OCTOBER 13, 2009

Be the Idea Lady

You're smartly using the financial downturn to turn up the dial on innovation! After all, that's the next step to "Madame Chairwoman" – or bringing your own business out of the slump into in a blaze of glory.

"Studies over the last 25 years have shown organizations that continue to innovate and advertise heavily during recessions come out on top afterwards," says Sarah Miller Caldicott, great grandniece of Thomas Edison and author of Innovate Like Edison. "So companies need (and will promote) leaders who have open, inquiring mindsets, who think proactively and creatively, not just wait for something to happen."

Her best tips for innovating: "Be a trend watcher, read books outside of your area (especially science fiction) and keep a notebook with you at all times."

Ready to start innovating?

Caldicott's site, PowerPatterns.com, and Google's top innovator, Marissa Meyer, share their creativity success secrets (like "don't kill projects; morph them" and "creativity loves constraints")

You don't have to be the only thinker to bring fresh ideas to the table. Tap into your employees' and customers' ideas as well.

Are innovation and entrepreneurship the keys to our global economic recovery? Ernst & Young thinks so and has the research to prove it.

Want more? Caldicott recommends Ten Rules for Strategic Innovators and Innovation: Creating the 5 Disciplines Customers Want.

Bonus PINK Link: Caldicott shares her four best (fun!) innovation strategies.

Market yourself and your personal brand!  Find out how at the PINK event.