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Creative Thinking – Anyone can do it!

Presented By:Kim Rudolph – OnePoint Solutions, LLC

&Larry Brouder -  LE Brouder Consulting & Transcend

Relocation

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Background

Why is being creative important today?

(QUOTE: Fortune 500 CEO Survey)

We were all born with the ability to be creative - BUT…..

(QUOTE: ‘Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.’ — Roger Lewin )

What is creative thinking?(QUOTE: ‘Think left and think right and think low and think

high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!’ - Dr. Seuss )

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Background

Types of Creative Thinking New ideas

(QUOTE: ‘I invented nothing new. I simply combined the inventions of others into a car.’ — Henry Ford )

Creative problem solving(QUOTE: ‘Problems are only opportunities in work

clothes.’ - Henry J. Kaiser )

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Background

Staying Creative(Keep your creative juices flowing and you will stay ahead of the pack. The best way is to keep doing different things. Read different books and papers. Go to different places for your holidays. Talk to different people. Listen to them and seek to synergize and synthesize. Take every opportunity to regenerate your generative powers.)

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Background

Creative Blocks

(YouTube Video: Famous Failures -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6hz_s2XIAU)

Environmental

People(QUOTE: ‘A new idea is delicate. It can be killed by a sneer or a yawn; it can be stabbed to death by a quip and worried to death by a frown on the right man’s brow.’ - Charles Brower)

Internal – YOU!!

(QUOTE: ‘If you think you can, you can. And if you think you can’t, you’re right.’)

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The Approach – Set the stage

(QUOTE: ‘Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.’ — Seneca)

Remove yourself from your workspace

Assemble a diverse group

Make it fun

Remove the jeopardy

Remove the obstacles (money, legal, authority)

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The Approach – Set the stage

Set the Ground Rules No criticism No judgment Quantity not quality No idea is too extreme Freewheel – let one thought or idea flow to the

next Assume good intent Everyone must participate

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The Process – Get ‘er Done

Clearly Identify And Define The Problem Or Situation

(QUOTE: “A problem well stated is a problem half solved” - Charles F. Kettering)

Do Your Research(QUOTE: ‘First, study the present construction. Second, ask for all

past experiences …study and read everything you can on the subject.’)

— Thomas Alva Edison

Identify your target – employees, customers, a new product or service

Learn all you can about your target Learn all you can about the competition

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The Process – Get ‘er Done

Start Tossing Out Ideas And Thoughts

(YouTube Video - WHERE GOOD IDEAS COME FROM - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NugRZGDbPFU)

Narrow And Prioritize The Ideas – Pre-vetting

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The Process – Get ‘er Done

Vetting your ideas Who needs it? Why and why not? Does it solve your problem? Pro’s and Con’s Risk factors Does it align with company objectives or does

it pose a new company direction? Put some weight on it from a financial, legal

and technical perspective

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Communicate Your Idea(QUOTE: You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't

get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere. - Lee Iacocca)

State The Objectives Of The Project Or Idea

Review The Problem Or Issue Being Addressed

Describe Your Idea And How It Addresses The Problem

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Communicate Your Idea Describe How It Fits Into The

Overall Company Objectives

Review The Implementation Plan

Review The Resources Required Form The Company And From Outside Sources

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Communicate Your Idea Financial And Human Impact

Set Expectations For Performance And Timeframe

Establish Measurements And Accountability

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Implement Your Idea Describe every step

How long each step will take

Who will perform each step

What should be achieved

Identify milestones

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Reality CheckAt pre arranged time periods,

review efficacy and the impact of the idea – is it doing what you intended?

Fine tune – incorporate feedback, new learning and additional ideas