We recently discussed ways in which your organization could tap into its creative resources. I mentioned a few resources and strategic plans that could be put into action to achieve the creative results that any Fortune 500 company would be proud to obtain. Today, we’re going to talk a little more about getting creativity from your company and how to put that creativity to work for you.

Identify Your Company’s Top Resources and Put Them To Work

I’ve said it time and time again – a company will not thrive unless it is able to recognize what its most valuable assets truly are. Your company’s assets aren’t limited to your available cash flow, your buildings, your equipment or any other tangible item. Your company’s greatest assets are its employees.

As we discussed before, when it comes to getting creativity from your organization your employees are the go-to solution. In fact, you should be using your employees to conduct a SWOT analysis prior to engaging your organization in any project whatsoever, or even to get a handle on the overall functioning of your business in its present state.

What Is a SWOT Analysis?

If you’ve never heard the term SWOT analysis, you aren’t utilizing one of the best tools available to your company. SWOT is an acronym for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. It is a powerful tool that can be used frequently to take the pulse on what to change and what not to change. While there are more sophisticated ways to gather information, such as surveys and employee interviews, those are best done by an external consultant. The SWOT is often a DIY (Do It Yourself) methodology and can help your management team identify the favorable and unfavorable factors that could influence your strategic plans and objectives.

So who should perform this SWOT analysis? The people who know your company best and who can provide you with the greatest creative input – your own employees. However, it’s also important to remember that a SWOT analysis doesn’t have to be restricted for use on projects or undertakings. You can put together a team to get a SWOT analysis of your company as a whole.

If you want your employees’ insight and creativity to truly be put to work, build a SWOT team and have a SWOT analysis performed for various departments within your organization and for your organization in its entirety. You may be surprised at the information you discover through this creative brainstorming process.

Just remember, if you are going to ask for information from your employees, you must be willing to share the results and to act upon them.