vital for fostering creativity and advancing progress. Innovative thinking is needed to develop new ideas, products, and services that can help improve our world. As such, it is essential to understand why breaking down barriers to innovation is important and how to do so. What is a Barrier To Innovation? A barrier is anything that stands in the way of achieving an innovative goal or idea. These barriers can come in many forms, such as physical objects, regulations, policies, cultural norms, lack of resources, and even beliefs. Some barriers are real, some are perceptions, and some are self-imposed. Understanding the difference between a real barrier and a perceived one is essential, as this will help us determine how best to tackle it. How To Overcome Barriers To Innovation? Breaking down innovation barriers is crucial in fostering creativity and progress. By recognizing the different types of barriers and developing strategies for overcoming them, organizations can create an environment where innovative thinking is encouraged and celebrated. Ultimately, breaking down these barriers will open up opportunities for growth and success. Types of Barriers Breaking down barriers to innovate is essential for turning creative ideas into reality. Physical objects, regulations, and policies are the most common barriers hindering the process. For example, a lack of resources or equipment could limit production capabilities, thus making it difficult to bring an innovative product or service to the market. Similarly, specific regulations and policies may restrict certain areas of innovation due to safety concerns or industry standards. Cultural norms and beliefs can also be significant barriers to innovation. Some cultures may resist change more than others, indicating that they may perceive revolutionary ideas as too risky or inappropriate in those contexts. Furthermore, beliefs such as fear of failure can lead people away from taking risks and trying out new concepts. The lack of time and motivation can also be a considerable barrier to innovating. Ideas often require extensive research and development before they come to fruition, which can take days or even months, depending on complexity. Ideas may languish without the necessary motivation for this process instead of being taken further. Finally, financial constraints often stand in the way of executing innovative ideas. Entrepreneurs may require external funding to implement innovative ideas due to significant capital investments. Developing complex products requires a significant investment that entrepreneurs may not have access to. This can prevent individuals from implementing innovative ideas without additional help. Many barriers can negatively impact innovation efforts if not appropriately addressed. Finding ways around these issues is crucial for turning creative ideas into tangible results – whether products or services – so individuals and businesses must try to break down those barriers when possible to foster progress and advancement within their respective fields. Overcoming Barriers to Innovate To overcome barriers, you must first identify them and develop strategies for removing them. This can involve developing processes or tools that make it easier to work around obstacles, creating an environment where creative solutions are embraced, and investing in resources that can help reduce the time spent tackling these issues. Let's examine the barriers grouped into real, perceived, or self-imposed. Real Barriers To Innovation Real barriers to innovation are those that exist in the physical world. These can include a lack of resources or equipment, regulations and policies that restrict certain areas of innovation due to safety concern...

Creativity is a powerful tool, and many underestimate our creative potential. Creative potential is your ability to generate new ideas and connect seemingly unrelated concepts to create something unique or solve problems innovatively. It goes beyond simply having an open mind; it is about actively forming connections that lead to discoveries, inventions, and insights. Many people are unaware of their creative potential and overlook its importance when attempting to reach their personal and professional goals. Tapping into your full creative power requires more than just a few random ideas – you must learn how to channel your inner creativity into meaningful projects. By learning to recognize existing patterns in your environment, develop creative strategies for problem-solving, and think outside the box, you can unlock your creative potential and achieve tremendous success in all areas of life. What is Creative Thinking? As we just discussed, creative potential generates new ideas and connects seemingly unrelated concepts. Creative thinking is the process of using this potential to gain insight into how we can solve problems in innovative ways. Several elements comprise the fundamentals of creative thinking – divergent thinking, convergent thinking, synthesis, and analysis. Divergent thinking is separating complex problems into smaller pieces and producing multiple solutions. Convergent thinking is the opposite – collecting information from various sources, analyzing them, and combining them to form one solution. Synthesis requires creative thinkers to combine different elements in an organized manner to create something new. Analysis requires creative thinkers to evaluate ideas objectively by considering their strengths and weaknesses