How Can You Give Your Company An Edge Over The Competition?

In a competitive market, companies need to keep things fresh in order to stay ahead of the curve. The best way to get an edge over your competitors is through innovation. Unfortunately, many innovative ideas aren't recognized for their value until it's too late and they don't realize their full potential. So, how can you recognize and foster innovation at your company? The key is to connect the creative thinking behind new ideas with the linear thinking needed for ideas to generate results. Here's how to cultivate an innovative culture at your company:

(Curated from Pittsburgh Business Times)

The managers and other people in charge at your business need to be receptive to new ideas, even if they seem outrageous. Cooperation and open-mindedness are essential to innovation. The workplace climate should encourage employers no matter what their position at the company to share new ideas. Leaders need to be able to recognize good ideas and get them started.

"People are open to offer creative ideas because they trust how those ideas will be received. People are open to hear creative ideas because they trust the intent behind their ideas."

In a world where it seems like all of the good ideas are taken, start thinking outside the box. Don't limit yourself or your employees to the constraints of reality. If you seriously consider ideas that are commonly labeled as wishful thinking, you will be able to generate ideas with real potential. 

"To wish for something or to take mental risks in one's thinking are powerful tools for turning off rational filters. Without the interference of rationality, organizations can think about and play with ideas and fragments of ideas in a free and innovative way."

After you find an idea or two you can use, consider all of your options before trying to bring it to life. There are so many ways to transform an idea into a real product or service so to get the best results you should keep all of the options in mind. Good leadership is key to connecting all of theses elements together and fostering true innovation. While it may take time and seem difficult, innovation is an effective way to make your business more appealing to customers. How do you foster innovation at your company?