For many creative entrepreneurs, stepping into the traditional business box is nearly impossible. Being creative INSIDE our business structure allows us to operate at maximum capability. For people who aren’t creatives, incorporating creativity processes into business operations opens a world of innovative opportunities.
The Purpose & Benefit of Creativity In Business
The purpose of creativity is to make your business sustainable. By removing the formulaic thinking that business must be done in a specific way, creativity leads to the next level of business growth.
Innovation is the implementation of creative ideas which allows businesses to live inside space that’s uniquely theirs. They have the creative collateral that opens up a blue sky of non-competition instead of a constant “slash prices to beat the other guy” environment.
Generating ideas no one has thought of before is priceless. Creativity can ease workflow, give you a competitive edge, increase relatability by clients, and just make life fun!
No successful business has functioned as a lookalike. Top creative businesses and people with the most innovative ideas always stand out in the marketplace. By authentically communicating directly to their ideal audience, customers lean into their messaging, mission, products, and services.
What does creative problem-solving in business look like?
Most business models turn ideas into reality. But, they aren’t meant to foster creativity. Dynamic, visionary entrepreneurs can seize the opportunity to inspire creativity in daily operations, marketing, systems, structures, and problem-solving. Adding creativity can seem scary to the left-brained among us. There’s no map or clearly defined flowchart for it. Creative solutions don’t start there. They originate in a more chaotic state that can feel foreign.
The creative process itself is a process of trust and chaos. Accessing creativity inside a structured business is a balance between comfort and innovation. Only then can unexpected and powerful business innovations show up.
I follow a creative process that’s linear, yet very chaotic in the middle. I start by asking “What’s my intention? What do I want to have happen?”
Typically, market research is next. But for me, it’s play! I get out of my thinking brain and into creativity. Traditional business models reject this middle part of creative problem-solving. Yet it’s exactly what’s required for an innovative workplace to survive!
Have you ever been in the shower, thinking of nothing in particular – and a solution comes to you? That’s what happens inside of play. By stepping beyond the linear map of HOW you absolutely MUST find the answer, you allow creative inspiration to show up. Do something not obviously connected to the problem you’re solving. Play golf, hike, do a puzzle, read a book. Take yourself out of predictably asking “How am I going to solve this problem?” and Play instead. Allow creative solutions to arise through it.
Pay attention to the ideas and inspiration that emerge during your play time. Your job is to act on the prompts you receive during play.
Finally, simply capture that inspiration. Write it down. Color or draw it. Record it, transforming it into a linear plan. After that, you can apply any traditional business analyses or methodologies knowing that you needed to play for the answer to come.
Fostering Creativity in Business
Support people on all sides of the equation. Can you inspire linear people without triggering fear? Will you support creative people while grounding them to necessary business operations? How can both types achieve synergy while serving clients? Here are some ways to open it up:
Creative Visualizations. Guide people imaginatively with a set of expectations, yet give freedom to discover solutions. Start meetings with a 2-minute guided visualization to help employees become present and abandon distractions. - Start the Day Right. Starting each day with activities that center and align your team gives permission to begin each day calmly, with affirmation, and influences how they work with clients. I love affirmation or company culture cards for this!
- Routine time for creativity as an afternoon break. This helps linear people feel grounded and know what to expect. Consider gathering for a brief “play” activity that breaks up the afternoon and allows creative juices to flow. The “what” of the meeting varies, but they’ll find comfort in the consistency of “when”.
Inspire Creativity Through Play
Shed the idea that a good, productive, efficient business has no play. Start by finding one place in your business that feels safe to play. What is one little thing that would make your inner child’s heart sing? Make time to do that.
Commit yourself to play. Be willing to try something new. How do you incorporate play and creativity into your life or business?
Do You Want to go on a Creative Business Journey? Join me on a free Guided Dream Journey!
Want to know more about creativity and innovation in business? Check out my other blog posts:
Redefining Biz Culture through Play: https://jeanberrypresents.com/2018/09/16/redefining-biz-culture-through-play/
Play More! with the Creativity Formula: https://jeanberrypresents.com/2018/02/08/play-creativity-formula/
Why ‘Doing it Right’ is a BAD business strategy: https://jeanberrypresents.com/2019/11/13/doing-it-right/
Why Your Biz Model Matters: Pick a GOOD one!: https://jeanberrypresents.com/2018/06/01/pick-good-biz-model/
