Innovation Management: The Quality and Quantity of the Idea Pool

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

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.

The quantity and quality of the idea pool is important.

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.

Generating a large idea pool of quality ideas is actually not that difficult. There are numerous approaches:

a) One of the more useful definitions of creativity is that it is a large set of ideas, a large set of diverse ideas and large set of novel ideas. Focusing on each of these opens up various pathways.

b) Separating creative from critical thinking. Creative thinking is unrestricted, uninhibited, unrestrained, imaginative, carefree, rebellious, and revolutionary. Once a large set of ideas are generated, critical thinking can be used, which is focused, feasible, conservative and practical.

c) One of the more useful methods is simply to be prolific. Some of the most successful creations have been produced when the creator was being prolific. Being prolific trounces over the blocks that prevent output and quickly builds up competencies that are required for truly exceptional work.

These 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.

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 MBA, 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:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


Weaknesses of Wishing

When you're starting a business, you might wish for a... Read More

How You Can Learn to be a Better Manager

When you first take over a department, expectations are usually... Read More

Competion or Cooperation?

It has been said, there is no better way to... Read More

Bye-Bye Boring Meetings! Make Yours Remarkable!

It's the middle of the night. You've woken up with... Read More

Look Good on Voice Mail

Your use of voice mail tells others a lot about... Read More

Uncovering the Secrets to Effective Performance Management

In many ways there are no secrets to implementing effective... Read More

Quick Tip - Effective Meetings Have SMART Goals

The first step in planning an agenda is to identify... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management :- Thought Leadership

Leadership is only sustainable when leaders consistently come up with... Read More

The Higher You Go

The higher you go, the cooler it becomes. Really? Let... Read More

What Every HR Manager Should Know About Hiring Productive Employees

The characteristics of job applicants have a strong influence on... Read More

New Leadership For A New War

Military analysts call this "asymmetrical" war (as if war has... Read More

Overcoming Resistance

Virtually any type of organizational change involves role transitions of... Read More

Action Learning: Its More Than OJT

For centuries companies have used on-the-job training (OJT). OJT works... Read More

The 20/60/20 Rule Of Leadership. Dont Go Solving The Wrong Problems

Several decades ago, a passenger jet approached a Florida airport... Read More

Hiring Your First Business Personal Assistant: Some Guidelines for Successful Hiring

Hiring the first personal business assistant is an exciting time... Read More

Managing After Downsizing

So, you survived the downsizing. Your company did something that... Read More

Commercial Collections Billing Practices Advice

Swiftness is the key to collecting past due commercial accounts... Read More

Check Your Communication Skills

Use this check list to assess your communication skills.Focus* Do... Read More

Hire Winners: Ask the Right Questions

How do you as a manager, supervisor or team leader... Read More

Creativity Management - The Value of Being Prolific

When asked his secret to success, the author Graham Green... Read More

Organisation Tips For The Mobile Executive

Despite the fact that everyone sighs "How glamorous!", the life... Read More

Why People Resist Us

There's a one-word reason most ideas never see the light... Read More

Its a Training Issue!

There's a common phrase used by Organizational Development and Human... Read More

Travel the World - for Free!

I have been very fortunate to travel to several countries... Read More

Want to Manage Your Time? Get Real!

You know the drill - the ridiculous deadlines, the relentless... Read More

Implementing Change

There are different reactions that individuals experience during time of... Read More

Innovation Management ? Diversity Can Make All The Difference

Companies are welcoming a diverse range of employees (The Sunday... Read More

One Bad Apple

One Bad Apple I know what... Read More

Out of Control?

There are papers on the floor, across the desk and... Read More

When Being A Facilitator DOESNT Help

I talked with a group of internal consultants last week... Read More

Riding the Waves to Success

Last week I was confused and frustrated about a few... Read More

Business Fails When We Do Not Talk

You may remember being told as a child, "Keep quiet!"... Read More

Why Businesses Fail - And What You Can Do About It!

Have you unintentionally set your business up for failure?No one... Read More