Written by Lynn Hinderaker, of Omaha, a consultant focusing on economic innovation. RE: Innovation in Nebraska’s business sector

Bursts of insight for Nebraska's business owners

Written by Lynn Hinderaker, of Omaha, a consultant focusing on economic innovation.

Focusing on the constant demands of the present moment while planning the future keeps us from fully understanding what we've done in the past and why. An inability to reflect wastes our experience and all the hard work that went into that experience! When we reflect on what has brought us to this point, we ask ourselves four questions:

This is not an inspirational time. People feel that the country and the family are falling apart. People are buying assault weapons to protect themselves. We are experiencing psychological siege. America has been split into two different worlds. It’s destroying our hope. But it creates opportunity for businesses who want to bounce-back from Covid. The key is 'emotional branding.'

Paradox: The companies most committed to innovating their way to success have compensation systems that reinforce the status quo! There are many ways to compensate those important workers that could take you to the top. Some don't even involve cash, such as stock options.

The key is personalization of rewards. Certain innovators want high profile recognition and titles. Other innovators want more family time or exotic getaways for generating big ideas. It's not always about cash, although deferred compensation can be attractive for tax purposes.

Climate crisis. Civil rights crisis. Corona-19 crisis. They're all connected and they're good in a way. Former Vice President Al Gore explains that virus solutions are coming and that citizens are demanding a healthier, more compassionate society that honors Mother Nature. That's not all.

Gore explains that we must pay attention to climate scientists and remember that young people...