Tag Archives: innovation

Turnover down and profits squeezed? Innovate!

We frequently hear the statistic that few of the leading firms from the post-war era are still around today.  We even hear that few firms make it beyond ten years.  Why is that?  Is it that the market changed and the firms didn’t?  Or that competitors just became better at serving customers?  Or is it that the market was still there and the firms unfortunately got worse at meeting the client’s needs?  Somehow the latter is seriously counter-intuitive.  The former two are more likely.  We have become accustomed to market change but somehow less able to do something about it.  So is demise inevitable?  Is it really only a matter of time before some disruptive technology or some shift in needs topples all firms?

This paper offers a simple solution – innovation.  It addresses how SME principals should organise their firm to stimulate innovation.  And it addresses the most critical of issues: how people can be encouraged, indeed committed, to innovation to ensure the lifeblood of the firm.  Continue reading →

Innovation and the Art of Coffee Making

Innovation in all firms is essential.  It allows the firm to maintain competitive advantage by evolving its products and services to better meet customer needs and grow market share.  People innovate.  So how does an SME principal achieve an environment of continuous innovation by staff to assure his or her firm’s future?  This blog addresses the attributes needed to assure innovation.  It starts by setting out a model for innovation, using the coffee-making baristas improving espresso to espresso’ at Costa as an example.  It discusses planned innovation versus spontaneous innovation.  And it ends by laying out the six Creative Enablers needed in all firms. Continue reading →