I’m always eager to share the latest innovation insights from colleagues who have been in the trenches with me, and Robert Tucker is one of the best. here is his latest observation on the retail industry:
For retailers, and for a growing number of industries, disruption is no longer a theoretical construct. It’s the reality that confronts each of us with a choice every single day: do I busy myself fighting fires and trying to be efficient? Or do I try to add value, and come up with ideas and initiatives that help my organization fight back and win in the marketplace?
The retailers in Scottsdale chose to elevate their game. Here are six ways to elevate yours:
Embrace the Opportunity Mindset. I once asked interior designer Pamela Armstrong about her innovation process. “First of all,” she explained, “it’s not separate from my life. I don’t set aside an hour to be innovative. [innovation] is at the core of who I am, and wonder is ever present in my mind. I am interested in everything, especially people: who they are, what fascinates them, why they choose their professions, how they view the world, what colors stimulate their thoughts and creativity.”
When I asked how she brings out the creative best in the teams she works with she responded: “On my projects, I want every contributor to be looking at how what [they] do affects what the next person will do, and the overall look/feel/functionality of the project. I don’t want to work with a tile setter who just comes in and sets tile in a pattern I drew. I want the tile setter who sees the pattern and point out that if we center on the grout line rather than the middle of the tile we will have fewer cuts and a more balanced design.”