21 ways to generate business boosting ideas

21 Ways to Generate Business 21 Ways to Generate Business Boosting Ideas Boosting Ideas

Brought to you by Brought to you by 5wh5wh

February 2011 5wh Marketing 2

IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionvv The light bulb. Bubble wrap. The PostThe light bulb. Bubble wrap. The Post--It. The iPod. The It. The iPod. The

SnuggieSnuggie. Facebook. Twitter.. Facebook. Twitter.

vv These inventions, products, and businesses all started with These inventions, products, and businesses all started with an idea. An idea that to anyone other than its an idea. An idea that to anyone other than its creator(screator(s) may ) may have seemed like an insane thing to invest much time, have seemed like an insane thing to invest much time, money, or effort in bringing to fruition.money, or effort in bringing to fruition.

vv But for the masterminds behind these great ideas, the risk But for the masterminds behind these great ideas, the risk paid off and so too can your next great idea.paid off and so too can your next great idea.

vv Everyone has great ideas. The problem for most people is Everyone has great ideas. The problem for most people is realizing that even the most silly or outrageous idea they realizing that even the most silly or outrageous idea they come up with could in fact work. Generating ideascome up with could in fact work. Generating ideas——useful useful ideasideas——is a skill, and, like any other skill, it can be learned. is a skill, and, like any other skill, it can be learned. The more you practice, the easier it will be to come up with The more you practice, the easier it will be to come up with ideas whenever you need them.ideas whenever you need them.


ACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENTACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This work is not for sale. It was adapted from the book

“Attention! This Book Will Make You Money: How to Use Attention-Getting Online

Marketing to Increase Your Revenue ” by Jim Kukral

Adapted into this presentation by Caleb Mutsumba, founder Five WH Corporate Services

(Pvt) Limited (“5wh”), Harare.

This work is not for sale. It was This work is not for sale. It was adapted from the book adapted from the book

““Attention! This Book Will Make Attention! This Book Will Make You Money: How to Use You Money: How to Use AttentionAttention--Getting Online Getting Online

Marketing to Increase Your Marketing to Increase Your RevenueRevenue ”” by by Jim Jim KukralKukral

Adapted into this presentation Adapted into this presentation by Caleb Mutsumba, founder by Caleb Mutsumba, founder Five WH Corporate Services Five WH Corporate Services

(Pvt) Limited ((Pvt) Limited (““5wh5wh””), Harare. ), Harare.

5wh is a relationship-based Business Services company which

specializes in Internal Audits, Forensic Audits and Business

Systems Consultancy.

To know more about our company and our products & services and to start

a relationship, here is Caleb:-Cell:

+263 712 620 287 +263 772 466 540

Email: [email protected]

Other: P.O. Box 1361 Harare

5wh is a relationship5wh is a relationship--based Business based Business Services company which Services company which

specializes in Internal Audits, specializes in Internal Audits, Forensic Audits and Business Forensic Audits and Business

Systems Consultancy.Systems Consultancy.

To know more about our company and To know more about our company and our products & services and to start our products & services and to start

a relationship, here is a relationship, here is CalebCaleb::--Cell: Cell:

+263 712 620 287 +263 772 466 540

Email: Email: [email protected]

OtherOther: : P.O. Box 1361 Harare

mailto:[email protected]



1. Carry A Notebook1.1. Carry A NotebookCarry A Notebookvv The only thing worse than not being The only thing worse than not being

able to come up with an idea is able to come up with an idea is thinking of an amazing idea, not thinking of an amazing idea, not writing it down, and then forgetting writing it down, and then forgetting it.it.

vv "You may think you will remember, "You may think you will remember, but you won't," says but you won't," says KukralKukral. "Having . "Having a small notepad or digital recorder a small notepad or digital recorder with you at all times guarantees that with you at all times guarantees that those ideas will not escape. Keep those ideas will not escape. Keep one in your glove compartment, on one in your glove compartment, on your nightstand, and in your desk your nightstand, and in your desk drawer. Keeping a few spare sheets drawer. Keeping a few spare sheets of loose paper in your wallet or of loose paper in your wallet or purse is a good idea, too!"purse is a good idea, too!"


2. Eavesdrop 2. Eavesdrop 2. Eavesdrop

üü Listen to people talking on the bus, Listen to people talking on the bus, at the coffee shop, or in the at the coffee shop, or in the elevator at work. "You'll get a good elevator at work. "You'll get a good feel for what people care about: feel for what people care about: their concerns, wishes, and their concerns, wishes, and interests," explains interests," explains KukralKukral..

