Innovation, at its core, is simply about making things better. It doesn’t require complex algorithms or massive technological investments. Sometimes the most powerful innovations come from small, thoughtful improvements to existing processes.
Redefining Innovation for Everyday Business
In my years working with companies across various industries, I’ve seen firsthand how the most successful organizations embrace a broader definition of innovation. They understand that innovation can happen anywhere in the business and take many forms:
- Improvements that enhance customer experience
- Changes that make employees’ work lives better
- Ideas that generate new revenue streams
- Processes that save money or resources
- Initiatives that promote sustainability
- Solutions that create safer working conditions
What connects all these different types of innovation? They all make something better than it was before. That’s the essence of innovation that many businesses miss when they get caught up in thinking they need to create the next big technological breakthrough.
High-Tech vs. High-Touch Innovation
We often overlook that some of the most meaningful innovations aren’t high-tech at all—they’re high-touch. These are the innovations that improve human connections and experiences.
For example, a hotel chain might invest millions in a new mobile app, but the innovation that truly delights customers might be as simple as training staff to remember guests’ names and preferences. Both are innovations, but one focuses on technology while the other focuses on human connection.
Innovation is just anything that makes anything better. That’s what innovation is to me.
I’ve seen companies transform their customer satisfaction scores not through fancy new systems but by making small, meaningful improvements to how they interact with customers. Sometimes the most powerful innovation is simply removing a point of friction in the customer journey or giving employees more autonomy to solve problems.
Finding Your Innovation Opportunities
So where should you look for innovation opportunities in your business? Start by asking these questions:
- What frustrates our customers the most?
- What tasks do our employees find most difficult or time-consuming?
- Where are we wasting resources or money?
- What processes haven’t changed in years?
The answers to these questions often reveal the most promising areas for innovation. And the best part? Many solutions won’t require massive investments or technological overhauls.
Innovation should be everyone’s job, not just the responsibility of an R&D department or innovation team. When you create a culture where everyone is empowered to suggest improvements, you tap into the collective wisdom and creativity of your entire organization.
Your Innovation Challenge
My challenge to you is simple: identify one area of your business where you can innovate to make things better. It doesn’t need to be revolutionary—even small improvements can have significant impacts when implemented consistently.
Remember that innovation isn’t about keeping up with the latest tech trends. It’s about constantly looking for ways to improve experiences, processes, and outcomes. Whether that improvement comes through advanced technology or a simple process change doesn’t matter. What matters is that something gets better.
The most innovative companies aren’t necessarily those with the biggest R&D budgets or the most advanced technology. They’re the ones that have built a culture of continuous improvement, where making things better is part of everyone’s job description.
So ask yourself: What one thing could you improve today that would make life better for your customers or your team? That’s where your next innovation awaits.
