Innovation is a talent that everybody has. Some find it easier to express their innovative side than others but that doesn’t mean you don’t possess the skill. Just like riding a bike, learning how to drive and shaving it takes a bit of time and practice to achieve your potential. It just takes time, practice and determination. In this article discover a few tips on how you can unlock your potential with these 5 self improvement solutions and bring out your innovative side.

1. Don’t listen to what others say.

If you have an idea, don’t let other people’s input ruin your idea. If they don’t like your idea then they can deal with it. You need to learn to do things for yourself. Do you think that Einstein and other great geniuses went on to listen to their friends about their ideas? I don’t think so.

2. Exercise

Exercising relaxes your body by sending endorphins through your body. During exercise many people get a rush of creativity since they are so relaxed. Try it, run for a mile or two and see what happens.

3. Find your own style

Everyone is unique and style is also unique in people too. A poet can be told from another one just because of the words he uses or a painter because of the brush he used. If you can find yourself a unique style that works for you people will learn what a valuable asset you are because no one would have the same talent as you.

4. Don’t hide yourself behind fancy equipment

Just because you have the most expensive high tech equipment doesn’t make you the best. Yes it does give you an advantage but it is only a small one. Take this for example, do you think a photographer with the newest camera on the market that really doesn’t understand photography at all is really going to make it bigger than a photographer who knows how to take pictures using a disposable camera. No! The same goes with writing, if you have an expensive laptop what use is it to you if you can’t write. Make sure that you are good with your skill, just because you have fancy equipment doesn’t mean you’re the best!

5. Add some passion

Passion is that extra bit of effort that will take you to the next level. People with talent can do a good job but someone with passion will work hard. Do you think that that job position will fall into your lap just because you are the most talented? Maybe, but others will be determined to get that position and that could make them virtually impossible.

These are just 5 of the many things that can unlock your innovation and hopefully you will take these into consideration to bring out your innovation and let everything snowball from there.



By: James Pswarai

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“I have thought through and worked out the innovative concept in my mind. Can I patent it at this stage?” The inventor is typically in a dilemma as to when he/she should proceed to start the patenting process. The life cycle of converting an innovative idea into a product typically runs into many years. During which of these stages should one file for patent protection – when the inventive concept is firmed up, at a first level prototype, mature prototype, early product phase or in the maturity stage of the product lifecycle? Surprise of surprises, the timing for patenting is not determined by the stage of the product life cycle. It is dependent on when you plan to publicly disclose the innovative idea, or market the new product. With intense competitive product development occurring in some of the hot and well funded areas like software, electronics, nanotechnology and biotechnology, it is prudent to protect your idea at the earliest stage, possibly at the point when the innovative or inventive idea is conceptualized.

“Hitting is timing, pitching is upsetting timing,” said Warren Spahn, a famous American baseball pitcher. In every country of the world except the United States, the patent is awarded to the first to file. The US is the only country that grants a patent to the person who was the first to invent and this rule is scheduled to be changed shortly to bring the US in line with the first to file rule.

In many countries, the inventor loses the right to file a patent if the invention is publicly disclosed before the patent application is filed. Therefore, prudence dictates that an invention not be disclosed before an application for it has been filed in the patent office. Developed countries are exposed to developing technologies at an early stage of the technology. They can envision new applications of these technologies ahead of their counterparts from developing countries. Hence, it is to their advantage to patent an innovative idea, at the concept level, before their counterparts in developing countries.

“Can a patent application be filed for a prophetic invention, i.e., for an invention based only on an idea that has not been tried, tested, perfected, prototyped or reduced to practice?” The answer is: Yes. “Does the patent office require one to have a fully working or marketed product before filing a patent application?” The answer is: No. A new concept is patentable provided the concept is workable and the inventor discloses in the patent application how to make and use the invention. An invention comprises an inventive concept plus a reduction to practice of the inventive concept. The courts have held that filing a patent application based only on a workable, inventive idea is the equivalent of a reduction to practice. However, if the invention, on its face, is impossible or unworkable, the patent application will be rejected. When Thomas Edison invented and filed a patent application for the light bulb, he was nowhere close to a robust working light bulb!

