How to Develop Unique Ideas from Experience

Sometimes, finding a compelling problem instantly inspires possibilities. Other times, crickets. Rather than waiting around for lightning to strike, we recommend that teams take a more proactive approach, and deliberately provoke their own imaginations. One of the most effective, powerful, and fun tools we have created for such self-provocation missions is what we call “Analogous Exploration.” Building upon the extensive research demonstrating the power of unexpected new combinations, we encourage folks to seek radically unexpected sources of inspiration to provoke their thinking. This means not only leaving the room, and not only leaving the building, but also leaving the industry and the conventional definition of “competitor set” behind. Analogous Exploration is not benchmarking. One early application of this radical tool was with a struggling Semiconductor Company whose sales organization had been refined over time to cater predominantly to its largest customers (who ordered hundreds of millions of units annually). The company’s senior leaders felt they needed to “reinvent the customer experience for smaller customers,” and asked for our help. (Story too long for LinkedIn tldr: they instituted a radical new information-sharing agreement with their largest distribution partner, which they believe is one of the largest supply chain innovations in their industry in the last 50 years.) The COO of the company jokingly confided later that they had been watching the competition closely… but the competition didn’t know how to solve their problems either! By deliberately seeking out unexpected sources of inspiration, the organization was able to jump-start revolutionary innovations that serve the smaller businesses every bit as well as they already did the large customers. Getting out of the box like this will not feel efficient. But it is effective. We have since seen Australian financial services organizations glean insights for how to establish trust with new customers from a barber shops & tattoo parlor (those are fascinating stories), Israeli tech companies learn from farmers’ markets, New Zealand fisheries take notes from prominent tea purveyors and bespoke coffee shops, and Japanese conglomerates attracting top-tier millennial talent based on insights from a rock climbing studio and a belly dancing instructor. Despite their differences, one critical commonality among each of these environments is that the teams positioned to solve the newly-defined problem lacked the requisite inputs to trigger fresh ideas. Imagination is fueled by fresh input, and yet all too often, teams are stuck in a conference room, post-it pads in hand, banging their heads against an all-too-ironically spotless whiteboard. Analogous Exploration is a tool to help folks get out of their context on purpose, with intention, to come back with the inspiration they need to fuel fresh thinking.

Your “messy” resume isn't a weakness. It's your competitive advantage in a rapidly evolving market. 🔥 It's why two people can enter the same industry… And one becomes unforgettable while the other blends in. ✔️ The designer who also understands sales psychology ✔️ The engineer who can tell a story on camera ✔️ The marketer who knows how to code Each skill alone? Common. Combined? Unstoppable. Looking back, none of my experiences were random. Each one taught me essential skills I needed to learn in order to get where I am today: 📚 Childhood Bookseller → I learned how to hustle and handle rejection at an early age 🎤 Aspiring Singer → I learned that I wanted to use my voice in my career 🎙️ Intern at Hot97 → I learned audio production and honed my interview skills  💻 Founder of Sorority of Hip Hop → I learned how to lead and run a team. 💼 Corporate Marketer → I learned marketing strategy and how to galvanize others.  🎧 Podcast Host → I learned how to build a personal brand, grow an audience and podcast monetization! Now? I'm the CEO of an 8-figure media company leading a team of 60+, host of a top 10 entrepreneurship podcast AND founder of the #1 self-improvement podcast network. Every "random" experience built toward this. It's called SKILL STACKING. 🔥 Here's how to find YOUR unique stack: 1️⃣ List every job, side project, and random skill you've picked up, even the "embarrassing" ones 2️⃣ Next to each, write the ONE core skill it taught you 3️⃣ Look for the thread - what do they have in common? 4️⃣ Ask yourself: How can I combine these into an offer only I can make? You don't need to be the best at any single thing. You just need to be the ONLY one with your unique combination.

I get asked at least once a week how we come up with growth hack ideas at Delve. Here's the secret: — It's not that we have a different creative muscle. It's not that we're just naturally creative and if you're not creative, you can't do it. We just have a simple playbook. And here it is: — (1) Find an ordinary thing people don't think much about and put a clever twist on it. For example, one day while walking over a doormat, I thought to myself that it's just free real estate. I thought it would be quite amusing if we used it as "ad space." So we decided to send out doormats to the 100 hottest startups that said "Your shoes look good. Do your SOCs 2?" We generated millions of pipeline from this alone. — (2) Take inspiration from past successful hacks. A year ago, Antimetal distributed 1,000 boxes of pizza, calling it SaaS (slices as a service). We saw that, thought it was brilliant, and used it as inspiration for our own campaigns. Earlier this year, we sent out 10,000 donuts in boxes that said "The only hole in your security we approve of." — (3) Get the whole team involved. If you're searching for an idea, you won't be able to come up with one. You have to let it process in your subconscious, or get the whole team involved to help ideate. When everyone on the team is thinking about it in the background, someone will inevitably come up with a clever idea. — Once we use these 3 methods to generate ideas, here's how we determine what's a good idea: We index for ideas that are stupid but brilliant. We want people to think "that was kind of stupid for them to pull off, but the more I think about it, it's actually kind of brilliant." Like flying a plane over a conference with a banner saying "Delve: SOC 2 made plane and simple." These types of ideas are always the ones that go organically viral. — To all the builders and innovators out there, hope this helps!

