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Idea sparking

What can we do to create more new ideas? Creativity consultancy creativity@work is supporting Share Ideas Day and is offering these useful tips and guidance. For more help and guidance visit their web site: www.creativityatwork.co.uk

Illumination capture

The truth is we are all brilliant idea generating machines.The sad fact is we tend to be very bad at capturing and collecting the great ideas we do generate.

Think back to the last time you went shopping and thoughts no doubt cross your mind of ‘If I was them I would do this..’ or ‘Wouldn’t it be good if they could do this..’ Research by creativity@work reveals that each of generates an idea a minute on a typical shopping trip.

When you get ideas out of the blue these are called ‘illuminations’. The problem is that just as quick as they come to mind, they disappear. A very obvious tip is just to write down your ideas, or associate them with something else.

Idea Sparking

It is frustrating when you are faced with a problem and you don’t have an Immediate answer.

One solution is to do what creativity@work call ‘idea sparking’, or ‘creative jump leads’.

To start and provoke your mind to generate new ideas simply ask yourself a few questions: ‘Why should we do it this way..’ or ‘What if we…’ or ‘What would be the consequences if…’Doing this you will find new ideas, or ‘illuminations’ start to flow.

Remember to capture them otherwise they disappear.

Cloud catching

Your most profound ideas emerge while your mind is on something completely different.

You remember the times you might have been out in the countryside or on your way to work and an idea comes completely out of the blue.

One of the most effective creativity techniques recommended by creativity@work is just to put your feet up. Within 60 seconds new thoughts, ideas will be wafting across your consciousness, which can lead to great ideas.

For further ideas on how you can transform your own creative abilities, or if you want to improve your management of the creative dimension in your work - to achieve more with less, then contact creativity consultancy creativity@work, telephone UK 0845 4503210 or visit their web site on www.creativityatwork.co.uk

Idea Building

Although we can generate lots of ideas how do we go about making them happen?

For an idea to be ‘creative’ it has to add value in some way – make something easier, more attractive, reduce costs – or increase selling price, make better use of resources, or make people feel better.

Ideas will either instantly provide an added value solution, or in most cases need further work doing on them to make them effective.

There are two key strategies for nurturing ideas:

Convoying

When you are faced with a problem sometimes you have a number of different ideas which could offer a solution. The trick here is not to be too judgemental too soon. Instead, get your ideas together like a convoy and let your mind work your way the different options. As a result the weaker ideas will get left behind, the remaining ideas will start to come together and build up into a bigger, fully-fleshed idea offering added value. Try to give yourself time for this process rather than expecting instant results.

Skyscrapering

Often you will have an idea which appears to offer a solution. To translate the idea from a concept to reality, , you need to build it up in the same way a skyscraper.You build upon your initial idea and then add different parts to fully flesh it out. The trick here is to logically follow through each dimension of the idea. Questions such as, ‘If we do this, what needs to happen to make it real, ‘ or ‘What are the consequences for….’Doing this process turns the notion of the initial idea into a reality of an added value solution.

If you have an idea or invention which needs to be legally protected then there is helpful advice and guidance from the Patent Office. Visit their web site on www.patent.gov.uk.

If you want advice and guidance on formal suggestion schemes in your organisation then contact the association for suggestion schemes www.ideasuk.co.uk