Search
Related Links

 

 

Informative Articles

Business Innovation – Real Self versus the Trained Self
Personalities can be said to be psychotic in many ways and one of those is the idea, readily accepted, that we have at least two selves: the real self and that self which we present to the world. Creativity can be defined as problem...

How To Make a Fortune in Investments?
People work and save a part of their salaries. They try to make more money out of their savings. Some of them try to achieve more: They want make a fortune and change their life. How can you make a fortune out of your money? With a...

Investing in the Czech Republic - Outside of Prague - Part 3: Ostrava Property
In the North American school system students seeking to be the best strive for an 'A' grade. However, the school system is not the end of the drive to be the best and earn an 'A' grade. Letter grades are used by rating agencies to rank...

Master Card Visa Merchant Account Options
Are you familiar with the many types of MasterCard / Visa merchant account options that are available for small business owners? You may be eligible to apply for a merchant account from a bank or other lender who will underwrite your account...

Outsourcing Problem Analysis
As an HR professional, you have responsibilities in several broad areas that have a significant impact on your company’s bottom line, directly contributing to the corporate return on investment. The outsourcing choices you make are critical...

 
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


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]

 

DTI - Welcome to the DTI's Innovation Home Page
The DTI is working to stimulate a significant increase in innovation throughout ... It covers Living Innovation, web streaming of a series of high profile ...
www.dti.gov.uk
 
Innovation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An innovation in this light occurs whether or not the act of innovating ... A convenient definition of innovation from an organizational perspective is ...
en.wikipedia.org
 
National Innovation Website
The Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources has developed this website to raise awareness of the importance and benefits of innovation and ...
www.innovation.gov.au
 
Innovation, creativity and brainstorming resources from ...
A comprehensive site designed to provide busy entrepreneurs with a focused collection of the best resources on innovation, creativity, and brainstorming.
www.innovationtools.com
 
Innovation Weblog - Trends, resources, viewpoints from Chuck Frey ...
The Innovation Weblog - Valuable trends, resources and viewpoints in innovation, creativity and brainstorming from Chuck Frey at InnovationTools.
www.innovationtools.com
 
CORDIS: Innovation Portal: Home
This Innovation Portal is supported by DG ENTR of the European Commission, ... European Commission adopts new Communication on Innovation: on 13 September ...
cordis.europa.eu
 
CORDIS: Promotion of Innovation: Home
This programme stands at the cross-roads of the Community's policies on Research, Innovation and SMEs.
cordis.europa.eu
 
Innovation Network... leveraging innovation, creativity and ...
The Innovation Network is an association of companies and employees committed to innovation. The site features some interesting articles as well as some fun ...
www.thinksmart.com
 
Business Innovation : Car Reviews, Online Gaming, and Product Branding
If your in need of great Online Gaming material, we carry up to the minute news and reviews for all of your favorite games and gaming systems.
www.businessweek.com
 
Innovation - Life, Inspired | PBS
Learn about fascinating innovations, explore interactive features, submit questions to our experts, investigate resources and lesson plans, and more.
www.pbs.org
 
Innovation.org - Welcome
Impact of Innovation Saving & Improving Lives Controlling Healthcare Costs Strengthening ... Future of Innovation New Medicines in Development Next Wave of ...
www.innovation.org
 
Innovation: See what people are saying right now on Technorati
See all blog posts tagged with innovation on Technorati.
www.technorati.com
 
Innovation Relay Centres - The World Largest Network for ...
Innovation Relay Centres giving advice on Innovation, Technology Transfer and Exploitation. Major European source for innovative technologies or new ...
irc.cordis.lu
 
The Tech Museum of Innovation | Welcome
The Tech Museum of Innovation - Welcome! The Tech Museum inspires and educates the innovators of the future.
www.thetech.org
 
Pages tagged with "innovation" on del.icio.us
CoDev 2007 - Co-Development for Business Growth: Open Innovation and Alternatives ... PDMA & IIR's 5th Annual Front End of Innovation ...
del.icio.us
 
innovation
Publication highlighting the research activities of NUS. The site provides snippets of selected articles online, and provides a subscription form online.
www.innovationmagazine.com
 
