CONSTRAINTS AND CREATIVITY
How many times have we heard that to be successful you need to think “Outside the Box”? Is it possible that if we focus on the business, we can grow exponentially by playing “Inside the Right Box!”
It takes courage to seek success on your own terms by defining the distinct capabilities of your organization, and the portfolio of products and services that make use of those capabilities.
Over time we have learned that innovating without boundaries can overwhelm a team with options. Aspirational statements provide them with little concrete guidance for specific activities. Alternatively, constraints spur and guide innovation. Even cost management becomes part of a growth strategy as it is a way to make critical choices about identity and direction. There comes a time when it is critical to ask three questions:
- How do we distinguish ourselves from others in delivering customer value?
- What are the distinct capabilities that support our value proposition?
- What portfolio of products and services can we support?
This does not mean you are complacent or that you fear change. Rather, that your culture reinforces your distinctive strengths.
Distractions can be risky to success. Generating novelty for its own sake is a risky distraction. Creativity is critical but must be aligned with the overall business strategy. Balance your teams with creatives and analyticals.
Constraints spur innovation. Instead of always thinking outside the box, use some rules to draw the right box and innovate within it.
Achieve and enjoy success on your terms!!