Recent years has brought the emergence of “mashups” to the internet. These web-based applications and sites combine or mash up content and services for different sources to create a unique and beneficial experience.
For example, a hotel site will show available hotels on a Google map. This mashes up the hotel information with a third party map service.
Mashups don’t just exist in the online world.
You have the opportunity to make something new out of components you already have.
For example, I recently ate at a restaurant called Moonshine. One of their appetizers is a corn dog shrimp.
Like the name implies, this is a shrimp skewered on a stick, battered, then fried just like a corn dog.
The outcome was a unique and delicious experience.
The chef took components that were already within his reach and created something noteworthy, remarkable, or as author Seth Godin would say, a purple cow.
Your business is in a similar situation. You sell products or services to your customers.
What would happen if you start combining those, mixing them up, and offering them to customers?
Can you deliver on an unmet need and open up more revenue opportunities for your business?
Try mashing up what you have at your fingertips and see what you can make.