Innovating involves disrupting the status quo. Trying to achieve something new while doing the same old thing will probably lead to the same old thing. In fact, it's often referred to as the definition of insanity. You have to be prepared to change what you're doing if you want different results. I'd like to suggest a 3 Step process to help you get started:
Focus Your Efforts
So you've identified an opportunity and you want to explore it's potential before you spend your money. Start by filling in the brackets for the following statement: There is an opportunity to provide (who) with (what) that (fills what need). Step one is always to identify your potential customer and define what it is you have to offer.What you have to offer must fill a need or there will be no customers. Getting as clear as you possibly can about this statement will be the key to moving further.
Once you've defined your opportunity, it's time to force connections. Solutions are often found in the periphery. Be prepared to look at things from new angles and see how seemingly unrelated things can change your perception of the overall picture. Brainstorm your ideas without judging them at this point. It's meant to be a "stream of consciousness" activity. WRITE THEM DOWN.
Blend Together
Explore the Top 3 ideas that appear to be the most promising. Choosing three (3) will help you stay focused while at the same time forcing some disruption of the norms. You should be thinking about the "bits" and the "benefits". The bits are the product, service and information that you will provide. The benefits are about your partners, customers and users. All the bits should work together and all parties should benefit from the innovation.
This is the meat and potatoes of your innovation. This process will determine whether or not you need to explore more of your ideas in order to find something worthy of launching.
Explore Your Disruptive Ideas
Define and refine your Top 3 Ideas. Remain open to connections that may seem a bit unconventional. Without disruption of the status quo, there is no change. Without change, there is no innovation.
Have Fun !!!
