This week’s “Ask the Mompreneur” features an interview with organization development expert Dr. Sherry Nooravi, Principal of Strategy Meets Performance.
Ask the Mompreneur:
As the new year approaches, what can we be doing to become more innovative in 2012?
Sherry Nooravi:
Innovation is a must whether you are a sole practitioner or part of a multi-billion dollar firm. We can stay competitive by consistently tuning into our creativity and paying attention to the cues in our environment. Here are a few tips I give to my clients.
The smoothie effect
Have you ever noticed how delicious a smoothie is, even though it’s a simple combination of a few ingredients? The results of a good brainstorming session can be similarly appealing and you can make it happen by bringing together a small group of diverse people. For the solo practitioner, this can mean asking three of your colleagues from different fields to get together for lunch or coffee. Each person gets the spotlight for 20 minutes – 5 minutes for sharing a challenge and 15 minutes for receiving ideas from the other 3 people. When you repeat this process with each person, the four of you will walk away from an 80-minute coffee session with several new ideas.
You have to move
Rhythmic movement helps get you in a zone where your mind becomes clear. Milhaly Csikszentmihalyi, a noted psychologist and researcher, explains this as the experience of “flow” and optimal experience. When we are in “flow,” we feel immersed in a feeling of energized focus, full involvement and success in the process of the activity. The movement can be running, biking, surfing, etc. It’s a win-win; exercise and innovation.
Take a break
You are more likely to get into your creative zone and “flow” when you can de-stress and relax your mind. The leaders of Underground Elephant, a top-rated digital media marketing firm, know the power of creativity-generating breaks and have dedicated office space for everything from ping-pong and pool tables to arcade games. You may be thinking, “I don’t have time to take a break!” If innovation is important to your business, it is vital to make breaks a “must” and not a “should.” It is a good habit that you can build into your life and your company’s culture.
Know what’s happening
This means putting a fun twist on research. Assuming you are passionate about what you do, tap into your curiosity and read up on current events and trends. You can do this by reading the newspaper and seeking out articles and books on the topics you need. As I write this article, I have newspapers and books around me with folded pages and highlights from my research. Some people may think of research as something boring, but it can be exciting if you change your lens and become curious.
It is important to note that once you have an innovative idea, it may feel risky or scary to implement it. In the words of T. Harv Eker, author and motivational guru, “You don’t need to get rid of fear, just don’t let it stop you.”
To get your business featured in this column, please email your entrepreneurship, parenting, or work life balance questions to Charlotte executive coach Dr. Jennie Wong at Jennie.Wong@LimelightExecutiveCoaching.com.
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