Archive for December 14th, 2008

Creativity is essential for getting outside your box. Usually there’s problem solving or idea generation, sometimes both: some techniques are useful for both applications, some just for one or the other:

Problem solving – you have a specific situation that needs to be resolved (problem) and you need to find ideas to help you achieve this solution (for instance, resolving a design flaw in a product, reducing costs in line with market forces, finding a delivery method that fulfils your cost/quality/time criteria).

Directed Creativity- www.directedcreativity.com – This site has a comprehensive collection of creativity techniques.{+}

Edward de Bono – www.edwdebono.com – This gives information on most of de Bono’s work in the teaching of creativity including Six Thinking Hats and lateral thinking.

The Innovation Network – www.thinksmart.com – Numerous articles on personal creativity and organizational innovation in the article archives.

What a Great Idea! – www.whatagreatidea.com – The Web site of Charles`Chic’ Thompson, author of What a Great Idea and Yes But. Full of ideas on how and where to get ideas, and how to overcome resistance to them.

Enchanted Mind – www.enchantedmind.com – A colorful, well-designed site with a great deal of information on creativity techniques as well as articles, puzzles and humor.

Ideas Bank – http://www.globalideasbank.org/site/home/ for creative ideas to solve many personal and social problems.