Genre: Instruction

To become an innovative manager , you must first recognize a critical axiom : Listening to customers should not solely be the role of call center agents . Listening to the customer should be an innovative manager's primary concern . Of course , this does n't mean sitting in a cubicle and fielding inbound calls under fluorescent lights . It means taking customer service to a deeper level , gathering data , analyzing trends , and responding accordingly . An innovative manager will strive to bring a focus on customer service to every level of the organization . You should make sure that the needs of customers should be understood by every employee , and every task , duty , and obligation should be initiated with these needs in mind . By aggressively focusing on customer needs , employees will eventually respond to them as if it were second nature . Think Long-Term Do n't fall into the same trap suffered by many public companies . The increasingly competitive global environment can force companies to re-engineer themselves , downsize , and cut costs at any corner . CEOs obsessed with golden parachutes and short term fluctuations in their stock prices can become extremely short-sighted . Unfortunately , customer service can be mistakenly seen as inconsequential to sales , and suffer as a result . This internal focus can lead corporations to become disconnected with their customers . Innovative managers recognize the importance of customer service and the value it adds in the long run . They realize that consistently nourishing customer relationships can substantially increase sales over time . The first step to seeing these improvements to fruition is to identify the ideal customer for your business . Ask them questions and attentively listen to their answers . The next step is to analyze their answers , determine their needs , and clearly define processes which will enable those needs to be met . You might be surprised to find that customers are more concerned with customer service and an overall comfort with your company , than the latest bells and whistles . The insights you can gain by actively listening to customers can go a long ways towards improving your brand , product , and ultimately , sales . If you give customers what they want , they will return the favor and give you what you want . American corporations have relied on a broad set of principles for over two hundred years . In today 's rapidly changing global environment , it 's time to rethink tradition and adopt modern set of principles . Companies that fail to adapt will fall by the wayside . Old World Order In the " old world " , American businesses set the standards by which global competitors had to follow . This is no longer the case . You must be prepared to think on your feet . The first step any successful manager or entrepreneur must take is to recognize and accept this truth . They must be able to quickly and flexibly move beyond every pre-conceived notion that may have been ingrained since childhood . They must be willing to move out of their respective comfort zones , and adopt entirely new business principles . An updated set of business processes must change the way companies buy , sell , and market goods and services . New processes will change the way you respond to and service customers . For all of its value , Adam Smith's division of labor theories do n't necessarily apply to today's world , and the ability to multi-task and multi-source is at a premium . The point is not to find quick fixes , simple tips , or practices . Incremental changes wo n't get you to where you need to be . Adaptation requires going back to square one and starting from scratch . To properly adjust to the global marketplace , entrepreneurs should n't just copy what everyone else is doing . Successful managers will find new and creative ways to highlight strengths and improve weaknesses . You must look beyond traditional processes and adopt new techniques . By making the appropriate adjustments , your company can dramatically improve performance , and zoom past your competitors . Corporate Navel Gazing You need to ask yourself the right questions when taking the first steps to restructuring and rethinking your business . If you truly want to innovate , do n't ask : " How can we do this faster ? " " How can we cut costs ? " While these are great questions , you must go even further back to gain clarity . Ask yourself : " Why do customers choose us ? " " Why are we even in business at all ? " You might find that you or your employees are spending a great deal of time completing functions that answer questions from set 1 rather than 2 . An innovative manager will refocus his or her efforts on providing excellent customer service , quality products , and satisfy customers . Refocusing your efforts wo n't be easy . There is no silver bullet . Taking the plunge is an all-or-nothing decision that must be faithfully adhered to .