Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.
There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.
One of the most important aspects of creativity and innovation is access to decision makers. One of the fastest killers of creativity and innovation is the inability of innovators to get products off the ground ? and when people see that their ideas are not being implemented, they are resistant to engaging in the problem and expending the energy required to come up with good ideas and push them along.
Further, often leaders feel they provide creators and innovators with links to decision makers but in reality all the do is provide links to gatekeepers or other layers of management that block or dilute ideas before the real decision maker has a chance to see them.
Some good examples are:
a) Entrepreneurs with business plans. Who have to pass through many layers of gatekeepers, guardians and managers before they are able to present to the real decision makers who are able to GO or KILL finance.
b) Screenwriters have enormous difficulties pushing their screenplays to literary agents let alone the big studios.
c) Most people in most organisations can see problems and easy solutions, but implementation seems to require gargantuan efforts.
These topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com.
You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.
Kal Bishop, MBA
**********************************
You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.
Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com.
I could begin this article by providing a checklist of... Read More
Much of the literature and advice on implementing business change... Read More
I was talking with first-line supervisors in a utility company... Read More
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters... Read More
"We are so different and individualistic that we can't work... Read More
MSDS SHEETSMSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheets. MSDS sheets... Read More
Many organisations use the term "lessons learned" to describe the... Read More
A critical task in the succession planning process of any... Read More
When the stock market crashed in 1929, there were a... Read More
How many times have the management consultants been 'in' and... Read More
Managing Client Relationships: Even the best run organizations occasionally run... Read More
Q: One of my former employees has launched an online... Read More
The economy may finally be turning around and showing signs... Read More
Have you ever noticed french fries taste the same at... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
This article relates to the Recognition competency, commonly evaluated in... Read More
Teleconferences can be a boon or a bust. On the... Read More
ISO 9001 2000, Getting startedBefore starting the ISO 9001 2000... Read More
Unhappy as Jenny undoubtedly was, she held on very tightly... Read More
IBM, which registered 3248 patents last year, has decided that... Read More
Remember Papa John's commercial on TV with the slogan "Better... Read More
What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More
Escalating gas prices...tensions and turmoil in the Middle East...a struggling... Read More
Many companies have dress codes, which include jewelry. Some companies... Read More
For you to get where you want to go, there... Read More
Positive versus Negative WorkplacesWe have all worked in places where... Read More
Most business owners I work with want to grow their... Read More
If I was a fly on the wall what would... Read More
Why risk the embarassment when with a little basic PR... Read More
Too many managers waste both time and energy performing tasks... Read More
Increasing shareholder value is the most important driver for organisations... Read More
In today's hectic business environment, it is vital that we... Read More
A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More
There is a growing movement in the spiritual... Read More
In September 2004, President Bush signed the $146 billion tax... Read More
You're on your organization's diversity committee. You have the best... Read More
As your website grows in terms of attracting more footfalls,... Read More
Having to manage a difficult employee is never fun and... Read More
In today's competitive world shorter product life cycles, customers rapid... Read More
Why is it imperative to have a company E-Mail Policy?... Read More
Few things are more destructive to a career than a... Read More
Most agendas for a meeting look like this.* Budget* Payroll*... Read More
A trainer dryly discussing how to motivate people in an... Read More
Managing, supervising, being a team leader is the hardest job... Read More
You may have the MBA but if an internal critic... Read More
The industrial age is over. Organizations still stuck in the... Read More
"The difference between a boss and a leader: a boss... Read More
I talked with a group of internal consultants last week... Read More
I'm often asked to come in to organizations and give... Read More
I found it important to clarify for employees what "deal-breaker"... Read More
My mechanic has me trained. When I take my car... Read More
To develop and deliver a great Leadership Talk, you must... Read More
We all spend time on planning vacations. If it's not... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
What is the no. 1 asset in your business beside... Read More
Q: One of my former employees has launched an online... Read More
Want to get more from your people, but you don't... Read More
Managers make three mistakes when they try to run businesses.... Read More
You can't solve a problem with the... Read More
A Nightmare That Really HappenedOver 10 years ago, when I... Read More
How many times have you asked someone to do something... Read More
Perhaps the most common theme I've heard in working with... Read More
What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More
Because of my work as a consultant, trainer and coach... Read More
I have always said that if I were to write... Read More
I'm too busy; I'd love to but I'm very busy;... Read More
Business Management |