Sunday 30 May 2021

Supercharge your business idea with the 3C Creativity Tool

Do you want to start your own business or improve your existing business? If so, this article is for you. It does not matter what the core concept is. Be it a vegan restaurant, facemask business or yodelling classes. You have a choice to make. What is it that will make you unique? What will make you stand out from all the competition? 

You can always aim at outperforming everyone in quality, amazing service, locally sourced bio produce, or the best fabric. This is all well and good but it is unoriginal, and to be honest a bit boring. I want you to challenge yourself. 

Sit down with a pen and paper and try to push your idea to the next level. Create something unique that was not done before or at least something that was not done before in a particular, unique combination. For short, I refer to it as the 3C Tool. The below points will help you through this process.

1. Complimentary unique combination 

In this step, you are challenged to find unique idea combinations to create extra value. Add to your idea something that fits well with your initial idea. Start with a simple exercise that will let you brainstorm as many ideas as possible. Even better, play this game with someone else. There is only one rule; no idea is judged at this stage. All are written down. 


Game:
Play a game with words associations.  Visualize and write down your initial idea, for example ''vegan restaurant". Do not limit yourself to ideas that are related to food. You can add anything that comes to your mind such as; yoga, avocado plants, mediation, mandalas, juices etc. After you create a list of associations, create a new list. The second list will focus on how the concept can work with the initial idea e.g. a vegan restaurant where customers can colour mandalas while waiting for food, a vegan restaurant with food presented in mandala shapes, vegan restaurants that use mandalas on plates etc. Once you are done, read an article on how to evaluate your ideas and choose the best one

Example of success: A local business called "Gin & Tapas'' offers, yes that is right, gin and tapas. What’s more, everyone knows them and everyone loves this unique combination. Their restaurant stands out and is very memorable. They combined two complimentary ideas and it was a hit. 

Another example is Mystery & Makeup YouTube channel by Bailey Sarian. Bailey shares gruesome crime stories combined with a make-up tutorial. Who would have thought of that? She did, and she did it so well that her videos have around 4 million views each. This unique combination makes her stand out from the crowd. Moreover, she figured out what her female audience liked: crime stories and makeup. This combination may seem random, but it is complimentary thanks to a deep understanding of her audience. 

2. Contradictory unique combination 

Contradictory combinations work on the same principle as complimentary ones. The only difference is that you will come up with ideas that are somewhat contradictory to your initial concept. This exercise is a little difficult so the game has slightly different rules. 


Game: First, come up with 3 words that you consider contradictory to your initial idea. Write these down in 3 separate columns, then write down word associations to the 3 contradictory words. If we stick with the example of a vegan restaurant, three contradictory words are e.g. meat-eaters, barbecue, hunter. Underneath the meat-eater category, the associated words are e.g. animals, meat-flavour, traditional & festive dishes. Underneath barbecue, the word associations are e.g. summer, beers, chicken wings, burgers, barbecue sauce. Underneath the hunter category, the words are e.g. masculine, strong, rough. 

The next step is the same as in the previous game. Start creating unique combinations from your ''contradictory'' list, e.g. a vegan restaurant that specialized in traditional meals, but with a vegan twist; a vegan restaurant that focuses on attracting meat-eaters; a vegan restaurant that has rescued rabbits living in the restaurant; a vegan restaurant that combines craft beers with vegan burgers; or a vegan restaurant that is decorated in posters of some hard-core looking tattooed men who are vegan. 

Example of success: Beyond Meat took the vegan world by storm. The company did not try to compete with other vegan products; instead, its aim was to position itself as an alternative to meat and attract the meat-eaters. That is combining some contradictions. Today it is recognized as one of the most innovative companies in the food industry & a leader in the vegan food industry. Today its estimated value is anywhere between $12 billion and $18 billion, and it is expected to become the next $40 billion food company (at least according to InvestorPlace.com). 


3. 'Crazy' random unique combination 

Here, the main aim is to explore uncharted territory and come up with a novel idea that was unlikely used before. In this case, the game is slightly different from the previous two versions. 


Game:
Write down three unique words that come to your mind. If you want to challenge yourself even more, use a random word generator. Beneath your three words, list the associated words that you can come up with. After that work again on creating unique combinations with your initial idea. My three words from the generator were: trainer, language and singer.  If we stick with the example of a vegan restaurant, some combined ideas are a vegan restaurant that offers cooking lessons, a vegan restaurant that shares recipes, a vegan restaurant that offers vegan dishes from my travels around the world, and a vegan restaurant with dishes inspired by famous singers etc. 

Example of success: Rainbow bagels are a so-called 'must-have' if you visit Brooklyn. Scot Rossillo, who calls himself ''World’s Premier Bagel Artist'', combined art with bread. This unique idea combines two very unrelated topics. Rainbow Bagels business skyrocketed when their colourful bagels hit Instagram. 

Important takeaway: When you come up with ideas for your business, especially if you are in the restaurant business, always consider what may be "instagramable''. 


