Innovation isn't a one-size-fits-all concept. There's a whole spectrum of ways to shake things up! Understanding the different types of innovation will help you identify the most impactful approach for your situation.

• Product innovation
  This is the classic "shiny new gadget" kind of innovation. Think smartphones, self-driving cars, or virtual reality headsets. These innovations introduce entirely new products to the market.
  
  
• Process innovation
  Ever feel like there's a better way to do laundry? Process innovation focuses on improving how things are done. It could involve streamlining manufacturing processes, developing new teaching methods, or revamping customer service procedures.
  
  
• Service innovation
  The service industry is ripe for innovation! Think online banking, on-demand food delivery, or subscription boxes. Service innovation elevates the customer experience by offering new or improved ways to access services.
  
  
• Disruptive innovation
  Brace yourself for a paradigm shift! Disruptive innovation involves introducing something entirely new that fundamentally changes an existing market. Think Uber disrupting the taxi industry or Airbnb shaking up the hotel business.

Remember, innovation isn't limited to these categories. There's also open innovation (collaborating with external partners), sustainable innovation (considering environmental impact), and even business model innovation (rethinking how a company creates value).

And guess what, the four we mentioned above are really just for starters. If you search Google, you'll get over a billion results for 'types of innovation'. Our advice, keep it simple. Innovation is about taking an idea, determining if you can make it happen and then making it happen. And if what you've done creates value, it's innovation.

The key takeaway?

Innovation comes in all shapes and sizes. By understanding the different types, you can choose the approach that best suits your goals and disrupts the market in the most impactful way.