In the United States a patent application can be filed within 1 year of a public disclosure of the invention. Under US patent laws there is also a provision to protect your idea by filing a provisional application. The provisional application must be followed up by the filing of a non-provisional application within one year from the date of filing the provisional application. Failure to do so will result in the applicant losing the claim to priority date of the earlier filed provisional application. The period of priority is limited to six months in case of industry design and trademarks. If the non-provisional application cannot be filed within 1 year of filing of the provisional application, the applicant may file for another provisional and get another priority span. However, in this case the original priority date no longer holds.

The time tested and safest route for a company that wishes to protect its innovative idea is to withhold commercialization or publishing details of the invention until a provisional or a non-provisional application is filed and a “patent pending” status is obtained for the innovative idea.



By: Ash Tankha

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Though there are enough ideas to propel one’s fundraising ambition, there are certain ground rules to follow while attempting to raise funds. First of all you may need to define in concise terms, everything about your project and its objectives. Ask yourself, how your fundraising effort helps society as a whole. How many people will get the benefit? What exactly are you going to do with those funds? Will it help you to grow personally and socially?

Once you’ve laid a solid groundwork, look for fresh and innovative ideas, which are different and beneficial to hundreds of people. The ideas you choose must be socially feasible and economically viable. Never cling to those ideas which are common and repetitive. You may also take care to see that you are not repeating the same idea, which is currently pursued by other people. Let your ideas be innovative and universally beneficial

Once you decide to use the fund for a specific purpose, you’ve already taken the first stride in philanthropy. Many of the common ideas include raffles, lottery, sweepstakes, contests on entry charges, shows, dinners, music concerts, sales of different kinds, fashion shows and other similar ideas. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide about the type of fundraising event, that best fits your local requirements.

However, there is a quality tag attached to every idea; it is doesn’t make a real practical sense, if your fundraising idea is costly. Remember that your aim is to raise funds for your charitable activity and not spending excessively on organizing the fundraising event itself. The event you are planning must not be too flashy or expensive; such simple events will save money in many areas. Try to save money wherever possible; money saved is money spent on non profit, charitable activities.



By: Daniel Lesser

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When you are choosing gifts for the mother, it is important to keep in mind that while receiving the gift your mother should feel that you care about her deeply and you want to make her feel special. Just to give you an idea, if you gift her something in her favorite color, it tells her that you think enough of her to remember such minute details about her. Not only your mother, if you want to build a special bond with your mother-in-law, it is important to keep in mind her interests while choosing gifts for mother in law . Below mentioned are some innovative ideas to treat these special women in a special way.

•    If your mother loves knitting, then gifting her knitting kit or her favorite wool would be a good idea.

•    If she is a creative artist, then she would appreciate a sketchpad with some watercolors.

•    Whatever be the occasion, flowers are women’s best friends (after diamonds). They are also the best feel-good gifts for mother to be (apart from baby quilts, scrapbooks and diaper showers) during pregnancy. You can make your mother feel special by giving her a colorful bouquet of her favorite flowers.

•    If your mother is a pet lover then she would really enjoy an item related to a particular breed of cat or dog [that is of course if she has a pet at home!]

•    If she loves to decorate her house then gifting her different types of candles would be great idea to warm the living room in chilly winter evenings.

•    If you really want to gift your mother a classy and special gift then gift baskets filled with custom selected luxuries that she will love would be one of the best gifts for the mother. Following are some suggestions for items to create the gift basket with:

1.    Generally all women love to have a cup of hot steaming tea or coffee in the afternoon. You can assemble some of the finest brands of tea and coffee in different flavors with cookies to go along. You can create a similar basket with boxes of some special coffee. Include a coffee mug or a tea cup that says “World’s Best MOM”.   

2.    If your mother loves to eat fine Belgium or Swiss chocolates or imported cookies or dried fruits then this is one of the tastiest gifts for the mother. If she is a wine lover, then you can also include a bottle or two of wine to make the basket more attractive.

3.    If you want your mother to relax with luxurious bath and body treats then gift her spa basket. This basket can contain all those things that make her personal spa experience the most special one. Try aromatic candles or musical CD to offer her a relaxing treat.

Gifts for the mother have to be something that she may not buy for herself. By giving her those special gifts you will make her feel that she is important.



By: Apurva Shree

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Large successful corporations started as small companies. They were once unknown entities thriving on with their limited available funds. In a world where large corporations dominate the market, small companies would easily collapse.