so that only the best solution is implemented. Overall, it takes practice and experimentation for someone to develop successful creative skills – creativity isn't just about having an out-of-the-box idea. Learning to think creatively can help individuals create new solutions for everyday challenges or seek previously uncharted opportunities for growth and development. It provides a framework for approaching complex tasks in novel ways using logic combined with imagination and curiosity to gain unexpected insights through seemingly simple problems. Example of Unlocking Creative Potential One example of creatives leveraging their creative potential for unexpected success is the story of Shonda Rhimes, the creator and showrunner of popular television series such as Grey's Anatomy and Scandal. Rhimes has achieved unprecedented success in the entertainment industry by consistently pushing boundaries and taking risks with her writing. She has been recognized for her innovative approach to storytelling, using complex plot lines and dynamic characters that draw viewers in like never before. Rhimes was born in Chicago, Illinois, where she began writing stories at a young age. She eventually went on to study screenwriting at Dartmouth College, but after graduation, she found it difficult to find work in Hollywood, but she kept at it. In 2005, Rhimes' hard work paid off when ABC greenlit her first show—Grey's Anatomy—which became an instant hit. The show blended medical drama with romance and created a loyal fan base that continues today – it has become one of the longest-running medical dramas in history. From there, Rhimes created other hugely successful shows, including Private Practice and Scandal, which earned critical acclaim for their unique storylines. Rhimes credits much of her success to tapping into her creative potential by stayin...

Mindful innovation is a way to approach problem-solving from a different perspective. Instead of just looking for quick ideas or relying on existing approaches, mindful innovation calls us to slow down and take the time to deeply understand the problem before attempting to solve it. It also encourages us to be open-minded and seek new perspectives and insights while considering our ideas' impact. Mindful innovation is a powerful tool for creating positive change in the world. Benefits of Mindful Innovation We can create more sustainable and successful solutions by taking a mindful approach to innovation. We can consider the effects our solutions will have on society in the long term and come up with creative ways to address these issues. Additionally, this type of innovation allows us to work collaboratively and draw on the combined expertise of multiple disciplines. Finally, mindful innovation encourages us to develop a deeper understanding of ourselves and our motivations, which can be invaluable to innovating. What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is being present with an open, accepting attitude and without judgment. It involves being aware of one's thoughts and feelings from a place of non-judgmental observation. Mindful awareness allows us to be more conscious of our internal experience and external environment. Through mindful awareness, we can observe our thought processes and be attentive to the emotions that arise, allowing us to respond more mindfully to our challenges. Mindfulness helps us become attuned to how we feel in the present moment and how our current thoughts may influence those feelings. Focusing on the present moment instead of worrying about the past or future can cultivate an inner sense of peace and contentment. Mindful living encourages us to take a step back from stressful situations to observe them objectively rather than getting caught up in them emotionally or cognitively. This gives us space to make choices that come from clarity rather than fear or anger. Mindfulness doesn't just help slow down racing thoughts; it also helps strengthen attention span by re-training your brain's focus abilities over time through regular practice, which has been found helpful for combating stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, mindfulness practice has been linked to improved immune system functioning and physical health, such as lower blood pressure and better sleep quality. Regular practice cultivates mindfulness, a powerful tool for improving mental and emotional well-being. By being mindful of our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, we can become more aware of how our thoughts and actions affect our well-being and make decisions that come from a place of clarity and compassion. How Does Mindfulness Relate to Innovation? Mindfulness and innovation are closely related concepts. Mindfulness encourages us to be present at the moment and open to new perspectives, which makes it a valuable tool for innovators who need to look at problems from different angles and come up with creative solutions. Mindful innovation also allows us to take the time to understand a problem before attempting to solve it, which can help us create more sustainable and successful solutions. Mindfulness encourages us to observe our thoughts and feelings rather than get caught up in them. This helps us think objectively about a problem instead of being influenced by our emotions or biases. We can develop more creative solutions by taking a step back from the situation and slowing down. Mindfulness also allows us to focus on the present moment and not be overwhelmed by the future or bogged down in the past. This helps us remain focused on our current tasks,