üü "And you may also hear a great "And you may also hear a great idea or two in the mix. Build on the idea or two in the mix. Build on the snippets of conversation you snippets of conversation you overhear to create a story, and let overhear to create a story, and let that story lead you to a brilliant that story lead you to a brilliant idea."idea."


3. Do Something New3. Do Something New3. Do Something New

ØØ Sign up for a class, take up a Sign up for a class, take up a new hobby, listen to a new hobby, listen to a different kind of music, or do different kind of music, or do anything that is new to you.anything that is new to you.

ØØ Not only will it get new parts Not only will it get new parts of your brain humming, you'll of your brain humming, you'll meet and connect with new meet and connect with new peoplepeople——which is a great way which is a great way to find great new ideas.to find great new ideas.


4. Hold A Grudge 4. Hold A Grudge 4. Hold A Grudge

ØØWhat annoys you? What annoys you? When you think about When you think about the list of things you the list of things you wish were different, wish were different, the chances are those the chances are those things also annoy things also annoy other people.other people.

ØØKeep a running list of Keep a running list of all things that bug you all things that bug you and find solutions that and find solutions that will make them better.will make them better.


5. Find The Peanut Butter To Your Jelly

5. Find The Peanut Butter To 5. Find The Peanut Butter To Your JellyYour Jelly

vv Take two ideas and put Take two ideas and put them together to make them together to make one new idea. "After all, one new idea. "After all, what is a what is a SnuggieSnuggie but the but the mutation of a blanket and mutation of a blanket and a robe?" asks a robe?" asks KukralKukral..

vv "Think beyond the "Think beyond the obvious connections to obvious connections to come up with something come up with something truly innovative."truly innovative."


6. Get Physical6. Get Physical6. Get Physicalvv Movement increases the flow of endorphins, as Movement increases the flow of endorphins, as

well as sending more blood to your brain. "Okay, well as sending more blood to your brain. "Okay, I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, so I'm not a doctor and I don't play one on TV, so maybe I don't have all the physical stuff exactly maybe I don't have all the physical stuff exactly right," says right," says KukralKukral..

vv "However, I do know that getting active helps me "However, I do know that getting active helps me think. I keep a minithink. I keep a mini--trampoline in my office and trampoline in my office and jump up and down for a few minutes to get my jump up and down for a few minutes to get my blood moving. Run, skip, jump, climb stairs, or blood moving. Run, skip, jump, climb stairs, or otherwise get your pulse rate up to get your brain otherwise get your pulse rate up to get your brain moving, too."moving, too."


7. Get An Outsider's Opinion7. Get An Outsider's Opinionvv There are times when you are so close to a project that it There are times when you are so close to a project that it

creates a mental block for idea generation. Bringing in a creates a mental block for idea generation. Bringing in a fresh perspective can make all the difference. "Get fresh perspective can make all the difference. "Get someone who is not familiar with your situation to ask you someone who is not familiar with your situation to ask you questions about it," advises questions about it," advises KukralKukral..

vv "It may be over dinner with friends, with a colleague at the "It may be over dinner with friends, with a colleague at the water cooler, or in line at the grocery store with a stranger! water cooler, or in line at the grocery store with a stranger! They may ask things that lead you to an idea that you They may ask things that lead you to an idea that you overlooked because it was too obvious. No one around? overlooked because it was too obvious. No one around? Imagine that someone is coming to you with the problem Imagine that someone is coming to you with the problem you are trying to solve. What would you tell them? Your you are trying to solve. What would you tell them? Your answer may be the solution you are looking for."answer may be the solution you are looking for."


8. Just Listen8. Just Listen8. Just Listenvv It may sound obvious, but really listen It may sound obvious, but really listen

when customers talk to you. When you when customers talk to you. When you do, you will hear ideas for new products do, you will hear ideas for new products and services, ways to improve customer and services, ways to improve customer service, and uses you never considered service, and uses you never considered for your products that can open up new for your products that can open up new markets for you.markets for you.

vv "Your customers may not recognize when "Your customers may not recognize when they are giving you ideas, but you need to they are giving you ideas, but you need to be able to spot them," says be able to spot them," says KukralKukral. "Are . "Are several customers making the same several customers making the same comments or asking the same questions? comments or asking the same questions? Act on it! You can get great ideas this Act on it! You can get great ideas this way!"way!"


