Creativity and Innovation Management: Goal Setting

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

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.

Goal Setting

One of the important debates in the field of creativity and innovation is the topic of goal setting. Is it positive or negative?

Under extreme time pressure, it is not unusual to find that people become ingeniously creative. The Apollo space mission was rescued because of the urgent need to solve a problem. Edwin Locke proposed that goals were a major source of motivation, that is, goals tell one what needs to be done and what effort needs to be expended. Goals direct responses, actions, behaviour, performance and lead to feedback. Additionally, incremental goals lead to greater output than simply "do your best."

However, goals also lead to conformity, which kills creativity. Extreme time pressure also prevents the mind from incubating on a problem - working on it at various cognitive levels and allowing richer solutions to become evident. Moreover, creatives almost unanimously object to targets, preferring for "inspiration."

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.

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 MBA, 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/

---

Making Meetings Work

We have all attended meetings that were boring, mindless and... Read More

The Seven Cs: Partnership Danger Signs - Conflict Becoming the Norm ? Part 1

A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More

Dont Wait for Tax Time to Look at the Bottom Line

A curious thing happens to entrepreneurs in the spring of... Read More

Problem-Solving Success Tip: Test Your Assumptions About Everything

Test your assumptions about everything.Assumptions have a way of creeping... Read More

A Rare Leadership Skill: Dealing With People Who Want Out By Offering Crowns For Convoy

As a leader, you'll inevitably be faced with people wanting... Read More

Does Your Management Style Remind People Of Something They Read In Dilbert?

With thanks to Jeff Foxworthy, the comedian who does the... Read More

Innovation Management ? the power of decision makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

How To Hire Superstars

Can a person's behavior and values really determine if they... Read More

How to Fire an Employee

One of the most difficult tasks you will face as... Read More

Argue Your Way To Business Success

"Jack" (not his real name) is a vice president of... Read More

Gossip And Rumors And Hearsay, Oh Why?

In the Wizard of Oz, it was "Lions and tigers... Read More

Operating on Perpetual Overload?

Check Out Your E-HabitsAnother week has ended. And, despite moving... Read More

New UK Laws on Staff Dispute Resolution and Disciplinary Procedures

October 2004 saw the introduction of the Employment Act 2002,... Read More

5 Surefire Ways to Bring Your Business Objectives Full Circle with Technology

All small to mid-sized company owners want to know where... Read More

What 80% of Businesses Don?t Know: Tips for Improving Your Working Capital Management

What is the number one way to prevent failure in... Read More

Protect Your Organizations Proprietary Information

The other day one of our overseas clients called in... Read More

3 Simple Things the Best Managers Do - And You Can Too!

If it's so simple, why don't managers all over the... Read More

Rethinking Workplace Security: How the Rules Have Changed

The workplace has traditionally been a dangerous place. Very early... Read More

What Makes a Good Appraisal Interview?

WHAT MAKES A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW?Here is a tip for... Read More

Cultural Differences: Making it Work Virtually

Working virtually adds a whole new dimension to the phrase... Read More

Commercial Collections Billing Practices Advice

Swiftness is the key to collecting past due commercial accounts... Read More

Be a Change Agent ( Part 1)

Aligning business organizations to be successful in the present and... Read More

No Time to Focus on the Big Picture? Try Focus Management

E-mail, voicemail, "got a minute?" interruptions, multiple projects... Read More

The 10 Realities of Change

I've seen several articles that begin with lines like "the... Read More

Take The Guesswork Out Of Problem Solving

In today's chaotic world and uncertain economic times too many... Read More

Sexual Harassment Policy Guidelines Part I

Sexual Harassment Policy Guidelines ? Part IPermission is hereby granted... Read More

Efficiency Around The Office

Nearly every office, be it commercial or home-based, may have... Read More

Pitching to Employees

The senior flight attendant on the WestJet flight was starting... Read More

How To Write Commercial Collections Letters

It is sometimes valuable to bring the sales manager into... Read More

Human Resource Employee Risk Profile - Management Risks Explained

Human Resource Employee Risk ProfileIs your business at risk? Do... Read More

People Skills: Eight Essential People Skills

Being able to communicate effectively with others requires people skills,... Read More

Competion or Cooperation?

It has been said, there is no better way to... Read More

Keeping Meetings On Track

We all have been in meetings with certain people who... Read More