Let’s cut to the chase: innovation isn’t just a buzzword. It’s the fuel that keeps businesses relevant, exciting, and (most importantly) alive. But convincing your clients to embrace it? That’s another story. For many, “innovation” sounds like something reserved for Silicon Valley startups with beanbag chairs and kombucha on tap—not for their perfectly fine, why-fix-what-ain’t-broken business.
Spoiler alert: “perfectly fine” isn’t good enough. The market doesn’t care about fine. It cares about fresh, bold, and better. So, how do you get your clients on board with brainstorming creative solutions and embracing change? Let’s break it down.
1. Remind Them That Innovation Doesn’t Equal Reinventing the Wheel
Innovation isn’t about throwing everything out and starting from scratch. It’s about tweaking, adapting, and finding smarter ways to do what they already do. Maybe it’s a process overhaul. Maybe it’s adding a new feature. Maybe it’s just looking at an old problem through a fresh lens. (Think of it like upgrading their favorite car with GPS and heated seats—same ride, but way more functional.)
2. Start With the Pain Points
Want to spark creativity? Start with the stuff that’s not working. Ask them, “What’s the one thing that’s slowing you down, frustrating your team, or driving your customers nuts?” Pain points are like innovation fuel—they highlight exactly where change can make the biggest impact. And let’s be real: nothing motivates action like the chance to fix what’s broken.
3. Show Them the Risks of Staying Comfortable
Here’s the truth nobody wants to hear: playing it safe is the riskiest move of all. Competitors are innovating. Customers are evolving. Markets are shifting. Staying stagnant isn’t just boring—it’s dangerous. (Cue dramatic music.) Paint a picture of what happens if they don’t embrace change: outdated processes, lost opportunities, and a slow, steady drift into irrelevance. Trust me, that’ll light a fire under them.
4. Make Brainstorming Less Scary (and More Fun)
Not everyone loves brainstorming. For some, it’s just awkward groupthink sessions with sticky notes and zero results. Change the vibe. Make it fun, interactive, and low-pressure. Start with wild ideas—like, “What if we delivered products via drones?”—and work backward to something practical. The key is creating a space where no idea is too big, small, or weird. (Weird ideas often lead to genius solutions, by the way.)
5. Lead With Inspiring Examples
Show, don’t tell. Share stories of businesses that embraced innovation and thrived because of it. Bonus points if the example comes from their industry—something that makes them think, “If they can do it, so can we.” Whether it’s a local coffee shop pivoting during a crisis or a tech company reimagining its product, real-life wins are the ultimate motivators.
6. Focus on Small Wins First
Here’s the thing about innovation: it doesn’t have to start big. Encourage your clients to try one small change—a process tweak, a new marketing approach, or even a fresh way of engaging customers. Small wins build momentum, and before they know it, they’ll be itching to tackle bigger, bolder projects.
7. Be Their Cheerleader (and Occasionally Their Pushy Friend)
Change is hard, even when it’s exciting. Be the person who keeps them motivated, nudges them when they’re dragging their feet, and celebrates their progress. Remind them why they started down this path in the first place. Sometimes, they’ll need inspiration. Sometimes, they’ll need tough love. Give them both.
The Bottom Line
Innovation isn’t reserved for the visionaries and the disruptors—it’s for anyone willing to look at the world differently and ask, “What if?” Help your clients see that creativity isn’t just about big ideas; it’s about smart ideas. And when they’re ready to take that leap, be the one who shows them the way.
Because here’s the thing: businesses that embrace innovation aren’t just successful—they’re unforgettable. And that’s a legacy worth building.