Using the SCAMPER method to grow your business
Good ideas can come from anywhere. Personally, I do my best thinking in the shower or while walking my dog. When I’m on a timeline, one of the methods I like to use is the ‘ol SCAMPER technique. It’s an acronym: Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Rearrange. It’s a great way to quickly and creatively think about ways to improve or transform existing ideas or products. Not so great for blank canvas brainstorming and I promise to share some of those methods in another post.
In order to allow yourself to think creatively, it’s important to allow yourself plenty of time, plenty of freedom to generate lots and lots of ideas, and also, try to reserve judgment. Recognize that bad ideas, weird ideas, and downright outrageous ideas are often times an excellent stepping stone to your best thinking. You might just need to dump those ideas out on to the paper to make room for the good stuff.
Here's a really broad example of how you can apply the SCAMPER technique to a problem—commuting in a crowded city.
Substitute: Consider substituting traditional modes of transportation with alternative options. For example, instead of cars, could people use electric scooters or bicycles for commuting?
Combine: Think about combining different modes of transportation to create a more efficient and enjoyable experience. Can there be designated lanes for bicycles and scooters alongside public transportation routes?
Adapt: How can you adapt existing transportation methods to better suit the needs of commuters? Could buses or trains have designated quiet zones or offer Wi-Fi connectivity?
Modify: Explore ways to modify the existing infrastructure to enhance the commuting experience. Can there be more covered bus stops or shelters along popular routes to protect commuters from inclement weather?
Put to another use: Consider alternative uses for existing transportation infrastructure during non-peak hours. Can parking lots be transformed into recreational spaces or markets during weekends?
Eliminate: Identify elements that could be eliminated or reduced to simplify the commuting experience. Can unnecessary stops or detours be eliminated from bus routes to make the journey more direct?
Rearrange: Think about rearranging the scheduling or routing of public transportation to optimize efficiency and reduce congestion. Can staggered work hours or flexible scheduling be implemented to distribute peak travel times?
Here’s another problem to chew on with SCAMPER— finding new ways to improve customer loyalty for a small retail boutique.
Substitute: Consider substituting traditional loyalty programs with alternative incentives. Instead of offering point-based systems, could the boutique implement a tiered membership program where loyal customers receive exclusive perks like personalized styling sessions, or early access to new collections?
Combine: Think about combining the boutique's products with complementary services. Can the boutique collaborate with local beauty salons or spas to offer joint promotions or create a loyalty program that includes discounts on beauty services for their top customers?
Adapt: How can the boutique adapt its offerings to cater to changing customer preferences or trends? Can they introduce a sustainable fashion collection, showcasing eco-friendly and ethically sourced clothing options that resonate with environmentally conscious customers?
Modify: Explore ways to modify the boutique's physical space to enhance the customer experience. Can they create a cozy lounge area where customers can relax while waiting for personalized styling sessions or provide complimentary refreshments to create a welcoming atmosphere?
Put to another use: Consider alternative uses for the boutique's space or expertise. Can they host fashion workshops or styling events to engage customers and offer personalized styling advice? This way, the boutique can not only sell products but also provide valuable knowledge and experiences.
Eliminate: Identify elements that could be eliminated to streamline the customer experience. Can the boutique simplify the checkout process by offering a streamlined curbside pickup service to loyal customers?
Rearrange: Think about rearranging the layout of the boutique to optimize product visibility and flow. Can they create dedicated sections for new arrivals or feature customer favorites prominently to enhance product discovery?
The key to success is to adapt and customize your ideas to suit the specific nature and context of your business, creating unique and compelling experiences that resonate with customers. The exercise may lead you to recognizing you need to study your business more closely and then do the exercise again with better information. You might also consider using SCAMPER to analyze your competitors as a way to create some interesting reference points of comparison. The better you understand the problems within your business and the needs of your customer, the higher the quality of your solutions and their impact on your business.
Lastly, remember that problem solving and creativity isn’t fixed or innate, but skills that can be developed and nurtured. Start small if you need to— we offer a fancy free monthly-ish creativity workout to anyone looking to practice. All you have to do is join and we take care of the rest. Join our newsletter for an invite over email or follow us on social media.
Cheers to being in the arena, getting your ass kicked on occasion, but trying to dare greatly! (credit to Brené Brown)
Noelle ✨