Canadian Innovation Centre
Services includes invention evaluation, technology due diligence, market research, and education programs.
www.innovationcentre.ca
 
London INNOVATION :: Home
Maximise your business potential through innovation. Learn the secrets of successful business innovation in London.
www.london-innovation.org.uk
 
Eric Von Hippel's Homepage
Downloadable Books. Democratizing Innovation (2005) ... The Sources of Innovation (1988). Free download of the complete book. Permission granted by Oxford ...
web.mit.edu
 
Intel Innovation in Education
www.intel.com/education/ - 3k - Cached - Similar pages
 
 

 

Content Menu
  • 10 compelling reasons not to downsize

  • 10 ways to develop your latent leader

  • 3 gurus secret strategies

  • 5 things pensioners applying for a loan should remember

  • 7 strategies for sustained innovation

  • 8 ways to generate new ideas

  • advanced nano products inc recipient of the 2005 frost sullivan product differentiation innovation award for the u s protective coatings market

  • advances in print technology what about

  • all fortunes begin with an idea

  • all you need to know about blog hosts

  • an introduction to incorporating in florida

  • an introduction to vending machines

  • are you about to get eaten

  • are you boring your customers

  • are you poised for growth as a home based business owner

  • as gold prices fluctuate economist predicts gold prices could reach 850 per ounce

  • a financial case for leadership development

  • a home based business modeled after google

  • a mass customization revolution

  • a micro entrepreneurs most valuable resource

  • a step by step approach to the federal acquisition marketplace

  • bad news why the financial news media can cost you money

  • better looks for your poster digital printing

  • blogs podcasting and rss ecommerce impact

  • blueprint for change

  • book review performance of financial institutions efficiency innovation regulation by patrick t harker and stavros a zenios

  • book summary the e myth revisited

  • box out for the win

  • breaking the growth barriers in the it and software sectors

  • business growth through strategic merger and acquisition

  • business innovation good thinking not leadership

  • business innovation improvisation

  • business innovation masks and trance

  • business innovation radical and disruptive innovation

  • business innovation real self versus the trained self

  • business innovation tacit knowledge

  • buying flights online

  • buying jewelry for your business part 1 buying gold jewelry

  • buying jewelry for your business part 2 buying sterling silver jewelry

  • buying jewelry for your business part 3 buying gemstone jewelry

  • buying jewelry for your business part 4 buying platinum jewelry

  • buying jewelry for your business part 5 buying diamond jewelry

  • buying jewelry for your business part 6 buying pearl jewelry

  • can you hear me now

  • cardinal principle of homeowner personal loans it is a solution for any sort of financial funding

  • caveman design evolving your products and services

  • chandler hill body language can make or break interviews

  • chandler hill partners surviving job loss

  • change leadership

  • changing the way work works

  • chasm of change restructuring the goliath of change

  • check cashing the future is now

  • choking on itil a menu for success

  • choosing a business thats right for you

  • choosing a winning business idea

  • choosing the right corporate training

  • cicadas and brilliance in marketing

  • cisco inching us towards true covergence

  • coaching an adapting tool for attaining fulfillment in the global economy

  • colours wheelchairs announces european expansion plans

  • conflict resolution managing workplace conflict

  • constellations

  • contextual ad networks the baby boom is upon us

  • could this be the best way to measure public relations results

  • create a positive upbeat can do workforce and dazzle the customer with your caring

  • create a powerful business usp 30 minutes

  • creating a business vision mission

  • creating your advisory board

  • creative innovation in just 60 seconds

  • creative thinking versus critical thinking

  • creativity and culture management

  • creativity and innovation directors consultants and managers

  • creativity and innovation large firms versus small firms

  • creativity and innovation management core competencies and competitive advantage