I recently spoke with a sales leader who shared a perspective that surprised me. While everyone's mining B2B databases, he builds lead lists from Google Maps. "Everyone's in the databases," he said. "I want to find the businesses others miss." This conversation got me thinking: ❓In an age where AI can generate "best practices" on demand, what truly sets us apart? It's not our ability to follow conventional wisdom. It's our capacity to challenge it. It's the insights from failed projects, the unexpected solutions, and the intuition that comes from years of hands-on experience. It's the knowledge AI can't replicate. But having these unique insights isn't enough. We need to leverage them effectively. Here's a method I use to integrate our unique perspectives into our work ⤵️ 1. 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀: List 5-10 beliefs you hold that differ from common industry practices.     2. 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: For each "best practice," consider scenarios where an alternative approach might be more effective.     3. 𝗔𝗜 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆: Document how you're using AI to amplify your unique approach, not replace it.     4. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀: Identify 10-15 experts who challenge your thinking. Actively participate in discussions, not just passive following.     5. 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 '𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗣𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀': What common practices in your field do you consciously avoid? Why? ▶️𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗟𝗠 (i.e., create a CustomGPT or a Project in Claude). THEN, ask it do tasks. Your AI will now show some character. This isn't just about staying relevant. It's about becoming the go-to expert for nuanced, experience-driven insights that both humans and AI can learn from. What's an unconventional approach you've found effective in your field?

As part of my first software engineering job, which was at a manufacturing firm, my manager granted me freedom to choose what I wanted to work on. Little I knew that that meant independently identifying business needs and then crafting solutions. As a novice in the software engineering realm, I lacked the guidance and mentorship typically offered to newcomers. Instead, I was thrust into a role where I was expected to create my own work. In general, those skills are characteristic of mid to senior level engineers. I spent the following months observing mechanical engineers and technicians. I meticulously observed their routines, pinpointed their pain points, and identified the repetitive tasks that were consuming their time. Six months into the role and I prototyped a computer vision solution that automated visual inspection of freshly assembled medical devices. I wrote it fully in C++ using the OpenCV library, with unit tests and proper documentation. My prototype quickly garnered attention and piqued interest, evolving into a full-scale solution that significantly reduced the manual labor required, saving us tens of hours each week. This experience taught me valuable lessons about embarking on new projects and joining teams: 1️⃣ Observe and Inquire: Start by closely observing and asking questions. Take diligent notes as you go along. 2️⃣ Identify Pain Points: Understand where the team is struggling the most, and recognize the areas in need of improvement. 3️⃣ Propose Well-Considered Solutions: Suggest solutions with well-thought alternatives. Be prepared to present your ideas effectively. 4️⃣ Execute and Deliver: Put your plans into action, and ensure your implementation aligns with the team's needs. Following these steps will allow you to become an organizational asset and propel your growth. This journey not only honed my technical skills but also imparted crucial insights into the dynamics of software engineering and problem-solving in a real-world context.

The content that could change everything? It’s already in your head. When I started creating content on LinkedIn, I’d spend hours thinking: • What should I post today? • Is this idea good enough? • What if it doesn’t get engagement? The problem? I was looking everywhere except the most obvious place - my own experiences. Here’s how you can pull content ideas straight from your mind: 1: Ask yourself the right questions: • What helped my customers the most? • What mistakes have I learned from? • What frustrations do my clients face? • What skills can I showcase? 2: Pick one skill. Let’s say it’s copywriting. 3: Break it down into simple topics: • How to format text for easy reading • Writing content that actually converts • Mistakes I made when I started copywriting 4: Turn one topic into 3 content ideas: • A personal story → “In 2023, my copy converted TWO clients.” • A skill-based post → “How I write content that converts clients.” • A case study → “How my client signed 3 deals with my content strategy.” That’s just from ONE topic. Think about all the ideas you already have. You don’t need Google. You don’t need AI. You just need to trust your own experiences. So, what’s the ONE topic you’ve been overthinking? #ContentCreation #PersonalBranding #LinkedInGrowth #ContentStrategy

Someone asked me this week how I come up with ideas to post so consistently. They said they were “running out of things to say.” I told them something simple. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘀. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗯𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Most people assume content comes from sitting down and thinking hard. In reality, it comes from paying attention to what’s already happening around you. Almost every post I’ve written has come from something small, a conversation in a meeting, a pattern I noticed across projects, a question that didn’t have a clear answer, or even a mistake that stayed with me longer than expected. Your work is already giving you material. You just don’t capture it. Once you start observing more consciously, things change. You begin to notice how people think, where decisions get stuck, what problems repeat themselves, and what insights actually matter. And slowly, you stop searching for ideas. You start extracting them. That’s the shift. Content isn’t created from scratch. It’s distilled from experience. Your meetings, your work, your conversations, they’re already full of it. You just have to notice what others ignore. Have you ever felt like you’re “out of ideas,” or just not capturing them? #LinkedIn #ContentStrategy #PersonalBrand #Writing #ProfessionalGrowth #CreatorEconomy

