Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Innovation. Innovation. Innovation. Find any business magazine today and their telling you it’s all about innovation. True, like I noted in a recent post (April 23, 2007), innovation is important to business success to one degree or another. Apparently, the Big Dogz are all over this. Got to have it. Need it. Want it…badly.

Small business needs some level of innovation as well. But where does true innovation come from? How is it born? It comes from all sorts of places. For example, innovation (service or product) can come from your employees. But you won’t know it unless you ask them and take their suggestions seriously. Your competitors might be another source. What are they NOT doing that you should be in order to give more value to your customers?

Probably your best source for innovation is your customer base. Who better to tell you what you could do to improve your product or services? I don’t care what small business you’re in, you should be checking with you customers, especially your top customers, and ask them.

You could even make a contest out of it. For example, let’s say you’re a small, regional manufacturer of fishing lures for bass (ok…I’m a fishing nut too!). Why not hold a contest for the most innovative and fish-catching lure design? You could award a series of prizes for the best designs that actually catch fish. And think of all the free publicity you’d have! Outdoor editors would eat this story up!

Or you could bring several top customers to an ‘invitation-only’ dinner event where part of the evening is spent discussing your products/services and how to improve them.

If you have a service business, your innovation might be in how you package and deliver those services to you customers. What if you could deliver your services via internet? Your customers might tell you how to package or bundle your services for more effective use and delivery.

Product or service innovations can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The key is to always be on the look out for those innovations that your customers will desire.

Customers don’t buy product or service innovations just because they are available. You’ll keep your customers coming back for more if you tap into their ideas on improving the products/services you offer and they use.

When was the last time you were asked by a small business owner for your suggestions/ideas on product or service improvements? You haven’t? See, there’s the opportunity.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

[B]NZBsRus.com[/B]
Skip Sluggish Downloads With NZB Files You Can Instantly Find High Quality Movies, Console Games, MP3 Albums, Software & Download Them @ Maxed Out Speeds

[URL=http://www.nzbsrus.com][B]Newsgroup Search[/B][/URL]

Anonymous said...

dating a police officer and ego [url=http://loveepicentre.com/]thomas damm troll dating[/url] educated singles http://loveepicentre.com/ purchasing singles cds tapes

Anonymous said...

IBM laptop battery [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-225xv-pro-laptopbatterymodel1197.html]laptop comparison[/url] Professional Laptop Battery Wholesale Site http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/page123.html AC Adapter
Buy Cheap Laptop Battery [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-1410-laptopbatterymodel1367.html]notebook battery[/url] laptop price http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/battery-aoa150-1777-batterytype1.html High quality discount laptop battery store
laptop battery [url=http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/page148.html]Axiotron Laptop[/url] buy laptops http://www.hqlaptopbatteries.com/-2755-laptopbatterymodel64.html laptop battery

Anonymous said...

oakwood hospital and medical center [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/lukol.htm]lukol[/url] molecular medicine laboratories http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/i.htm human immune system http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/vermox.htm
top heavy breast [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/albendazole.htm]albendazole[/url] place that use bacteria to clean up materials such as waste [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/neurontin.htm]first breast feed[/url]

Anonymous said...

the best balanced and healthy diet for a 56 year old man [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pilocarpine.htm]pilocarpine[/url] guanifenesin and asthma http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/accutane.htm ce health courses michigan http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/flomax.htm
high blood pressure proloftin [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-herpes.htm]anti herpes[/url] side effects of the drug ephedrine [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/remeron.htm]north carolina drug rehab[/url]

Anonymous said...

http://www19.big.or.jp/%7Eusb/zion/cgi-bin/rebaten/apeboard_plus.cgi?command=read_message&msgnum=53 http://forum.marinecv.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=221980 http://forum.marinecv.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=221345 http://forum.happygays.net/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=37751
http://newpc.irbb.ir/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=18010 http://www.studentmarketplace.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=17352 http://collerycollective.com/index.php?topic=212294.new#new http://www.ibelden.com/bbs//zboard.php?id=belden14&page=1&page_num=20&select_arrange=headnum&desc=&sn=off&ss=on&sc=on&keyword=&no=12&category=
http://www.aaguild.net/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=111994 http://www.dvdshrink.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17440 http://www.rowswellengineers.com/forum/showthread.php?s=79879bc4b2671082cfc93ff578fa7c28&threadid=296312

Anonymous said...

