Pinpoint problems or stagnation your business is currently experiencing. By honestly evaluating the state of your business and areas where the status quo has become a little stale, you can more clearly identify those facets of your business that most urgently need a change.

Involve your employees in innovation strategies. Encourage your staff to invest in moving the company forward by contributing and implementing new ideas, individually, departmentally and as a collective team. If new employees, contractors or consultants will be brought in, be transparent: inform your staff in advance that the new persons in the workplace do not threaten their jobs or career tracks, and invite them to participate in the growth. Incentive programs such as "employee of the month" awards, praise or perks for good ideas the company uses will help foster an environment of innovation, rather than a fear of speaking up.

Recruit help. Even the best business leaders may find themselves too close to the problem to properly assess the best strategies for growth and change. Staff involvement is one component, but many businesses find it helpful to contract with an outside business development, marketing or organizational communication professional or firm. An outsider will be more likely to be objective, and to provide fresh ideas they have gained from working with a variety other companies.

Establish and internally publicize goals. By setting a common set of objectives and goals for the coming year or years that can't be reached without innovation, business leaders will be more motivated to innovate in order to reach them. Creating a time line or benchmarks can help to make innovation a priority, less likely to get swept aside amidst busy schedules.

Stay true to your core values. While innovation is necessary and exciting, be careful not to accidentally stray away from the things your clients or consumers like about your business in the first place. Change is good, but if your customers no longer recognize your products or services, you run the risk of losing consumer trust.

Test new programs and ideas on a small level first, when possible. Creating a small pilot program, test market or another limited way of implementing and evaluating a new idea, product or strategy will help to make sure the ideas translate from paper into the real world, while minimizing risk. Don't get discouraged if some innovations fail, because all new ideas come with risks; learn from missteps and duds in order to keep moving forward.