Business Innovation ? Tacit Knowledge

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.

Tacit Knowledge

Nonaka et al (1995) define knowledge as being tacit or explicit. Explicit knowledge is all that can be codified, easily communicated and explained. Tacit knowledge is everything else - that which is hidden, deep rooted in action, hard to formalise and difficult to communicate.

Creativity and innovation are enhanced when individuals possess high rates of tacit knowledge. Tacit knowledge can be enhanced in a number of ways:

a) Engagement in many varied, novel and diverse activities. Those individuals with a life long interest in many subjects tend to be the most creative.

b) Utilising networks and collaboration. This allows intellectual cross-pollination, frame breaking and bridging of disparate worlds.

c) Access to many varied, diverse and novel information sources. These increase the intellectual input into problem identification and idea generation.

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.

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/

---

Motivating For Higher Performance

Employee motivation is probably the most important single manageable factor... Read More

Time Management - How to Have Productive Meetings

One of the greatest time wasters of all are unnecessary... Read More

Setting Clearer Performance Expectations

The annual performance review.Stating this phrase guarantees some reaction for... Read More

The Death Spiral

Sometimes things just happen. Maybe we lose focus and take... Read More

Demise of the Lone Ranger Manager: A Lesson in Management Communication Style

When executives see themselves as solely responsible for the overall... Read More

Make Change Easy - Get Involved!

There are wild variances in how much involvement organisations are... Read More

You Cant Not Communicate

Most of us would like to be better communicators. As... Read More

Lead to Succeed: The Seven Essential Steps to Work Leader Success

In my book "You're In Charge?What Now?" I use a... Read More

Make It Easy to Reply - Voice Mail That Works

If you are like most business people, voice mail has... Read More

The 6 Steps to Six Sigma

Step 1Get the proper level of Six Sigma expertise at... Read More

Two Critical Success Factors in an ITIL Implementation

Any IT manager who wants to pursue the IT Service... Read More

Training Managers and New Trainers

Training managers use many of the same interpersonal and analytical... Read More

Retaining An Expert -- What Every Business Owner Needs To Know

As an entrepreneur, hiring an expert can be one of... Read More

Innovation Management ? Good Leadership

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

The Golden Key to Meeting Success

We all attend many meetings. I'm sure you have been... Read More

Transparency: A Key To Your Effectiveness

Last month I talked about the Skilled Facilitator principle of... Read More

Hold Your Applause!

It's amazing what you can accomplish if you don't care... Read More

Think Time... Its Now Or Never

I recently read an article published in the June, 2005... Read More

Narcissism in the Boardroom

The perpetrators of the recent spate of financial frauds in... Read More

Tales From the Corporate Frontlines: Team Dynamics and Communication

This article relates to the Team Dynamics competency, which evaluates... Read More

Biometrics and ?Return On Investment?

At this time of tight budgets, the mantra of business... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management :- Thought Leadership

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

To Thine Own Self Be True--Its Better for Business: What Arthur Andersen Would Say to His Company

As a child, you probably heard, "to thine own self... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Personality Testing

Whilst tests measuring the creative or innovative personality exist, there... Read More

How Bad Communication Can Hold You Back and How to Break Free of It

The reason jobs are often not done right and employees... Read More

Online Business Peace of Mind

Is your online business disaster-proof? Online businesses face a unique... Read More

Implementation the Catalyst of Change for Management to Reach that Next Level of Success

From the personal and professional experiences of other colleagues and... Read More

Managing After Downsizing

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

Having Your Phil

February 2nd, at approximately 7:30 a.m. local time on Gobbler's... Read More

Thoughts on Empowerment

People are empowered when they are given the authority and... Read More

7 Steps To Hire The Best

You can use this step-by-step method to hire applicants who... Read More

Use Every Weapon You Have

One of the strongest weapons available allows business, non-profit and... Read More

6 Steps To Effective Management During Change

Take the pain out of gain and decrease the upheaval... Read More