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Are You Boring Your Customers?
Copyright 2005 strength-training-woman.com
The business world is changing and your company must catch up.
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How to Turn Idea Squashers into Possibilities
By Steve Brunkhorst http://www.AchieveEzine.com
Managing a small business continues to become more challenging. However, history has shown that resourceful business owners will succeed. They will prosper, turning disadvantages into advantages by thinking creatively.
While entrepreneurs focused on competition fade into the past, those working from a creative standpoint will carry the torch. The creative individual will force the solution to a problem by looking closely at his or her vision, values, resources, and assumptions. He or she will find alternatives through creative problem solving.
I recently attended a business seminar where the presenter talked about "idea squashers." Squashers are assumptions that form barriers to creative thought. You've probably known someone who was great at coming up with squashers when first hearing new ideas. It's the familiar "Yeah but..." response. The trick is to turn the squasher into a possibility by responding to it with a leading question, or "assumption buster."
Here are some examples of squashers that block creative thought:
We've always done it this way. I've already tried that. There's too much competition. It's irrelevant to our situation. You don't have enough experience. We don't have a big enough budget. An "average Joe" can't get ahead. We haven't got the manpower. Someone might not like it. Let's stick with what works. It's too far ahead of the times. That's not in my job description. I'll get back to you later. Stick with what you know. It will take too much time. Nobody asked you to
do this.
By replying to these statements with leading questions, a reframing occurs. New possibilities and solutions begin to emerge.
Here are some examples of questions that challenge old assumptions:
"If we tried again, and made this slight change, how might it improve the results?"
"What could happen if you increased your skills and value by gaining knowledge in new areas?"
"What support would you need to accomplish this job?
"If we began again with a clean slate, what would you do differently?
"How could we determine the response to this idea in advance?"
"What other options are you willing to create?"
How would you turn the squashers listed above into possibilities? I'm sure you can think of more thought barriers similar to my examples.
This exercise will strengthen your creativity. It also makes an enlightening group activity. When someone replies to the leading question with another squasher, the questioner again challenges the answer with another leading question.
Try turning idea squashers into possibilities by challenging assumptions. You will generate many creative solutions that might have been overlooked. You will also solve problems in a way that is skill enhancing and enjoyable.
About the Author
© Copyright 2002 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve coaches people to help them revitalize their inner spark, access their natural talents, and design strategies to reach their personal and career goals. Get Steve's motivational and inspirational mini-zine, Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, by visiting http://www.AchieveEzine.com
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Creativity - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
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en.wikipedia.org |
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Creativity For Life |
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AdCritic.com: Commercial Ads |
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National Curriculum in Action - Creativity - |
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Ten Steps for Boosting Your Creativity |
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Category:Creativity Techniques - Mycoted |
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www.mycoted.com |
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Creativity at Work: The interplay of business, art and science |
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www.creativityatwork.com |
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Crayola Creativity Central |
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www.crayola.com |
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Pages tagged with "creativity" on del.icio.us |
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del.icio.us |
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Creativity Web - Resources for Creativity and Innovation |
Creativity Web Home Page Resources for Creativity and Innovation ... The Creative Process · Multiple Intelligences · Idea Recording · Your Creative Space ... |
members.optusnet.com.au |
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gapingvoid: "cartoons drawn on the back of business cards": how to ... |
So you want to be more creative, in art, in business, whatever. ... Companies that squelch creativity can no longer compete with companies that champion ... |
www.gapingvoid.com |
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Creativity Quotes | Creativity Quotations | Creativity Sayings ... |
Quotes on Creativity - part of a larger collection of Wisdom Quotes to challenge and inspire. Find Creativity quotations and links to quotes on other ... |
www.wisdomquotes.com |
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Ideas by Creativity Pool |
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www.creativitypool.com |
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CREATIVITY |
Creative problem solving depends on using the right tools, tricks, ... Search for the latest books on Creativity (or anything else) in the Quantum Books ... |
www.quantumbooks.com |
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Creativity Tools, Creative Solutions & Creative Problem Solving ... |
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www.mindtools.com |
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The 6 Myths Of Creativity |
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www.fastcompany.com |
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CreativeClass.org |
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www.creativeclass.org |
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TIP: Concepts |
The relationship between creativity and intelligence has been always been a central concern of psychology ( Guilford , 1950). Much effort has been devoted ... |
tip.psychology.org |
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American Creativity Association (ACA) |
An incorporated non-profit organization promoting personal and professional creativity. Association membership is represented by four multidisciplinary ... |
www.amcreativityassoc.org |
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CREAX - Portal for creativity and innovation |
A resource for links on creativity and innovation on the web. A selection of 690 links is divided into 67 categories for the visitors convenience. |
www.creax.net |
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