1. Lateral Thinking and Roger von Oech
Creative Thinking Methods

2. What is Lateral Thinking?
Means generating ideas by being flexible and creative
Lateral thinkers break away from standard solutions and solve problems in unique and different ways
Allows the problem solver to look at the problem from a unique perspective
Also known as “thinking outside the box”

3. Who is Roger von Oech
Roger von Oech is an internationally- recognized creativity consultant who has worked with major companies from around the world, including Anheuser-Busch, General Foods, Hallmark Cards, Hewlett-Packard, NASA and Procter & Gamble
His book, "A Whack on the Side of the Head", is a classic in the field of creativity
and innovation and is now on its
25th Edition

4. Von Oech Quotes
Either you let your life slip away by not doing the things you want to do, or you get up and do them.
If you make an error, use it as a stepping stone to a new idea you might not have otherwise discovered.
It's easy to come up with new ideas; the hard part is letting go of what worked for you two years ago, but will soon be out-of-date.
Necessity may be the mother of invention, but play is certainly the father.
Remember the two benefits of failure. First, if you do fail, you learn what doesn't work; and second, the failure gives you the opportunity to try a new approach.

5. The Reason for all the Hats “The problem solving process”
1. Problem Finding
4. Action
2. Idea Finding
3. Solution Finding

6. Roger von Oech – author/consultant (“A Kick in the Seat of the Pants” Harper & Row - 1986
Problem Finding
Idea Finding
Solution Finding
Action the Idea

7. Roger von Oech – 4 Roles with respect to our ideas
Explorer-Problem Finding
Artist-Idea Finding
Judge-Solution Finding
Warrior-Action the Idea

8. von Oech-4 roles The Explorer: The Artist:
Seeking new territories and looking at possible opportunities
The Artist:
Creating new innovative ideas in response to an opportunity

9. von Oech-4 roles The Judge: The Warrior:
Evaluate the ideas generated to see if any are worthy of pursuit and implementation
The Warrior:
Fight for the idea, overcome obstacles and barriers and serve as a “champion” for the idea

10. The Explorer (Von Oech)
Searches for Information
Strategies:
Takes the road less travelled
Look at the big picture
Pay attention to detail
Look in outside fields, disciplines and industries.

11. The Explorer (Von Oech)
Strategies cont’d:
Write down ideas
Behaviours
Scavenger hunt
Microscope or telescope
Market research
Try a new skill
Wilderness camping

12. The Artist (Von Oech) Turns resources into new ideas Strategies:
Imagine
Combine ideas
Break down barriers
Parody – Silly
Outrageous
Incubate

13. The Artist (Von Oech) Behaviours: Cooking gourmet dinners
Dancing at midnight under full moon
Write a poem or make up a joke
Design a costume
Wonder WHY? Or WHAT IF?

14. The Judge (Von Oech) Evaluate the merits of an idea Strategies:
Objective, unbiased
Positive or negative
Chances for success
Consequences of failure
Timing
Verdict

15. The Judge (Von Oech) Behaviours: Comparison Shopping Grade and essay
Make an investment
Vote
Referee

16. The Warrior (Von Oech) Carries the idea into action Strategies:
Written plan
Get going
Follow through
Be ready to be knocked down
Savour your victories
Learn from defeats

17. The Warrior (Von Oech) Behaviours: Make a sales call
Competitive sports
Start a company
Negotiate a contract
Support a cause

18. Problem Solving & von Oech
1. Problem Finding
4. Action
2. Idea Finding
3. Solution Finding

19. Problem Solving & von Oech
Problem Finding
Explorer
4. Action
Warrior
2. Idea Finding
Artist
3. Solution Finding
Judge