Innovative Thinking

Nonprofits and organizations often get stuck in the same path with the same programs or services. They often wonder why numbers are decreasing and struggle to find solutions. Innovation seems scary and requires a bid dollar sign. Yet, innovation can start anywhere.

Innovation is new thinking, new ways of doing things. We can have innovation programs, innovative marketing, innovative fundraising, and the list continues. An organization can be innovative by pushing limits, destroying previous boundaries, and creating ideas anew.

Innovation is not just for nonprofits with money- that is a self-limiting proposition. Innovation is about what is next.

So what are some simple ways to start being innovative?

1) Give yourself and your staff time to THINK.

Innovation thinking requires muscles and working out. You won't be able to be innovative on a switch. You need to stretch and use those muscles, building them up. You need to be able to think without burden of today's expectations, knowledge, and restrictions. To start, give yourself time to simply think. You may need to leave the office, turn off your mobile, and let your mind wander. On a regular basis, instead of reaching for you mobile in downtime to check Instagram or Facebook, stretch your innovative mind and dream. Surrounding yourself with inspiring ideas and people may also help your innovative muscles flex.

2) Be Curious.

Ask WHY? Ask How?

Know your customers/clients. Don't just look at the quantitative data and extract meaning. While focus groups are a step up, its still not a natural environment. Spend time getting to know them, ask them why and drill down to real meaning. Leaders need to do this, too. Another method is to bring people that work with the clients every day into idea meetings (or even the clients, themselves!), they will be the ones asking questions and bringing up ideas that aren’t constrained by current thought on strategy or budget.

3) Ask "What if" we didn't have to follow the current industry rules?

What if we didn't have to wait for a taxi? (Uber!) What if we didn't have to go to the store, but the store came to me? (Netflix or Amazon!) What if movies could be 3-D experiences in real life? (Disneyworld!)

Instead of answering "No, because ....", to brainstorming and innovative thinking, respond with, "Yes, and...."

"Yes, and..." creates bigger, more creative ideas. "No, because" belittles ideas, subsequently creating an environment or response that lessons each time. Be bold, say "YES" now and whittle the bid ideas down later.

4) Think Experiences. The next generation won’t care about the products or brands you offer. They care about how they feel. You need to provide what they want… Good Memories, which are often built from experiences!

Remember to think without budget and constraints! What if? Yes!