Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected – William Plomer
It is a well known fact that starting a business is quite easy, the real challenge is keeping it afloat. There is no true innovative concept that no one else can match. You might have the upper hand for a few months, a few years even. But as certainly as time passes, you will end up with a competitor in your field. He will be ruthless, and have essentially the same business model as you. The fight will hinge on one thing: creativity.
Whether it’s a way of driving your opponent out of operation, or inventing a new product, creativity in business is crucial. We’re all in this to last, we all want to earn money, and feed our families. Sometimes, the solution will be hidden. Figuring out the links between what you currently have is the path to a solution.
If your business is sound and has been working up to now, chances are you already creative. The complicated part, just like with your company, is staying creative. It’s critical to always be on your toes. The best way to do this is to have good intelligence. Good information is the best way to see all of the elements available to you. Logically, the more elements you have, the better you can express your creativity. The way you acquire that information is not very relevant, not as much as your ability to organize and curate it. Identifying ideas that are new will allow you to take yourself further. Whether it’s new management techniques, innovative techniques, or rethinking your strategy, creativity will keep you one step ahead. And remember, it’s much easier to fix a problem you anticipated than playing catch up.