In today’s world, innovation is a fundamental component of successful business strategies. It allows organizations to stay ahead of the competition, develop new products and services, and create value for customers. However, scaling up innovative ideas can be challenging because of the complexity of the process and its associated risks. Taking an idea or concept and expanding upon it to make a greater impact requires focus and effective scaling strategies. Why Is Scaling Important? In today's world, it is not enough to have a great idea or concept. To make it successful, organizations must scale their ideas as they enter the market. This could be — reaching a larger audience or market, increasing operational efficiency, generating more revenue, or enhancing customer experience. If they don't scale, the niche status of the innovative idea will prevent it from having the impact needed to be considered a success. This lack of scaling will open the door to your competition to step in with their idea and quickly dominate the market. Common Barriers to Scaling Innovation One of the major barriers that can stop organizations from scaling up their innovations is a lack of resources. For instance, many companies may not have the capital to invest in new technologies or hire additional personnel for research and development. Organizations may lack access to talent or have difficulty finding qualified workers with the skills necessary to implement innovative ideas. Organizations may face structural issues that inhibit innovation, such as bureaucracy, rigid hierarchies, and bureaucratic decision-making processes. These organizational structures often impede creativity and responsiveness, making it difficult for companies to scale new products and services. Many organizations are unable to respond rapidly enough to changing customer needs or industry trends, and it may leave them behind in terms of competitiveness. Another barrier to scaling up innovations is cultural resistance. Organizations must create an environment where employees feel comfortable taking risks and innovating without fear of failure or repercussions. This includes fostering a culture of collaboration and transparency so that all stakeholders know the potential benefits and risks involved in scaling up an idea. Without this type of supportive atmosphere, innovative ideas will likely never be given the chance they deserve to reach their full potential. Examples of Successful Scaling One example of an industry that has successfully scaled up its innovations is the technology sector. Companies such as Microsoft, Apple, and Google have created products and services that have revolutionized how people interact with technology. These companies are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and developing new products and services to stay ahead of the competition. Through their investments in research and development (R&D) they can develop products and services that meet customer needs faster than their rivals. The entertainment industry is another example of a business sector that has embraced innovative strategies to remain competitive in today's market. Streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video constantly innovate to provide customers with improved experiences and better value for money. These companies rely heavily on cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), to strategically analyze customer data to create tailored content recommendations for each user. In the automotive industry, manufacturers like Tesla are pioneering a new era of sustainable transportation by ...

Introduction to Intuitive Thinking Intuitive thinking sometimes referred to as ‘thinking on autopilot,' is based on prior experience and mental shortcuts. It involves using heuristics and pattern recognition to make decisions quickly and efficiently. Intuitive thinking is essential because it allows us to make decisions without pausing for conscious analysis or deliberation. This helps us react swiftly when we don't have enough information or time – which is common in innovation. One can argue that intuitive thinking is essential to everyday life. It allows us to save energy and make decisions more quickly than if we were attempting to analyze every single detail of a situation. It also allows us to see/intuit things that are not obvious such as solutions to problems others do not see. Furthermore, intuition often helps us make better decisions than conscious thought processes alone. Studies show that we can trust our instincts in specific scenarios, such as predicting the outcome of sporting events or guessing the answer to a problem before checking the answer key. Intuitive thinking has drawbacks, however, as it relies upon past experiences, which may not always lead us in the right direction. Personal biases and assumptions may influence and cloud our judgment. As such, we must take time out from relying on intuition periodically and instead use conscious thought processes more deliberately when making decisions. Example of Intuitive Thinking An example of a person using intuitive thinking to innovate can be seen in the story of Henry Ford and his development of the Model T automobile. Ford had a vision of making an affordable car that could be used by families, and he knew that he needed an innovative solution. He began experimenting with different designs