• Show your employees that you think of innovation as an ongoing process. Some ideas will work and many won’t. Keep experimenting.

• Listen, listen, listen. Innovation is a collaborative process.

• Be open to “accidents,” the unexpected connections that spark new ideas. Inspiration comes from everywhere—often from outside your own field.

• Draw on your own employees—they know the company’s problems and goals best. This is probably one time you don’t need outside consultants.

• Be patient. Creativity can’t be hurried.

Brought to you by SCORE, America's small business mentors, at www.score.org.