Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

I get asked a lot where I come up with some of my ideas. I typically answer that question by saying: “Everywhere.” I look for ways to improve my areas of responsibility from ideas that I see everywhere else. It doesn’t matter what type of business you’re in, there are common things that you do that others do in other industries. For example, if you package products and ship them via mail, how do other companies that ship products via the mail handle the same issue? Chances are you aren’t the first person to encounter a given issue. In fact, someone has probably already figured out how to automate it. But, unless you know where to look and what to look for, you might not know it’s out there.  Look around when you go into stores, factories, businesses, etc. Let your curiosity run free. Make note of the things that they do that are automated or utilize machinery. Evaluate how they do things that are similar to what you and your team do.  Is their way better than your way?  Is it more automated than yours?  Ask to speak to the store manager.

You might want to start with introducing yourself, explaining what you do and why you want to ask some questions. That way, he or she won’t think you are competition trying to steal ideas. Ask how they handled the same task before the automation. Why did they automate? How much has the automation saved them? Who came up with the idea to automate it?

The bottom line is, you don’t necessarily have to invent something yourself to become more efficient or to improve. More than likely, there are already different ways to accomplish the same result.

Consider joining a business group or club that consists of leaders of other companies and/or industries within your area. These groups typically meet once a month and have a speaker or a discussion topic.  This is a great way to not only see some fresh ideas from others, but to network with other leaders who may be looking for fresh and bright ideas within their own areas. Most industries have something similar to this. Engineers and automation technicians do this a lot. Automating something isn’t industry-or business-specific. Almost anything can be automated with time or money. The Engineers and automation technicians commonly share best ideas among each other. 

Another area that we tend to overlook for ideas on how to improve is our own front-line employees. They are the ones doing it day in and day out and trust me; they know what needs to be improved. This is the best place to start. They might give you a very good idea of what needs to be improved upon, and possibly the solution to your problem. If that is the case, make sure the employee gets as much credit as possible for the idea. That will provide incentive for others to start looking for other ways to improve.

 

 

What's Significant to You?

I spent this last weekend in Galveston Texas on a family reunion. On my wife's side (the Russell family) they get together every two years to celebrate their Russell heritage. My father-in-law, Tom, has three brothers, Al, Bob and Bill. Each of the four brothers take turn hosting the family reunion, since each live in different cities. This year it was the eldest brother, Al's turn. Living in Houston, Al arranged for the reunion to be on Galveston Island, just about an hour south of Houston.

The accommodations were very nice. We rented two, 2 story houses to accommodate everyone, only about 3 blocks from the Gulf. Each house had a large covered porch for enjoying the gulf breezes. Our family stayed on the 2nd floor, which had a very nice view.

No matter which brother is the host for the event, there is always time set aside for reminiscing about growing up. The history of the Russell family goes back many years.

When their mother (Annabel Russell) passed away in 2005, the brothers divided up her possessions among the family. Some belonged to Annabel and some belonged to their father Wade's mother, Annie Lee Spain, who was born August 26, 1882. Everyone knew Annie Lee as “Granny”. Granny passed away on October 14, 1970.

Tom brought something to share with the family that he apparently discovered in his attic. He found a small, paper notebook titled “Hogarth” Drawing Tablet. It’s what appears to be an art class project of Granny’s dated November 2, 1895. It contained penciled drawings of small animals, a calendar, and other simple sketches. This is the first true “artifact” that I have seen from Granny herself. Until now, I had only heard about things through conversations at the reunions.

My 17 year old daughter, Mandy, found this piece simply amazing! Not because of its incredible art work or its amazing quality, but merely because it was 100 years older than her. She was born in 1995. The fact that she was holding something in her hand that was created by an ancestor of hers over a century ago is what astonished her.

This reminds me that you never really know how something you do or say can impact others, either intended to or not. And, you may never even know about the impact that it had. What might seem trivial and not important to you might be significant to others, even someone that you have never met. You never know the impact that you could have. This is not only true in your personal life but also true in your business.

Reflect back on the mentors in your life and consider the impacts that they had.  What did they do in particular that had an impact on you? What are some things that you have done that could have an affirmative impact on others?  What's significant to you?