Very Cool Microsoft Surface

Vision + Mission = Change The World

While watching a documentary about the life of the great Michael Jackson, I was struck by something one of the commentators mentioned about Michael. Before Michael even starting working on his record breaking, multi-award winning album, "Thriller", the gentleman said Michael literally saw himself breaking records. He would tell everyone he was going to release the biggest album of all time months before he recorded any of the music. Michael went as far as writing the success of the album on his mirror so he would see it every morning. He would religiously repeat it to himself as he stood in the mirror. In the end, Michael completely reinvented the way music has been recorded, produced and performed forever.

The fervent reiterations of success Michael subjected himself to may be a bit much for most people; however, if we take a moment to dissect the process that Michael put himself through, we should see the most fundamental elements to the innovation process, vision and mission. Michael committed himself to his vision statement- "I am going to release the biggest album of all time", then developed a mission to help himself accomplish his goal (repeated the vision everyday, produced flawless music, etc.). Because Michael never gave himself a chance to see or think anything less then excellence he accomplished his goal. I would suspect that it was in no way an easy thing to do, but if Michael saw himself in the winners circle I'm sure he knew the sacrifices that needed to be made.

As entrepreneurs, we're faced with just three choices...fail, blend in or change the world. To accomplish that goal, it is extremely important that a clear vision and mission are distinguished. Michael gave us a perfect example of how the process should look. It's a great lesson from one of the greatest human beings to walk the earth. He will definitely be missed by all that knew him.

R.I.P Michael Jackson!

It's All About Leverage!!

We came across this article in Inc. magazine today. Innovation can come from anywhere if you allow it to. The secret is learning how to spot profitable opportunities in the midst of frustrations and/or doubt. The research and development team pulled it off with flying colors. Not only did they solve their problem, they saved a ton of time and money! You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out how valuable this path to innovation can and will be to your company.

Take a few moments to enjoy the article if you haven't read it yet. We're sure it will change the way you grow your business forever.

What is Real Innovation

If you've read through our other posts, you'll notice the repeated use of the term "real entrepreneur". We won't get into the complete definition of what that term means to us today, but we will introduce the only matter of business entrepreneurs should worry themselves with; real innovation.

"Real" Innovation rarely happens accidentally or sporadically throughout the career of a real entrepreneur. http://www.realinnovation.com/content/what_is_innovation.asp

"Real" Innovation is accomplished consistently and systematically, given the true voice of the customer and a process for delivering solutions. Companies that innovate successfully do so using an efficient and repeatable methodology. Success is not dependent upon genius – it emerges from the disciplined application of a proven innovation methodology"

So what is a "proven" methodology? While there are quite a few methods that are generally excepted as a reliable means to real innovation; Breakthrough and Open Source innovations are among our favorites.

Breakthrough innovations occur when a product or service disrupts the current state of a market-think iPhone and Google Docs. Open Source innovations are innovations which also which disrupt the current state of the market but are derived from both internal and external sources; meaning, a company will "open" the innovation process to a group of people and draw on their input to innovate a product or service. Eli Lilly is a great example of a company utilizing an open source platform to solve complex problems involved in the innovation process.

Despite whatever your innovation method of choice might be, accomplishing "real" innovation must at a bare minimum 1) improve the life of your customer 2) have a measurable return on investment and 3) strengthens the brand(s) of the company.

Check out the slide show in our previous post to get your self started. Of course we're always available to answer your questions.


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Business Model Innovation Matters

Check out this SlideShare Presentation....this is a great way to get your business moving down innovation road.

ENJOY!!

Business Model Innovation Matters

View more OpenOffice presentations from Alexander Osterwalder.

Weekly...Monthly...Whatever.

Those are pretty much our thoughts 0n blogging. We started this with the best intentions; we had hoped to keep fresh content flowing every week; excuse...excuse...excuse. To be honest with all of you, we're really not that into the whole blogging thing.

*Gasp* *Shock & Awe*

Before you grab your pitch forks and throwing stones consider this:

So much attention is given to the places information and social technology can take a business, we've seemed to have forgotten the power of simple one on one conversation. As we tell many of our clients, we are a business built on real relationships with real people. Once a firm understanding has been found we weave in technology as it becomes appropriate to the tasks at hand. We won't say that every business should run this way but what should be noted is that the power of a hand shake shouldn't be forgotten.

On the other hand, we need to be more responsible. We are a firm that has a lot to offer and during prime transitional times such as these, we need to be more vocal about the beautiful opportunities intelligent business strategies can bring both of us. For what it's worth, please stay tuned in.

Until next week friends....

Intelligence: The Silent Business Killer

Starting and running a business is the dumbest investment one could ever make. The odds will never be in your favor; especially when customers are as fickle as teething children. How do you safeguard your investment and create the life style you entered the business for? It all starts with your ability to think intelligently about your business. If your mind is on the paycheck your business should provide, you've already failed. The reason you've failed is simply-business is the biggest ego trip you will ever encounter. To play and win its game, you have to consistently and relentlessly outsmart it.

According to Wikipedia, "intelligence is an umbrella term used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think abstractly, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn." You may be saying to yourself " I'm not really that intelligent. I just know how to survive" In response to that we'd ask that you stay tuned to our blog. It's possible that you're a business owner, not an entrepreneur.

So how do you use intelligence to grow success brands and extravagent business systems? That question is suprisingly easy to answer:

1. Take 3-5 hours per week to THINK and PLAN! Know your next move before the consumers.
let you know you need to.

2. Swim in Blue Oceans. http://www.blueoceanstrategy.com/about/about.php

3. Develop a deep understanding of the emotional triggers that make your consumer buy. Knowing this will allow you to control your ability to generate income in any economy for one reason-demand will create the need for supply rather then supply depending on demand.

Follow these rules and you'll be an intelligent entrepreneur and/or business owner in no time.

Remember-success isn't something you become, it's something you become aware of. Don't waste it!

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