--- title: 4 ways your small business can embrace innovation description: How innovation can lead to growth for your small business --- ### Search engine Use this form to find things you need on this site Search × [![We're better together.](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/Tech_Networks_of_Boston_June2018/Images/Logo_without_motto-copy-web.png)](https://techboston.com) - [About TNB](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [Overview](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [Annual Report](https://techboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-Benefit-Report.pdf) - [Mission](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/mission/) - [Partnerships and Affiliations](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/partnerships/) - [Certifications & Awards](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/certifications-awards/) - [Blog](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/) - [Free Resources](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/resources/) - [Job Opportunities](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/careers/) - [Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/services-overview/) - [Overview](https://techboston.com/our-services/services-overview/) - [Integrated Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/integrated/) - [Managed Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/managed-services-2/) - [Project Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/project-services/) - [Case Studies](https://techboston.com/case-studies/) - [Using IT to Increase Productivity and Reduce Costs](https://techboston.com/case-studies/increase-productivity/) - [Updating Technology for Growing Needs](https://techboston.com/case-studies/updating-technology/) - [Shifting to Remote Work in the Midst of a Crisis](https://techboston.com/case-studies/remote-work/) - [Protecting Your Organization in the Wake of Cybercrime](https://techboston.com/case-studies/cybercrime/) - [Integrating Technology for Mission Driven Success](https://techboston.com/case-studies/integrated-technology-success/) - [Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Upcoming Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Past Roundtable Events](https://techboston.com/past-roundtable-events/) - [TNB’s Dialogue Series on Nonprofit Data and Evaluation](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/best-practices-data-evaluation/) - [Contact Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/) - [Home](https://techboston.com/) - [About Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/) - [2022 Annual Report](https://techboston.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2022-Benefit-Report.pdf) - [Blog](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/blog/) - [Certifications & Awards](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/certifications-awards/) - [Case Studies](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/case-studies/) - [Job Opportunities](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/careers/) - [Mission](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/mission/) - [Partnerships and Affiliations](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/partnerships/) - [Events](https://techboston.com/events/) - [Services](https://techboston.com/our-services/) - [Contact Us](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/) # 4 ways your small business can embrace innovation [Home](https://techboston.com) / 4 ways your small business can embrace innovation Return to Previous Page [Tech Tips](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/tech-tips), [Uncategorized](https://blog.techboston.com/tag/uncategorized) ### 4 ways your small business can embrace innovation *By Cindy Bates,  VP Microsoft's SMB Group* Innovation is quite possibly one of the most overused words in the business world today, but the definition — a new method, idea, or product — is at the center of what allows small businesses to expand and contribute to overall economic growth. Once considered antiquated, brands like Old Spice and The Yellow Pages have managed to successfully innovate in the modern age — reinventing themselves to reach a new generation of consumers. Whether you have a long-standing business in need of a refresh or you’re just getting started, continuous innovation helps your business stay relevant and top of mind for consumers. The Maker Movement — an umbrella term for the independent inventors, designers and tinkerers who are creating and selling self-made products — is an inspiring innovation source for any small to medium business. Underpinning the Maker Movement is new technology. Modern technology has made it easier than ever for individuals to create and distribute items that are customizable and unique. The most recent winner of the Small Business Administration’s [InnovateHER Challenge](http://aka.ms/innovateHER) is a great example of the kind of innovation spurred by the Maker Movement. [Elizabeth Caven](https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/pcs/view?xai=AKAOjsuSNpwof9wKJ0NcEi-QMC3GVq03nIE--Kon1PtlC4Pfe4CbWCl3v5_K3U5sNeqtzYIPvb9XNNJx-2vCaXi9EwMCyJyfmH5vSwfQk3t0BFodOwtyItNVIoAQPugSn2_ylzgSbSD2DeHupt2Q-e4x8JKTcXkAbcAMEDhQAUIZGlEz1TKH9EUaEtksSjpwFK9zhl49RhVkpdRWmT-rpA0SGJJOQXei8668v0kpCG1fVIBJZ1BQwBIVbtJu_MZ7OcVZuJzKLQ&sai=AMfl-YTu1NbNQMdarDtuEaW69uXB18TmUHanYLS1H6yWJLJe9wNxr0IGyr8maHTzzvnADfxs4FxFeLK_Pg&sig=Cg0ArKJSzFKeNf9t6R1yEAE&urlfix=1&adurl=https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/pagead/imgad?id=CICAgKDT76X9axABGAEyCNk3OcrSZUB0%26t%3D10%26cT%3Dhttp%253A//bizjournals.com%26l%3Dhttp%253A//www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/search/results%253Fq%253DElizabeth%252520Caven), founder of the UpCraft Club, a modern sewing association, realized there was a need to bring together like-minded people who love to sew but don’t necessarily fit into traditional sewing categories like professional seamstresses or quilters. UpCraft is taking traditional paper sewing patterns, which haven’t significantly changed in almost 150 years, and offering them in an innovative way online. This club is just one of the many places high tech and traditional artisans converge. Now in its second year, the UpCraft Club offers an amazing array of patterns — from polka dot socks to patterned clutches — as well as discounts