mercedes benz rubber parts http://autoexpress.in/panoz/donald/and/nancy/panoz dales used auto huntsville
[url=http://autoexpress.in/royce/royce/chocolate/nutrition]ontario auto insurance claims accident benefits[/url] mercedes company structure [url=http://autoexpress.in/scion/dc/catbck/exhaust/for/scion/xb]dc catbck exhaust for scion xb[/url]
mercedes benz financial http://autoexpress.in/royce/rolls/royce/gas/engine/bergen
[url=http://autoexpress.in/maybach/maybach/pictures]limitations of automobile companies operating in china[/url] zoo bear polar compass mercedes [url=http://autoexpress.in/maybach/maybach/is/a/classic/using]maybach is a classic using[/url]
fabcar auto http://autoexpress.in/motors
[url=http://autoexpress.in/royce/rolls/royce/merlin/61/engine]pull cord with auto lock drapery hardware[/url] arizona auto dealership [url=http://autoexpress.in/motors/universal/blower/motors]universal blower motors[/url]

Anonymous said...

good time travel http://livetravel.in/tour/international-tour-companies-based-in-australia travel cruise athens rome
[url=http://livetravel.in/motel/ramada-limited-motel-locust-grove-georgia]travel agency akron ohio[/url] best rates to travel indianapolis to switzerland [url=http://livetravel.in/tourist/hawai-tourist-information]hawai tourist information[/url]
photos on travel http://livetravel.in/tours/virtual-tours-of-homes-in-atlanta-ga
[url=http://livetravel.in/airlines/scottish-airlines-uk]travel agency pictures[/url] vip travel reservations inc [url=http://livetravel.in/map/where-is-pearl-harbor-map]where is pearl harbor map[/url]
iberostar bavaro travel reviews http://livetravel.in/airport/air-fare-moline-international-airport
[url=http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/turks-caicos-vacation-package]incredible dreams travel[/url] wall mart travel [url=http://livetravel.in/plane-tickets/discount-travel-cheap-plane-tickets-cheap-plane-ti]discount travel cheap plane tickets cheap plane ti[/url] ez baby travel [url=http://livetravel.in/adventure/the-life-and-adventure-of-santa-claus-watch]the life and adventure of santa claus watch[/url]
kansas travel plazas i 70 [url=http://livetravel.in/vacation-packages/reno-vacation-package]reno vacation package[/url]
disneyland travel packages http://livetravel.in/cruises/princess-cruises-home-page-htm
[url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/hawkwell-house-hotel-oxford]cruise travel products[/url] boise used travel trailer [url=http://livetravel.in/cruise/compare-cruise-hawaii]compare cruise hawaii[/url]
[url=http://livetravel.in/airlines/nbaa-and-southwest-airlines]nbaa and southwest airlines[/url] cooperative travel [url=http://livetravel.in/expedia/motels-southwest-gulf-coast-florida-expedia]motels southwest gulf coast florida expedia[/url] forecast travel weather for utah [url=http://livetravel.in/hotel/vancouver-columbia-hotel]vancouver columbia hotel[/url]
queensland travel train [url=http://livetravel.in/airlines/contintnetal-airlines]contintnetal airlines[/url]

Anonymous said...

remove automobile window tint http://latestcarnews.in/saab/saab auto dealers huntsville
[url=http://latestcarnews.in/oldsmobile/oldsmobile-keyless-entry]mercedes 124 wrecking australia[/url] volkswagen bus steering wheel clock [url=http://latestcarnews.in/skoda/skoda-fabia-estate]skoda fabia estate[/url]
used car review of 2004 mercedes s500 4matic http://latestcarnews.in/panoz/panoz-ameican-sports-cars
[url=http://latestcarnews.in/toyotas/toyota-paseo-owners-manual]jax auto[/url] automobile swap meets [url=http://latestcarnews.in/panoz/panoz-setup]panoz setup[/url]
nevada highway patrol auto accidents http://latestcarnews.in/lancia/lancia-thema
[url=http://latestcarnews.in/skoda]outboard racing yamaha hpdi parts[/url] auto parts mirror electric dodge caravan [url=http://latestcarnews.in/triumph/triumph-of-the-nerds-colossus-computer]triumph of the nerds colossus computer[/url]

Anonymous said...

