Bill Stainton, Author at Connect the Dots

What is Innovation?

Are you missing out on your next million-dollar idea? I see it happen all the time. Why? Because that million-dollar (or hundred- or thousand-dollar) idea requires innovation—and most people don’t understand innovation. Because of that, they assume that they “just aren’t an innovative person.” All of that can change when you understand what innovation really is.

If you’re a video person, I lay it all out in the video below. If reading is more your thing, skip the video ...

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12
APR
2021

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Innovation

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Ketchup and Innovation

Posted by: Bill Stainton

There's a common misconception that innovations have to be ground-breaking, mind-bending, and earth-shattering in order to qualify as "true" innovations. Well, it turns out that innovations can come in all sizes and shapes!

If you're a video person, I lay it all out in the video below. If reading is more your thing, skip the video and hop straight to the transcript below!

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9
APR
2021

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Innovation

Are You Wearing Blinders?

Posted by: Bill Stainton

It happens to all of us from time to time. We miss out on something great — an insightful podcast, a hot show on Netflix, or, maybe, that million-dollar idea — all because we're wearing blinders. And yes, it can even happen to you!

If you're a video person, I lay it all out in the video below. If reading is more your ...

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8
APR
2021

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Innovation

How To Turn A Thanksgiving Strategy Into Awesome Business Growth

Posted by: Bill Stainton

This Thursday those of us in the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving Day — and, along with it, a tradition that dates all the way back to 1981!

I’m talking, of course, about the Butterball Turkey Talk Line — the go-to crisis center for all things turkey. This was a brilliantly innovative idea from the folks at Butterball!

At the core, it’s a simple idea, based on a common problem: cooking a turkey. Most people only do it once a year, ...

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23
NOV
2020

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Innovation

How To Make Your Business Thrive Through A Crisis

Posted by: Bill Stainton

During times of crisis (like, say, a global pandemic), some organizations (businesses, community groups, associations, etc.) will fold, while others will flourish. This has been true throughout history.

So what is it that separates the two? Luck? Timing? A smile from the Fates?

My research shows that, more than anything else, one single trait makes the difference. One asset — which is completely free and is available to anyone — separates the organizations that ...

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19
OCT
2020

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Innovation, Producing Results

Bill Stainton, coronavirus, COVID-19, crisis, innovating during crisis, innovation, thrive through a crisis, thriving in crisis, upheaval, virtual innovation, virtual keynote

An Innovative Cure For The Coronavirus Blues

Posted by: Bill Stainton

Let’s not beat around the bush. We are going through an unimaginably (at least until recently) difficult time — a time that requires innovative thinking. At some point, of course, the news will start to get better. But as of now, it just seems to be getting worse and worse.

It’s difficult to take. It’s all too easy (and perfectly justifiable) to fall into despair, or even depression. And there’s a certain part of that that’s appropriate. It’s part of the ...

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7
APR
2020

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Innovation, Producing Results

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Why the Richest Man in the World Might Hate Your Ideas

Posted by: Bill Stainton

There’s this company based not too far from me in downtown Seattle that routinely makes the Top 10 lists of Most Innovative Companies. You might have heard of it.

It’s called Amazon.

Amazon is run by the richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos. Bezos took the crown away from the previous richest man, Bill Gates (who also lives relatively close to me, albeit in a slightly more upscale neighborhood).

So Jeff Bezos is one ...

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4
APR
2020

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Change, Innovation, Producing Results

continuous learning, coronavirus, COVID-19, lifelong learning

The Big Choice That You Need To Make Now!

Posted by: Bill Stainton

You have a choice.

Right now.

You have a choice over how you will spend this unique moment in history.

Right now, most of us are in some version of a quarantine, self-isolation, or stay-at-home mandate. Like me, you have a choice over what you will do with this extraordinary block of time. And your choice is this:

Will you shut down, or will you ramp up?

You can use this unique moment in history as an opportunity to relax, chill out, and binge watch ...

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22
MAR
2020

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Change, Innovation, Producing Results

continuous learning, coronavirus, COVID-19, lifelong learning

In a Time of Crisis, You Need Innovation!

Posted by: Bill Stainton

There’s a good chance that the coronavirus — COVID-19 — is disrupting your business and your life. It’s certainly disrupting mine. As a keynote speaker on innovation, I work in the meetings industry. In other words, I work in an industry that is predicated on large numbers of people gathering together in a single place. And we all know how that’s going right now.

The disruption might be different in your world. Perhaps you’ve been affected by supply chain issues. If ...

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8
MAR
2020

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Change, Innovation

Bill Stainton, breakthrough thinking, coronavirus, COVID-19, creativity, crisis, innovation, innovation speaker, keynote speaker