Stealing Ideas

“It is better to take what does not belong to you than to let it lie around neglected.” —Mark Twain

The writer Wilson Mizner said if you copy from one author, it’s plagiarism, but if you copy from many, it’s research.

Look around your industry and see who is doing well.  Create top 10 lists of those that excel in a particular area such as customer service, new business, product innovation, services per customer, etc.  Examine your top 10 on the list and document what they are doing well and how they are doing it.  Send out staff members to pose as customers for first hand experience.

Once you’ve done your research, emulate your most successful competitors.  Ask yourself and your staff how you can make your organization one step better than all the rest.

Too many times I’ve seen EGO get in the way by telling you to do something never done before.  Build on what others have done, use it as a spring board to get into action.  Starting with a blank piece of paper can be overwhelming and can stifle your organization’s creativity.

What can you improve upon in your organization?  What can you personally be a little better at?  Who can you copy to be a better you?  Leave your comments below.

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