agenzia viaggi travel http://wikitravel.in/flight/ulsters-flight-of-the smith travel research lodging review
[url=http://wikitravel.in/lufthansa/boeing-bms5-142]aab airport travel[/url] travel from canada to cuba [url=http://wikitravel.in/tourism/tourism-pei]tourism pei[/url]
on line air travel airline ticket deals http://wikitravel.in/cruise/amazara-cruise
[url=http://wikitravel.in/maps/robinson-projects-maps]travel report on tea garden[/url] mexico travel online [url=http://wikitravel.in/motel/bates-motel-and-houanted-hayride]bates motel and houanted hayride[/url]
how much money do travel agents make http://wikitravel.in/adventure/the-disney-adventure-magazine dadabhai travel bahrain [url=http://wikitravel.in/expedia/expedia-local-expert]expedia local expert[/url]

Anonymous said...

design fashion lilian wear http://topcitystyle.com/-caps-women-category88.html what a fashion merchandiser does and average salary [url=http://topcitystyle.com/vae-victis-original-lion-long-sleeve-shirt-item1145.html]eastland women shoes[/url] ralph lauren stovepipe
http://topcitystyle.com/white-pink-casual-color34.html cheap designer handbags [url=http://topcitystyle.com/women-page26.html]josef seibel shoes online[/url]

Anonymous said...

virgin snow live action rlslog http://xwe.in/girl-anal/anal-sac-expression
[url=http://xwe.in/erotic-stories/erotic-card-cfnm-bdsm]adult x rated christmas trivia games printables[/url] ashikoki hentai [url=http://xwe.in/gay-boy/gay-logo]gay logo[/url]
girl underage free porn http://xwe.in/hcg-oral/oral-samualson
[url=http://xwe.in/handjob/handjob-forum-ruined-orgasm]waterpump lubricant[/url] adult ecards [url=http://xwe.in/orgy/middle-school-orgy-pics]middle school orgy pics[/url]
hentai games flash http://xwe.in/gay-boy/free-gay-men-xxx-streams
[url=http://xwe.in/teen-ass/hot-mature-ass]daddy dau porn site[/url] adult novelty store sic code [url=http://xwe.in/shemale/shemale-fucks-guy-galleries]shemale fucks guy galleries[/url]
boys amateur nude http://xwe.in/toon/toon-diaper-sex
[url=http://xwe.in/ass-video/oh-shit-my-ass-fell-out]hentai sexo[/url] free amatuer cumshot porn clips [url=http://xwe.in/adult-xxx/adult-filmstars]adult filmstars[/url]

Anonymous said...

travel nursing employment http://xwa.in/cruises/surplus-cruises travel watch uk
[url=http://xwa.in/travel/kiss-travel-mug]travel medicine cold storage[/url] be your own travel agent bermuda [url=http://xwa.in/airline/plane-ticketsdiscount-airline-flight]plane ticketsdiscount airline flight[/url]
travel voyage http://xwa.in/cruise/bahamas-sail-cruise
[url=http://xwa.in/disneyland/disneyland-anaheim-all-inclusive]king travel malahide dublin[/url] wood stoves for travel trailers [url=http://xwa.in/expedia/expedia-coupons]expedia coupons[/url]
england travel tour http://xwa.in/cruises/travel-agents-including-cruises reebok lifestyle travel trainer [url=http://xwa.in/airlines/who-is-the-federal-over-airlines]who is the federal over airlines[/url]

Anonymous said...

movie theater detroit [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-glory-to-the-filmmaker/19120database/]Glory To The Filmmaker[/url] eight legged freaks movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-la-mujer-de-benjamin/14034database/]La Mujer de Benjamin[/url]
movie la vie en rose [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-infested-invasion-of-the-killer-bugs/7108database/]Infested Invasion Of The Killer Bugs[/url] scarlet letter movie [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-indiana-jones---the-last-crusade/1008database/]Indiana Jones - The Last Crusade[/url]
movie mistakes [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-the-bucket-list/27883database/]The Bucket List[/url] castlevania movie updates [url=http://full-length-movies.com/dvd-quality-movie-stephenkings-desperation/19100database/]Stephenkings Desperation[/url]
peter sellers movie bio [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-f-ngarna-p--fortet-bara-brost/29574database/]F?ngarna P? Fortet Bara Brost[/url] the simpsons movie torrent [url=http://worldmovs.co.cc/full_version-warum-ueberall-geld-fehlt/2446database/]Warum Ueberall Geld Fehlt[/url]

Anonymous said...

laurentian mountains http://www.thefashionhouse.us/-long-women-category72.html old fashion borders [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/18-24-month-new-size32.html]chanel eyewear[/url] pointe shoes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/purple-armani-color37.html web site designer michigan [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/s-dressy-tops-size10.html]gypsy clothes[/url]

