CREATIVITY, IDEAS & INNOVATION

Creative Process    Do not think of yourself as programmed to
      accept certain inputs in order to produce
      results like an assembly line.

   Use external stimuli within your visual field
      (e.g. pictures, music, etc...)

   Think in terms of analogies and metaphors.
      Compare your problem with something
      similar that you already understand.

   Mentally put yourself in another's shoes.
      How would a competitor think or go about it?

   Refine it and get the "bugs" out before taking
      it to the decision makers.

   Many company cultures are not very
      acceptive of new ideas or creative people.
      Too often creative/innovative people are
      viewed as "rocking the boat."

   Companies often become stagnant or loose
      ground to their competition, because there is
      a cultural commitment to status quo and risk
      avoidance.  This only thwarts innovation.

   If people are not allowed to test new ideas
      and fail, then innovation becomes dormant.

   With employees unwilling to try anything
      new, the company will not progress.

   Also see Brainstorming and Brainwriting
      Techniques.

These "Management Files" are mainly for Middle & Senior Management and Business Owners. The various topics are meant to remind and to stimulate management thought.

Please note: Our firm does not carry-out or furnish research in these areas. This area of the Select, Assess & Train Web site is available only as a public service to foster thought and better management in today's fast-paced environment when the human factor of business is often taken for granted and/or even overlooked.   We are not a source of facts.