Guide to Creativity and Innovation for Small Business

Encourage brainstorming and idea generation

Innovation is essentially the introduction of something new — the concrete result of creative ideas. With the right tools, everyone can be taught to think creatively.

I recommend: Ten Ways to Spark Creativity will help you jumpstart the process. Go to Invention-Help.com for some simple brainstorming tools; see Innovation Tools to for a four-step problem-solving process. Go to this page on Innovation Tools for creativity software reviews. To download free creativity software, go to Download.com. For fun and insight, take an innovation quiz on Innovation for Dummies. Try a creativity coach: check one out at Kaizen-Muse Creativity Coaching.

Listen to your customers

Your customers are often your best source of new ideas. Ask them how they'd like your product or service improved, but also master the art of observing them. Look for trouble spots; they're your opportunity for innovation.

I recommend: Follow the steps in Turn Customer Input into Innovation.

Develop systematic methods for evaluating new ideas

Consider all ideas, even the ones that seem a little crazy. But make sure you evaluate them objectively before investing time and money bringing them to market.

I recommend: For step-by-step advice on assessing ideas, go to Planware.org. Also check out The Innovation Managers Check-List.

Protect new inventions

Great ideas breed copycats. First, do a thorough patent search to make sure you're not infringing on anyone else's territory, and then register your own patent or copyright.

I recommend: If you have an idea for a new product, see The Inventor's Handbook to find out whether your idea is patentable. Go to The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to do trademark and patent searches. Access patent application forms on this page of the USPTO site. File a USPTO trademark application here.

Reward success (and failure!)

Employees need to feel invested in innovation, so reward them for suggesting great ideas that fly and for "failing fast" with ones that don't quite get off the ground.

I recommend: Follow these Seven Principles for Successful Employee Recognition. See The Power of Positive Employee Recognition for specific recognition ideas.