Every industry has solved your problem differently. These ten toolkits help you systematically steal solutions from unrelated fields, transplant successful models across boundaries, and create breakthrough innovations by connecting distant dots.
1. The Solution Safari
How to apply it: Schedule weekly expeditions into random industries to hunt for transferable solutions.
The safari method: Every Wednesday: Pick random industry Study for 2 hours Ask: "How do they handle X?" X = Your current challenge
Safari schedule: Week 1: Casinos (psychology/retention) Week 2: Airlines (pricing/logistics) Week 3: Gaming (engagement/progression) Week 4: Hospitals (process/safety)
Translation examples:
- Casino loyalty → App retention mechanics
- Airline pricing → SaaS tier strategy
- Game tutorials → User onboarding
- Hospital checklists → Quality control
Your safari: Random industry generator Two hours deep dive Find three practices Force application to your field
Think: "Every industry is a solutions library—check out books from all sections"
2. The Business Model Transplanter
How to apply it: Take entire business models from one industry, transplant to another.
The transplant method: Successful model in Industry A Core mechanism extracted Apply to Industry B New market created
Transplant successes:
- Subscription (magazines) → Software (SaaS)
- Franchise (restaurants) → Services (cleaning)
- Auction (art) → Advertising (Google)
- Membership (clubs) → Retail (Costco)
Transplant formula: Industry A model: _____ Why it works: _____ Industry B need: _____ Adapted version: _____
Your transplant: List 5 successful models elsewhere Pick most different from yours Force the combination Test small scale
Think: "Business models are portable—same engine, different vehicle"
3. The Process Pirate
How to apply it: Steal operational processes from unrelated industries.
The piracy targets: Manufacturing: Lean processes Military: Planning systems Entertainment: Production methods Sports: Training regimens
Process thefts:
- Toyota manufacturing → Healthcare delivery
- Navy SEALs training → Corporate leadership
- Movie production → Event planning
- Athletic periodization → Skill development
Your piracy: Operational challenge: _____ Who's world-class at this? Study their process Adapt to your context
Think: "Processes transcend industries—steal shamelessly"
4. The Customer Experience Thief
How to apply it: Steal customer experience elements from admired companies.
The theft method: Amazing experience elsewhere Identify why it works Apply principles to your industry Differentiation achieved
Experience robberies:
- Apple Store → Banking (genius bar concept)
- Disney → Healthcare (experience design)
- Amazon → Government services (user focus)
- Netflix → Education (binge learning)
Your theft plan: Best experience you've had: _____ Core elements: _____ Your industry version: _____ Implementation plan: _____
Think: "Great experiences have DNA—extract and splice"
5. The Constraint Borrower
How to apply it: Borrow constraints from other industries to force innovation.
The borrowing method: Industry with tough constraints Apply to your industry Forced innovation emerges
Constraint borrowings:
- Twitter's character limit → Email brevity
- Budget airline model → Any premium industry
- Military decision speed → Business strategy
- ER triage → Priority management
Your borrowing: Find industry with harsh limits Apply those limits to yourself Innovation forced Competitive advantage
Think: "Constraints from elsewhere become innovations here"
6. The Metaphor Miner
How to apply it: Mine other industries for powerful metaphors that reframe your business.
The mining method: Your business is like [other industry] Deep dive into metaphor Apply all principles New insights emerge
Metaphor gold:
- "Business is war" → Competitive strategy
- "Company as organism" → Adaptive systems
- "Market as ecosystem" → Platform thinking
- "Brand as person" → Personality development
Your mining: List 10 industry metaphors Pick most surprising Extend fully Apply insights
Think: "Metaphors aren't comparisons—they're blueprints"
7. The Technology Translator
How to apply it: Translate technology applications across industries.
The translation process: Technology in Industry A Core capability identified New application in Industry B First mover advantage
Translation wins:
- QR codes (manufacturing) → Restaurants (menus)
- RFID (logistics) → Retail (checkout)
- VR (gaming) → Real estate (tours)
- AI (tech) → Legal (document review)
Your translation: Emerging tech elsewhere: _____ Core capability: _____ Your industry application: _____ Implementation timeline: _____
Think: "Technology speaks all languages—translate for profit"
8. The Pricing Innovator
How to apply it: Import pricing models from unrelated industries.
The import method: Study foreign pricing model Understand psychology Apply to your industry Disruption created
Pricing imports:
- All-you-can-eat (buffets) → Software (unlimited SaaS)
- Pay-what-you-want (music) → Restaurants
- Auction (eBay) → Hotel rooms
- Subscription (media) → Physical products
Your import: List 10 pricing models Find one never used in your field Test with subset Scale if successful
Think: "Pricing models are psychological—psychology transfers"
9. The Partnership Pattern
How to apply it: Copy partnership structures from other industries.
The pattern method: Successful partnership type elsewhere Adapt structure to your industry Create new value network
Pattern examples:
- Franchise model → Any local service
- Affiliate programs → Any digital product
- Co-ops (farming) → Freelancer groups
- Joint ventures (pharma) → Content creation
Your pattern: Partnership working elsewhere: _____ Key success factors: _____ Your version: _____ Partners to approach: _____
Think: "Partnership patterns repeat—copy what works"
10. The Evolution Tracker
How to apply it: Study how other industries evolved to predict your industry's future.
The tracking method: Find industry 10 years ahead Study their evolution Your industry will follow Position accordingly
Evolution patterns:
- Retail → E-commerce (everything goes digital)
- Taxis → Rideshare (everything becomes platform)
- Hotels → Airbnb (everything gets shared)
- TV → Streaming (everything on-demand)
Your tracking: Similar industry but ahead: _____ Their evolution path: _____ Your position today: _____ Moves to make: _____
Think: "Industries evolve in patterns—study leaders to see your future"
Integration Protocol
Daily: One solution safari Weekly: Study one business model Monthly: Steal one process Quarterly: Major cross-industry experiment
The inspiration formula: Wide observation + Pattern extraction + Creative application + Rapid testing = Cross-industry innovation
Progress path:
- Week 1: Seeing connections
- Month 1: Active borrowing
- Month 6: Systematic application
- Year 1: Innovation machine
Master cross-industry inspiration: Your competition studies your industry—study every other industry to win.
0 comments:
Post a Comment