Generating Ideas and Building Value in yourself

One of the best ways you can get noticed in today’s business world is to develop ideas that will be beneficial to your company. When done right, good ideas can generate sales and profit, not to mention your career as well. Every company in the world wants employees, particularly managers, that raise the bar, cut costs, and generate revenue.

The problem is that not everyone is a natural idea generator. Oftentimes you can find yourself in a slump, especially when you have been doing the same job for a number of years. But the charge to be innovative is what drives capitalism and adds value to you as a person in your organization. Being unique and innovative in a sea of thousands of professionals is tough work.

Nothing boosts your resume quite like a few innovative ideas or projects that you are credited for developing. So how do you continue to generate ideas even when you are stumped?

I utilize my greatest resource: people. The best ideas come from those who are in the trenches every day. Your associates are in touch with what your customers want and what they need. What better way to get some fuel for your latest project?
The best thing about using your associates for ideas is that you win in more ways than one when you use this method. Not only do you get great ideas that will further your career and help your company be more profitable, but you help to become more engaged with your associates.

The folks that work for you are dying for attention. Most managers don’t realize this, but the people that work for you are watching your every move. You are the one they look up to, whether they have good intentions or bad. When you step off of your pedestal and recognize them, it boosts their confidence and their desire to do well in their respective position.

So the next time you walk by Bob, ask him how things are going. Ask him specific questions about what customers have been asking for. Step back and take a look at the big picture, instead of worrying about every little detail.

Most would say that they don’t have time to talk to Bob about the football game last night. But that is exactly how you reveal your human side to your associates. No one wants to work for a boss that walks around spitting out orders all day. You have to earn their respect, and the best way to do that is find out what they are interested in and remember personal things about them. They don’t want you to be their friend, they just want you to be their boss.

If your employees know that you care about their opinion, they will eventually come to you with ideas. You won’t even have to ask. That’s the kind of advice that is priceless.