The difference between between two people doing the same business lies on the fact that one person is not innovative holding on to the normal way of doing things while the other is innovative always looking for different ways of doing things in a bid to improve on his business
Innovation could also mean adopting current technologies to perform tasks faster, cheaper and better. Before now motor mechanics in my location have to use manual techniques to trace faults in a car. But this has changed because there are technological tools that can identify faults without losing any part of the car. Any mechanic shop that fails to adopt the current technology will lose customers and the business might collapse. People will always go to innovative places because it saves them time, money and stress.
Taking businesses online is another innovative move. After COVID-19, physical presence is no longer enough because organizations can get more customers and transact businesses online.
So innovation does not have to be complex. It does not have to be about big machines. I know when people hear innovation, they start thinking of machine AI, but actually, making proper use of the internet to sell out, is also innovation. The aim of this innovation is that you get more ideas, more profit, so whatever means you take, little or big counts as innovation.
Indeed, including technology in your current business model, is a good way of practicing innovation. Adopting AI systems, adopting whatever system that automates your process so you can accomplish your task faster. If you do tasks with six hours, you can now do it with four hours, then the remaining two hours you can use it to think of new ideas to grow and enhance your business. That's also an innovation.
You can use your free hours to think on business ideas that are many people are not currently making use of in your industry and take advantage of it to grow your business more.
And yes, taking your business online, making use of digital skills, tools and resources like content creation, digital marketing, search engine optimization to get more eyes on your business, on what you are doing is an innovative way of growing your business.