The beginning of a new year represents a fresh start and new possibilities. It also means we can officially put an incredibly stressful and financially difficult 2009 behind us and start thinking optimistically about what 2010 may bring. New exciting challenges and opportunities, new relationships, and new and evolving technologies and tools that continue to change and enhance the way we help our clients build their businesses and their brands.
Now more than ever, creativity and innovation will play a key role in helping businesses climb out of this economic hole faster and potentially even stronger. From product development to customer service to experimenting with new and evolving media. I know, easier said than done, right? Commitment to creativity and innovation requires strong leadership, financial investment, an openness to change and willingness to risk failing once or twice before you get it right. Which is exactly where some of the most successful innovations got their start.
In Henry Petroski’s book, “Success Through Failure,” he writes that “the single most common characteristic of creative people is the way in which they view failure…they recognize that a failure not only provides them the opportunity to carry out the process of design and development anew but also enables them to conceive of something new and improved to obviate the triggering failure.”
While the thought of failure was undoubtedly on the minds (and heavy on the hearts) of many CEOs this past year, those who looked for opportunities to innovate or creatively position their businesses and their brands may have a head start into this new year. Who would have ever thought failure could be such an inspiration?
“Failure is our most important product.” R W Johnson, Jr., Former CEO, Johnson & Johnson.
“Our company has, indeed, stumbled onto some of its newest products. But never forget that you can only stumble if you’re moving.” Richard P. Carlton, Former CEO, 3M Corporation.
Here’s to a year filled with a little failure, more creativity and innovation and lots of success.
"It was a rough year for me, too. But as a person who has also called himself "Chief Creative Officer" I am going to have a Masters Degree in Internet Marketing by June so...I am just making the investments I need to stay vital and continuing. Lets all root for economic rejuvenation!"
January 15th, 2010 at 9:41 am