We’re beginning to see plastic differently. Thanks to campaigns about environmental issues including marine pollution and climate change, public opinion of single-use plastics is shifting. Over half of consumers now believe plastic to be “harmful”. Every business needs to take note of this, SMEs included. Consumers want to know that what they’re buying is sustainable […]
Innovation
Embracing the New Normal: How Disruptions Can Lead to Innovation
COVID-19 has changed the way we live, possibly forever. It’s up to us to decide what to do moving forward. When is the least ideal time to buy a car? During a pandemic, when uncertainties abound and social distancing is the norm? I would’ve said yes…before I had to do it myself. Yet when my […]
What’s Your Covid-19 Pivot? We Want to Hear Your Story
As Covid-19 continues its unpredictable roller coaster ride, businesses find they have to re-invent themselves on a regular basis. Each locality, state, or region makes their own quarantine shut-down or reopen schedule and small businesses must adapt, slow down…or fail. So, we’d really like to know how you’re coping. Send your own business tale to […]
Necessity is the Mother Of Invention for Epidemic Innovation
Despite the catastrophic effects of epidemics that have occurred throughout history, they lead to the creation of some of the most ground-breaking and revolutionary discoveries, inventions, and famous poems and scientific theories. In the mid-1300s when the Black Death hit Europe, it was estimated to have killed from 30% all the way up to 60% […]
7 Tips To Keep Your Team Ahead Of “Business As Usual”
Many small businesses are now realizing that “business as usual” might be gone forever. With social media and smart phone apps, real product information spreads at astounding speeds. Entrepreneurs who are not listening, not engaging, and not changing are destined to be left behind even in the best of times. Business agility is defined as […]
How To Change Your Perspective And Create Innovation
In today’s fast moving world of business startups, learning trumps knowing every time. What established businesses know through experience keeps them from looking for the new and innovative ways to do what they do better, cheaper, and faster. I’m convinced that’s why most mature companies are slowing down or buying their innovation through acquisition, rather than building […]
Process is the Foundation for Agility/Nimbleness
We want to be flexible, nimble, able to adapt to the circumstances, leap on an opportunity, respond quickly. We abhor process since that constrains our creativity and ability to innovate. Too often, when I talk to leaders and sales people about process, they cite some of the things outlined above as the reason they don’t […]
6 Ways Smart Technologies Are Changing the Conversation About Architecture
More and more, ordinary homes and offices are starting to resemble Iron Man alter ego Tony Stark’s famously futuristic Malibu mansion, tricked out with space-age technologies ranging from remote-controlled video surveillance to robot butlers. Residents of smart buildings already enjoy modern conveniences such as programmable thermostats and refrigerators that can be operated over the Internet. But that’s just […]
10 Key Strategies for Innovation Leadership by Design
As a business advisor, I strongly believe that continuous innovation and design thinking are the keys to long-term viability and success. A recent survey of design professionals shows strong agreement, but 92 percent expressed some lack of confidence in their organization’s design vision. They are always on the lookout for ways to prepare current and future design […]
4 Ways Digital Technology Helps Small Businesses Maximize Bookings
Digital marketing appears to be a double-edged sword for many businesses. It has a much higher ROI than traditional marketing strategies, which should mean that businesses are celebrating it. Unfortunately, 76% of businesses struggle with marketing and cite changes in digital technology as a main cause. Although the benefits of digital technology are clear to […]
