2013 – Think Different

2013 will be the fifth year of economic crises in a row in western economies. It creates problems to be profitable on the short term. Downsizing and cost cutting are essential. But in the long run you cannot survive on doing the same things in a cheaper way. 2013 will therefore be a perfect year for a disruptive shift in mindset in your company.

There are no old roads to new directions. You should be looking for disruptive ways to really innovate your company. Be inspired by the famous words of the historical Apple campaign of 1997: Think Different.

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. While some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.

Start 2013 creating mental space for change using seven provoking questions within your company.

1. What would we do if our present business model would be forbidden?
2. What’s the ultimate dream of our customers?
3. What would we do if we had unlimited access to money and resources?
4. What would we do if we would start our company all over again?
5. What would Google do?
6. What would LinkedIn thought leader Richard Branson do?
7. What would my favorite comic hero from my childhood do?

In 2013 the urgency will be high. It will be the ideal moment to free the rebels in your organization (again). As innovator, be brave and be the change yourself.

image credit: apple.com

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Gijs van Wulfen leads ideation processes and is the founder of the FORTH innovation method. He is the author of Creating Innovative Products & Services, published by Gower.