Literally. You could be completing the most mundane daily task and get your next big idea. So…make sure you’re ready!

My recent trip to a grocery store, a restaurant dish and a homemade meal creation have inspired this post about four important components in an effective marketing campaign.

1. Stand out to get attention.

This definitely caught my attention as I was walking down the aisle at the grocery store. Although I didn’t end up purchasing the cereal, the fact that the brand thought ahead to how the boxes would appear together on the shelf intrigued me and inspired several thoughts.

The main thought was that it’s important to think about the customer experience. This clever visual drew my eye to this display. It gave me a sense that they pay attention to details, are creative, and wanted to set themselves apart by creating a fun experience for customers at the store.

It’s a subtle thing, but it adds a lot to the experience customers have with the brand. When a company finds a way to stand out, their target audience will pay attention. It sets them apart from other brands and makes them memorable to those who may not have even noticed the cereal otherwise.

2. Combine the best of the best.

Search far and wide, or aisle to aisle, for all of the things that you are passionate about and that generate excitement. New technology, forward-thinking trends, awesome features, newly launched products, and fresh ideas.

Think about all of the elements needed to create a project buzzing with enthusiasm and destined for results. Whether it’s engaged team members, knowledgeable vendors, or your favorite new snack – it’s all about excitement.

I left the store that day and couldn’t wait to dive into my box of newly found favorite crackers, add mushrooms to a new stir fry recipe and bite into a sweet apple variety I hadn’t eaten for quite some time.

The creativity sparked by my cart was that when you combine the best of the best and think strategically about each element you’re adding into the mix, you can’t help but come out with a new initiative you and your team members are excited about and the energy to carry it through to success.

3. Research trends that are working.

Bowl-style meals are a popular menu item in many restaurants. They may be set menu items or you may be given the opportunity to build one with your selected ingredients. On this day, I was trying a preset dish that has a recommendation on the menu from a famous TV chef.

Since I liked the ingredients, I imagined that I would like the dish a lot – and I was right. The great assortment of ingredients, textures, and flavor profiles are what made it delicious. A standout note to mention: the mushrooms seemed to be marinated in a salty flavorful solution that set them apart from basic mushrooms.

It sparked my creativity by making me want to experiment with bowl-style meals at home. In the same way, studying current and emerging trends inspires you to come up with brand new ideas that bring exciting ideas to your work. You think of ways that your company can take it a step further, make it their own, and set new trends that haven’t even emerged yet.

4. Add your unique twist.

When you find inspiration from here and there, collect all of your thoughts then go back and let your imagination lead you to something amazing. This dish was inspired by ramen soup from great restaurants (adding cold ingredients on top of warm ones), delicious Thai food (soy-based chicken sauce, fresh cucumber and sliced scallions), and the bowl-style dish previously mentioned (a mix of meat, rice, and vegetables) – all run through the filter of personal preference (liking broccoli and being in the mood for peppers and onions).

As you can see, inspiration is a combination of incorporating experiences, monitoring what’s out there, and most of all – thinking of innovative ways to create something new and incredibly unique that you and your team members are passionate about.

Takeaways

Always be ready for inspiration. It can happen at the grocery store, in a restaurant, at a museum, or when you’re tying your shoes.

Find ways to stand out and get ahead of the competition. Seek out the best team members and tools to lead to exciting projects and outcomes. Do your research to find trends that are working. Put your unique twist on a project to take it beyond the trends to create something entirely new.

BIG ideas can strike at any time in any place.

BE READY!