CREATIVITY AS A RECIPE FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
The role of the entrepreneur is changing; from the basics of producing and trading to now being an innovator, forecaster, techie, and problem solver. These traits are not new; many successful businesses have combined these traits to turn mundane businesses into household names. What differentiated these businesses from their competitors is their ability to differentiate, repackage and regrow based on new market demands.
The COVID-19 pandemic saw restaurants invest in app solutions like Zoom thrive, and working from home allowed for business continuity for many corporations. This scenario showed two critical survival skills for today’s business- the ability to innovate and the agility to adapt to your environment.
Innovation and adaptability are hotwired to companies that practice creativity as the latter is inherently linked to change and improvement. As a business owner, your ability to think creatively and inspire creativity in your team is a major influence on business outcomes as today’s consumer expects services that are faster, better, cheaper, sleeker, and cooler among many other adjectives.
It is thus imperative moving forward, companies must integrate creative thinking as part of their strategic plan.
Today’s business scene is a “dog-eat-dog world”, competition for a piece of the customer’s shilling is intense and we have always done it this way no longer delivers the goods. Given the access to information customers have, the companies that are thriving are using creativity to gain a competitive advantage either through efficiency, innovation, and differentiation.
How do they do it?
These companies have in their culture a need to be better and do better; they ask questions, seek solutions, engage with their stakeholders, and have long-term survival plans for their businesses. They know their operational environments are not predictable and thus they plan around this unpredictability.
Armed with the knowledge of a fluid working environment, these companies are always asking what can we do differently, how can we improve, how can we make it better, faster, cheaper, classier, convenient et.al. They brainstorm, seek ideas internally and externally, benchmark locally and globally, and seek new knowledge every day. The same companies understand creativity is a muscle that has to be exercised and they actively exercise it internally and externally with their bottom line in mind.
Those that fail in this regard have been largely characterized by low-risk appetite, rigidity, operating in silos, lack of inspiration, and lack of a support system. These challenges need to be addressed if your business must grow and where possible is for you to surround yourself with people who can help you see your vision.
As an entrepreneur, the risk is part of the game and thus you also need to be a critical risk taker, adventurous and curious; set your creative goals and constantly challenge your thoughts. Indeed surveys show creative companies are a glue for talent and a magnate for ideas and customers.
Thus as an entrepreneur or part of an organization, learn to see things differently, and nurture a culture of creativity because culture = thoughts that = to things- things that your customers will be willing to pay for and keep you in business.
Should you wish to get assistance in triggering your creative juices and help them add value to your survival and bottom line, look no further than our financial institution. At Springboard Capital we have leveraged internal and external ideas, our staff and our customers/community are invaluable sources of insights that inform the products we have, the kind of services we offer, the processes we employ, and the systems we deploy. The magic does not happen, we make it happen by being aware of our environment and constantly working on our ideas to best address the dynamism of the environments we work in.
We also offer various loan products such as Business Loan, Emergency Loan, Asset Financing, Salaried Loan, Loan against Logbook, Import Duty Financing or Title Deed Loan, to help grow and manage all operations. Contact us today at 0700 944 444 or WhatsApp us through the button below, or email us at info@springboardcapital.co.ke
Click here to WhatsApp us 0700 094 444
Article based on Carolyne Gathuru Webinar Presentation – Carolyne is the visionary CEO of Springboard Capital. With over two decades of experience in the industry, Carolyne has developed a deep understanding of the business landscape and the unique challenges faced by both borrowers and lenders. Through Carolyne’s exceptional leadership, the company continues to revolutionize the microfinance industry, providing opportunities and fostering economic growth for individuals and businesses alike.
Follow us on our LinkedIn Page: Springboard Capital Ltd
