Innovating:  Think Inside the Box

Reprinted with permission. © 2011 Canadian Institute of Management  www.cim.ca

I was in a meeting with the CEO of  a global logistics firm, and the conversation turned to innovation training. He said he didn’t innovation could be taught because people were either “creative or not”.  I said creativity tests measure the number, range and originality of ideas a person generates. Did he think people could improve on those metrics?  In other words, can an individual or team generate a wider range of diverse ideas? He paused, thought about it, and then nodded…

Innovation produces real improvements in products, services and processes.  Innovation is essential to business success, yet it’s regarded as elusive. It has long been considered the purview of entrepreneurs and “creative types”—some un-learnable and ineffable quality that only a lucky few possess.

This notion led to the oft-used phrase: “Think outside the box.”  But what does that mean? The phrase is a nebulous concept that leaves people without a clear goal or process.

To read the full article,  http://www.juiceinc.com/files/documents/cdn_mgr_summer_11_boersma.pdf or click on the link below.

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About the Author

Rick Boersma

Rick has been in the field of education and training since 1985 working with dozens of Fortune 500 corporations, as well as hundreds of smaller companies, designing and facilitating experiential training programs. Rick's energetic personality and contagious enthusiasm will leave audiences inspired and mezmerized.