and materials until he eventually settled on mass-producing vehicles. However, it was not just the technical specifications that made this decision successful; Ford also relied on his intuition to ensure that what he was trying to achieve would be successful. He believed that people were looking for something new, reliable, and affordable, and he took a chance to create his product line – one that would revolutionize transportation as we know it today. Ford trusted his gut instinct and went against industrial trends at the time, believing in himself and his vision despite the risks involved. His intuition guided him toward making the right decisions, such as choosing assembly lines over hand-building cars or inventing new tools like wheel molds instead of relying solely on manual labor. Ultimately, these decisions ushered in a new era for car manufacturing – one where efficient production could result in cost savings for consumers without sacrificing quality or reliability. By trusting his intuition, Henry Ford created an innovative solution to a problem that had existed for years: how to make transportation more accessible and affordable without compromising quality or reliability. It was only after years of trial-and-error experimentation coupled with intuitive thinking that Ford succeeded with his Model T automobile design – leading to one of the greatest inventions of all time. History of Intuition Intuitive thinking has been a part of human decision-making for centuries. It is the ability to make decisions based on instinct, insight, or gut feeling rather than relying solely on conscious thought processes, facts, and figures. While intuitive thinking has long been viewed as an innate trait that some people possess while others do not, recent research suggests otherwise; anyone can cultivate intuition through practice and experience. The concept of intuitive thinking dates back to ancient Greece wh...

Tom D'Eri, Co-Founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash, joins us to discuss the gap neurodivergent individuals face while entering the workforce and how to bridge that gap by changing hiring methods and implementing strategic operations that are inclusive to those with different skill sets. Prospective job seekers with autism face a massive disparity in the job market. Unemployment rates of this group of individuals are between 60-80 percent. Taking that percentage of people out of the workforce when only 16 percent of autistic people face a significant intellectual disability is holding many businesses back and harming the economy. Tom D'Eri started Rising Tide Car Wash to help his brother with autism find employment rather than be a statistic in a rigid workforce not designed for those facing mental disabilities. So many neurodivergent individuals are capable and have much to offer employers. A change in how businesses look at people and how teams function must take place for the future of the workforce to become more inclusive, diverse, and ultimately successful. Barriers One significant barrier neurodivergent people face is the traditional hiring process. Most businesses are not designed to accurately assess the capabilities of individuals with autism during the hiring process. They don't see past external dissimilarities and can often overlook great talent simply by not realizing that the thought process of a neurodivergent person, though different, is not a handicap but can be an asset to a business. Employers need to reassess their methods to support neurodiversity better. Ensuring these individuals have the tools to be successful in the workplace will further ensure the business's success. Benefits of Creating a Diverse Team To better support a nontraditional workforce, Tom believes you do not have to do anything structurally different; you need to do things better. Better communication, clear feedback, and managers who care enough about your employees to make a safe and trusting environment will help a nontraditional workplace thrive. Tom mentions how people with autism are extreme users of organizational systems, which is extremely beneficial to a team because it creates better management skills and processes and provides more communication clarity. Those who are neurodivergent think differently. People with different thinking styles can help drive a good innovation strategy by bringing a different perspective. Tom believes having diversity of thought on your team is one of the most impactful ways diversity can influence an organization. Not being afraid to try unconventional approaches to problem-solving will push teams in new directions and promote learning and innovation. Tom's groundbreaking book, The Power of Potential, focuses on how the unemployment of neurodivergent people is an issue that can be solved. There is a need for talent, and there are people who supply that talent in the neurodivergent community. By expanding past traditional systems that aren't built for the neurodivergent community and creating more inclusive and innovative business operations, businesses can unlock vast untapped potential and benefit the lives of those involved. About our Guest: Tom D'Eri Tom D'Eri is the Co-Founder and COO of Rising Tide Car Wash,

