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Quickstart - Why is Innovation a Business Priority?
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Quickstart
Grow a Profitable Consultancy and Still Have Time for a Life
In this issue
Note from Beverley - 6 Degrees of Separation
One Step Further - Why is Innovation a Business Priority?
What's Out There? - Learn and Be Innovative
Personal Reflections - Genuine Service With a Smile
Note from Beverley
Based on the theory of 6 degrees of separation, can you help?
I am looking to help Daniel Priestley MD of Triumphant Events and an XL Results Foundation Life Member, who wants to bring Al Gore (Ex VP USA) to the UK in 2007 to deliver a not for profit tour on An Inconvenient Truth.
Who do you know? Who do they know? that could lead to an introduction directly to Al Gore or to his PA, his publicist, his best friend or a business/political acquaintance, so we can start the chain of events that will bring him to UK next year. Just drop me an email with who and how I will pass the details on to Daniel.
For those of you that haven't heard of An Inconvenient Truth you can find out more at www.climatecrisis.net or www.aninconvenienttruth.co.uk
Thanks for your help.
Have a good week.
Beverley
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
www.onestepfurther.co.uk
+44 (0) 1344 625713
One Step Further
"Innovation is the specific instrument of entrepreneurship. The act that endows resources with a new capacity to create wealth." Peter F Drucker
In an environment of increasing competition, increasing expectation and increasing awareness of what's out there, the need to have innovation as a business driver is ever more prevalent.
Innovation is the art of developing something new, as opposed to creativity, which is the art of building on something that is already present/available (these are my definitions and yours may differ and that's OK)
As consultants in a crowded market, being able to innovate through product, service or process is one way of differentiating yourself and your business from that of your current competitors and will help you stand out from the crowd.
You will already know that I am a fan of "going niche" and there is a view that going really niche can be one way of getting more innovative.
So rather than write screeds on innovation for which there are thousands of pages on google, I thought I would offer some innovative and creative suggestions for new niches, new services and new processes. Some may not be 100% "new" and you may have heard of them, be doing them or know someone who is. My aim is to trigger some thought, provoke outrageous ideas and get you to "stop being a consultant" and start being an innovator for a few minutes at least. All I ask is that you take your thinking One Step Further and consider what if...
What i...
* Clients don't "pay" with money
* Consultancy marketing was only done through ice cream outlets
* Consultants had a weekly "Hit parade" (like the music/DVD charts)
* Clients would only be accepted if they donated 25% of your "fees" to a charity on top of your fees
* Proposals were not used as a means of clients selecting consultants
* Consultants had to have a minimum of an art or music qualification
* No consultancy could be bigger than 6 people
* Consultant slection was done like the X Factor or Pop Idol
Niches to Consider
* Sheep farmers who want to sell online
* Shipbuilders who need to raise finance
* Manufacturing firms of @500 people who want to expand into Eastern Europe
* Start up IT software firms who have > 10 patents to take to market
* NHS/State Doctors who want to set up private practice
* Women over 60 who want to publish a book
* >£5million turnover retail outlets who want to franchise their business in Singapore
* Teenagers who want to build a social enterprise in North West England
* Construction firms building office blocks in Dubai
* Alpacca farmers in USA (too late that is already being done!)
So rather than
* Being a do everything for anyone consultant
* Marketing in the same old way
* Selling in your usual way
* Doing what you've always done
* Using the same process and model as any other consultancy
... get creative, think innovation and go wow your new niche.
Innovation often means change and that in itself can be uncomfortable, scary, confusing and take time. To ignore the need to innovate will at some point lead to you or what you "do" becoming obsolete; maybe not today or next week but with change as the only constant, to not consider innovation is foolish.
"Business has only two functions - marketing and innovation." Milan Kundera
What's Out There?
The Ten Faces of Innovation - "Individuals and organizations need to constantly gather new sources of information in order to expand their knowledge and grow...People who adopt the learning roles are humble enough to question their own worldview, and in doing so they remain open to new insights every day." Tom Kelley
Lessons Not Learned About Innovation - Why have decades of executives fumbled innovation? Find out what Harvard Business School Professor, Rosabeth Moss Kanter believes.
Innovation: The Number One Skill For Success - "Appearances and personalities don't define the perfectly successful businessman, but there are a few things they all have in common. One of the most out standing characteristics that I've noticed is innovation." Allyn Cutts
Personal Reflections
I was at Burnham Beeches Hotel, in Buckinghamshire, last Friday delivering a short presentation to a group of 25 ladies all of whom run their own business, as part of the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce SHE Plc event.
I arrived at the hotel in the pouring rain and drove up the long driveway to be presented with beautiful grounds and a stunning old building - no modern, corporate monolith here!
I entered the main reception area and there was no one at the reception desk. However after about 20 seconds a lady came out from the back office and said, "Oh, I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting how can I help?" I explained why I was there and she directed me with very clear instructions to where I needed to go.
I found the area where I was to talk - and we were to have lunch. The room was empty. I was early.
Within no more than 60 seconds a young girl entered (Polish or Romanian I think) and saw me setting up for the presentation.
"Can I help you with anything?" she asked.
I said, "Yes can I please have a small table placed right at the front of the room?"
"Of course I'll do that right away." came the reply.
Within 60 seconds, said table arrived and she put 2 tablecloths on it and again asked could she offer any further help. I didn't need anything else at that time and she went about her duties. I then realised I hadn't enough table space and I wanted somewhere to put my CD player. Within a few minutes the young girl was back and I asked if I could possibly have one chair. Again the reply was "of course, no problem leave that with me." And within 30 seconds a chair appeared and I was able to finish setting up.
I was already impressed with the speed and helpfulness of the staff when another lady entered the room and introduced herself as the duty manager and asked, "Can I help?"
I was "helped out" and said, not at the moment thank you.
Now you might say well wouldn't you expect that and of course the answer is yes. But as we all know service is not in some people's genes and getting anything done "properly" is sometimes like pulling hen's teeth. So I was impressed, am telling everyone I know and spreading their word.
It doesn't take much to create the right impression, just a bit of thought, doing what you say you will do and being pleasant. Simple really!
Is your service genuine and with a smile?
Best Regards
Bev
bev@onestepfurther.co.uk
www.onestepfurther.co.uk |
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