  • creativity and innovation management goal setting

  • creativity and innovation management incubation and insight

  • creativity and innovation management in conservative staid organisations

  • creativity and innovation management personality testing

  • creativity and innovation management the creative state

  • creativity and innovation management thought leadership

  • creativity and innovation management turning ideas into action

  • creativity and innovation management why products fail

  • creativity for success

  • creativity innovation and market performance

  • creativity innovation and science separate and distinct or not

  • creativity innovation and the importance of spontaneity

  • creativity innovation competition versus collaboration

  • creativity innovation teach coach learn

  • creativity in the workplace

  • creativity management measurement benchmarking and improvement

  • creativity myths

  • debt consolidation for self employed innovative handling of overgrowing debts

  • deliverables in professional service businesses part 1

  • dialogue the key to innovation

  • diamond flashes

  • digital color printing for professionals

  • dish network business strategy principles for your home business

  • does your business need an attitude adjustment

  • does your leadership development secure results

  • doing business online private b2b exchanges

  • domestic merchant account options

  • do you have what it takes for franchise approval

  • dream the impossible dream turn your ideas into reality

  • economics psychologys neglected branch

  • effective brainstorming

  • emotional intelligence the shot felt round the world

  • employee expectations key to customer retention in todays workplace

  • employee retention critical skill at a critical time

  • enhanced and affordable poster digital printing

  • entrepreneurship what does it really mean

  • ethnic business awards 2005 winners announced sydney australia

  • exceptional leadership inspires the best effort in others

  • expand your business using venture capital

  • exploiting the internet as money machine

  • extended enterprise in the nesting and cutting business

  • e commerce the bop approach

  • famous business strategies

  • financial freedom is for those who want it

  • financial services marketing insights a marketing compass

  • finding work at home companies is easy on the web

  • finding your next big idea

  • fire the ceo

  • first contact the source of customer loyalty

  • five principals for prosperity

  • forcing inspiration

  • forex scams how to spot them a mile away

  • freighting around the world

  • future of offshore outsourcing

  • getting together the importance of business relationships

  • getting to know your digital color printing

  • getting your video successfully produced why quality is key and how to get it

  • gibson guitars explorations in innovation

  • going mobile part 1 wireless phone service for your home business

  • good ideas creativity and innovation management part 2

  • good idea generation a process

  • google adwords and adsense a dynamic small business marketing duo

  • great ideas and radical or disruptive innovation

  • great ideas and tips for entrepreneurial success from jeff bezos of amazon com

  • grow your business by adding sticking power to your resolutions

  • guaranteed sign ups what are they

  • handmade beauty business virtually

  • harness your entrepreneurial spirit

  • have you put a straightjacket on your business potential

  • health insurance for seniors on the web

  • he top 10 strategies for the positioning of success

  • high tech wars

  • how to build home grown trainers

  • how to choose laser printers inkjet printers dot matrix printers

  • how to create a strategic position for your company

  • how to develop an online business using practical thoughts

  • how to ensure effective color in todays manufacturing processes and why its more important than ever today