After the 3 exercises, you will end up with quite a list of unique ideas that can help you stand out in the industry. The next (equally important) step is to evaluate and pick the idea with the most potential

Here is an example how you can use 3C creativity tool. 
Download your free copy of the 3C tool from Dropbox. It may take a minute before it loads.

What are other examples of creative ideas that use a complimentary, contradictory, or random combination? Leave a comment below.

31 comments:

  1. I want you to thank for your time of this wonderful read!!! I definately enjoy every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff of your blog a must read blog! small business name ideas

    ReplyDelete
  2. Applications, for example, EBI, EAI, ELI, EDI and EII have demonstrated accommodating in permitting performing multiple tasks. here

    ReplyDelete
  3. Business Resilience requires an new look at Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity that aligns the risk businesses face today due to Black Swan events with new strategies such as cloud technology. The risk businesses face to their operational readiness today doesn't come from the loss of their IT infrastructure but from the loss of critical staff during regionalized and local disruptive events. Only proactive preparation including planning, training and the design of a resilient facility will mitigate the risk businesses face today. Going out of business

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are therefore cool! My partner and i do not assume I have learn anything like this prior to. So excellent to discover somebody with a few original thoughts on this subject matter. realy many thanks for beginning this up. this web site is something that’s needed on the web, someone using a bit of inspiration. beneficial project for delivering something a new comer to the internet! naming a company

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this is a standout amongst the most critical data for me. What"s more, i"m happy perusing your article. Be that as it may, ought to comment on some broad things visit this site

    ReplyDelete
  6. You have done a great job. I will definitely dig it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they will be benefited from this site. go there

    ReplyDelete
  7. Amazing, this is great as you want to learn more, I invite to This is my page. Kredyt we frankach

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is my first time i visit here and I found so many interesting stuff in your blog especially it's discussion, thank you. CICPA Registration

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the article post. Thanks Again. Cool.
    ISO Agent Program

    ReplyDelete
  10. buy yt views It really is hard to believe that YouTube is only in single figures for its age, as many people that have used the Internet seem to be able to remember YouTube being around for many years, when in fact its only been with us since 2005. YouTube has become one of the most used sites on the Internet, with millions of videos being watched by hundreds of millions of people, making this site one of the most used on the WWW.

    ReplyDelete
  11. https://twitchviral.com/ When you are talking about role-playing games for the PC, it is hard to pin down what the 'best' game is. There are a lot of great games in a lot of different genres. So if you are trying to find out what the best RPG games for PC are, you may not be able to pin down one particular game as the best. However, there are definitely common attributes that make up the best games out there and they are story, playability, and appearance.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Your customers can quite easily purchases and view your card transactions online, pay for the goods and services from suppliers, in shops, over the telephone, and on the internet merchant services business for sale

    ReplyDelete
  13. They wish to acquire an improved comprehension of the supervision staff that will lead to taking care of the particular resources dedicated to your organization. It is a notion several small enterprises and also start-ups, will not understanding totally. US Business Funding

    ReplyDelete
  14. That is the excellent mindset, nonetheless is just not help to make every sence whatsoever preaching about that mather. Virtually any method many thanks in addition to i had endeavor to promote your own article in to delicius nevertheless it is apparently a dilemma using your information sites can you please recheck the idea. thanks once more. Abu Dhabi Company Branch Formation

    ReplyDelete
  15. Facebook has now become the largest social network check and among most visited website in the world creating interest to companies and small business owner to use it for advertisement.

    ReplyDelete
  16. With many businesses in United States and in San Diego County operating as small establishments, work-life balance is critical to remain and grow. This article contains three tips to produce better work-life balance. her latest blog

    ReplyDelete
  17. In case you feel that the bureau is trying to cheat you, don't buy term paper from it. why not try here

    ReplyDelete
  18. By way of each of our credit history restoration training you can find that will one thing you want to do to look at a new phase to no cost credit history restoration can be to secure a backup of each one of your respective credit report. You'll find about three principal credit reporting businesses. md credit repair

    ReplyDelete
  19. Normal blessing. The asset blessing in a given geological region assists with molding the sort of business the vast majority take part in.loud-communications.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. The various advantages of BPM programming make it custom fitted for businesses needing to answer well to difficulties and secure open doors for themselves.our stylists

    ReplyDelete
  21. Because streaming services allow you to refresh and get a new perspective on life, they are beneficial for people of all ages. You can get access to life changing documentaries that can have a huge impact on your lives. Why not check out this article and learn more? 10 reasons to join netflix

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Business expansion strategies include opening new locations, entering new markets, or launching new products. mtelderlaw.com/special-needs-planning

    ReplyDelete
  24. Limit alcohol consumption to moderate levels for better health. Wegovy

    ReplyDelete
  25. In business, there are no shortcuts to sustained success. https://titlesearchdirect.com/blog/

    ReplyDelete
  26. "Social media is a powerful tool for brand promotion and customer engagement." https://titlesearchdirect.com/

    ReplyDelete