Over the last month or so the importance of innovation in business has become more and more obvious to me.

I’ve come across a handful of people either trying to completely copy one of my business models, duplicate my online content (from this blog), blatantly copy the design of my Facebook branding and even had someone rip footage from one of my YouTube videos, and include it in a video to promote their business elsewhere online!

I’m left thinking “Really? C’mon. Get original, already..!”.

I appreciate that its tough to come up with a ‘truly’ original ‘idea’ nowadays, but knowingly copying, or ripping off someone else’s idea, or business model is not gonna get you anywhere.

Knowing the type of people that read my blog, I’m sure we’re all in agreement on this point!

Benefits of Innovation in Business

It’s easy to copy what is seen as working in today’s market. It’s a tough game out there nowadays, and anything you can do to help kick-start your new business, blog, WebTV show, podcast, service, product or digital magazine in a positive manner is understandable.

However, I’m a big believer that the advantages of innovation in business go way beyond just doing well, or making money!

It’s about creating the right kind of persona as an entrepreneur. It’s about moving and shaking in the right circles. It’s about ‘killing it’ live on stage, in the boardroom, over the dining table, or on the golf course.

The benefits of being innovative in the way you startup, grow and develop your business far outweigh the benefits you’ll enjoy by simply copying someone else’s idea, or model.

Why is Innovation Important in Business?

Why shouldn’t it be? Why is it important that you water indoor plants daily; that you keep the tempreature of your tropical aquarium at the right setting; that you workout regularly?

Since I launched this new site, just 6 weeks ago, I’ve taken the following steps to stand out from the crowd, re-brand myself and generally make a statement:

• The site is 100% customized – there is no other site out there like it.
• I created a 7-Day Bootcamp course to help reenforce my entrepreneurial philosophies on building businesses in the 21st century.
• Backing it all up, I launched the New Business Manifesto, along with a customized video to help promote it.
• I’ve provided free website critiques, as well as replied to every single comment posted on the blog.
• My Facebook page has grown at an awesome pace, down to my interaction and giveaways.
• Plus much more!

I feel good about making these moves, and I have a lot more planned in the next few months, too.

Advantages of Innovation in Business

It’s easy for me to rant and rave a little about this – and don’t get me wrong, I’ve got this! I’m not all that concerned by any of it – but, I do see this trend of cutting corners, copying, etc. developing more and more nowadays, which is why I decided to create this post on the subject.

As an entrepreneurial network, we need to respect original ideas, business processes, market concepts and so on. If we don’t we leave ourselves wide open to being spanked ourselves – probably when we’re doing well, and it’s really going to sting!

And here’s the thing… Exactly how innovation helps business, depends on your business model. 

If you’re running an online business, creating mobile apps or selling informational products via your blog, being seen as an innovative sort will help you immensely, of course.

If you own a pet store, then you might not have to be SEEN as an innovative person, but if you can inject a certain amount of innovation into the way you market and promote your business in the local community, not only will you get more business, but you’ll also be respected as a local entrepreneur.

Conclusion

There are always going to be those that copy and duplicate what you have done, because you’ve done okay for yourself doing it. Get over it. Life goes on.

The big difference between those business owners that continue to crush it, and those that merely taste ‘the crush’ (is there such a term?! well, there is now!), is how you conduct yourself in business. How you promote, market, sell and look after your customers.

Get busy being innovative my friends. Stand out for the right reasons, and the rewards will come to you over and over again…

What do you think about the role of innovation in business? Do you place the right amount of focus on the importance of innovation in business, when it comes to your own activities? I’d love to know your feelings on this important subject. Comment below.