  • how to find new ideas for your business

  • how to give your home a face lift the sellers guide to a quick sell

  • how to identify ideal money making web opportunities

  • how to invest wisely in a timepiece

  • how to know when youre on a winner

  • how to make a fortune in investments

  • how to offer individual praise without undermining team efforts

  • how to select sales people more effectively

  • how to sell high tech solutions

  • how to sustain with an online home business

  • ideas to create own work at home online business product

  • if it was easy everybody would do it

  • if you dont focus innovate and evolve you die

  • if you want to be a better leader oil yourself

  • imagine if everyone working in your office was in synch

  • improve profitable roe with retention

  • improve your business dealings with improvisation

  • increase your sales by 30 using internet collaboration networks

  • index

  • india favoured destination choice for off shoring outsourcing

  • information lifecycle management mastering complexity

  • innovation automatic cip caps for keg filling machines from khs till

  • innovation idea selection valuation

  • innovation makes leaders

  • innovation management

  • innovation management 5 ideas an hour

  • innovation management being receptive to inspiration

  • innovation management blocking saying yes or no

  • innovation management brainstorming management why people hate to brainstorm

  • innovation management capturing ideas

  • innovation management changing the world

  • innovation management confidence in people

  • innovation management developing ideas within a framework

  • innovation management diversity can make all the difference

  • innovation management does the idea fit with the firm

  • innovation management emotion habit and culture can be hard to change

  • innovation management famous failures

  • innovation management forced into it

  • innovation management forcing inspiration

  • innovation management generating better ideas

  • innovation management how does the user benefit

  • innovation management how will we make the go or kill decisions

  • innovation management ibm opens lid on its treasure chest

  • innovation management ideas from the most embarrassing experiences of life

  • innovation management idea selection development and commercialisation what are the differences

  • innovation management ignoring content

  • innovation management isolating problems and implementing solutions

  • innovation management measuring failure

  • innovation management moving past the wall

  • innovation management predicting winners

  • innovation management radical innovation

  • innovation management selecting good ideas

  • innovation management smart people dont necessarily produce great ideas

  • innovation management some idea are better than others

  • innovation management specialisation or generalisation

  • innovation management status games

  • innovation management testing ideas

  • innovation management the harsh facts of life for all innovators

  • innovation management the hype cycle

  • innovation management the need for knowledge managers

  • innovation management the power of decision makers

  • innovation management the power of emotional attachment

  • innovation management the quality and quantity of the idea pool

  • innovation management the time factor

  • innovation management the value of being obvious

  • innovation management the value of due diligence

  • innovation management the value of structure

  • innovation management trying out new ideas

  • innovation management what are the practical impediments

  • innovation management what problem is being solved

  • innovation thats the way we do it here

  • innovation the life blood of your business

  • innovators how to turn your dreams into reality

  • integrated watch strap attachment

  • internet payment solutions need one

  • investing in the czech republic outside of prague part 3 ostrava property

  • is america bankrupt

  • is innovation dead

  • its one thing for people to buy your product or service but its another for them to tattoo your logo on their biceps

  • its your ship a book summary

  • i just lost my job how am i going to tell my kids

  • job talk the heart of productivity

  • know the building blocks of dialogue that lead to new learning innovation and synergy

