To own a business is one thing, but to stand out from the rest is another thing entirely. Standing out from the crowd, especially regarding business, does not come without a strategy. There are also several ways to exhibit uniqueness and share what you bring to the table, and in this post, we’re going to focus on creativity.
Creativity is not just a “nice to have,” when leveraged properly, it is a powerful tool that can drive success and set your business apart in a competitive market. So, let's explore how you can infuse creativity into your business strategy and pave the way for innovation.
Why Creativity is Your Business’s Competitive Edge
Creativity can be the secret sauce that can transform your business from good to great. For women in business, leveraging creativity can be a game-changer. It allows you to think differently, solve problems uniquely, and connect with your audience on a deeper level. In a world where innovation is key, creativity sets the stage for success by fostering originality and sparking fresh ideas. The overall goal is to promote innovation and think outside the box; let’s dive into some tips.
Embracing Diversity: A Key to Boosting Creativity in Your Brand
One of the first ways you can apply creativity and cultivate freshness to your brand is by embracing diversity. Encouraging diversity in and on your team can bring in a mix of perspectives and proposals. Different backgrounds and experiences can fuel creativity and lead to innovative solutions. Fully delving into diversity is the perfect way to leverage creativity. Every individual’s culture, life experience, age, etc. provides them with a unique perspective that can be valuable when making decisions, creating content, or even rebranding. The fact that we all see through different eyes is an asset. Envision each idea or perspective as a different spice. There is a wealth of flavor that derives from using different spices and different combinations of the spices can create varying flavor profiles. Likewise, focusing on diversity ensures that your business does not function solely in one lane, it can be multifaceted.
Case Study: How Tabitha Brown Uses Creativity and Diversity to Build a Powerful Brand
From 2019 until now, one of my favorite examples of “creativity by way of diversity” done right is none other than social media influencer, Tabitha Brown. She started out simply posting videos of her vegan journey and sharing foods she was eating to nurse herself back to health. Now 5 years later she is a multidimensional mogul: an actress, author, narrator, comedian, influencer, restaurant owner, with her own hair care line, children’s show, Target line (consisting of clothes, groceries, furniture, kitchenware, summertime accessories, stationery), and more, but ultimately she is a woman thriving in business. Diversity is on display throughout her brand, from members of her team, to her varying product lines, the content she shares, and even her personal style; she keeps it interesting. Although there are common themes in her branding, there is just enough predictability but also the feeling of “you never know what you’re gonna get.” In my opinion she has mastered the art of creativity, presenting something fresh and new that also resonates with her audience.
Building a Culture of Creativity: The Power of Safe Spaces
Create a culture where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment. Encourage brainstorming sessions and welcome out-of-the-box thinking. This simply encourages information to flow freely and increases options and the chances of landing on something relevant and useful to your business. When people feel they are valuable and are made to feel their ideas are valid they are more likely to put their best foot forward. If someone is assisting you with your business, they are likely to treat your business with the utmost respect and value it as if it were their own.
Why Taking Risks Fuels Innovation in Service-Based Businesses
A lot of success in business is found by experimenting, trial and error if you will. For many things there are templates but when maximizing creativity is concerned, you may just have to create the blueprint. Sometimes you have to be the one to “dust yourself off and try again.” Don't be afraid to try new things and experiment with different approaches. Innovation often comes from taking risks and learning from both successes and failures. There are several sayings that reiterate the idea that we fail if we don’t try: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” “The only way to truly fail is not to try,” and “If you try you might fail, but if you don’t try you’ll never succeed,” to name a few. Let these serve as a reminder to you to keep going even if it doesn’t pan out on the first try. With all the amazing women inventors that exist it’s impossible to think they all achieved success immediately. The experimental phase exists for a reason, it allows for adjustments and requires adaptability. To be fearless and flexible is on par with finding success.
A prime example of how to be fearless and have fun while doing it is social media influencer Angel Laketa Moore, also known as ThatChickAngel. I have witnessed her evolution as an influencer and one thing that comes to mind is her consistency. She is consistently entertaining and constantly changing her content. More recently she has found success in completing ridiculous couples challenges with her ever so reluctant spouse. She is incredibly aware of her audience and always gives the people what they want no matter how silly she’ll look. She is dedicated to her business and not afraid to try or fail. As a result, she has been able to check some things off her bucket list, such as becoming “a rapper.” She wrote and produced a rap song that went viral and then proceeded to make different versions of the song by collaborating with well-known celebrities. By taking a risk she upscaled her business significantly and strengthened her brand all the more. She is now steps closer to truly being considered a household name; follow her lead and take the risk. The key is to be multidimensional and multifaceted with the help of creativity and diversity.
Staying Curious: How to Keep Up with Trends and Fuel Creativity
Keep an open mind and stay curious about new trends, technologies, and ideas. Continuous learning and exploration can spark creativity and inspire innovative solutions. New trends are always emerging and people are constantly creating. It is your job to stay aware of what’s current and trending as it relates to your business. In discussing how sometimes you will be the one creating the “new thing,” it is also important to constantly remind yourself of who your target audience is to ensure you are fully meeting their needs as a consumer. Focus on engagement, stay curious, and connected.
The Importance of Networking and Collaboration for Business Growth
Seems like a simple enough question, but often we forget that people are resources, therefore you should make networking a priority. Collaborate with other entrepreneurs, attend industry events, and build a network of like-minded individuals. Surrounding yourself with creative thinkers can inspire new ideas and perspectives. Also, forming a network has the ability to have a ripple effect that can end up being a win-win situation for all parties involved. Another influencer that I have witnessed network efficiently is KevOnStage. He honed his craft, and then put himself in space to network with like-minded individuals. He also shared his own knowledge with his network making them better at their craft. Then when they were at the top of their game he recycled and infused them into his own ventures, be it comedy tours, podcasts, or films. Now at the height of his career, it is easy to identify his network because they consistently show up for him, whether they are directly involved or not.
Recharging Your Creative Energy: Why Breaks Are Essential for Innovation
Remember to take breaks and give yourself time to recharge. Creativity thrives when your mind is relaxed and refreshed. Stepping away from work may allow you to gain new insight. You have the opportunity to harness the power of creativity and innovation, and at a sprinkle of diversity to your business strategy. By thinking outside the box, embracing diversity, and building a culture of creativity, you can unlock new possibilities and drive your business toward success. At Jali Creatives, we specialize in helping businesses like yours unlock their creative potential. Contact us today to learn how we can help your brand thrive.
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