Creativity is not just about art, and innovation is not just for science and technology businesses. Every business can and should be creative and innovate. Karen and Fiona reminded me of the Darwin quote “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, not the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change”.

We all know of businesses that haven’t been able to adapt or didn’t know how to adapt.  Some of us remember the high street stores of Borders, Blockbuster and Woolworth.  Only last week British Home Stores had to make some tough decisions.

With hindsight we can all have insight.  Yet Borders failed and Waterstones survived, Blockbusters disappeared and Netflix went from strength to strength, British Home Stores is struggling but Marks and Spencer stays afloat.

Maybe it’s much harder for the big giants to adapt but adapt they must. It’s the same for all businesses. The marketplace around us is always changing.  Sometimes suddenly, even unexpectedly, sometimes over time.  Either way we need to be prepared.  We need to keep a watchful eye.  We need to constantly come up with new ideas and implement those ideas.  Change the way we do things to better suit the marketplace.

It probably is evolution not revolution.  I watched the film “Steve Jobs” at the weekend.  Apple has revolutionised the way we do things yet the company started in 1976.  The revolution actually took a series of evolutionary steps.

Don’t try to change the world overnight. Do take the time to be creative and make sure you turn those ideas into a reality.