Future-Forward Thinking Outstrips ‘Back to Normal’ Mindset

IdeaScale
3 min readAug 4, 2020

Disruption is what drives innovation and positive change. Successful innovation strategies include the forward-thinking mindset that helps you move beyond the status quo and develop new ways of thinking.

Embrace Change

Change is inevitable. It is what keeps businesses moving forward, and helps them gain momentum in times of upheaval. Moreover, change removes the ‘back to normal’ mindset. When major events occur, nothing will ever be the same again. Companies who keep one foot in the past will be swallowed up by those whose leaders continue to innovate.

Technology is a crucial part of innovation. Research revealed blockchain adoption is expected to increase in the coming years in industries such as industrial manufacturing, telecommunications, and financial services.

Blockchain technology makes it possible to instantly access information about customer behavior, transactions, and more. It changes how companies do business by increasing response times and providing valuable data for innovators to consider.

Innovations can both fulfill and create a need. In the early days of cellular phones, people conducted business by making quick phone calls from their cars. Now, these devices keep users connected and in-the-know by offering calling, messaging, and internet capabilities.

Embrace change to keep your company from being left behind. Do not be afraid to try new ideas that place you in a future-forward mindset.

Consider Future Value

When considering a new idea, think about what value it will add to the future of your organization. What benefits will it offer your employees or customers?

Innovation strategies should include value as a planning mechanism. It is easier to create a new product when you understand the need you are trying to fill.

Ease of Adoption

Another aspect of the future-forward thinking mindset is the adoption of a new idea. When launching new products or services, consider what customers will need to implement them. Software that is easy to download and use will catch on more quickly than an application that requires a lot of work to install.

This is how a lot of small companies get their start. Customers are more likely to recommend your product or service to friends if it’s hassle-free and convenient to use.

Build on an existing idea

Companies forge their futures by building on existing ideas. For example, one app can lead to an entire suite of apps, or a singular niche product can lead to a whole new product line.

Increase Flexibility

Flexibility is an essential component of innovation. It is especially important in times of crisis when companies are forced to think outside the box to meet specific or growing needs.

Increasing flexibility helps you plan for the future, and address the unknowns as they arise. Technology allows you to be flexible. For instance, implementing flexibility into your innovation strategies can help you change how your products reach customers.

Businesses are using technology in powerful ways. A 2019 survey revealed innovative companies are exploring how they can use artificial intelligence (AI) to meet rising demand. According to the research, nine out of ten respondents are investing in AI.

The coronavirus has changed how businesses operate, increasing the need for flexibility just to survive. It also presents an opportunity for growth.

Want to increase flexibility and change the way your company innovates? Contact us to request a demo.

This article was originally published on the IdeaScale blog here.

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IdeaScale

IdeaScale is the leading innovation management software platform for the enterprise, government, and education. Gather ideas, implement them. www.ideascale.com