Business Change Management

In my previous blog on Innovation Games, I talked about how "serious games" have the power to change the way you work, approach problem-solving, and seek out new buyers of your product or service. How do they do this?, you might be asking. What's the secret sauce? In a word, collaboration. Innovation Games work so well because participants come together as a team to generate new ideas and new ways of offering customers what they want.

Can playing games really lead to innovations? Yes, with Innovation Games!

Have you ever sat in a staff "ideation" meeting where the purpose was to come up with groundbreaking, business-building, innovative ideas, and no one could come up with anything? Or if someone did throw out an idea, everyone shot it down? Pretty depressing, right? Well, what if I told you there is something that gets teams engaged, encourages them to work together, and enables them to arrive at breakthrough ideas and accomplish goals faster. All while having fun. What is this magic solution, you ask? Innovation Games.

For the past two years or so, we all have been operating in a strange work environment. Many of us have experienced trying to work full-time virtual, part-time in the office, and even full-time in the office. For each of us, it has been good, bad, or none of the above, as post-pandemic work styles range from virtual to in-person to hybrid to pick your own style, causing business leaders to hide or run for cover...or in some cases, listen carefully for new solutions.

Like it or not, the future of remote work is upon us. All of us need to become more facile at communicating electronically and doing it wisely. In your own business, this might mean you need to prepare a new way of communicating. And, you can't wing it the way you might have done with in-person meetings. Agendas are necessary, and you need to understand new ways of engaging people virtually. But, there have always been meetings. So why the need to change now? Why are new tools even more important today than ever before?

Do you love blockchain, yet? You should!

Though still in its infancy, the blockchain system is the foundation underlying digital currency, like Bitcoin. While primarily used for cryptocurrency today, the potential application of blockchain technology goes far beyond finance. In the not so distant future, we can expect asset registries, smart contracts, quality assurance and many other types of blockchain usage to penetrate numerous industries.

After working with large construction companies, I became interested in how blockchain could help them bring major innovations into their industry. Why not!

With the advent of 3D printed housing units, demand for faster and faster construction services, and the shortage of labor that brings with it new robotic solutions, blockchain systems could fit right into the coming transformation of the entire construction industry.

The Future of the Construction Industry Looks Promising, and Perfect For Blockchain

With expenditures topping $1.2 billion in 2017, U.S. construction companies are looking for ways to invest in innovations that can sustain business in a rapidly changing business environment. Blockchain is one of those game-changers that is capable of transforming how construction companies do business.

Blockchain is not coming. It's here! Are you ready?

In 1989, Tim Berners-Lee developed an open system which did not require access and which enabled the exchange of information on a global scale unseen in human history. Back then, the World Wide Web had a small community of devout users, while others wondered what it was and generally remained skeptical.

Like any new technology in its infancy, the internet raised a lot of questions. But look at where we are now.

The story of blockchain technology has the same potential. Like the internet, blockchain is developing out of necessity. When the global economy crashed in 2008, the first blockchain was conceptualized to change the way finances function. And like the emergence of the first emails, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies were developed to drive the development of blockchain technology forward.

Over the last few years, we've been witnessing the early stages of a financial revolution sparked by Bitcoin. Industries and governments from around the globe are exploring the potential of digital currencies and trying to find ways to leverage blockchain technologies. Japan, Russia, Dubai and China are all developing state cryptocurrencies to supplement, or perhaps even replace, their fiat currencies.

At the same time, numerous industries are leveraging blockchain platforms and tokenized systems to lower costs, streamline operations, and explore new revenue possibilities.

To see (and hear) what I'm talking about, watch my On The Brink interview with Jared Tate below and see why you should "absolutely" join the blockchain revolution:

Want to read one of the best books on corporate innovation? Pick up mine!

I just got some great news that I wanted to share with you right away. Fupping.com has recently named my book "On the Brink: A Fresh Lens to Take Your Business to New Heights" to its list of 9 Best Books To Read On Corporate Innovation. "On the Brink" comes in at #7! 

I guess I shouldn't be surprised, as it's a book all about using the tools and methods of anthropology to step out and see your organization with fresh eyes, then turning these observations into innovations. And corporation innovation is the focus of Fupping's Top 9 list. Here's how Fupping describes it:

Although it's becoming harder and harder to make serious financial returns in today’s retail world in the age of Amazon, there's still room for entrepreneurs to excel at retail and e-commerce. So how are some succeeding when so many are failing? By driving change. But to drive change—i.e., sustain growth in changing times—takes courage, stamina and ingenuity. And, dedication, persistence and a lot of hard work.

But even in today's harsh market demands and strong competitors, can young businesses still make it big and maybe even transform the world of retail? Yes!

As proof, take a look at this list of retail startups led by successful entrepreneurs that broke out of the pack in recent years, either through smart marketing, unique services or highly specific target markets. 

Blue Ocean Strategy gets your business moving in new directions as you shift from competing to creating a new market space.