Big companies generally have more resources for Innovation, there are some ideas from that the most Innovative do that SMEs can learn from. These are some suggestions, based on a recent BCG (Boston Consulting Group) survey of 1,070 senior executives to find the worlds most Innovative companies.

1. Exploit your image or brand (Apple). Ask your customers what is unique and special about what you do, then put this at the core of your strategy and branding.

2. Make time to play (Google). Give youself and your staff some free time to play with ideas. Perhaps have a regular workshop to look for new ideas.

3. Have a process that gives support for ideas (3M). Put some budget aside to do one or two projects that may succeed, but will not kill the business if they do not.

4. Encourage and reward continous improvement (Toyota). Make it part of your business strategy, your reward structure and your ethos.

5. Give your people some Innovation training (GE). You could get them training in Idea Generation or the process of Innovation as it relates to your company.

more tips >>