Innovation Management ? 5 Ideas An Hour

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.

5 ideas an hour

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.

From the above it is clear that a large number of good ideas are required before the innovation process can truly begin. Given that the bright ideas themselves would have been chosen from a larger pool of general ideas, the problem becomes one of maximising idea generation before idea selection begins.

One method of generating such a huge pool is to take advantage of some of the well known idea generating methods and principles, including:

a) The sum of ideas produced by individuals working alone is greater than the number of ideas produced by a group consisting of those individuals.

b) Incremental productivity produces more output than a "do your best" approach. By tasking individuals to generate five ideas an hour, they will produce forty in an average working day. Multiply that by "n" number of individuals in the firm and you have n X 40 ideas per day. A hundred individuals are able to produce 4000 ideas a day.

c) As stated above, creativity is problem identification and idea generation. Idea generation without problem identification reduces total output, as individuals have only a vague notion of what problem they are attempting to solve. Focus as much on problem identification as idea generation.

d) The production of such vast numbers of ideas requires the need for idea management. Knowledge Managers will be required. Ideas are valueless unless they are successfully implemented and that will not happen unless an Idea Manager takes control.

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/

---

Set Yourself Up for Success!

Set Yourself Up For Success!... Read More

Think Outside The Cup and Saucer

There were four of us at dinner. Three ordered "regular"... Read More

Innovation Management ? moving past the wall

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Color Your Life

Have you ever arrived at place in your career and... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Good Ideas Part 1

The constant search for Good Ideas has resulted in many... Read More

The Pendulum Swings Right - A Major Shift is Happening Inside Our Brains

The world is now changing again, it appears. The logical... Read More

12 Tips for Taking Smart, Calculated Risks

Most of us know we should take more risks. But... Read More

Innovation and Competitive Advantage

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Create An Idea Journal

When I first heard Jim Rohn talk about the importance... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Fast Feedback

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Its A Quantum Thing

We don't need to understand quantum physics entirely in order... Read More

Humankinds Greatest Inventions

There are a number of amazing inventions that have been... Read More

Befriend Your Budget, This Yuletide and Always

It is that time of year again. Yuletide?Christmas in the... Read More

Innovation Management ? Isolating Problems and Implementing Solutions

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 1 of 2

Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least... Read More

What is NLP?

NLP Explained.....NLP is the study of how people organise their... Read More

Owning Your Power

Owning your power, your power to be real, to be... Read More

How to Turn Nothing Into Something

Excerpted from the Jim Rohn Weekend Seminar-Excelling in the New... Read More

Life ? The Teacher

You've probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of... Read More

Why Do We Suppress Higher Thought?

Throughout History we have imprisoned our brightest stars and thinkers.... Read More

Creating Opportunity

An enterprising person is one who comes across a pile... Read More

Facing a Resource Crunch? Read On!

Recently I read an excerpt from a new business innovation... Read More

How An Idea Can Lift You

What determines your destiny? What predisposes your choices?It is your... Read More

Innovation Management ? Ideas From The Most Embarrassing Experiences Of Life

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Improve Your Small Talk - Gain Big Dividends!

Do you hate to make small talk? If so, you... Read More

Intuition Power In Three Steps

Have you ever used your intuition to solve problems? Can... Read More

Accelerate Your Learning

Although you may not currently be a student, learning is... Read More

Techno Witch II - Magick With Your PC

You've heard of applied science, well how about applied Magick.... Read More

The 99 Percent Rule

It's Friday night, you're sitting at a restaurant, and as... Read More

Penny For Your Thoughts?

Every artifact, every tool, everything ever designed or created by... Read More

Innovation Management ? Famous Failures!

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management: Trying Out New Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? Confidence in People

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More