Online Business Adviser

The Forum For Online Business Success

I’ve had some great feedback regarding my last post of 27 people who I derive value from on Twitter. Some of you left comments on the blog and I received a number of emails as well, and I want to thank all of you for your contribution to the conversation.

One of the themes that came up several times was around innovation, and why I didn’t single out anyone in my list as specifically innovative. I think the important thing to remember here is that the intention of the post was to list people that I derive the most value from. Certainly the list wasn’t exhaustive – there are a great many people that I get a lot from, but these people demonstrate consistent value.

I think innovation is a tough one, because it can mean different things for different people. For me, it’s all about original thinking, or revolutionising old thinking to a level where it becomes something that stands on its own merits. If you consider it in that context, then most, if not all, of the people on the list can in some way be considered innovative.

As far as who I follow on Twitter that is specifically innovation focused:

• FastCompany – probably one of my favourite magazines to pick up each month
• Lisebeth den Toom (Springwise) – Fresh new business ideas from around the world
• Trendwatching – Emerging and new consumer trends worldwide
• Julien Keith Loren
• Design Innovation
• Suggestionbox.com

I’ve also just started following Braden Kelley after he posted a comment on the blog. From everything I have read so far, he certainly is a wealth of knowledge on the topic.

Innovation in any business is important, particularly if you are running an online business. It is one of the keys to standing out in what is becoming a very crowded marketplace. It can help you develop a true niche for yourself that will deliver you a segment of the market no one else has.

I think there are two key elements to innovation. Firstly, innovation should not belong to one person alone. Collective wisdom is a great thing and you should allow everyone in your business to contribute.

The second thing is that you must start with the notion that no idea is too out there. Having taken part in innovation workshops, what I have always found to work best is when the format allows people to build on each others ideas. Let people throw anything on the table they think of and then have someone else add to it. It may take you off on tangents that don’t work, but it can also deliver you an idea, or ideas, that are unique, special and profitable.

There were a few other names that I wanted to add, some of which were suggested by you:

• Chris Penn – suggested by “Ninja” – co-founder of PodCamp
• Jane Perdue – suggested by Coco Ramos – CEO of the Braithwaite Group, specialising in coaching and leadership programs for business women.
• Jason Pollock – A young filmmaker from Brooklyn, tweets some really interesting stuff

There were two other things I wanted to add before I finish this post.

Chris Brogan and Julien Smith’s book Trust Agents: Using the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust is now available. I’ve ordered my copy and I can’t wait for it to arrive.

Finally, it was sadly coincidental that on the day I started thinking about this post on innovation, the world lost one of the true innovators and a personal hero of mine. Les Paul invented the electric guitar, lending his name to the model that has been played by pretty much anyone who has ever picked up a guitar. He also pioneered multi-track recording. His vision and contributions changed the face of music and things would sound a lot different without them. Rest in peace Les.

Related posts:

1. 27 People You Should Follow On Twitter
2. Twitter as a Customer Service Tool
3. Your Fantasy Business Team
4. Poll Results – Business v Personal Twitter Use
5. Twitter – Business, Personal or Both?

Tags: braden kelley, chris brogan, chris penn, design innovation, fast company, innovation, jane perdue, jason pollock, julien loren, julien smith, les paul, Social Networking, springwise, trendwatching, trust agents, Twitter

This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 18th, 2009 at 5:44 am and is filed under Social Media, Social Networking, Twitter, innovation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.