Creatively Redesign Your Business Offerings

I was speaking with a client, helping her get a new vision for the products and services she offers as she reinvents her business.

We had a long discussion about being so closely involved with your own industry that you can’t come up with a new business model because you can’t see past what’s currently being done within your industry.

So we played a little game. It’s called Insight Is In Sight.

We are surrounded by inspiration but don’t pay attention to it because we haven’t framed clearly the question we want answered.

Say that you want more success in your business and you want to be creative in what you offer your customers.

If you frame your question to this: “What are the different ways that business, people, animals and things are successful?” you will open your eyes to a whole new world.

Keeping the above question in mind, imagine your typical day. Pay attention to all the businesses, people and situations you come in contact with throughout one day.

For Instance:

• What does our lawn have to offer to the local population of deer that they can’t get elsewhere? (And how can my business products and services be this uniquely irresistible, too?)
• How can my business mirror the way the local grocery store offers its products and services?
• What is McDonald’s business model and how do they offer their products and services differently than our local fine dining restaurant?
• How are children (and cats) so efficient at saying what they want — and getting it?
• What are the real benefits of school buses in our community? How do the parents, children and the school administration view school buses? What business and marketing model does the school bus company use, given that it has three different audiences it’s trying to please?
• What is the business and marketing model of the city of Las Vegas, and how has it changed over the years?
• How is it that one species of tree can dominate acres of forest? (How can my product and service offerings dominate my industry?)
• How (and why) did Southwest Airlines create the next generation of airline travel? (How can I be as innovative in my business offerings?)
• Are all movie stars’ marketing models and branding the same? Which ones stand out from the crowd, and why?
• Once I’ve purchased an iPod, why do I feel compelled to fill it with my favorite music and podcasts, over and over again, through iTunes? What business and marketing model (and psychology) is in play here?

See? By paying attention for one day to everything that comes across your path, you can ask questions about how all these things can be related to a new way of offering your products and services.

Warning: Once you see the world in this way, you may never be able to have a normal life again. 🙂