A while back I wrote a post that argued against focusing on coming up with the next “big thing”. My point was that if you concentrate solely on trying to come up with a cutesy campaign, that you’re going to overlook the simple and little things that actually deliver. However, that’s not to say you need to stop trying to be innovative. I there’s a big misconception that being innovative requires the next “big idea” when, in fact, being innovative often is the result of doing the little things extremely well.

You’ve all heard the saying “there’s no such thing as a stupid question”.  I’m going to go one further and say “there’s no such thing as a stupid idea”. Yes, there are ideas that don’t work, but there is no such thing as an idea being stupid. How many times are you sitting in a meeting and you’re tasked with coming up with “two or three good ideas’? I understand that it would be timely and a waste of time to go over every single idea; however, that’s not to say you should dismiss an idea.

Think of the products and companies that you consider “innovative”. These products and companies didn’t become innovative by dismissing ideas. They became innovative by encouraging ideas and encouraging brainstorming. They became innovative by welcoming change and willing to take risks. They serve the unknown.

I come up with topics for blog posts at odd times. Often times, those ideas are actually that, ideas. Ideas that I may not have enough content to fill an entire post, so I jot the ideas down. I probably have 10-15 ideas that may consist of a paragraph or two or three bullet points. Rather than forgetting or ignoring these ideas, I keep them saved and I’m able to go back and add as thoughts come to me. This spurs innovation. This process ensures that I’m not constricted to thoughts and ideas that are current and top of mind.

How can we become innovative if I’m asking you to stop thinking outside the box? It’s not that I don’t like creative thinking. It’s the idea that all your work and thoughts are focused too much on fame and notoriety. Continue to focus on new and creative processes, but your entire plan shouldn’t be filled with ideas that are “new” or “groundbreaking”.

All to often we’re scared to speak up and go against the status quo. However, with innovation, we’re expected to fail – something most people fear and don’t understand. Innovation doesn’t come by coming up with the next “best thing”, rather it comes from coming up with a unique solution to an already established problem.

So go ahead, run with scissors.

I get it, we all want to come up with the next “big idea” that catapults our brand into the mainstream media. We want to come up with the next Wii campaign (in my opinion, the best PR campaign in recent years). Focusing on the next “big idea” is great and all, but very few “big ideas” generate results that warrant all the time and focus that’s being spent. Instead, spend more time focusing on those “little ideas.” After all, it’s the little things that often separate a good campaign from a great campaign.

Mainstream media isn’t for everyone. Getting national coverage for your client may make you and your client feel great, but it may not get the results you’re ultimately looking for. I spoke with the owner of a local PR firm in Minneapolis who had a client who’s sole mission what to get on Oprah. He told this client that there was absolutely no chance of getting coverage on Oprah. The client refused to except this reality; and as a result, the firm dropped the client. If a client doesn’t think their product is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I question their motive. However, as a PR professional, it’s your job to educate the client on the proper channels and set realistic goals.

Most absurd article/statement I read this week – here. Listen, I’m not taking anything away from these people. They’re extremely talented and are doing great things. But comparing them to Bill Gates and Michael Dell is absurd. Gates & Dell created an industry. These folks are creating products/services to break into an already established industry. Great to give recognition, but let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves.

Why isn’t the NHL promoting their stars? I’m not that big of an NHL fan, but I’ll catch game every now and then. Minnesota is the State of Hockey. Going to a Wild game at the Xcel is an absolute blast – fan or no fan. But ratings are down for the NHL. The days of Gretzky and Lemieux are gone. Why isn’t Sidney Crosby a household name yet? My mother knows Tom Brady. She knows Kobe Bryant. She knows Alex Rodriquez. But I guarantee you, she couldn’t name a single NHL player. We had all this hype when Crosby was coming into the league, but the buzz and hoopla has all but vanished.

If you run a non-profit or work for a non-profit and aren’t engaging in social media – or at least in discussions to start – you are missing out. It would take a while for me to think of a non-profit that wouldn’t benefit from social media. Having a strong online presence can make it easier for you to spread your message, recruit volunteers, raise donations and ultimately advance your mission. It’s alright to be hesitant. It’s natural to have concerns. But have an open mind – I promise it’ll work out.

There we have it. Short and sweet. What are some top-of-the-mind stories/thoughts you have going on? Any current events or topics that have gotten you thinking?