Where I live, innovation has been a central topic of conversation over the last 3-5 years. Today, the words innovation and innovate are cornered as brand names but if you dig deeper and seek to understand what is happening beyond the superficial monikers, you see real 'get your hands dirty' style innovators that are quietly making remarkable things happen. Just like where I live, you have these people. It is our job as appreciators of this sensibility to champion this attitude and commitment to more, to seek these people out and celebrate your like-minded advocacy for what is next as opposed to what is now. Here are some examples of innovation in my backyard.
This week our region was shaken up with the introduction of a co-working space to the cultural and professional landscape. An organization called CoWork Niagara is a group of freelancers that have become a powerful voice in the business community because their willingness to work together towards a common goal has created a force larger than most businesses. Statistics in our region show that the freelance or independent entrepreneur community makes up a significant portion of the professional landscape, this group is showing us what some team-work, commitment and perserverence can do. Turns out is a whole hell of a lot!
Whether it is a young-gun digital marketing advocate that is aiming higher than the status quo with their marketing materials, or the most transparent and honest approach to the commercial real estate game we've ever seen around here... innovation abounds. A commitment to being different, being real and developing authenticity as the status quo in an industry that is synonymous with the opposite is innovation. In terms of real estate, it is these guys are blazing the trail, showcasing what makes them the exception to the rule and truly reinventing those rules all together. This is innovation.
Niagara is home to Ontario's first gourmet food truck, El Gastronomo Vagabundo. These guys make innovation look like child's play. The commitment to sustainably sourced food, unique culinary style, experimentation on the plate and unwavering commitment to their principles and values make this duo innovation personified. This is what is up! We are seeing the success of this innovative business championed on the regular as of late and that is a very good thing.
About 10% of our web traffic comes from our backyard, so most of you don't know who the above are. But find those people where you live and champion their success. Be on their team, and see how your business can be better if those people are involved. If we commit to innovation together, we can do wonderful and amazing things. As always, an e-book below. This one is about marketing metrics, because we know you aren't paying enough attention to your success. Until next time!