{"id":10934,"date":"2020-12-11T19:51:32","date_gmt":"2020-12-11T19:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/?p=10934"},"modified":"2020-12-11T19:54:31","modified_gmt":"2020-12-11T19:54:31","slug":"become-an-everyday-innovator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naylor.com\/associationadviser\/become-an-everyday-innovator\/","title":{"rendered":"Become an Everyday Innovator"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Josh
Josh Linkner<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The idea that innovation can only happen on a large scale through grand ideas that disrupt entire industries is a myth that stymies creativity. Instead, tech entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and New York Times<\/em> best-selling author Josh Linkner<\/strong><\/a> says it\u2019s often small, simple ideas that have a lasting impact. He calls these big little breakthroughs, and they\u2019re what associations need more of to evolve in our rapidly changing world.<\/p>\n

Times of crisis are difficult \u2013 no one is arguing with that \u2013 but they also create opportunity for us to throw out old ways of doing things. Don\u2019t believe it? Just think, innovative giants like Disney, FedEx, Trader Joe\u2019s, MTV, Uber and Zoom were all either founded or saw exponential growth in the midst of periods of economic and societal crisis.<\/p>\n

Linkner says that proves that now is the exact right time to focus on today\u2019s challenges with human creativity and ingenuity. By encouraging creative thinking and risk taking as part of your association\u2019s culture, you give yourself an edge over those who choose to remain stagnant.<\/p>\n

Develop creativity yourself and within your association much like you would build any other skill: Practice \u2026 and practice often. Fear is the single biggest creativity blocker, so create a safe environment where all ideas are celebrated, and failures are viewed through the lens of lessons learned. Every member of your team has a specific job title, but they should also think of themselves as artists in their field who can stoke the creative flames at any time.<\/p>\n

In what other ways can you embrace creative thinking and problem solving at your association? Start by adopting the five obsessions of everyday innovators, which Linkner shared at\u00a0ASAE\u2019s 2020 Technology Exploration Conference (TEC)<\/strong><\/a>:<\/p>\n

Five Obsessions of Everyday Innovators<\/h2>\n
<\/i>\n\t\t\tInnovation Toolkit Idea \u2013 Where to Find It<\/strong><\/p>\n

Check out Josh Linkner\u2019s Innovation Toolkit<\/strong><\/a> on his website, and look for his upcoming book, \u201cBig Little Breakthrough,\u201d to learn more about why small innovations drive success.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    Start before you\u2019re ready. <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Don\u2019t wait for permission or a perfectly formed idea. (You\u2019ll be waiting forever if you do that.)<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Break it to fix it.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      \u201cIf it ain\u2019t broke, don\u2019t fix it\u201d is terrible advice. It\u2019s our responsibility to deconstruct and upgrade our current products and processes to continually improve.<\/p>\n

      <\/i>\n\t\t\tInnovation Toolkit Idea \u2013 The Judo Flip<\/strong><\/p>\n

      When you\u2019re about to solve a problem, inventory everything you\u2019ve done before, and then ask, \u201cWhat would it look like if we did the opposite? Flip the script \u2013 and your traditional ways of thinking.<\/p>\n

      \n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        Use every drop of toothpaste.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        It is possible to do more with less \u2013 and we\u2019re all having to these days \u2013 through resourcefulness and ingenuity. \u201cWe don\u2019t have enough (enough time, enough money, enough resources, enough staff \u2026 the list is endless)\u201d can too easily be used as an excuse. Instead, bold innovators look at what they have available and use to their advantage to evolve and grow.<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. \n

          Reach for weird. <\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          It\u2019s easy to gravitate toward what we know works \u2013 but reaching for those obscure, bizarre ideas and bringing them to the surface could make the difference.<\/p>\n

          <\/i>\n\t\t\tInnovation Toolkit Idea \u2013 Option X<\/strong><\/p>\n

          When problem solving, we often seek out options A, B or C, when we should ask, \u201cWhat is Option X?\u201d<\/p>\n

          \n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

            \n
          1. \n

            Don\u2019t forget the dinner mint.<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            Before we hit send on that next email or launch that next new member benefit, consider what special touch that, if added, would make your work transcend all expectations. This is also known as the 95-5 doctrine<\/strong><\/a> (coined by Will Guidara of NYC\u2019s Eleven Madison Park restaurant). Spend 95% of your resources on what\u2019s required, and then use the remaining 5% in creative and unexpected \u2013 some would even say foolish and irresponsible \u2013 ways.<\/p>\n

            Innovation is often associated with risk, and that is true, but the true risk lies in standing still, because that is when we become irrelevant or disappear. Instead of waiting for the next big idea, allow your association to focus on small innovations \u2013 those big little breakthroughs \u2013 that will drive future success.<\/p>\n

            <\/i>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n

            More myths about creative thinking and innovation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Creative thinking is only for when we\u2019re experiencing blue skies. >> It is crucial during a storm to evolve for survival.<\/p>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Only some people are creative. >> Human beings hardwired to be creative \u2013 it\u2019s our natural state, even if it\u2019s dormant. Everyone can unlock and unleash their creative side.<\/p>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Creativity isn\u2019t practical. >> It\u2019s mission-critical.<\/p>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Creativity is only required for certain roles. >> Creativity, innovation and critical thinking is for all of us and should be deployed on an everyday basis.<\/p>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Creativity is fixed >> Creativity can be developed and learned. Don\u2019t wait for lightning to strike.<\/p>\n

            MYTH<\/strong>: Creativity can\u2019t exist without more resources. >> Ingenuity and creative problem solving is free, renewable and limitless.<\/p>\n

            \n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div>\n

            <\/div>
            \"\"<\/div>

            About The Author<\/h3>\n\t\t\tSarah Sain, CAE, is director of content, member communications for Naylor Association Solutions. She can be reached at ssain@naylor.com<\/strong><\/a>.\n\t\t\t<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

             <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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