Most companies don’t have an “idea department.” Usually ideas come from the same group of employees who are passionate about the brand and really want to push the company beyond where it is now. They see new ways that others don’t’ see. It’s like they are looking through a different set of glasses that reveal special codes and symbols or something. These employees are hidden gems. Embrace their ideas and recognize their valuable contributions, because employees like that don’t come around often.
Push The Limits
I feel that today’s marketers have a responsibility to come up with ideas that push the limits and comfortablility of the company. There usually isn’t another department in the company to do this, and marketers are natural creative thinkers. Our skills are organic to innovative thinking for new product and service ideas as well as discovering new and different ways to reach the customer. If you work for a large company, these ideas may come from a designated employee think tank, an online idea bank, new product development teams, outside agencies and other sources. For smaller firms, it’s the owner, or even the staff you see every day at the water cooler that will be the idea generators.
Obviously I am a little partial to marketing departments because I feel those types of people can be great thinkers for new ideas and innovative concepts. However, these thinkers could be hiding in any department. Regardless of where they are, find them, let them know they have value and tap into their creative thinking. You’ll be glad you did!
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Scott MacFarland
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