January 2019

Begin With The End In Mind   Steven Covey teaches us in “The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People”, you need to visualize the end result then work backward.   Lay out the specific steps you need to take until you get to the beginning. It’s similar to what Michelangelo said about creating his masterpiece, David […]

S C A M P E R The idea analysis technique called SCAMPER was invented by Bob Eberle, and popularized in books like “Thinkertoys”.  It’s a great acronym that allows you to easily remember how to see your ideas from a completely different perspective.  SCAMPER stands for:   Substitute Combine   Adapt  Modify Put To

What Is The Hidden Parking Space Number   Think differently.  The answer is below.   “Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” -Salvador Dali   Lon Safko Serial Innovator, Keynote Speaker, Trainer, Innovative Thinking   Tags: innovative thinking, creative, creative thinking, Innovation, critical thinking definition, innovation definition, critical thinking skills, creative process  

Try This Now   Time for another activity!  Grab your pen and paper. Take a few moments and write down an example of a problem. Write that problem down both ways, Divergent and Convergent.  Here is an example for each. Divergently, e.g.: How can we get women to become repeat customers?   Convergently, e.g.: We

Divergent vs. Convergent Thinking   We are going to take a look at many different techniques scientists and innovative thinkers have found to help them develop their creative thinking ability. Some techniques work much better for some than for others. We are going to start with Divergent versus Convergent Thinking.  This is the yin /

SWOT Analysis SWOT Analysis, the old standby.  It’s an oldie but a goodie. It really is a good way of positioning your idea in the bigger picture. You start by creating the following four heading.  Then, as a group, you list everything you can about your concept that fits into each category.  If you spend

Mind Mapping   Mind Mapping is similar to brainstorming except ideas are visually expressed on a white-board or flip charts by topic area.  As with Brainstorming, you start with your core idea and write it in the middle. The team then starts naming ideas that need to be considered regarding that first concept.  Then you

Brainstorming – How do you brainstorm ideas?   Brainstorming is a problem solving technique using rapid generation of ideas.  In a group, everyone is encouraged to toss out ideas as quickly as they enter their minds.  The more spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group, the better. No value judgments, just an

Your Food Wheel Recipe   Here’s a couple of activities for you.  Grab your pad again…   Write down at least three recipes that change only by varying the meat, starch, veggie, and water. Come by my website www.Safko.com, select contact and let me know what you’ve come up with!    What kind of soup

Innovation – The Food Wheel   Here’s another innovation realization I came up with several years ago while sneaking a Taco Bell bean burrito; The Food Wheel.  What if…   What if you looked at all recipes as basically the same, but where only the shape and quantity varies.  Here’s an example.   Let’s start