Innovate More Do these innovative St. Cloud leaders have advice for those who have yet to innovate? They sure do. Think about work when you are not at work. Great ideas can emerge while you are in the shower or on vacation. Continually seek creative solutions to your customers’ needs in an ever-changing environment.
F E AT U R E
Breaking the Rules If you don’t have an innovation strategy, it’s time to get one.
oogle “innovation.” You’ll not only get a definition and pronunciation, you’ll get a very short, but very important business lesson: “Innovation is crucial to the continuing success of any organization.” Leaders of successful organizations in the St. Cloud area will tell you the same. “If you’re not thinking about innovation, you probably should be thinking about selling,” said Brad Goskowicz, Microbiologics chief executive
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Be cognizant of the fact that less than 1 percent of companies have been in business for 100 years; about 2 percent have made it for 50. Those that survive and thrive, innovate. Don’t fear the unknown.
By Jeanine Nistler
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Shoot for introducing new products or services every two or three years. And drop off a few old ones at the same time.
officer. “If you’re not reinventing everything you do, somebody else out there is. The world changes, and the risk of not being innovative is severe. That doesn’t mean you have to come up with the next iPhone,” he said. Innovation “can be a big thing, but it often comes in a lot of little ways.” Perhaps you improve product packaging. Maybe you dip your toe into a new market – or launch a partnership with a related business. Innovation could even be in the way you attract and retain talent.
If a new concept seems promising, don’t be deterred by the effort required to implement. Tap into the drive, ambition and initiative that got you into leadership. Embrace the spirit of competition; strive to be better than the rest. Consider the potential personal benefits. Great risk can lead to great rewards. Innovate in a crisis; refine when the crisis ends. The pandemic forced most businesses to punt. If your project fails, learn from that, and move on – to another innovation.