Want to be a better Creative Director/Leader or a better Copywriter or Art Director? Then here's something to consider. If you want different ideas, you need to do something different about it. And if you want the teams you lead to develop different ideas, you should be encouraging them to do something different about it. Such as 👇 Instead of pouring over advertising award annuals or bowing at the altars of advertising legends past and present try looking outside the advertising bubble. What would Banksy do with this brief? - Approach your thinking like a street artist. What could you do to make people stop and look...maybe even take a photo and share it online. What would Hiroshi Fujiwara do with this brief? - The streetwear legend always tries new directions and collaborations - try doing the same. What would Warhol do with this brief? - I'm confident Warhol would be all over the technology available today to create new work - do the same. What would Vivienne Westwood do with this brief? - Go a bit punk rock and put together something nobody saw coming. What would David Bowie do with this brief? - The master of the reinvention and new directions. Just as everyone else was catching up with him he would already be onto his next thing. Stay ahead of everyone else when possible. There are many more I could mention. Look at artists, fashion designers, filmmakers, musicians, authors, photographers, and any creative field other than advertising for inspiration. The disruption and difference you seek won’t be found in work already done, because it has already been done. Write lines like a graffiti artist that capture attention and make someone think. Think of imagery that would jump out of the crowd, off a wall or a screen. Instead of a perfectly drawn illustration maybe it’s a doodle. Instead of a beautiful photograph use a disposable film camera. Instead of a pristinely shot video maybe you shoot on an old video camera. Don’t be different for different’s sake, you need a reason for what you do that loops back to the brand’s message and voice. But do take detours from the norm. As the overused saying goes - When everyone zigs, you should zag. Step outside the expected and you'll find new ideas waiting to greet you. ---------------- I have launched a new addition to my Creative Coaching - THE WRITE STUFF: a copywriting workshop. If you're interested in knowing more about that or any of my other coaching services, please get in touch here on LinkedIn or at chantcreative@gmail.com #creativity #banksy #advertising #copywriting #creativecoach

My first manager was a superstar at work. She rose to become the youngest partner at our consulting firm, had multiple high-profile clients, and was considered a role model by many junior consultants. When I observed her in client meetings, I realised that one of her core strengths was coming up with fresh innovative ideas that clients loved. She had a strong knack to quickly think on her feet and resolve conflicting views by coming up with win-win solutions for all parties. One day I asked her - “How do you get new ideas so quickly, especially in high-pressure situations?” Here are some golden nuggets she shared with me: 1. STUDY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS – Mastering your niche is important but creativity usually strikes at the intersection of different fields and disciplines. So, read about diverse topics and see how they relate to your field. 2. DIVERSIFY YOUR CROWD – Find people who have different education, experiences, and culture than you. Learning how they do things differently can help generate new ideas by combining two existing ideas. 3. UNPLUG FROM WORK – My manager made sure to regularly spend time with her family, play a sport, and travel to nature getaways. She found this time off necessary to keep her mind fresh and crank out new ideas. 4. BRAINSTORM MANY IDEAS – Come up with not one but 4-5 ways of solving a problem and analyse their pros/cons to determine what worked best. The best idea usually comes after we chew on the first few ideas.   5. ADOPT A CURIOSITY MINDSET – Being creative requires the humility to admit that you don’t always have an answer. Not having a preconceived answer is the biggest inspiration for new ideas. ----------------------------- My ex-manager’s creativity and original thinking was a big reason for her success. Because it differentiated her from the crowd and positioned her as a real thought leader. How do you come up with new ideas? Other than GenAI obviously! #creativity #newideas #eureka

What I’ve Learned About Building a Unique Competitive Edge Over the Last 3 Years, working with dream clients I never thought possible: 1️⃣Build on Your Stacks: Leverage the value, experiences, and unique insights gained from your diverse background. Your combination of skills and perspectives is what sets you apart. 2️⃣Turn Failures into Competitive Advantage: Collect your failures and wins, analyze them, and piece them together to create unique insights. These insights solve niche problems that only you can tackle—this becomes your competitive edge. 3️⃣Empathy Through Shared Experiences: People relate better to those who deeply understand their challenges. When you’ve been in their shoes and solved similar problems, your competency becomes evident, and trust is built naturally. 4️⃣Competency Comes from Experimentation: True competency doesn’t come from textbooks or theories. It’s built by experimenting, learning from failures, and turning them into actionable insights that others can benefit from. 5️⃣Show Up and Share: Put yourself out there more often-because why not? The world needs more genuine, real-world guidance, not just AI-generated content. Real guidance people needs, come from listening, empathizing, understanding problems, and providing practical, step-by-step solutions that solve them together with your audience. 🙌What’s one thing you want to double down on this year? #clientacquisitionsystem #highticketsales #b2bsales #leadconversion #consultativesalesprocess