9. Change Your Routine9. Change Your Routine9. Change Your Routine

vv New surroundings and new New surroundings and new experiences can help your experiences can help your brain to shift gears and get you brain to shift gears and get you to think differently.to think differently.

vv Drive a new route to the office, Drive a new route to the office, try a new restaurant for lunch, try a new restaurant for lunch, start work a little earlier (or a start work a little earlier (or a little later), work in a different little later), work in a different place, or anything that busts place, or anything that busts you out of your rut.you out of your rut.


10. Listen To Music 10. Listen To Music 10. Listen To Music vv You may find that a little You may find that a little

Mozart awakens your Mozart awakens your creativity, or you may creativity, or you may respond better to a little respond better to a little Metallica.Metallica.

vv Whatever works for you, Whatever works for you, fire up your iPod, get fire up your iPod, get into the groove, and let into the groove, and let your mind work.your mind work.


Take A Shower, Walk The Dog, Do Laundry

Take A Shower, Walk The Take A Shower, Walk The Dog, Do Laundry Dog, Do Laundry

vv How many great ideas do you get in How many great ideas do you get in the shower? It's not a coincidence that the shower? It's not a coincidence that great thinking happens in the shower.great thinking happens in the shower.

vv "Showering is a mindless activity (the "Showering is a mindless activity (the only thing you really have to think only thing you really have to think about is,about is, Have I already repeated, or Have I already repeated, or just lathered and rinsed?just lathered and rinsed?)," says )," says KukralKukral. "And the warm water is . "And the warm water is relaxing. Other mindless activities are relaxing. Other mindless activities are great for brainstorming too. Wash the great for brainstorming too. Wash the dishes, walk the dog, or fold the dishes, walk the dog, or fold the laundry. If you give your mind the laundry. If you give your mind the chance to wander, you'll free yourself chance to wander, you'll free yourself to come up with a brilliant idea."to come up with a brilliant idea."


12. Make A List (and check it twice)

12. Make A List (and check 12. Make A List (and check it twice) it twice)

vv This is a triedThis is a tried--andand--true method proven to true method proven to work wonders. "Get out a notepad, or fire work wonders. "Get out a notepad, or fire up your computer, and write down up your computer, and write down everything you can think of related to your everything you can think of related to your issue," suggests issue," suggests KukralKukral..

vv "For example, if you need a new slogan for "For example, if you need a new slogan for a product, write down every feature and a product, write down every feature and benefit you can think of, the types of benefit you can think of, the types of people who need the product, the people who need the product, the problems it solves, and so on. Pull out a problems it solves, and so on. Pull out a thesaurus and start looking up synonyms. thesaurus and start looking up synonyms. When you are done, you will not only have When you are done, you will not only have your slogan, you will have a library of your slogan, you will have a library of words and phrases you can use in your words and phrases you can use in your marketing and publicity campaigns."marketing and publicity campaigns."


13. Wear A Silly Hat13. Wear A Silly Hat13. Wear A Silly Hatvv Use a prop when it is time to be creative. It Use a prop when it is time to be creative. It

could be anything (such as wearing a silly could be anything (such as wearing a silly hat) that signals to your brain that it is time hat) that signals to your brain that it is time to go into ideato go into idea--generating mode.generating mode.

vv "Have a routine that you follow when you "Have a routine that you follow when you want to be creative," says want to be creative," says KukralKukral. "It might . "It might be to put on your hat, grab a ball to toss up be to put on your hat, grab a ball to toss up in the air, and lean back in your chair with in the air, and lean back in your chair with your feet on the desk. Once you are in your your feet on the desk. Once you are in your 'Creative at Work' position, start coming up 'Creative at Work' position, start coming up with ideas. Do this a few times, and you will with ideas. Do this a few times, and you will be conditioned to start generating ideas as be conditioned to start generating ideas as soon as you see the hat. Your brain will soon as you see the hat. Your brain will have been trained."have been trained."


14. Be a Bookworm14. Be a Bookworm14. Be a Bookworm

vv Read everything you can get Read everything you can get your hands on: business books, your hands on: business books, novels, newspapers, magazines, novels, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and everything else.blogs, and everything else.

vv The more raw materials you take The more raw materials you take in, the more you learn, and the in, the more you learn, and the more you know, the better you more you know, the better you will become at putting together will become at putting together seemingly unrelated concepts seemingly unrelated concepts to create something new.to create something new.


15. Sleep On It15. Sleep On It15. Sleep On It

vv Just before going to bed, think Just before going to bed, think about the ideas you want to about the ideas you want to generate. Be specific: "I will come generate. Be specific: "I will come up with great ways to promote our up with great ways to promote our new widget.new widget.““

vv "Tell yourself you will come up with "Tell yourself you will come up with a solution while you sleep," advises a solution while you sleep," advises KukralKukral. "Keep a pad and pen or a . "Keep a pad and pen or a recorder next to your bed so you recorder next to your bed so you can capture the ideas as soon as can capture the ideas as soon as you wake up."you wake up."


