How to Be an Innovator is an original series by Creative Perch. In Week 18 we discussed how uncovering a problem’s back story can help reveal new answers and solutions. This week we’ll tackle how trends can reveal new and untapped possibilities.
Part 19: Be a Trendwatcher
Over the last few weeks we’ve looked at current or past problems and how they have been approached by ourselves and by others. We’ve looked for loopholes and uncovered the back stories of these problems. This week we’ll go in a different direction – identifying new problems and opportunities.
New Problems?
There are so many challenges in the world today that I can understand why you might wonder why on earth I would want to look for new problems. But trust me, you need a problem. The first step of the creative process is the presence of an opportunity for creativity, and problems are opportunities for innovation.
Where to Look
Trendwatching is one of the best ways to begin identifying new problems and looking for opportunities. With just your average Internet access, you can watch financial trends, search term trends, work trends, out-of-work trends, popular sales items, successful product launches, failed product launches, and even popular conversation topics (think Twitter).
Speaking of conversation – the next time you are hanging out with your friends, or browsing in a shop, listen for popular conversation themes. These trends can clue you into highly-actionable opportunities in your social network or community.
Trendwatching resouces help, too, but in a more artificial way. For example, I receive an update every so often from trendwatching.com that clues me in to many global and broad-scale trends. Sometimes there is a way I can contribute or an opportunity I can develop, and sometimes not. I scan a few favorite magazines and Google news alerts for trends as well, but in my experience, these are less personal and often not as easily applicable.
Where do you look for trendwatch? Or do you have another favorite technique for identifying new problems (a.k.a. opportunities)? Please share in the comments!
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