Creativity Management ? Don?t Write, Rewrite

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Don't write, rewrite

The old axiom "throw away the first draft" is one hundred percent spot on. What the axiom is really saying is split creative from critical thinking.

a) Creative thinking and critical thinking are two separate and distinct processes. The idea is to first produce, then edit.

b) Creative thinking is daring, uninhibited, free-spirited, imaginative, unpredictable and revolutionary. The use of creative thinking fills out the pages of the first novel or screenplay. It creates an idea pool full of a variety of ideas, diverse ideas and novel ideas.

c) Critical thinking is reductive, logical, focused, conservative, practical and feasible. That first draft screenplay is now refined by cutting, pasting and rewriting. That idea pool is looked over by a number of people with the required competencies to select the most valuable ideas.

One the most valuable ideas are selected, they go into development, where the BEST ideas are chosen. The Economist (2003b) states that 3000 bright ideas are needed for 100 worthwhile projects, which in turn will be winnowed down to four development programmes for new products. And four such development programmes are the minimum needed to stand any chance of getting one winner.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

Kal Bishop, MBA

**********************************

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/

In The News:


Creativity blossoms
Boston Globe, United States - 4 hours ago
... 35 wooded acres off Sunset Rock Road, on Wednesday celebrated the grand opening of its newly completed Dahod Center for Community and Creative Learning. ...

Times Online

Wave of creativity
Times Online, UK - 10 hours ago
The evolution of Tuath/North is more akin to a creative journey than a straightforward self-build experience. “Around 10 years ago we saw the site in a ...

For some, creativity just comes naturally
Carson Times, NV - 1 hour ago
Shannon O'Keeffe and her husband, Demian, seem unstoppable with their ideas and their creative energy. And the eclectic collection of "stuff" people give ...

Creativity, business conflict at Art Hop
BurlingtonFreePress.com, VT - 1 hour ago
By Adam Silverman, Free Press Staff Writer • September 7, 2008 The poster featured a photograph of a plastic baby doll, its eyes open, covered in a blanket ...

Businesses need creativity to prosper in hard times
Dayton Daily News, OH - 4 hours ago
By Alexandra Hazlett DAYTON — A hard economy means businesses need to be more efficient, and sometimes creative in the ways they cut costs and run their ...

That's the spirt: New jobs can stir creativity
Fresno Bee (subscription), CA - 3 hours ago
Fresno City college coach Tony Caviglia told The Bee last week that if he wasn't a football coach he'd want to be a winemaker. Which got The Local Scene ...

Aurora’s FAMFest provides venue for artists to show value of ...
Grand Island Independent, NE - 7 hours ago
"I think everybody has hidden creativity and often you don't have the opportunity to express it," Eckerson said. She said having this venue for FAMFest is ...

Creativity, courage needed in 1918 — just as they are now
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI - 12 hours ago
In a time of economic stress, he took steps that demonstrated both political courage and creativity. As we experience similar stress today, ...

Washington Post

Beanie's injury tests Buckeyes' depth, creativity
ESPN - Sep 4, 2008
... so let's see how he handles the spotlight I've gotten more than a few e-mails from Buckeyes fans criticizing a lack of creativity among the coaches, ...
Video: Terrelle Pryor Might Play in Ohio State Opener AssociatedPress
all 1,967 news articles

Study: Individual Personal Ties Strengthen Teams’ Overall Creativity
PhysOrg.com, VA - Sep 5, 2008
(PhysOrg.com) -- With more employees working in teams, it’s critical for companies to find ways to enable these teams be more creative in their work. ...
creativity - Google News

Produce Creativity: 4 Ways To Motivate Your Melon

It was 8:00 PM and I'd hit a creative wall... Read More

Creativity and Communication Lessons from Crossing the Street

Spring is in full bloom, which means it's 'get back... Read More

Overcoming Artists Block (part 2)

Once you are ready to start working again you will... Read More

Revenge of the Sith ? Creativity and Structure

The common belief is that lack of structure and randomness... Read More

Five Basic Steps to Benefit from Your Creativity

The ability to exercise your creativity is even more important... Read More

Top Five Journal Exercises

Keeping a journal is a form of creative expression that... Read More

Gifts of the Inner Voice

Now that I no longer awaken to the sound of... Read More

7 Things Sapping Your Creativity Right Now

This was a very easy article to write. I was... Read More

Creativity and Broken Eggs

In 1420, the dignitaries of Florence held a competition.They offered... Read More

Creative Thinking The Secret Key To Lasting Success

What is creativity anyway? Well, let us look at the... Read More

Should You Quit Your Job for Your Dream?

The next time you're moodily sitting in your office, wishing... Read More

Creativity Myths

Sustained myths about Creativity and Innovation lead to confusion, bad... Read More

Creating and Living Your Ideal Legacy

A legacy is more than a gift that lives on... Read More

Three Ways Journaling Can Boost Your Creativity and Your Business

I have a friend who has struggled with her creativity... Read More

Think Orange! Creativity and the Sacral Chakra

Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could just flick a... Read More

Achieving Limitless Creativity

There are many out there who wish to help individuals... Read More

Tips on Breaking the Creative Block

There's no question that creating anything is hard to do.... Read More

The Elements of Creativity: Attributes Listing Method

Attribute listing is one of the best ways to generate... Read More

Why Do We Need Creativity?

Creativity is central to the management of our individual lives,... Read More

True Power: Understanding the Source of All Creation and Creativity

"True Power" is a series that will focus on proven... Read More

Courage and Creating

Doing anything creative often brings up fears, anxieties, insecurities. Courage... Read More

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Think Creatively

You may have heard of Roger von Oech's book, A... Read More

The 7 Simple Steps To Harnessing Your Creative Power And Achieving Incredible Success

Let me repeat what I believe is the most powerful... Read More

Tap the Creative Inside You

Imagination is the source of creativity. It's a place where... Read More

Innovation Through Concept-Combination

There are many creative problem solving techniques used by inventors... Read More