Creativity Management ? Productivity As A Job

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.

Productivity as a job

It is often the case that individuals "wait for inspiration" before they embark on their creative and innovative endeavours. However, this misses the mark for a number of reasons:

a) Engagement in the task gets the mind working on the task at various cognitive levels - problems are identified and subconsciously the mind searches for solutions. When ideas then arrive, they are labelled as insight or inspiration. Insight or inspiration is increased in frequency and duration when the creator or innovator dives into the task.

b) The key to quality is prolific output. By treating the endeavour as a job, small goals and incremental deadlines increase output to a far greater degree than a "do your best" approach or a "I'll do it when I'm ready" approach.

c) There are a significant number of blocks working on the mind at any one time. Together this is called "resistance." Unless a conscious and sustained effort is made to counter them, they remain obstacles.

d) Climbing the experience curve requires energy expenditure. By treating the endeavour as a job, the experience curve is attacked and overcome much more rapidly.

e) All of the above do not detract from the requirement of motivation, which includes aspects such as: joy for the endeavour, competency expansion, feasibility, self-determination etc.

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/

Latest News


Dawgs digging deep to find last-game motivation
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 2 hours ago
Finding motivation figures to be a challenge for a squad coming off a 16-13 double-overtime loss in its rivalry game. Willingham insisted he won't use his ...

OPEC Cuts: A Barrel Of Laughs
Forbes, NY - 4 hours ago
"The major motivation for sellers is the discounting of the OPEC decision," said Mike Fitzpatrick, vice president of MF Global, in a report, "but motivation ...

Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home
New York Times, United States - 22 hours ago
“We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ...

Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run
Sacramento Bee,  USA - Nov 30, 2008
"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ...

BamaMag.com

Where's the love for Alabama?
Gainesville Sun, FL - 44 minutes ago
You have to believe it's motivation for the Tide. "I guess you could say that," Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said. "But it's not something we've ...
SEC CHAMPIONSHIP: Florida’s Harvin could miss game Atlanta Journal Constitution
Florida Gators' Harvin improves, but enough to face Alabama? Tampabay.com
Transcript of Nick Saban conference call SportingNews.com
BamaMag.com - International Herald Tribune
all 363 news articles

AU should have plenty of motivation
Times-Journal, AL - Nov 28, 2008
Then again, the Tigers should take the field at Bryant-Denny Stadium with plenty of motivation. - With a win, Auburn will become bowl eligible. ...
Iron Bowl is motivation for injured Auburn players Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
Tide, Tigers Have Different Motivations BamaMag.com
GRIBBLE COLUMN: More than bragging rights on the line Opelika Auburn News
Dothan Eagle - Tuscaloosa News (subscription)
all 1,110 news articles

TSN.ca

Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution
GatorCountry.com, FL - Nov 28, 2008
Percy Harvin turns on the jets and heads to the end zone against South Carolina/Gator Country Photo by Tim Casey. The year was 1968 and the fifth-ranked ...
No. 2 Gators hammer rival FSU again, 45-15 The Associated Press
Storming to Atlanta: No. 2 UF heads for showdown with No. 1 'Bama ... Independent Florida Alligator
Tebow: The Ultimate Warrior DawgsBite.com
Swamp Things - Gatorsports.com
all 897 news articles

Don't let motivation to conserve fall with fuel prices
Bloomington Pantagraph,  USA - Nov 29, 2008
When gasoline was selling for $4 a gallon there was greater motivation to address those problems, just as there was when the fuel crisis of the 1970s hit ...

Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior
Indianapolis Star, United States - Nov 28, 2008
But I use that as a motivation to work harder and push myself through conditioning." That dedication is inspiring to others around him, Center Grove coach ...

Longmont Daily Times-Call

Colorado kicks itself after loss
Omaha World-Herald, NE - Nov 28, 2008
It's going to be hard to watch, but it's going to give us motivation to make sure it never happens again." Colorado (5-7, 2-6) looked bowl-ready after the ...
Buffs say heartbreak will be motivation Boulder Daily Camera (subscription)
'Angry' Buffs Stunned By Last-Minute Loss Nebraska StatePaper.com
Hypolite delivers for CU Daily Camera
all 18 news articles

Resources