  • know thyself mbti and disc

  • lasers and high performance cutting

  • leadership

  • leadership development leadership styles and training

  • leadership seed or fruit

  • leading from the inside out the power of deep blue leadership

  • learning the basics of rss

  • lessons from inspirational businesses in rural australia

  • lisbon strategy

  • lone wolf lead wolf

  • looking for a tax break

  • lowest mortgage rates uk lowering the cost of mortgage

  • m6 net new control panel

  • make the most of your mentoring relationships

  • making profitable lemonade from lemons

  • management consultants creativity innovation

  • managing creativity and innovation is an oxymoron

  • managing creativity and innovation part 1 of 2

  • managing creativity and innovation part 2 of 2

  • managing creativity an oxymoron not

  • manufacturers survival

  • marketing is a system not an event

  • marketing the way to make what youre really worth

  • master card visa merchant account options

  • meaningful diversity creating cultures of inclusion

  • mechanical engineering design

  • meta data in the arena of commerce

  • mirror reality thru full color rush postcards

  • multiple sources of income

  • new leadership for a new war

  • new recording artist

  • nextwest awarded best of show at internet telephonye conference expo fall 2004

  • ocs sweeps up at bbc

  • offset mortgages a dream for well off homeowners

  • offshore outsourcing creates jobs

  • offshore outsourcing future

  • offshore outsourcing tips to survive

  • online debt consolidation devising newer ways for changing consumer trends

  • online forums help businesses generate additional streams of revenue

  • online marketer on a mission

  • online resources for innovators

  • organizational culture creativity innovation

  • organizational structure creativity innovation

  • outsourcing problem analysis

  • outsourcing spawning of indias jumpstartup firms

  • patience not panic survive and thrive through economic turbulence

  • planning for product release

  • playing hookey can help how to increase profits and reduce overwhelm

  • positioning professional service firms

  • poster digital printing at its best

  • poster digital printing for growing business

  • pre empt radiation or die

  • printing techniques for printmaking

  • print and modern thought

  • procrastination and jdi

  • profitable growth is everyones business a book summary

  • recruiting ensure you ask the right questions

  • reinventing real estate part 2

  • resources for staying current of it advancements for online business owners

  • retire sooner on other peoples money

  • revenge of the sith creativity and structure

  • revolutionary micropad properties hit leeds

  • risk inclination how do you compare to others

  • rotator

  • rx for falling corporate profits

  • sales rquires you get your foot in the door

  • save money on products you buy every day

  • secrets to successful publishing

  • secret business strategies of bill gates and jeff bezos

  • seeking initiative and innovation reward failure

  • selling your business for the best price

  • sell a business 10 steps to maximize selling price

  • sell multiple products through a single clickbank account

  • sex up your business growth

  • shattering the branding myths

  • should i start my own business learning about yourself

  • significant uses of variable data digital printing

  • silicon valley

  • silicon valley a parable

  • six disciplines for excellence

  • six key principles of corporate accountability

  • small business grants innovation at its best

  • small business loan

  • small business q a choosing a business thats right for you

  • small business q a if it was easy everybody would do it

  • smart choices how to hire the best

  • speed as a trend

  • stakeholder theory symbiosis and appraisal

  • starting a home craft business cashing in on your artistic and creative skills

  • starting your business 3 tips for bootstrapping your way to the top

  • start with a small business loan

  • stepping into possibility thinking

  • stimulate creativity and learning

  • stone washed jeans may be changing again

  • strategic and operational controlling early recognition of crisis

  • strategic knowledge management the key to sustainable performancel

  • strengths of k professional

  • strong competitive moves should always be blocked

  • survivor from tv to the internet

  • teaching large companies to think like the little guys

  • term life insurance vs permanent

  • the 10 natural marketing advantages of small business small is the new big

  • the business of torture

  • the creative connection using innovation to jumpstart your business

  • the cure for the highway hi fi blues

  • the demise of the mittelstand

  • the entrepreneurs toolbox

  • the four cultures of employee retention

  • the green eyed capitalist

  • the history of the franchise business learning about business opportunities by looking into the past

  • the hydraulic engineer real estate development

  • the importance of effective communication

  • the metamorphosis of the successful executive overcoming professional stagnation

  • the micro view

  • the most overlooked principle to getting venture capital

  • the new staffing survival tactics that work

  • the passive inwardly focused organization

  • the power of marketing podcasts

  • the practice of knowledge management

  • the role of the business model and strategy for business

  • the steps from product idea to product success

  • the ten pillars of leadership and business development

  • the top 10 creative excursions for building effective teams

  • the top 10 priorities that guard your five star reputation

  • the top 10 questions for socially responsible leaders

  • the top 10 strategies for the positioning of success

  • the value of values

  • the wages of science

  • the wages of science part ii

  • the wheel v2 0 on the road to innovation

  • tiny entrepreneurship

  • tips for launching your own business

  • tips for trade show rentals

  • tips on boosting small biz profits

  • top 10 reasons to retreat for leaders and managers

  • top 5 tips for frustrated affiliate program marketers

  • top of the mind awareness in equine marketing familiarity breeds sales

  • top seven reasons why a hosted inventory management solution may be right for your organization

  • top six reasons to buy rather than build an inventory management solution

  • top ten skills of a masterful speaker

  • troubled waters require capable leaders at the helm

  • truth or consequences how to give employee feedback

  • uncovering soul in the workplace

  • understand what flows through your business to find improvement

  • warning easy journey ahead

  • whats the difference between successful businesses and struggling businesses

  • what every executive should know

  • what inspires you

  • what is drop shipping the perfect solution

  • what is experience anyway

  • what is the cmmi

  • what makes your home business succeed

  • when politics prevent innovation

  • why bother with customer centricity

  • why small and medium sized businesses should

  • why small and medium sized businesses should monitor the media

  • why talk about your finances to strangers

  • why your credit score matters

  • words alone cant explain this stock market

  • working as a knowledge worker in the information age