16. Ask The Almighty Google16. Ask The Almighty Google16. Ask The Almighty Googlevv When you are stuck on an When you are stuck on an

idea, try entering a few idea, try entering a few words related to what you words related to what you are looking for.are looking for.

vv "Google will try to "Google will try to automatically complete your automatically complete your query, and may come up with query, and may come up with just what you need," says just what you need," says KukralKukral. "Then look at some . "Then look at some of the search results to see of the search results to see what inspires you."what inspires you."


17. Doodle17. Doodle17. Doodle

vv Make random doodles Make random doodles on a white board or on a white board or piece of paper.piece of paper.

vv Draw, jot words, make Draw, jot words, make circles, or what you circles, or what you do when you doodle. do when you doodle. As you loosen up, As you loosen up, ideas may start to ideas may start to form on the pageform on the page


18. Forget Everything You Know

18. Forget Everything You 18. Forget Everything You KnowKnowvv Too often, we let our biases Too often, we let our biases

creep in and influence our creep in and influence our thinking.thinking.

vv Start fresh, without Start fresh, without preconceived notions of preconceived notions of what you must do or what what you must do or what is impossible. Be open to is impossible. Be open to anything and everything.anything and everything.


19. Borrow an Idea 19. Borrow an Idea 19. Borrow an Idea vv Everyone thinks that their business Everyone thinks that their business

is not like anyone else's. The truth is is not like anyone else's. The truth is that all of our businesses are more that all of our businesses are more alike than they are different.alike than they are different.

vv "Look at what others are doing in "Look at what others are doing in other industries and see how you other industries and see how you can apply their ideas to your own can apply their ideas to your own business," says business," says KukralKukral. "If a . "If a solution is working for someone solution is working for someone else, there's no reason it won't work else, there's no reason it won't work for you, too. By the time you adapt for you, too. By the time you adapt their idea and tailor it to precisely fit their idea and tailor it to precisely fit your business, it will be unique."your business, it will be unique."


20. Hire a Professional20. Hire a Professional20. Hire a Professional

ØØ If you're really and truly stuck on If you're really and truly stuck on something, or if a deadline is something, or if a deadline is rapidly approaching, there's no rapidly approaching, there's no shame in hiring a little outside shame in hiring a little outside help.help.

ØØ "Hiring a consultant can be a "Hiring a consultant can be a great investment," says great investment," says KukralKukral. . "Often times, they don't even "Often times, they don't even have to come up with the ideas have to come up with the ideas for you. They simply ask the for you. They simply ask the right questions that will lead you right questions that will lead you to the great idea that's buried in to the great idea that's buried in your brain."your brain."


21. Don't Worry About What Other People Think

21. Don't Worry About What 21. Don't Worry About What Other People Think Other People Think

vv I keep up with my great ideas on a Word document that II keep up with my great ideas on a Word document that I’’ve ve uploaded to Google Docs. This document holds some of the uploaded to Google Docs. This document holds some of the most creative thoughts Imost creative thoughts I’’ve ever had. Ive ever had. I’’ve never shown it to ve never shown it to anyone, nor will I, as it contains ideas that might seem silly tanyone, nor will I, as it contains ideas that might seem silly to o other people, but I value it greatly as a place where I can thinother people, but I value it greatly as a place where I can think k freely and creatively without criticism.freely and creatively without criticism.

vv ThatThat’’s truly the key to coming up with great ideas. You need to s truly the key to coming up with great ideas. You need to free yourself from worry about what other people might say. If free yourself from worry about what other people might say. If you have a place where you can brainstorm and record some of you have a place where you can brainstorm and record some of your most outrageous thoughts for getting attention without your most outrageous thoughts for getting attention without having to worry about someone else laughing at you, then youhaving to worry about someone else laughing at you, then you’’ll ll find that itfind that it’’s much easier to be creative, and, well, outrageous. s much easier to be creative, and, well, outrageous. And before you know it, your great ideas will be boosting your And before you know it, your great ideas will be boosting your business.business.


Thank You!Thank You!Thank You!To know more about our To know more about our

company and our products & company and our products & services and to start a services and to start a

relationship, here is relationship, here is CalebCaleb::--Cell: Cell:

+263 712 620 287 +263 772 466 540

Email: Email: [email protected]

Other: Other: P.O. Box 1361 Harare


21 ways to generate business boosting ideas

Documents