So what have made these used to be small companies stay in the market? Innovation breeds success. When these companies were just starting out, they were not afraid to try out something new. Innovation is taking improvement to a much higher level. Whereas improvement is just making an existing process or product better, innovation is creating changes and discovering new methods.

Innovation is thinking out of the box. To be innovative, one must not set limitations to what he could do. Chances for success stops the moment limitations are set upon the horizons.

When things might seem hopeless, innovation could give more options. Companies that are just starting up definitely needs a lot of innovation. External factors might lack confidence in what a company can possibly do. Funds might be low but it shouldn’t hinder a company from succeeding. Innovation is capable of creating opportunities when none could be found.

At first, ideas generated might seem absurd but when these ideas are taken further, these create more feasible possibilities. Success stories usually begin with formulating ideas and creating ways to materialize them. At the onset, ideas are usually ridiculed and thought of as silly imaginations which couldn’t be done.

With the very competitive market that we have today, innovation is important. One small innovative idea could spell great success for a company. Innovation gives the lead from other competitors. Opportunities will continue pouring in as more and more ideas are generated.

In a day, millions of ideas are generated, but only a few of them really make it out to the market and fewer stays in the market. In business, pursuing that brilliant idea would make a significant difference. Starting from scratch is not at all a problem. That’s precisely what innovation is – creating something out of nothing. A lot of businesses benefit from this.

Innovation could also be applied to marketing strategies. New approach to business marketing would lead to better product advertising. Customers are always dying to try out something new. There are always room for improvement, as well as lot more room for more new business ideas. In the fight to stay in the market, those who have shown surprising and breakthrough ideas are the ones that stay.

Most of the time, failures are inevitable but these do not dampen the spirits of an innovator. Being innovative does not happen overnight, it is a product taking each outrageous idea to the next higher level.

Failures contribute to successes. Successful companies definitely had their share of failures. Usually these might even outnumber their successes. However, success due to just one innovative idea reap greater effects than a million failures. Those failures will just then be considered chapters of a great success story.

Anybody could be innovative if they chose to be so. All it takes is just a lot of freedom to let the thoughts wander about. Businesses are in cutthroat competition with each other. Whoever gets to discover new ways and products usually gets the edge.

Being innovative is defying every limits set by yourself or by other people. When others might think that it won’t be possible, innovators take it as a challenge. To be innovative means developing strong visions and working on those visions for the success of the business.

Usually, innovation would initially draw negative reactions. It would shake up the existing status quo. It is not afraid to take calculated risks. When this happens, it would broaden the opportunities for the business, thus giving it greater chances for success.

By: Mario Churchill

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People seem to be coming upwith strange and very innovative ideas to promote their sites and also come up with sites to promote businesses and their brand names. Just a few months back, we had this euphoria where a student got a website up and was selling pixels on his website at the rate of $1 per pixel. Many rip-offs followed this and they too proved quite a bit successful thus making everyone associated with the site very happy. The businesses which put their ads on the site, however invisible they seemed to be in the muddle of ads, also seemed to be happy with the visibility that they got.

Now a slightly different and improved version seems to be doing the rounds on the net. It is called the ‘One in hundred thousand’ website and it can be found at oneinhundredthousand.com.

This site is based on the concept that they get your name on the internet (rather, on this site) for $3. The name can be that of an individual or that of a business. And they also link to your homepage (if you have one) as part of the name. To maintain some exclusivity (after all, they cant get the names of 6 billion people on to the site), they have restricted themselves to only 50,000 names and promises to be up for 5 years.

This site seems to have been started by a young man and though it seems a bit similar to the million dollar home page idea, it has its own uniqueness and its advantages. For businesses, it is like having an ad on the net, that too at a place with high number of visitors and for individuals, its just a chance to get the thrill of seeing their name on a website and to see their name when they do a search on google.

The webmaster asks us to view this as another home, a home on the internet for our name and which would be well maintained by him for the next five years. Its a strange idea but it is indeed something that might catch on in due course of time.

People, especially young ones, seem to be coming up with strange and innvovative ideas to keep themselves and help others keep ahead of the competition. Things are sure getting interesting. So what next? A website on the moon??

By: Dan Fisher

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