Innovation and the small business

April 30, 2007 · Posted in Guest Blogger  · Posted by Leitrim CEB

I have been managing the innovate programme now for almost 2 years. One of the key objectives is to help small businesses be more innovative but how does this actually happen ‘on the ground’.

Firstly, most businesses know where they can improve if ‘only I had time’. Frankly, I think they do have time. If a small business would be as careful spending time as they are spending money then anything is possible. Whoever said “innovate or die” (in the business sense of course) is right.
To me innovation is about improving through change, remove the “ah, sure it’s good enough” attitude.
So “improving through change”. Start small and build confidence. Change that website that is so out of date it could be about a different company.

Yes, do consider setting up a blog. ‘If you build it they will come‘.

Take time out to consider where your business is going.

Ask real questions such as

  • Do I still have the passion I had when I set up this business?
  • Am I happy?
  • Who is in control, me or my business?
  • Have customers gone elsewhere or do I even know or care?

I have seen real profitable ideas come from people by just taking time out to discuss things. I ask companies all the time, where do you feel you are loosing money? What are the biggest hurdles you face? If you had three wishes, what would they be, and you are not allowed wish for more money or wishes.

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Comments

3 Responses to “Innovation and the small business”

  1. keith bohanna on April 30th, 2007 9:10 pm

    Welcome Jonny – looking forward to your posts.

    keith

  2. CPA Naples on May 13th, 2010 12:39 pm

    I totally agree with you. Innovation is key to survive and be successful in this time. The way you communicate to customers has changed as well. We are right now changing our business model. Doing activities that 15 years ago, I would never thought about, but it’s the only way to stay one step ahead.

  3. Internet Marketing Consultant on May 14th, 2010 12:37 pm

    You are right on! I have seen MANY business owners working in their business, not on their business. As an internet marketing consultant, it kills me everytime that I see money being wasted on Yellow pages…who look at them these days? I tell my clients, when was the last time you use the yellow book instead of Google to find something….so why are you throwing your money like that when your website needs a lot of work? the normal answer is “it’s what I’ve always done”

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