Business growth is dependent on their owners’ capacity to innovate and competitive in a dynamic market. Your business relationships essentially thrive on keeping things fresh. Customers always like to hear about the next big thing. Companies in many industries continue to evolve and come up with new concepts over time, which drives their competitors to do the same. When you experience a downtime in idea-generation, your business may be at a disadvantageous position. To remain competitive, you have to consistently stay fresh with new solutions and presentations.

To get started on generating more ideas, begin attending industry-specific trade shows. Attending at least one show annually can help you and your team become exposed to successful, innovative ideas. These shows also provide valuable networking opportunities, including exchanging promotions and referrals. Any new concepts or ideas you find at these shows will likely give you a chance to connect with the individuals responsible for them.

Outside of attending trade shows, you can also meet valuable contacts via suppliers. By continuing to develop positive working relationships with preferred suppliers, you can find an additional source of ideas and concepts. Your suppliers may have valuable information about what is emerging or trending in their industries. If you have connections with business’ overseas that are not in direct competition with you, it may not hurt to reach out to them for ideas. They can eventually be a useful resource for industry trends in different regions.

The retail world also offers additional sources of inspiration. Read any news, social media trends, or press articles to see what shoppers are reacting most favorably to. Retail trends often provide a good glimpse of what to expect in the holiday shopping season. Retailers take notice of what shoes, electronics, or toys are in demand before stocking up their shelves. The media will also pick up on shopping trends throughout the year, so keep an eye on press clippings and newspaper headlines as well.

The next sources of information may be your most reliable – which are your colleagues. You may have had sales networks or a professional mentor in the past who you can reach out to. They can provide great insights into the strategies they have utilized in their line of work. You may also be having casual meetings with these clients. In this case, consider bringing up marketing ideas during the conversation and learn about what makes them tick. Any valuable points you can gain from these conversations can make the difference in your own promotional campaigns.