E mpowering I magination A pplying K nowledge E xploring I nnovations T omorrow S eizing O pportunities A ccelerating B usiness I nspiring I nnovations E mpowering I magination A pplying Knowledge Explore S eizing O pportunities A ccelerating B usiness I nspiring T omorrow E mpowering I magination A pplying K nowledge E xploring Innovation T omorrow S eizing O pportunities A ccelerating Business I nspiring T Innovation & Creativity

Definitions:  Innovate: to introduce as or as if new; to make changes; to do something in a new way.  Create: to produce or bring about by a course of action or behavior; to produce through imaginative skill; to make or bring into existence something new. (from Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition)

Innovation & Creativity Creative Problem Solving THE ADAPTOR:  Precise, methodological approach  Focus on solving problems  Refine current practices  Means oriented  Capable of extended detail work  Sensitive to group cohesion and cooperation

Innovation & Creativity Creative Problem Solving THE INNOVATOR:  Approaches tasks from unusual angles  Discovers problems and avenues for solutions  Questions basic assumptions  More interested in ends  Little tolerance for routine  Little or no need for consensus

Innovation & Creativity Barriers to Creativity  One “Correct” Answer  Being Logical  Following the “Rules”  Being Practical  Becoming Specialized  Avoiding Ambiguity  Fearing Mistakes/Failure  Believing You Are NOT Creative

Innovation & Creativity Statements That Inhibit Creativity  No.  Can’t.  Are you kidding?  We’ve never done anything like that before.  That’s stupid.  It’s not in the budget.  We’ve done alright so far.

Innovation & Creativity Questions to Spur Creativity  Is there a new way to do it?  Can you give it a different twist?  What if we do the opposite?  Can the parts be rearranged?  Can we put it to other uses?  Can ideas be combined?  What else could we make from this?  Can you borrow or adapt it?

Innovation & Creativity Ways to Enhance Creativity  Expect creativity  Expect and tolerate failure  Encourage curiosity  View problems as challenges  Train people on creativity  Reward creativity  Model creativity

Innovation & Creativity Ways to Enhance Creativity cont.  Open communication  Teams with diverse backgrounds  Accept change  Enjoy new ideas  Trusting and caring environment

Innovation & Creativity Where do Ideas Come From?  Types of Innovation:  Invention (light bulb, cell phone)  Extension (many uses of baking soda)  Duplication (McDonalds - franchise)  Synthesis (FedEx – mail and air service)

Innovation & Creativity Sources of Innovation  Unexpected occurrences  Incongruities  Process needs  Industry/Market changes  Demographic changes  Knowledge-based concepts

Sources of Ideas – Entering the Business World  Hobbies  Technical expertise  Part-time  New inventions  Government  Franchising  Spin-offs  Outsourcing  Licensing  Observation of market need  Buying an existing business Sources of Ideas – Entering the Business World