Business Development Tip 6 - The role of innovation

In the 7th series of The Apprentice, 2011, it was clear from the outset, that the winning candidate would be one of two people, and they couldn't have been more different in personality and skills.

Helen Milligan was polished and attractive. When she was project manager, she led with authority and vision, she was a brilliant pitcher and she was on the winning team for nearly every week of the series. 

Thomas Pellereau on the other hand was an atrocious pitcher, he developed a reputation for being the joke figure in the series and when he was project manager, his team was a shambles. He was also on the losing side nearly every week and was seen as somewhat 'geeky' throughout the process. But Tom had one tiny little thing up his sleeve ... his ability to innovate and turn his ideas into marketable products. 

Unsurprisingly, that one ability outshone all of Helen's strengths whilst partially obscuring Tom's obvious weaknesses, and Tom was picked by Alan Sugar as his winning candidate. 

There is a lesson in this story. For all the shine and polish, for all the marketing skills and sales technique, ultimately, your business will sink or swim on the strength of it's services and/or products. 

For anyone watching The Dragon's Den, there are plenty of excellent ideas which have been accompanied by ghastly presentations, and yet the Dragons still invest. But there have also been plenty of excellent presentations which are accompanied by weak products ... and the Dragons NEVER invest!

Whether you are a recruitment business, a legal firm, an accountancy practice or a cleaning company, you must innovate if you want to be the best at what you do.  

The very process of innovation:

• Develops your skills in the industry you serve

• Pushes the boundaries of what you deliver, something which underlines your place as a thought leader in the industry you serve, and something which your clients will love and admire. 

Whatever your industry, ask yourself the following questions:

What have I invented that is genuinely brilliant in the industry I serve?

What have I created which I know to be unique?

Given the challenging conditions which we will face for some time to come, it's important you have credible answers to the above questions. 

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