at local fabric stores. In my experience, the most successful entrepreneurs continually seek out inspiration to promote fresh thinking and help build capacity to innovate. Showcase TV programs like Shark Tank and recent addition America’s Greatest Makers, which debuted recently on TBS, offer a wealth of inspiration and free insights. Like the “Sharks,” longtime advocate for small to medium businesses and entrepreneurs Carol Roth is one of the judges on America’s Greatest Makers and dishes out great advice for those looking to develop new products or tap into new markets. While you might not be ready for your television debut, here are four areas to embrace innovation: #### 1. Commit to continually expanding your knowledge “Innovation” can be somewhat of an abstract goal. However, pushing oneself to step beyond an established comfort zone to acquire new skills, new thinking or more advanced skills forces you to connect with new people and in turn challenges the status quo. #### 2. Broaden your customer base While repeat customers are the foundation of any good business, in order to grow, you have to acquire new patrons. Perhaps there are aspects of your product or service which are applicable to other industries. Or you have an entirely new idea for a related business sector. #### 3. Shift perspective and keep the long term goal in view The fear that makes some risk-adverse is the same fear that prevents long-term success. When you commit to innovation, an idea that doesn’t create the positive outcome you’d hoped for isn’t viewed as failure, but rather as one step closer to your next great idea. #### 4. Examine business processes to increase productivity One of the easiest ways to innovate is to incorporate new technology to streamline complicated processes. For example, note taking is, for the vast majority of us, a daily grind. However, advances in digital inking on devices like the[Microsoft Surface Pro 4](http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.325711500?icid=Surface_Cat_ModG2_20_SurfaceP4_010316) combined with OneNote offer much [more efficient ways](https://info.microsoft.com/ModernNoteTaking-Register.html) than pen and pad. Similarly, if you’re too often tied to your office desk, get mobile with a tablet such as the new[Microsoft Surface Pro 4](http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/productID.325711500?icid=Surface_Cat_ModG2_20_SurfaceP4_010316) to get work done on the go. For more ideas on how to innovate through technology, download the [Transform Your Business eGuide](https://www.microsoft.com/click/services/Redirect2.ashx?CR_CC=200726200). Developing an organizational focus on innovation, while potentially daunting, plays a key role in ensuring momentum and growth. If you want to take your business to the next level, embrace change, seek out insights, and don’t be afraid to take bold chances to improve your business and be a leader in your market. Share Post - - - - - [mailto:?body=https://blog.techboston.com/4-ways-your-small-business-can-embrace-innovation](mailto:?body=https://blog.techboston.com/4-ways-your-small-business-can-embrace-innovation) [Previous](https://blog.techboston.com/how-your-nonprofit-can-manage-data-breaches-and-minimize-risk) [![](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/CyberSecurity.png) How Your Nonprofit Can Manage Data Breaches and Minimize Risk](https://blog.techboston.com/how-your-nonprofit-can-manage-data-breaches-and-minimize-risk) [Next](https://blog.techboston.com/cloud-computing-what-is-it-and-why-should-your-organization-use-it) [![](https://blog.techboston.com/hubfs/CloudComputing101_Blog.png) Cloud Computing – What Is It and Why Should Your Organization Use It?](https://blog.techboston.com/cloud-computing-what-is-it-and-why-should-your-organization-use-it) #### RELATED POSTS Tech Tips [![Training Your Staff on New Tools](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/training%20your%20staff.png?width=387&name=training%20your%20staff.png)](https://blog.techboston.com/training-your-staff-on-new-tools) #### Training Your Staff on New Tools July 28, 2022 at 10:26 AM by Veronica Moreno-Nestojko … Tech Tips , IT security [![The Benefits of 24/7 Monitoring and Reporting](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/24_7%20monitoring.png?width=387&name=24_7%20monitoring.png)](https://blog.techboston.com/the-benefits-of-24/7-monitoring-and-reporting) #### The Benefits of 24/7 Monitoring and Reporting February 18, 2021 at 04:23 PM by Veronica Moreno-Nestojko … Tech Tips , Security awareness [![How Your Nonprofit Can Manage Data Breaches and Minimize Risk](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CyberSecurity.png?width=387&name=CyberSecurity.png)](https://blog.techboston.com/how-your-nonprofit-can-manage-data-breaches-and-minimize-risk) #### How Your Nonprofit Can Manage Data Breaches and Minimize Risk May 17, 2019 at 06:37 PM by Veronica Moreno-Nestojko … Tech Tips , TNB Products and Services , help desk , helpdesk , service desk [![Using an IT Help Desk to Benefit Your Business](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/jordan%20help%20desk.jpg?width=387&name=jordan%20help%20desk.jpg)](https://blog.techboston.com/using-helpdesk-benefit-business) #### Using an IT Help Desk to Benefit Your Business March 06, 2019 at 10:34 AM by Ashley Fontes … ### Leave a Reply [![updatedblogad](https://blog.techboston.com/hs-fs/hubfs/updatedblogad.png?width=312&name=updatedblogad.png)](https://techboston.com/about-tnb/contact-us/)                    ### Contact Us 1 Wadleigh Place South Boston, MA 02127 Phone: 617.269.0299 Fax: 888.527.9333 ### GET UPDATES ### Resources [Server Failure and Recovery](https://techboston.com/resources/server-failure/) [Plan a Successful Email Migration to the Cloud](https://techboston.com/resources/email-migration/) [How to Align Your Staff on Technology Use and Policies](https://techboston.com/resources/technology-policies/) [Data Loss and Recovery: A Guide](https://techboston.com/resources/data-loss-recovery/) [Assess Your IT Needs: Is an MSP Right For You?](https://techboston.com/resources/assess-it/) [IT Audits and Assessments: What Are They Good For?](https://techboston.com/resources/it-audits-assessments/) [The Right Time to Change Your MSP](https://techboston.com/resources/change-msp/) [Privacy Policy](https://techboston.com/privacy-policy/) © 2021 Tech Networks of Boston