Fostering creativity within the workplace is paramount to succeeding in the business world. Only the smartest and most innovative will prosper in a market dominated by instant social media criticism and fast-paced, globalised services. It’s easy for a business to get stuck in a rut, continually turning to what has previously worked and hoping the same outcome will occur. However, consumers are more aware of this today than ever before - so it comes down to the business to begin working smarter, not harder, in order to capture their market and turn a profit. An essential component for success is ensuring you have adequate small business software to cope with the daily tasks at hand. More important, however, is to develop an environment where creative ideas are encouraged! One way to foster creativity within your business is to accept each and every idea that is put forward, no matter how crazy it may seem at the onset. Creating an environment where you and your workers are free to brainstorm solutions without the fear of being put down is a fantastic way to tease out the next big idea that could propel your business into the spotlight. This isn’t to say that every suggestion will be gold! Yet opening up a dialogue is an effective way to get to the bottom of complex problems, and having your employees working with you to find a solution is the best way to figure out an innovative, new way of approaching an issue. Furthermore, nothing spurs on creative thinking like having a good leader. If your goal every morning is simply to get through the day, this will be reflected in the overall morale and thought processes of your employees. Instead, come into the office with an open, encouraging attitude and lead by example to ensure that everyone around you feels inspired to do the same. Not only will this help to encourage creative problem solving, but it will make each workday feel more like an opportunity, rather than an uphill battle.