“When all think alike, then no one is thinking” American political commentator, Walter Lippman.
At Rockpool, we don’t just share new concepts. Being an innovative digital agency means that we use our experience to bring the best of these ideas to life. So how do you create a hub of innovation within your business? How do you keep those ideas flowing? How do you think outside the digital screen and yet produce achievable and relevant solutions? I‘ve drawn together a list of innovation pointers. These are a mixture of tips from my colleagues, inspirations from my mentors and discoveries from my own experiences.
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Create your environment
Work colleagues should feel that they can bounce ideas off of each other without barriers of hierarchy that may stifle freedom of thought. Your environment should encourage and foster cross-pollination of groups and take people out of their comfort zones. More often than not, a work colleague not directly involved will have an absolute crystal clear view point
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Encourage conflict
Understand that conflict of opinions in a group is fuelled with ideas – this is often a signal that the right solution is just around the corner so persevere on finding that half way point. If a brain storming session simply results in a couple of people whole heartedly agreeing with each other, then the idea being bounced around has not been tested enough
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Take notes
Make sure there is someone in the brain storming session who’s not involved in the idea process in order to take notes, chair the discussions and provide attendees with actions
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Never underestimate the power of intrigue
Sometimes it’s better not to give too much away when trying to draw ideas from a group. The mystery can create an energetic environment to throw ideas around
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Turn the idea upside down
Spin the problem / process / marketing concept on its head – walk in the opposite direction of the obvious– and see where it takes you
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Get it wrong to get it right
Sometimes you may need many wrong ideas to find the right idea. Innovation is also about timing, so keep these thoughts written down and look back on the ideas you’ve had. It might not have been right then, but it may be developed successfully at another stage
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Keep learning
Don’t limit yourself and follow your own path. Develop your passions in a way that contributes to your workplace and colleagues on all sorts of depths and levels. Our team constantly share links on new technologies and concepts, share thoughts on conferences we’ve attended and books we’ve read. We also encompass the individual interests that are a step beyond the obvious by developing a team who’re passionate about the social community of the office, and event organisation
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Reward good ideas in creative and original ways
Many people aren’t motivated primarily through money. Find out what excites your team, listen to them and, most importantly, bring something unusual to the table