2. Course objectives Successful completion of this course will increase your knowledge and ability to: Identify roadblocks that prevent creative thinking. Develop a creative attitude and learn to see every problem as an opportunity. Rediscover your creative ability. 2

3. Course objectives Focus and direct creative efforts. Overcome criticism and gain acceptance for new ideas. Learn creative and effective techniques to recognize and identify problems. Explore techniques on how to manage creative people. Realize the significance of humor and how it impacts creativity. 3

4. Creative Problem Solving 4

5. Learning objectives Successful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to: Overcome ingrained beliefs. Define creativity. Identify myths and facts about creativity. Assess barriers to creativity in your workplace. 5

6. “ Imagination is more important than knowledge.” —Albert Einstein 6

7. Which group is most creative? NASA engineers First graders Modern painters Homemakers Journalists Auto mechanics Architects College students Movie producers 7

8. Evaluate your answer Age 40 – 2% creative Age 30 – 2% creative Age 25 – 2% creative Age 17 – 10% creative Age 5 – over 90% creative 8

9. Which is it? Creativity The process of generating something new that has value. There are many new ideas, but some may not have value. Innovation The process of creating something new. It has significant value to an individual, group, an organization, society, or an industry. 9

10. Creative environment “The question isn’t whether you want more creative employees; you’ve already got them. The real question is whether you’re going to recognize their creativity and figure out how to use it better.” —Stan Gryskiewicz, The Center for Creative Leadership 10

11. Step one 11 Draw a rectangle.

12. Step two 12 Add two smaller rectangles at the top edges of the big rectangle.

13. Step three 13 Add lines as indicated.

14. Step four 14 Add triangle and lines as indicated.

15. 15 Step five Add curved lines as indicated.

16. 16 Add lines as indicated. Step six

17. 17 Add triangles and square. Step seven

18. 18 Add circles and rectangles. Step eight

19. 19 You drew a pirate ship! Step nine

20. Myth busters 20 The Wright brothers were bike mechanics.

21. The 15% Rule Employees are given 15% of their work time to pursue pet projects and new ideas. 21 Pet Project Time

22. Developing Rough Ideas 22

23. Learning objectives Successful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to: Develop a clear plan for getting ideas heard. Navigate office politics. Instill a creative and fun environment for employees. 23

24. Seek an Idea Sponsor Seek an alliance with a coworker or a mentor. They help refine ideas. They help you get past gatekeepers. 24

25. Be an Idea Sponsor Return the favor and act as a catalyst for creativity: Assume the best Listen Allow freedom to fail Encourage creativity Be consistent 25

26. Fun, Fun, Fun!! As the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream say, “ If it’s not fun, why do it?” Hey…it’s worked for them! 26

27. Strengthening Your Problem Solving Skills 27

28. Learning objectives Successful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to: Define problem solving. Focus your ideas into creative actions. Apply the five actions that result in creative problem solving. Articulate how failure and risk taking are at the core of innovation. Determine your own creative style. 28

29. Problem solving Bridging the gap between where you are… 29 …and where you want to be.

30. Creative actions 30 ACTION Problem Failure Opportunity Pure creativity

31. “Every act of creation begins with an act of destruction.” —Pablo Picasso 31

32. The creative twist A new invention A problem solved Improvements on existing technology Recovering something positive and productive from a failure Refocusing on a new, productive track 32

33. Be brave, take risks… View setbacks in a positive light. Don’t be a perfectionist. Become comfortable with ambiguity. 33

34. …It pays off! 34

35. Enthusiasts Enterprising Venturesome Persuasive Natural leaders Solve problems through discussion 35

36. Inquirers Love new information Observant Investigate options Solve problems by applying new information 36

37. Artists Like to create new ideas Anti-status quo Prefer flexibility Create new solutions to problems 37

38. Traditionalists Detail-oriented Like numbers, figures, and data Like clarity Prefer systematic approaches Solve problems by maintaining the status quo 38

39. Humanists Enjoy helping people Skilled with words Natural leaders Give guidance to others Solve problems through discussion 39

40. Pragmatists Excellent mechanical abilities Like to be moving and active Enjoy work with plants, animals, or things Use a hands-on approach to problem solving 40

41. Making Creative Ideas Practical 41

42. Learning objectives Successful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to: Determine a personalized technique for getting into the optimal creative mood. Explore different problem-solving techniques. 42

43. The Alpha state is the most creative. How do you get there? Brain waves 43

44. Mind mapping 44 New Fitness Product Automated Customized Exercise Schedule Weight Loss Repeat Customers Ease of Use

45. Identifying Potential Solutions 45

46. Learning objectives Successful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to: Approach potential solutions to a problem from many different angles. Recognize and avoid groupthink in your team. Determine the merits of evaluation techniques. 46

47. Analogies Business Reorganization 47 =

48. Fishbone diagram 48 Poor Sales of a New Product Competitor Actions Small Sales Force Lack of Advertising Poor Product Design Priced Too High Late Release

49. Another fishbone diagram 49

50. Affinity diagram 50

51. Scatter diagrams 51

52. 52

53. The Bay of Pigs 53

54. Perceptions 54

55. What do you see? 55

56. Is it coming or going? 56

57. Is it a duck…? 57

58. Or is it a bunny? 58

59. Questions 59