The Apple iPad 2 launched this past week showing yet another innovation by Steve Jobs’ company. Jobs could be considered one of the most innovative businessmen on the planet. As a small business owner, you may find it impossible to attempt what Jobs and Apple have accomplished. But you can learn from Steve Jobs’ 12 Rules of Success to bring innovation to your business. Here are a few rules you can apply to your business.

Rule 2: Be different. Think different. “Better be a pirate than join the Navy.”
If you do what your competitors are doing, why would a potential customer choose you over the business down the street? Think of ways to differentiate your company from the competition and focus on that. Bring innovation to your industry by finding ways to enhance your products and services.

Rule 7: Strive to become a market leader.
Just because you do business locally doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t strive to be the best at what your company does. Let the competition look to you to emulate what you’re doing. Who knows, local success can mean expansion to affect an entire industry.

Rule 1: Learn from failures. and Rule 12: Learn continually.
Your company will surely make mistakes along the way, but what matters is what you learn from those mistakes. More importantly, never stop learning. You may think you know everything about your industry and how to run your business, but never become complacent. That’s when your competition will catch up and find ways to blow past you. Always search for ways to improve.