Business, Innovation and Pandemics

We’ve all probably used the word innovation and understand it’s meaning in a general sense. But it’s likely that you’ve never thought all that deeply about what it means to be innovative.

Check out Physio Inq Founder, Jonathan Moody reflect on innovation within Physio Inq. 

Let’s talk about Innovation

Innovation springs to mind people like Steve Jobs, Isaac Newton, or Albert Einstein. In short, we usually use innovation in terms of science, inventions, and world-changing concepts. It takes imagination and creativity to elicit the word innovation.

But, in business, innovation can take place on a smaller scale but proves to be just as important to your growth.

Recently, the global COVID pandemic has forced most businesses to make changes that requiring innovating thinking. Whether planned to or not, creative decision-making has become a necessity for all businesses in 2020.

Here, we’re talking all about business, innovation, and pandemics and how Physio Inq has pivoted into telehealth.

What is innovation?

When it comes to finding a succinct definition of innovation, interestingly, there isn’t a single, agreed-upon way to describe what it means.

According to the Australian Government, innovation in business refers to improving the way you run your business by creating effective processes, products, or ideas.

According to BusinessDictionary.com, their innovation definition is “the process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service the creates value for which customers will pay. To be called an innovation, an idea must be replicable at an economical cost and must satisfy a specific need. Innovation involves deliberate application of information, imagination and initiative in deriving greater or different values from resources and includes all processes by which new ideas are generated and converted into useful products. In business, innovation often results when ideas are applied by the company in order to further satisfy the needs and expectations of the customers.”

Essentially, blending objective data with a creative outlook can offer new opportunities for businesses to improve some aspect of its operations, whether that’s embracing new technology or adapting to the times.

Why is innovation important?

To stay ahead of the curve in business, innovation is non-negotiable. Businesses who stagnate and fail to innovate, risk falling behind or going under completely.

The world is ever-changing which means that you’re never truly “finished.” In life and in business, change is the only constant. So, whether you choose to embrace innovation and find creative solutions to business problems or you wait to be forced into creative thinking, innovation is always important.

Unforeseen circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic required businesses to either sink or swim, choosing defeat or innovation. It’s an example of the fact that whether you like it or not, innovation is constantly required in any business that wants a long-term future.

Still, innovation is more of a mindset than something tangible, hence the difficulty we find in defining innovation. It’s a state of mind to think creatively and to source ideas that will move your business forward.

You’ll find that when unexpected changes (like a global pandemic) shakes up your business strategy, a baseline of embracing innovation will serve you well.

Staff Are Your Best Source of Innovation

So, how does a company cultivate a culture of innovation? Start with your staff.

As with most parts of your business, you’d be nothing without the support of your staff. They’re the ones on the ground, working directly with customers and clients, and experiencing the systems and workflow you’ve created.

It makes sense that they’d be the ones to have many innovative ideas that you may have overlooked or never even considered. Use their insights and take these ideas seriously as your staff are genuinely going to be your best source of innovation.

To extract their ideas, however, you’ll need to give them space and time to do so. It’s nearly impossible to come up with new ideas that can change the face of your business when everyone is too caught up in the hustle and bustle.

At Physio Inq, we are now asking our staff to set aside 30 minutes each week to focus on their passion projects or specialised niche to scope out new ideas that they are welcome to bring to the table. It’s our way of cultivating innovation with purpose and direction.

It’s also important to make sure that, as business owners, you’re fully involved and interacting with your staff. Ask them questions and encourage them to use their voices. When your staff feels heard, they’re more likely to support your business by offering their valuable ideas. You’d be smart to listen.

Telehealth: An Innovation Presented by the Pandemic

COVID has certainly shaken things up for us at Physio Inq. We realised we were going to have to adopt innovative telehealth services out of necessity rather than as a planned strategic move. Still, we’ve chosen to look at the pandemic as an opportunity to branch into this new arena.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth refers to the distribution of health-related information and services through electronics and telecommunication services.

As the world makes a concerted effort to keep face-to-face interactions to a minimum until the pandemic is more under control, a pivot into the world of telehealth has been a welcome challenge for the Physio Inq team.

Although it seems that physiotherapy services wouldn’t be able to survive in a virtual world, we’ve been pleasantly surprised at the results we’ve been able to achieve with telehealth.

Still, we’ve had to come up with innovative strategies, protocols, and systems to help us achieve our goals in this new space. By remaining open to the changes, as there’s always more you can learn, it’s been a silver lining in our business plans.

Future-Proofing Physio Inq

Looking at innovation as more of a mindset than an end goal, Physio Inq is actively working to “future-proof” our business strategy with open-mindedness, strategies to encourage innovation, and adaptable protocols that can withstand any unforeseen circumstances.

As a result of the pandemic, we’ve not only had to shift our marketing strategy and clinical approach, but we’ve also had to quickly learn new programs and shift into using technology we’ve never had to use before in our business.

We’re confident that our physiotherapy services are essential. So, by sticking to our overall mission and adapting to the global climate, we’ve been able to reach more Australians than ever before through telehealth NSW and beyond.

Telehealth Physiotherapy

Almost every business worldwide, from restaurants to dance studios, have had to find a way to go virtual at some point or another this year. At Physio Inq, we’re right there with them, embracing telehealth services as much as we can.

By improving our communication skills and learning new video conferencing programs, we’ve been able to offer remote physiotherapy services all over the country. Now, perhaps more than ever, fortifying our clients with optimal healthcare and physio services, we’ve been able to maintain a strong sense of purpose.

Perhaps we would’ve leaned into telehealth Australia-wide services to share our physiotherapist expertise at some point, but it certainly wasn’t part of our short-term business strategy. But, now that we’re here, we’re inspired to continue to encourage innovation from within.

Who knows what’s around the corner? The uncertainty of tomorrow is always looming and the pandemic has taught us all the ways being adaptable and innovative is the true measure of longevity and success in business.

Want to become a part of a company that is future proofing their existence? Reach out to us at james.a@physioinq.com.au or make an enquiry here.