Last month, we had the chance to be part of DayBreak in Tauranga Moana, a two-day innovation festival that was all about shaking things up in the business world. In a nutshell, a bunch of clever people from different corners of business getting together and sharing their stories, ups, downs and things they've learned along the way. It was as varied as it sounds, and honestly, it's exactly what the community needed.
We were lucky enough to be invited to run a workshop. Without hesitation, we decided to tackle why businesses need to think differently about advertising, especially when it feels like every brand is shouting for attention. We talked about what sets advertising apart from brand work and dove into some creative techniques that can help when you're brainstorming for campaigns. The best part? Getting everyone to put their brains to work with some lateral thinking exercises, then coming up with their own ads for a vegan butter. Our goal was to talk about the value of ideas, but also have a bit of fun with our guests.
When we talk about innovation in business, it's easy to get caught up in the buzzwords and forget what it's really about. It's not just about the latest tech, AI or a new app. It's about thinking differently, whether you're selling printers, hair clippers, or software for law firms. At DayBreak, this idea of innovation was everywhere, but not in the way you might expect.
Innovative thinking isn't just for the tech giants or startups with quirky offices or slides for stairs. It's for everyone. It's for the local café finding new ways to connect with the community or the family-run bookstore using social media to share their love for reading. It's about finding new paths to stand out, not just walking the ones that are already there.
During the event, we saw how sustainability isn't just good for the planet; it's smart business. We shared how understanding real people, not just data points, can turn a campaign from noise into a conversation. Entrepreneurs talked about failure not as the end, but as a step towards success. And in the digital realm, it's all about using technology, not just because it's there, but because it makes things better for us as humans.
This is what innovation in business looks like. It's messy, non-linear, human, and it's incredibly exciting. Because when we start to think differently, we begin to discover. And that's when we begin to change not just our businesses, but the world around us.
In a world where it's easy to just go with the flow, events like DayBreak remind us that stepping out of our comfort zone is where the magic happens. And who knows? Maybe there's something in here that might spark a bit of that magic for you too.
Interested in pushing ideas with your marketing team? Our workshop on lateral thinking in advertising isn't just a one-off. We'd love to bring this interactive session right to your doorstep. If you're looking to inspire creativity and foster innovative thinking in your team, reach out to us. Let's make your marketing stand out in the best way possible.
