Let’s be honest—words like “innovation” get thrown around so much they’ve lost meaning. Everyone’s trying to sound like they’re building the next SpaceX or launching a subscription box for dogs on Mars.
But here’s the truth: real innovation doesn’t require shiny jargon. It just takes a clear-eyed look at how you’re running your business—and the guts to tweak what’s not working.
Think back to the World’s Fair days—businesses built wild ideas and bold displays not to win buzzwords, but to make their ideas real and reachable. The GM Firebird III was a futuristic concept car that never hit production, but it wasn’t a failure—it was a prototype for better thinking.
That’s what we’re going for here. Let’s bring that energy into your everyday operations with these five grounded ways to rethink and improve your business:
5. Revisit Your Expenses (Seriously, Every Year)
You’ve probably got subscriptions or systems in place that made sense a year ago… but now? Maybe not.
We’ve seen business owners shave $1,200 off their monthly expenses just by renegotiating insurance or switching phone providers. That’s $14K back in your pocket annually. Could you do something with that? Absolutely.
Look at:
- Recurring software subscriptions
- Insurance policies
- Utilities or services you’re not actively using
Cut the fat. Then reinvest where it counts.
4. Re-evaluate Your Customer Base
Not all customers are created equal. The 80/20 rule still holds strong: 80% of your stress and wasted time often comes from 20% of your customer list.
We’re not saying fire anyone—but do start identifying the patterns:
- Who pays on time?
- Who sends referrals?
- Who drains your team’s energy?
Let’s stop marketing to the wrong crowd and start doubling down on the ones you want more of. This is a core part of what we do at Pullman Marketing—building content and campaigns that attract your best-fit buyers, not just anyone with a pulse.
3. Audit Your Tech Stack
It’s 2025. You don’t need “more tech,” you need the right tech.
If your tools aren’t saving you time, making you money, or helping you stay organized—they’re just clutter. We recommend a two-week trial with any new app or platform. Does it actually help you get more done or see clearer data? Great, keep it. If not? Ditch it.
Whether it’s a CRM, an invoicing tool, or AI scheduling software—it needs to work for you, not just be trendy.
2. Check Your Web Presence Like a Customer Would
Your website should feel like a helpful employee, not a digital billboard collecting dust.
Ask yourself:
- Is it easy to find what I offer?
- Can customers take action right now?
- Is it optimized for mobile?
If your site isn’t generating leads or making sales, it’s time for a revamp. Even a light refresh—tweaking your homepage, adding testimonials, optimizing load time—can increase conversions.
Bonus tip: check your local SEO while you’re at it. Make sure you show up on Google Maps, Yelp, and other spots customers actually search.
1. Reclaim Your Time Like It’s 1999
Here’s a hard truth: your business needs you at your best. Not in the weeds with low-impact tasks.
If you’re doing $20/hour tasks instead of making $200/hour decisions, your business is running in place.
Try this:
- List your weekly tasks
- Highlight the ones only you can do
- Find tools or people to handle the rest
Whether it’s training a team member or hiring a virtual assistant, reclaiming even 5–10 hours a week can open up huge opportunities for strategy and growth.
TL;DR: You Don’t Need Trendy, You Need True
Innovation isn’t about being flashy. It’s about being intentional.
So, here’s your checklist:
- Trim the waste
- Focus on your best customers
- Use tech that works
- Keep your website fresh
- Guard your time like gold