In some industries, imagination is essential to success. Designers, writers, photographers, illustrators and others need constant creativity and ingenuity to stay ahead of the competition. Without it, they and their businesses fall flat.
The same applies to entrepreneurship. While most people don’t consider business a creative industry, imagination is just as important in business as in other fields. The best entrepreneurs look beyond the obvious to generate good ideas, then work and strategize to make them profitable.
Imagination is one of the most important things a business owner can have, and the benefits go beyond dreaming up new ventures. Successful business owners are also imaginative in problem solving. They see multiple solutions to a problem, even when some may not be obvious, and their creative solutions usually generate better outcomes than would be possible otherwise.
Creative entrepreneurs know that a little bit of imagination goes a long way in improving how a business runs every day. Imaginative business owners find ways to do more with less. Imagination might inspire a business owner to redistribute tasks among underworked employees instead of hiring more people, or to cover several issues in one meeting to reduce time spent in the conference room. Ingenuity saves time and money as you find more economical ways to perform everyday tasks.
Imagination also helps business owners see possibilities for growth and expansion. Many businesses don’t grow simply because their owners don’t see how they could. Entrepreneurs see their businesses for what they are, then imagine what they could eventually become. It’s this imagination that helps businesses like Facebook grow. Facebook was initially created exclusively for college students but has expanded to include a worldwide community of 500 million.
The best business owners also inspire creativity in others. You can encourage imagination in the workplace using brainstorms. Pull together groups of employees to bounce ideas off each other. This is a great way to encourage creative thinking and discover solutions to problems, whether you’re coming up with ideas for a company Christmas party or discussing ways to increase customer satisfaction.
Imagination can help you succeed even if you’re not a business owner. Employees who think outside the box are usually more successful than those who never change the way they do things. Look beyond the obvious when trying to find solutions to problems. Not only will customers appreciate your ingenuity but your boss will also be impressed. Find ways to keep yourself motivated and encourage your co-workers in their assignments. Your talents and creativity will be appreciated.
As you can see, you don’t need to be a graphic designer or photographer to benefit from using your imagination at work. The most successful entrepreneurs are the most creative, and working to develop your imagination will help you now and in the future.
Breanna Olaveson is a professional writer and editor and has been featured in various magazines, including Utah Valley BusinessQ, Utah Valley Magazine, Liahona, Ensign and MainStreet. She has a B.S. in communications and continues to write about business, entrepreneurship, marketing, success, lifestyle and more. Breanna is currently working with Professional Marketing International helping entrepreneurs reach their goals.
