Disrupt and Dominate - Godzilla, a Dam and Coffee – Why Creativity and Innovation are Still the Greatest Assets in 2025

Every year, people make trend predictions about what they feel is most important in the coming year. Of course, many are focusing on themes around AI and related digital transformation, and I agree. However, I believe what will remain critical to individual and organization’s success still is surrounding human creativity and innovation. It is still human creativity that gives the direction and input to enable AI. Additionally, it can be something relatively small or just a different perspective that can bring great success.

I want to reflect on a couple recent examples that are vastly different but greatly creative in their own right. I am going to recap these examples of a giant dam, Godzilla, and coffee.

For the first example, a Massachusetts coffee shop put a sign on the front of the store, offering fame and free coffee if they danced in the door. The coffee shop recorded it, put on TikTok and the result - growth of over 10,000 followers very quickly. You can assume with that type of results snowballed and local, nationwide and even global coverage. 

Highlights from my perspective:

-       Real Results: You may think this would be a limiting result, just a blip of recognition, and people may question how it would evolve in sales. But, of course, it does. Those patrons who experienced it are part of the story. Not only did they have some fun at the time, they would have told their friends about it, and it is an experience they will not soon forget. So they will likely go out of their way to go to that coffee shop again just from that single experience. They will bring their friends, and any time they think of it , they will likely have a smile on their face. That is priceless. Those in the nearby areas who may have never walked into that establishment will try it, continuing to grow sales.

-       Employee experience: Those who work at the coffee shop had a great experience that day that they will likely not forget. Owners who are willing to do something different like this are likely to try other new and fun things, creating a great work environment. This coffee shop will not have a hard time hiring any time soon.

-       National/Global Recognition: If this coffee shop can continue to build on this, it could look for additional growth in additional locations. This type of coverage would open many doors of opportunity.

I love this story, sometimes you have to think outside the coffee cup, right?

So, a little bit of ingenuity, some free coffee, and a lot of fun.

Now to Godzilla and a giant dam. This comes to us from Japan. A cleaning crew was tasked to clean the surface of a dam, typical and routine maintenance that evolved to become anything but routine.

The cleaning crew used the power washers to clean the wall of the dam but did it in such a way that it would create an artistic depiction of Godzilla scaling the dam wall. Of course, this took a little more time to prepare. You can’t just aim the power washer and hope for that type of result. It took time (approximately four months) to plan the project.

Highlights from my perspective on this:

-       Different Type of Results: People are traveling to come see this, driving tourism. No one was traveling to see this dam before this different approach to cleaning was applied. This is a public infrastructure, so there is no admission, but still the overall tourism for the area. As this will also eventually need cleaning again, there is a limited time to see it, bringing a sense of urgency. Additionally, those involved in the project planning and the actual cleaning crew would have the notoriety and exposure for future unique projects like this.

-       Global Recognition: People have started to hear this story and then learn about this are in Japan. Even if they are not driven to travel there it brings a greater awareness. Additionally the awareness extends to all those involved.

In conclusion, these two very different stories are great examples of how taking a different, creative approach could lead to huge results and recognition. Each of these stories required different levels of technology, from the posts on TikTok to the tools to plan the Godzilla design. Overall, they are relatively low tech, but both stories could bring a smile to your face, and took something that would normally be mundane and made it a unique experience. An additional reason to smile and have a new memory, isn’t that what it is all about anyway? Well, that and the potential results I recapped. AI will certainly continue to be the star of articles, solutions and companies but I think the human creativity and innovation will continue to disrupt and dominate in 2025.