Day 10: Start a "What's Next List"

From time to time every entrepreneur wonders silently "What's next? Where do we go from here? Are there any trends I am missing?" All of these questions are about innovation and business owners ask them because they understand that innovation is what drives differentiation. The million dollar question is - if innovation drives differentiation, what drives innovation?

If you are looking to innovate in your business there are a lot of ideas that can be borrowed from the design world. One of those ideas is the mood board.

Mood boards, also known as design, sample, or presentation boards, are used by designers to collect and present ideas to their clients. Mood boards allow designers to convey the overall feel of a project, concept of idea by putting together images, sketches, samples, design patterns and objects which inspire and target their creativity and innovation.

A great way to apply this same idea in business is by creating a 'What's Next?' Board as a resource for leading the way forward. In essence they are a way for you and your employees to compile items that inspire new and novel thoughts about the business.

Here are some things to think about when you are creating your own "What's Next Board".

Your What's Next Board Doesn't Have To Be A Board

Be creative, just because we call it a 'What's Next' board doesn't mean it has to be an actual board. It can be a wall, a whiteboard or even an entire room as long as it gives your employees the space to explore and share their creative forward looking ideas. In general you should have the following available.

• Lots of sticky notes, post cards and tape for posting ideas.
• A list of sites that you think are relevant to your industry and employees
• Markers, pens and pencils for writing and sketching
• Advanced: Magazine from industries your are NOT in. Flipping through these will help employees use lateral thinking in their idea generation so that they don't lean heavily on  the things they see everyday.

Give Your What's Next Board Immunity From Devil's Advocates

Innovation requires open thinking and a culture that looks beyond what exists today. Your “What’s Next” board needs to be given immunity from the “devil's advocates” who kill promising ideas before they are given time to grow and mature.

Focus On Leading Indicators Instead Of Trailing Indicators

Your board will be useless if everything is based on what you already know. A successful board will put a heavy emphasis on leading indicators and avoid trailing indicators.  Trailing indicators confirm what we already thought. For example putting a picture of an Apple iPad on your What's Next board only confirms the idea that people are leading more mobile transient lifestyles.  Leading indicators aren't always easy to spot. That is what makes them great things to discuss and explore on your board.

Creating Your Own What's Next Board

Today, focus on starting your own 'What's Next' board. Remember it can be as simple as clipping articles that show a growing trend or images that you think will inspire creative thought.

Start with questions not statements: It sounds really simply but asking the right questions will make sure you are solving the right problem. To really produce results your board should require that you constantly question yourself, your product or service and the way it is delivered. Here are some questions to thinking about

• What problems exist that need a solution?
• What do customers care about?
• What desire, need or gap does their purchasing patterns reveal?
• Do customers come back because they want to or because they have to?
• What trends do we see?

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