There is no sure fire route to commercial success but the probability of success can be increased. This is important for at least two reasons:
a) Resource Management. The Economist (2003) states that 3000 bright ideas result in 100 worthwhile projects, which are winnowed down to four development programmes. And four such development programmes are required to stand any chance of getting one winner.
b) Time Management. Whilst it is often the case that sufficient time is not taken to develop a product fully, there is always time to go back and fix mistakes. The cost of product re-engineering varies from the low to high billions.
There are a number of techniques that allow better problem identification and idea generation (creativity) and better idea selection, development and commercialisation (innovation).
Innovation strategies include:
a) Valuing ideas according to their type. Random ideas and those resulting from solution spotting have the highest success rates.
b) Measuring strategic, technical and competency fits with the organisation.
c) Measurement of ideas according to their impediments. A new type of cell phone will be infinitely easier to produce than a time machine. The Internet has a far lower take up in Africa than in Europe because of infrastructure deficiencies.
d) Carefully selecting what criteria is used to allow or disallow an idea at various stages of the development pipeline. Not allowing an idea (or releasing it too early) may not give that idea a chance to blossom. However, keeping it in the pipeline takes away valuable resources that may allow another idea to bloom.
e) Adequate consumer benefit analysis. Many ideas are simply developed before focused, practical and appropriate end-user needs are thought through.
These and other 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 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.
Would you like to enhance your creativity? Do you think... Read More
These days it's all about breaking things down into manageable... Read More
Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back... Read More
I've got a confession to make... there are many ways... Read More
"For the love a' creation!", my father was fond of... Read More
The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important... Read More
You're stepping onto the stage, amidst opening night flurry and... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Modern science tells us that on a sub-atomic level --... Read More
Copyright 2005 Cherry Communications/Be Heard SolutionsThe creative arts enhance our... Read More
When solving problems after you have exhausted the normal means... Read More
You may have heard of Roger von Oech's book, A... Read More
Cultivating your creativity is more than spending time with a... Read More
Do you consider yourself creative? How about super creative? Most... Read More
"If you really want to upset your parents?go into the... Read More
In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More
"The challenges are not in the marketplace. They are in... Read More
Imagine that a block of ice has been set on... Read More
The process of creative thinking is often, mistakenly, intertwined with... Read More
Creativity is one of the most important keys to success... Read More
Inventors make a ton of money when the invention is... Read More
New inventions? Heard of a revolving restaurant combination television tower?... Read More
"It is never too late to be what you might... Read More
I recently saw a program on television wherein the participants... Read More
Can we codify creativity? Within these few words are a... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
For the past several years, I have found joy working... Read More
You can live a much more successful life than you... Read More
We get so busy in our day-to-day life, with all... Read More
As workplaces continue to rightsize and downsize, we all find... Read More
Effective team structure is critical when managing creativity and creative... Read More
Here are some odds & ends I have observed in... Read More
My grandmother used to say that the secret to living... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
New inventions? Heard of a revolving restaurant combination television tower?... Read More
In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Creativity is your birthright ? but can often be hidden... Read More
I have had more than my share of exciting times... Read More
We had a winter storm the other day here in... Read More
Now when I use the term "creativity", I mean the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
For the past several years, I have found joy working... Read More
While the inception of penicillin brought a bit of a... Read More
About once every year or so, I take a critical... Read More
I have one magical thought, lets see it more closely.... Read More
There is a pervasive belief that creativity and innovation are... Read More
I don't take notes anymore. Instead, I create one wildly... Read More
Practical money tips for people in the arts.1. Sock it... Read More
If your to-do list seems as long at the end... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Imagination is the source of creativity. It's a place where... Read More
Ouch! Whether it's feedback we've asked for, an unsolicited remark... Read More
Here's a quick quiz:1) When I see a see a... Read More
Variety is the spice of life, but spices, historically are... Read More
What do you enjoy most about going on an Artist... Read More
What if there is no toilet paper and I am... Read More
We get so busy in our day-to-day life, with all... Read More
Ever been on a project where you had trouble keeping... Read More
Copyright 2005 Cherry Communications/Be Heard SolutionsThe creative arts enhance our... Read More
There are many creative problem solving techniques used by inventors... Read More
Do you have a strategy that ensures your online business... Read More
What would you like to create? A peaceful life, a... Read More
Have you ever heard the saying, "The harder I work,... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
We experience creativity every time a fresh idea pops into... Read More
Creativity |