STAN GORDON SHARES HIS TIPS ON THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX…
In business – and everyday life – grand ideas are applauded. Schemes that tap into ‘new’ processes, or thought leaders that introduce different ways of thinking are looked up to and admired.
Like entrepreneurs, some of us are born with the ability to think outside the box. For others, it doesn’t come as naturally, and creative thinking has to be learned.
Here are a few key tips on how you can teach yourself to look at the bigger picture – and do it successfully.
READ
Just like learning a language or maths, reading is key! Keep an eye on what’s happening around you – read the news and soak up info about the business world, and be on top of what’s being talked about across a range of online publications.
Follow the journeys of start-up businesses and read about initiatives and campaigns businesses have pursued – both those that have worked and others that have flopped. Think about how and where you might be able to adapt similar ideas, or use other people’s creativity as a springboard to come up with something even better.
Read about failures too – ideas and concepts that missed the mark – as this will give you further insights into ideas that may or may not work for your business or project.
Be competitive and check out what other like-minded businesses are doing. Think about how you can overtake their ideas with something more innovative. Perhaps a very simplistic idea is all you need… but think about what you can you do to make it interesting and a little different.
What are the motivating factors for your key target audience at this time? Are they driven by the latest fashion or more interested in being unique? Similar to market research, use this knowledge to help you accurately tap into your key audiences and gain an edge on your competitors.
ASK FOR HELP
Being well-read is one thing, but having the ability to ask people around you for advice can help guide you the right direction; giving you the confidence to pursue your ideas. Get a mentor, or talk to a colleague; someone you respect that is happy to be your ‘go to’ person.
Even when you might already know the answer, having someone to bounce ideas off, talk you through things you may be hesitant about, advise you against potentially negative decisions and encourage you when you’re not feeling all that optimistic, can be the winning factor in thinking big.
Look to successful businesspeople for their advice; for the most part these people are likely to have had mentors at some stage in their career, and some may still have a person from which they seek advice.
Be realistic with yourself – no one knows all of the answers – even the people who are highest up! Take time to listen and learn, sand your ability to instigate success in your everyday will follow.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
Take a chance and be bold! Part of being an entrepreneur is being a bit of a risk-taker; and thinking laterally involves taking a chance and really pushing the boundaries.
Push your creative spirit by letting your thoughts flow freely. Write down your ideas, and hang onto them for a rainy day, as you never know when they might come in handy. It might not be a great fit for your current project, but perhaps you might be able to utilise that brilliant idea for a future initiative!
Leave any prohibitions behind and don’t be afraid to have a go – if you’re caught up in being judged for an idea that’s not quite right you need to rethink what you’re doing and where you’re headed.
In order to succeed, you have to have a go.
