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Best Workplaces II
The Best Workplaces report (Financial Times, April 28, 2005) notes many factors in common with Managing Creativity and Innovation.
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Creative Innovation in just 60 seconds!
Einstein once defined insanity as "doing the same thing over and
over and expecting different results."
But how do we start learning new techniques of doing things? How
do we start to think differently and make the most of new
opportunities? How do we become Creative Innovators?
In a recent survey of CEO's, a huge proportion rated Innovation
as of prime importance in growing their business, of moving
forward and maintaining their competitive edge. Yet few of them
were doing much about it. And surprisingly over 50% believed
their competitors were better at innovation than they were!
Now apart from the obvious statistical paradox, what does this
show? A lack of confidence? A focusing on threat rather than
opportunity? A failure to see and acknowledge the talent that
already lies within their people? Probably all of these.
But at least they all recognised the imperative of moving
forwards in this era of hyper innovation. Standing still is no
longer an option, be it for a company, an organisation or an
individual. There are no more "careers for life", unless of
course we invent our own.
Things are changing so rapidly. The traditional Product Life
cycle for many companies has shrunk from decades, to years, to
months. Futurists predict that 60% of children at preschool
right now will probably work at jobs and in industries that do
not exist today! University students, especially those in
technical fields, are finding the knowledge they learn in their
first year is outdated by the time they graduate a few years
later.
Imagine trying to explain Google's business model to someone in
the 1970's! Or Skype to a Telco executive just a year ago. Who
could have predicted the success of Ebay, Paypal & Amazon.com
months before they launched. Well, someone did! And that's what
makes it so exciting!
So, do you want have the ability to become a better Creative
Innovator? I bet you do. Well try this simple technique. I call
it the "How would..." method! It's equally applicable for making
a decision for a corporation, brainstorming for a small
committee or perhaps just solving a problem you face yourself.
[ This technique is always a hit with my workshop and keynote
participants. And it's so easy to do. But don't dismiss it
because of its simplicity, it's a powerful tool. But like most
things you have to try it before you see how it works. ]
OK, before you read any further down the article, complete the
following exercise. Grab a piece of paper and pen. Now, think of
three people you admire for their problem solving, creativity or
innovation skills. They might be in your industry, people you
know, perhaps just people you see as being great at innovation,
getting things done quickly or just really creative "ideas"
people. Steve Jobs, Donald Trump, Jacques Cousteau, Walt Disney,
everybody's list is going to be different.
Done that? We'll come back to them later, let's move on. As some
of you know I have been fascinated with stage magic for many
years. I've met, talked too and studied with some of the finest
performers in the world. I'm fascinated with how they think and
the lessons that we can learn from them and which we can apply
in our own worlds.
The "father" of modern magic is a gentleman called Robert Houdin
and he's often remembered for this famous quotation.
"A Magician is just an Actor playing the part of a Magician."
Well, we can use the same technique
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to become a more powerful
Creative Innovator.
Just pretend you are for a moment!
Faced with an idea, a problem, an opportunity, a threat , say to
yourself "How would.......? Ask yourself, how would someone else
tackle this problem? How would they make the most of this
opportunity? Instantly you will find your self thinking outside
your usual framework. You'll get a range of ideas, approaches
and methods that you wouldn't normally generate.
Let's try an example. Lets say your work has relocated you and
your family to a new town. Your children attend a new school.
Wanting to quickly get involved in the community you volunteer
some time there. The PTA gives you the job of running the next
Fundraising Fair. Yikes! It's something you've never done
before. What do you do? You ask "How would?"
Let's say your personal list includes - James Bond, Bob Geldof,
& Ray Kroc.
Well, what would Bond do?
A Martini Booth is a great idea but perhaps not quite suitable
for a school fete. But you get the idea about how this works.
Continue thinking like Bond. What about the car! A tie- in with
the local car dealership for a display of flash new Sports cars,
a Bond Girl fashion parade, Dress Up as a Bond Villain
competition & a Martial Arts display could all work really well!
Instantly you are getting a stream of ideas, many of which "you"
wouldn't of thought of, but using this technique you unleash a
stream of new ideas. Some of these are going to be useful. As
with brainstorming, it's best to create as many ideas as
possible and then go back and evaluate them later.
So, what would Bob Geldof do? He'd go for broad community
support of the project. He would definitely work the press and
call on favours from his friends to pull it all together.
What would Ray Kroc do? He would ask for the system manual! What
did they do last year? And if there wasn't one, perhaps that
would be his legacy on this committee, creating one for future
volunteers so they didn't have to reinvent the wheel each time.
Continue thinking like Kroc. Is there a way of replicating the
Fair, are there ways to cut costs and expenses, offer value,
speed etc.
Start thinking like a Creative Innovator and you will become one!
Now, your homework! Think of a challenge you have at the moment.
Or perhaps let's be positive and think of an opportunity. Go
back to your list of three people and ask, how would they do it?
If you don't come up with a string of interesting and different
ideas, I'd be most surprised.
This is just one of many simple yet powerful techniques we
explore in our "Brilliant Thinking" sessions. Details at
http://www.achieving.com.au
But I'd like to leave you with one last though. Think for a
moment about the 3 people you choose for your list. What are the
qualities that make them special?
It's been often said, that we are unable to recognise qualities
in others, that we do not posses ourselves. The qualities that
make those people great, are also your qualities. You just
sometimes need a simple technique to utilise them.
About the author:
Timothy Hyde is a Creative Innovation Specialist.
He
provides Keynotes and Workshops to help individuals and business
-
"Think - Faster, Sharper, Smarter". Visit his website
for other free resources [url] http://www.achieving.com.au [/url]
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