Creating a business means basically stealing and copying from others all the time, or better said - "getting inspired". Here is why business owners, especially in the software or digital business landscape, should schedule specific time to look for business inspirations on a regular basis event tough there are always thousands of things waiting to be done.
A business is a complex system with many different adjustment points where improvements can be made. This holds great potential to increase the value of the company and thus boost its market value through the regular collection of business inspirations.
The classic adjustment points where optimization is practically always possible and usually necessary are:
But why should you have to discover and painstakingly develop all these improvements yourself, which is very resource-intensive? Why not simply save inspirations from others?
There are already so many other companies, and potentially competitors, who have launched successful advertisements, published great email marketing campaigns, and written high-converting websites and sales copy. Why not learn from them?
This helps to immediately improve the quality of your work by adopting best practices, and in the long run, it sharpens your eye for distinguishing between mediocre and excellent quality. Regularly collecting inspirations, therefore, increases the quality of your output.
By regularly exposing yourself to a wide range of different business inspirations, your creativity and ability to innovate also improve.
As Franz Johansson explains in his book "The Medici Effect," innovations most often arise from the intersection of different domains that, at first glance, have nothing to do with each other. Our brain then connects these associations, in this case, inspirations, and something new emerges – an innovation. This effect is called the Medici Effect.
For example, a very good email marketing template from a completely different industry that actually has nothing to do with your business might inspire you. The way the customer is addressed could be adapted and applied to your business with some modifications.
Here, by the way, I have listed the Top 9 Sources for Email Marketing Inspirations You Need to Know.
The more inspirations you collect, the broader your repertoire of ideas, concepts, and strategies becomes. This allows you to draw from a variety of approaches and flexibly respond to different challenges and opportunities. A large and diverse repertoire is especially valuable as it helps you find the best solution in various situations and quickly react to changes in the market.
A broad repertoire of inspirations can include, for example:
By collecting and analyzing inspirations, you become better at recognizing patterns and connections that you can then apply in your own business. Your knowledge and understanding of different aspects of business life deepen, ultimately making you a more versatile and effective businessperson.
This is particularly relevant as a business owner. By regularly looking at inspirations, you can recognize the development of trends over time and understand the current zeitgeist, capturing it for your business. The zeitgeist significantly influences which products, services, and marketing strategies resonate with customers and are successful.
By observing inspirations, you can identify trends and changes in customer preferences and expectations early on. This gives you the opportunity to proactively respond and adjust your offerings accordingly.
An example of this is the increasing importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness among consumers. Companies that have recognized this trend and integrated sustainable products and practices into their business can gain a competitive advantage.
By understanding the zeitgeist and incorporating it into your business, you position your company optimally in the market and increase the chances of long-term success. According to a study, the success of a company significantly depends on being in the right place at the right time and capturing the spirit of the times.
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In summary, regularly collecting business inspirations not only enhances the quality of your work and your capacity for innovation but also expands your repertoire and helps you grasp the current zeitgeist. These are essential factors for making your business successful and future-proof.