1. Today’s Journal Question What did you learn about the inventor you chose to research? Were there any interesting facts that you were unaware of before the assignment?

2. The Problem Solving Model

3. Problem-Solving Process Involves 3 stages Problem Finding Idea Finding Solution Finding It requires creative-thinking skills and critical-thinking skills

4. The Creative Problem-Solving Process

5. Problem Finding Try to determine the problem by gathering observations, feelings, and impressions about the situation Attitudes – very important because they influence how the problem is perceived Fact-find also important Facts help define the problem and may provide information to be used for solution

6. Idea Finding Try to come up with different ways of solving the problem Creativity is the key Some ideas may be absurd, but do not dismiss any alternative All ideas to be evaluated – sometimes the craziest ideas lead to the best ventures Ex. Pet Rock

7. Solution Finding When the ideas created are evaluated – must establish the criteria that will be used to evaluate each option Criteria: standards used to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each idea Ideas that do not meet criteria are tossed out – remaining ideas are ranked Try the solution Solution not what was expected? Try again

8. 5 Steps 1) Define the problem – What is it? 2) Generate alternative solutions (min. 3) – be creative 3) Generate advantages and disadvantages for each solution gernerated in step 2 4) Rank you solutions 5) Select a solution. Why?

9. Example So you’ve opened up a coffee shop in your neighborhood. You’re excited because you believe your coffee is great but also because you’re invested in the neighborhood. Your coffee shop has an intimate feel about it. Six months later business is okay. Not great, but okay. And what you know is that there is great potential, great promise in what you are doing. Just when you are settling in and getting the hang of doing business in your neighborhood you learn that Starbucks is moving in around the corner. This can’t be good, you think. I can’t keep up with them. They know what they are doing, their brand is established, and they have a lot of money to back their new start-up. If you are the owner of the small coffee shop trying to make it in the neighborhood and Starbucks moves in almost next door, what would you do?

10. Let’s Work Together Step 1 – Define the problem Problem: Starbucks is moving close to your location, fear of losing business because they are an established business

11. Step 2 – Generate Alternate Solutions 1) Mascot handing out Flyers - coupons 2) Reduce price of specific items – coffee, tea 3) Live Entertainment 4) Change location

12. Step 3 – Generate Advantages and Disadvantages 1) Flyers/Coupons: Pros: People love coupons – save money Spread word of business – more interaction with potential customers Online flyers/coupons – Facebook, Twitter, webpage Cons: Flyers – thrown in garbage, Starbucks could match coupons Cost of hiring employee, and costume rental Cost of advertising online, cost of website

13. Pro: more business More money spent on snacks, lunch, food Word of mouth of price discount Cons: less money for coffee bought Potential that food may not be purchased

14. Pro: More social Attracts customers Atmosphere - more fun, more comfortable, more relaxing Cons: Cost of paying entertainers Selection might not be appealing Might come for entertainment but not buy anything Only for evenings and night time

15. Pro: Fresh start – new customers No new competition Con: Costs to move and start over Harder to establish new customers

16. Step 4 – Rank your solutions 4) Change location 3) Live Entertainment 2) Flyers/Coupons 1) Reduce price for coffee

17. Step 5 – Select a Solution and describe why

18. Paper Airplane Problem- Solving Activity