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Business improvement ideas: don't just settle for excellent
The usual way to bring about chnage is to prove that something is wrong or inadequate and needs altering. But if something is already adequate, a new idea is unlikely to be adopted, however much better it is. Overcoming the limitations of language
Language is OK at describing new things - a helicopter, television or computer - but less good at describing new types of mental behaviour. So perhaps we need to invent a new word to describe certain types of mental activity. Make concepts part of your strategy
In a business, who should be on the lookout for 'concepts'? Concepts can occur to anyone at any time, so the answer is that it is everybody's business to look for new concepts. How creative people can 'smell' a useful idea
At an early stage, creative people can sense the 'smell' of a new idea. They are then sufficiently motivated to pursue and develop that creative thought. But how do they do it? How creative thinking can help in the downturn
It doesn't matter what the economic conditions are, better thinking is never a luxury. And now, when times are hard,
better thinking – which must must include creativity - is an absolute necessity.
Similarity, difference and contrast
Looking at similarity, difference and contrast in business ideas is a worthwhile exercise because all three can be used to boost the creative thinking process. Managing uncertainty
Some people are excellent at managing in situations when things are going very well. There are also people who succeed in managing when things are going badly. But not many people can manage successfully in times of great uncertainty. Creativity in business
Even more so than normal, tough times call for creative solutions. This means more than just problem solving; the skill of creative thinking is one that can – and should - be learnt. Business development and new ideas
Seeking better, simpler, faster or cheaper ways to do something should be everyone's business all the time. That includes all the heads of departments and divisions, whatever their function. Creativity: perceptual shift needed
Edward de Bono explains how our very practical obsession with truth makes us anxious to pick on one perception and ignore others, and why that needs to change through creativity Business development and improving on tired ideas
Many managers are reluctant to try out new ideas because, if an idea fails, it is seen as their failure. So perhaps companies need a 'new ideas officer' to encourage, develop and protect new thinking. The problem-solving problem
Many people regard all thinking as problem-solving. It isn't. Powerful, useful new ideas can equally emerge when no obvious problem is apparent. That's what creative thinking is all about. Individuals, groups and lateral thinking
People who are very creative usually achieve more by themselves than in a group. For others, the opposite is true and they find it very hard to think on their own. But with the right tools, both groups can be helped to improve their thinking skills. Encouraging creativity
Creativity is not just for people with a creative temperament. Lateral thinking and its formal techniques can be learned and used deliberately by everyone. Ideas and problem solving
As the old cliché goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". But just because something isn't broken doesn't mean it can't be improved upon. Remember, not all thinking is about problem-solving. Generating possibilities
Coming up with possibilities from within the confines of an organisation can be hard because traditional management tends to prefer conclusions instead. One solution to this is to appoint a possibilities officer. Exploration, argument and creativity
Most of us are fond of arguing. But as a means of exploring a subject, argument is a primitive, crude and inefficient technique with far too much emphasis on ego. A much better way of exploring a subject is parallel thinking. Lateral thinking vs complacency
There are many reasons why complacency occurs. Some people have an aversion to taking risks. Others are frightened of creativity and new ideas because they are unsure of how to deal with them. Creativity and ideas
Everybody has the desire to be creative. Everybody ought to want to be creative. Life can be more fun, more interesting and more rewarding with creativity. When ideas die
Sometimes ideas do not survive. They are discarded or forgotten and never make it beyond the initial discussion stage. There are many and varied reasons why this happens. Creative thought and skills
Instant judgment is an enemy of creative thought. The basis of traditional brainstorming is that you suspend judgment, withhold judgment and delay judgment. Creative skills
The specific and formal skills of lateral thinking can be very powerful. There are also the basic skills of creativity. There are also the basic skills of creativity. Once these basic skills are in place, the deliberate tools of lateral thinking become much The keys to creativity
If you want to unlock your own creativity, there are three important precursors that need to be in place. Put simply, these are motivation, thinking skills and lateral thinking.
What about small ideas?
Managers should have the ability to look at something and find a way of doing it differently. But most seem to find coming up with small ideas even more difficult than coming up with big ones. New thinking needed
A World Council for New Thinking is being formed as an independent source of new ideas. At the same time, National Councils for New Thinking in individual countries are also being established. New ideas for everyone
In many organisations, new ideas represent a risk and things are maintained by complacency and routine. But complacency can mean getting left behind, which is why we all need a supply of new ideas. Creative interest
Value, and not difference is a key factor in creative thinking. Just 'being different' is enough where creativity is concerned - the 'different' thing, whatever it is, has to deliver real value. Talent, skill and lateral thinking
Some people have a seemingly bias towards creativity. For true creativity, however, you must go far beyond this general motivation - and lateral thinking can help you do that. Multiple personalities
Should we integrate creativity into our usual thinking behaviour, or should we keep it separate and then choose to 'switch' when required? This is an important question. Paying lip service
There are many organisations these days that pay lip service to the idea of innovation. However, it is not sufficient to say that you want innovation and then do nothing about it. The risk of creativity
If you are embarking on something different, new and creative, you can't be sure how it will turn out. But you can hope that putting together ingredients with known actions will produce a particular effect. Getting into focus
Acquiring the habit of creative thinking is useful, but often not enough. It is the disciplined use of creative thinking that often turns up ideas way beyond those that arise from a habit of creative thinking. A new religion - by design
Most religions focus on ultimate truths. Most emphasise the negative and tell us what we should not do. But what about devising a religion that focuses not on sins that are to be avoided but on things that are to be done. Sustaining creativity
Creativity can be stimulated by information or an event. But how does creative thought develop when there is no such stimulus? How can you achieve sustained creativity on demand? The answer is the use of lateral thinking. Why so stupid?
Human thinking is stuck in a rut. Thinking based on analysis, logic and argument was all very well in the past, but the future has to be designed – and that requires a new type of creative thinking. Appreciating value
Value sensitivity is key to entrepreneurship. Because if you cannot find value in the new idea then it is not going to be pursued or developed.
Intention is insufficient
There are misconceptions about creativity. It isn't a bolt from the blue while sitting by the river. Powerful tools and methods can be used to achieve creativity. Thinking time
Watching thinking in action can be useful because it shows us our strengths and weaknesses. But how do you observe something that happens as naturally as breathing or walking? Here's one way to develop thinking skills. Outside and inside the box
We're often encouraged to 'think outside the box'. But 'the box' isn't always restrictive and negative, and sometimes it can help us to be on the inside. Entrepreneurship by design
Entrepreneurship isn't just about having a new idea. It also needs effective design if the idea is going to take off. |
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