Anonymous said...

conmed health care group [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/kamasutra-contoured-condoms.htm]kamasutra contoured condoms[/url] seattle natural medicine guide http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/trimox.htm
free health clinics in washington dc [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pepcid.htm]pepcid[/url] postpartum depression statistics [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-allergique-et-l-asthme.htm ]wayne smith community health systems [/url] paragon china tea sets
movie 1970s white blood cells attack [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/imodium.htm]imodium[/url] onlin pharmacys http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/anti-pilz.htm
volunteer for dental services [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/tegretol.htm]tegretol[/url] wi fi health [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/catalogue/u.htm ]pediatric dosage of zantac [/url] army civilian medical retirement

Anonymous said...

achieve best orgasm [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/strattera.htm]strattera[/url] yearly medical radiation dose to patients http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zyprexa.htm
purchase allegra online [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/female-viagra.htm]female viagra[/url] pharmacy coupons [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/men-s-health.htm ]what do women think to penis size [/url] michigan php health insurance
sports nutrition diet pharmacy [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/zelnorm.htm]zelnorm[/url] cranberry extract pills http://usadrugstoretoday.com/categories/gums.htm
wisconsin tea light set [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/yasmin.htm]yasmin[/url] how old do you have to be to smoke [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/pro-erex.htm ]haitial hernia drugs [/url] medical words and drugs

Anonymous said...

bone shoes pumps http://www.thefashionhouse.us/jackets-amp-sweatshirts-roberto-cavalli-category10.html hand beeded designer wallcoverings [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/leaf-printed-leather-shoes-color6.html]mourning clothes[/url] debenhams womens clothes
http://www.thefashionhouse.us/?action=products&product_id=1668 patty hughes fashion [url=http://www.thefashionhouse.us/galliano-women-brand33.html]myspace fashion[/url]

Anonymous said...

lorex anxiety drug [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/aceon.htm]aceon[/url] roberts drug store http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/eurax.htm
smoking bamboo tea leaves [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/sublingual-viagra.htm]sublingual viagra[/url] penis scar getting darker [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/terramycin.htm ]catapres social anxiety disorder [/url] aluminum health hazards
improved usb generic driver xp free download [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/ampicillin.htm]ampicillin[/url] adipex pills http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/frozen--energy-and-libido-enhancer-.htm
new jersey treatment for anxiety disorders [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/cefadroxil.htm]cefadroxil[/url] glucose kidney [url=http://usadrugstoretoday.com/products/grifulvin-v.htm ]where to find organ meat for barf diet [/url] causes to social anxiety disorder

Anonymous said...

http://xwp.in/detrol/bladder-detrol
[url=http://xwp.in/carbidopa/migraine-headaches-cafergot]legalization of drugs would result in less crime october2007[/url] prescription drug 400 http://xwp.in/imdur/imdur-constipation
the watershed drug addiction http://xwp.in/emsam/emsam-medication
[url=http://xwp.in/ceftin/ceftin-dosing]green pharmacy list of cures[/url] motion sickness drugs http://xwp.in/erectile/erectile-dysfunction-drugs
cvs drugstore ohio http://xwp.in/diclofenac/diclofenac-cox-1-mechanism-of-action
[url=http://xwp.in/differin/acne-medication-retin-acne-differin-medication-prescribed]pharmaceutical drug reference[/url] random drug and alcohol testing http://xwp.in/carbohydrate/low-priced-low-carbohydrate-diet viagra effects on women http://xwp.in/elavil/elavil-taper-off

Anonymous said...

location of biggest lottery winners http://xwn.in/baccarat_baccarat-casino-ab sports casino
[url=http://xwn.in/online-casino_imperial-palace-casino-mississippi]christmas bingo sheets[/url] los casinos [url=http://xwn.in/online-casinos_appreciation-code-for-casinos]appreciation code for casinos[/url]
ncaa basketball betting systems http://xwn.in/online-casino_mount-airy-casino-opening-date
[url=http://xwn.in/poker-online_how-to-throw-cards-into-muck-in-poker-game]politics betting odds[/url] mikes 20 card keno [url=http://xwn.in/keno_play-2-4-6-keno-slots-free]play 2 4 6 keno slots free[/url]
software for bingo machines http://xwn.in/lottery_monthly-lottery-calendars horse race betting how to [url=http://xwn.in/roulette_live-roulette-online]live roulette online[/url]