Jim Kalbach, Head of Customer Experience at Mural, joins us to discuss innovation efforts in the world of visual collaboration. Remote work was at nearly one hundred percent during the pandemic, creating a need for effective digital whiteboards. Not only did people need a working space, but also a space for visual collaboration to take place. Since the pandemic, new modes outside of remote work have arisen, such as in-person, asynchronous, synchronous, and hybrid. The challenge has been finding a happy medium these different modes can meet in. Jim Kalbach believes shifting the focus from getting teams remote to ensuring teams can work fluidly throughout these different modes will ensure that teams can collaborate to come up with innovative ideas. Experimentation and Understanding Having an experimental mindset is key while concepts are developing. It can be a challenge while experimenting with new techniques and tools, but a willingness to experiment and try different things, along with having patience when concepts don’t work out, is crucial in improving visual collaboration. As modes for digital whiteboards change, Jim says the key to understanding the new way how things work is having the proper mindset. You have to come in with the mindset that things start and end digitally. Understanding a digitally defined workplace is important because even if you are in person, other parts of your team could be remote. Therefore, it is vital to understand the platforms other team members are using so that things run smoothly. Intentional Collaboration Making team collaboration intentional is vital in ensuring your team is productive, creative, and innovative. Coming at situations with collaborative intelligence will ensure your teams have all they need to thrive. Having a methodology that your team follows, facilitating a culture of transparent communication, and understanding that there is room for learning will help teams effectively collaborate while using digital whiteboards. About the Author: Jim Kalbach Jim Kalbach is the Chief Evangelist at Mural, a collaborative intelligence company that offers a shared workspace for training on the LUMA System, the practical way to collaborate that anyone can learn and apply. Jim is an expert in the areas of experience design, visual methods, strategy, and remote facilitation. He is a world-renowned speaker, and author of the following books: the JTBD Playbook, Mapping Experiences and Designing Web Navigation.   To know more about visual collaboration, listen to: Jim Kalbach of Mural on Visual Collaboration.

There's no question that business model innovation is a hot topic in today's business world. After all, who wouldn't want to be the next Uber or Airbnb? But what does it take to create a new and successful business model? It turns out that business model innovation is not just about having a great idea but about execution and timing. It's also about being willing to take risks and experiment. And, of course, it helps if you have a bit of luck. So, what does it take to create a new and successful business model? Let's take a closer look. What is a Business Model? First, let's define what we mean by a business model. A business model is a way a company creates value for itself and its customers. It includes the company's value proposition (the unique selling point that differentiates it from competitors), the channels through which it reaches customers, the relationships it builds with them, the revenue streams it generates, and the costs it incurs. In other words, a business model is a company's framework to generate revenue and profits. To be successful, a business model must be viable, scalable, and sustainable. A viable business model can generate enough revenue to cover its costs and make a profit. A scalable business model can grow to meet demand. And a sustainable business model can be sustained over the long term. Why Do Business Models Need Innovation? There are several reasons businesses need to innovate their models. First, the market is constantly changing, so companies must evolve. Second, technology is constantly changing and evolving, which means that the way businesses operate also needs to change. And third, customers are constantly changing and evolving, so companies need to find new and innovative ways to meet their needs. One will become irrelevant if a company doesn't innovate its business model. Its products and services will no longer be in demand, and it can no longer generate profits. So, it's essential for businesses to continuously experiment with new models to stay ahead of the competition. How to Innovate a Business Model So how can a company go about innovating its business model? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as every company and industry is different. However, there are some general steps that companies can take to get started: 1. Define your value proposition. What makes your company unique? What do you offer that nobody else does? Figure out your unique selling point and focus on developing products and services that capitalize on that advantage. 2. Identify your channels of distribution. How do you reach your customers? Are there any new or innovative ways you can reach them? Can you use digital channels to reach a wider audience? 3. Build relationships with customers. How can you create loyalty among your customers? Can you create a community around your product or service? Can you find ways to delight your customers? 4. Generate revenue streams. What are the different ways you can make money from your products or services? Can you find new ways to monetize them? 5. Cut costs. How can you reduce the costs of running your business? Can you find ways to automate or streamline processes?