Anonymous said...

stray cats brian setzer goodie two shoes http://topcitystyle.com/?action=products&product_id=1006 latest fashion in europe [url=http://topcitystyle.com/dolce-amp-gabbana-jeans-for-men-dark-blue-item2461.html]chinese shoes[/url] fun toddler clothes
http://topcitystyle.com/-sport-pants-dolce-amp-gabbana-category29.html mudd shoes [url=http://topcitystyle.com/accessories-page2.html]black nike basketball shoes[/url]

Anonymous said...

fort mcdowell casino bingo http://wqm.in/online-casinos_juegos-online-casinos game bonuses baccarat games
[url=http://wqm.in/casino-online_casino-royale-cast-and-crew]vegas west casino cruises[/url] casino gambling online poker uk [url=http://wqm.in/lottery_south-dakota-state-lottery]south dakota state lottery[/url]
british new year lottery http://wqm.in/casino-online_fingerlakes-casino
[url=http://wqm.in/slots_mystery-slots]lottery winnings affect social security[/url] lottery results for texas [url=http://wqm.in/keno_keno-sandler-factory]keno sandler factory[/url]
casino entertainment http://wqm.in/baccarat_online-baccarat-spil college football online betting [url=http://wqm.in/online-casinos_juegos-online-casinos]juegos online casinos[/url]

Anonymous said...

casinos in ruidoso http://lwv.in/baccarat/net-casino-baccarat keno betting virtual
[url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/baccarat-crystal-leicester]lottery number generators[/url] wildwood bingo hall warren mi [url=http://lwv.in/roulette/spillet-roulette]spillet roulette[/url]
casino style pocker chips http://lwv.in/lottery/delaware-lottery-office
[url=http://lwv.in/baccarat/baccarat-crystal-pendant]books on keno calculation on lottery[/url] cars and cash lottery [url=http://lwv.in/lottery/winning-indiana-lottery-numbers]winning indiana lottery numbers[/url]
nh lottery replay http://lwv.in/slot/australian-slot-cars predictive analysis excel lottery [url=http://lwv.in/jokers/jokers-wild-game]jokers wild game[/url]

Anonymous said...

tips for movie making at school [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_s_w_a_t/]s w a t[/url] movie rescue mussolini http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_dodsworth/ altamonte movie theaters
uk movie release dates [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_search_for_animal_chin/]the search for animal chin[/url] new stargate movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_blow_out/ job searching for movie theather
music from tara road movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_forces_of_nature/]forces of nature[/url] patner movie
pecky little tits movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_station_agent/]the station agent[/url] mirror wars movie http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_rage_and_honor/ windows movie maker mpg
movie props sale [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_futurama_bender_s_game/]futurama bender s game[/url] new movie releases http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_witness_for_the_prosecution/ dazed and confused movie box poster

Anonymous said...

how to watch movie video in n95 [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_revolution_summer/]revolution summer[/url] kenneth branagh movie much about nothing http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_lady_in_the_water/ chloe lesbian 18 movie
fugitive movie rating [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_courage_under_fire/]courage under fire[/url] tyrone power movie synopsis http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_west_side_story/ super savers movie in pittsburgh
the weather man movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_grandma_s_boy/]grandma s boy[/url] movie mr reliable
free scat movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_23_paces_to_baker_street/]23 paces to baker street[/url] movie screen rental http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_fletch/ tyler perrys movie
columbus ohio movie listings [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_mo/]mo[/url] weed movie http://moviestrawberry.com/genres/incredible_variety_of_films/?page=26 rose calvert movie titanic

Anonymous said...

sunny sybian movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_gong_show_movie/]the gong show movie[/url] sgt peppers lonely hearts club band movie hdtv http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_daffy_duck_s_quackbusters/ watch not my daughter movie online
movie 10 bo derek [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_tarzan_finds_a_son_/]tarzan finds a son [/url] kinky movie search engines http://moviestrawberry.com/countries/?page=21 feng shui the movie
movie chedules [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_the_day_after_tomorrow/]the day after tomorrow[/url] blades of glory whole movie
pictues from the movie ice age the first movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_predator_island/]predator island[/url] movie kisses and caroms http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_pantry_pirate/ list of psychiatric movie
model gallery movie [url=http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_manufacturing_dissent/]manufacturing dissent[/url] free porn movie review http://moviestrawberry.com/films/film_white_heat/ thedark knight movie trailer