Why should serious work be boring?

A quick introduction to Creative Block Busting

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A quick introduction to Creative Block Busting

Creative Block Busting is more than brainstorming. It focuses on solving an issue in an enjoyable, nonthreatening manner.
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product/service and providing inputs for communication strategy development. It is like a software for the mind. You can apply it to any issue in any function.

A Creative Block Busting workshop is successful, only if it delivers results. Therefore, the whole process is tailored to arrive at fresh, yet actionable ideas.
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Clients use Creative Block Busting for helping their people to acquire creative thinking skills. They also use it for generating new product development ideas, solving business/marketing problems, arriving at unique differentiation ideas for
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Creative Block Busting

Creative Block Busting -What it is

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It is a different kind of brainstorming. It is business focused and result oriented. It starts with the premise that everyone is creative but most lack the opportunity to express their creativity. All Creative Block Busting Workshops are not the same. It is critical to plan every workshop meticulously, to get the results that clients desire.
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We therefore

spend considerable time before the

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workshop, to understand client's needs and what must the Creative Block Busting relevant way. Workshop deliver. This will provide inputs for designing the workshop in a

Creative Block Busting

Different kind of brain storming Business focused Results oriented

What it is

Creative Block Busting - What it does

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Creative Block Busting thaws even the most stubborn minds, frozen in habitual ways of thinking. It launches the most effective and enjoyable offensive onThat's the way we do things here! kind of thinking. It shows how to challenge assumptions and get out of logic traps.
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Creative Block Busting

Clears cobwebs of the mind Breaks Habitual thinking Encourages fresh bold thinking

What it does

Creative Block Busting - Process ingredients

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The process is where the magic is, but what makes it so are the seven ingredients. Let us look at each ingredient.

Creative Climate Key players Well defined task Thinking techniques that stretch minds Robust sorting/selection process Smart Solution development Presentation to get buy in
How/process

Creative Block Busting

Creative Block Busting - Creative Climate

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How to create a creative/innovative climate in the workplace is a question that bothers many managers. You may get a few cues from what we do. The climate at the workshops are stimulating, playful, engaging and encouraging. It is sprinkled with humour

and laughter. There are toys, games and quizzes and yes, even small prizes and gifts, that help. Most importantly everyone feels respected and valued because their ideas are respected and valued.

Creative Block Busting

Encouraging Safe/non judgmental Playful Stimulating

Creative climate

Creative Block Busting - Key players

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The three key players in Creative Block Busting are: The client, the facilitator and most importantly the advisors/participants.
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It is this partnership amongst the three that makes Creative Block Busting most powerful and effective.
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Client (internal)

Defines Challenge
Manages Process Manages Time Manages Climate Helps deliver output Knowledgeable Full of ideas Passionate Possibility thinking

Key Players
Creative Block Busting

Facilitator

Advisors/participants

Creative Block Busting - Well defined challenge

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The first step is to arrive at a well-defined challenge statement. A challenge statement is not the same as an ambitious goal. The challenge statement is the foundation of a good Creative Block Busting workshop. The client and the facilitator work together to define this sharply.
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Creative Block Busting

By client Sharp Business focus

Well defined task

Creative Block Busting - Techniques

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You can't get fresh thinking just by wishing for it. If you want a different crop, you have to sow different seeds. To help people think differently, we provide a variety of different stimuli that ignite imagination, unlock the mind, broaden perspectives and open new possibilities. This is most crucial to break out of habitual thinking. It is insane to expect that the same old people, thinking in the same old way will come out with break-through ideas.

Creative Block Busting

Ignite Imagination Stretch thinking Bring new perspective

Techniques

Creative Block Busting - Sorting/Selection

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The tragedy of most brainstorming sessions is when people settle for mediocrity while selecting ideas, because of discomfort with new thinking. Creative Block Busting rejects 'rejection' as a means to focusing on good ideas. It advocates a robust sorting and selection process and encourages taking risks. The challenge is to convert the new idea into a practical solution.

Robust process Sorting old/new Select, not reject See value Quick win Long-term

Creative Block Busting

Sorting/Selection

Creative Block Busting - Solution Development

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Building a new idea into a practical new solution requires focus, discipline and creativity. Above all it requires sound process steps. That is what Creative Block Busting offers.
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Creative Block Busting

Build on new ideas Add more power Tackle practical concerns Validation

Solution

Creative Block Busting - Presentation

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Most people are frustrated because their new ideas are not accepted by 'the powers that be'. The fault lies with them and not the decision makers, because people do not articulate their ideas in a persuasive way, to seek support, and sponsorship. This is a critical step in the Creative Block Busting process.
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Business Focus Simple Clear Persuasive Seeking decisions

Creative Block Busting

Presentation

Creative Block Busting - Next Steps

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Why is it that things do not get done, even though every one has agreed that it is a good idea? Research has shown that the culprit is ambiguity. No body knows what to do, who will do it and when. Creative Block Busting uses a convergent process to bring closure with a clear action plan.
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Creative Block Busting

What Why Who When Next steps

Creative Block Busting - Online

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It is not necessary to go off-site every time you want fresh ideas or new perspectives. It is now possible to get together as a team online, draw on each other's expertise and experience. A focused, facilitated online session can yield excellent results. What is more, you could now get experts from wherever in the world they are. A series of short, wellplanned sessions can raise productivity in a way that makes tremendous business sense. We can achieve a clear shift from training to learning in an online environment. Higher

levels of interactivity and participation can lead to more engaged learners. On the spot quizzes and feedback sessions will ensure that the session remains on track

Through VOIP Creative Block Busting Training Problem Solving Workshops No travel Participate from where you are
No hotel/ conference costs

Through video Through presentations

Through chats Shorter sessions Facilitated Focused

From anywhere in the world More flexibility

Upto 15 people at a time

Creative Block Busting - Assignments

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Talent retention Diagnostic tool kit for demonstration Insight to ideas improving quality of campus recruitment Developing new packaging ideas Developing new product ideas Developing ideas for differentiation Developing new service ideas

Stopping attrition Brand Clarity Improving buy-in for ideas

Creative Block Busting Assignments

Single sourcing strategy Mission impossible Rejuvenating a tired brand Developing new customer value propositions Generating new business leads

We have had opportunities to conduct Creative Block Busting workshops across functions to address a variety of issues.

Contact R. Sridhar Innovation Coach IDEAS-RS 57 Bharat Tirtha CHS Sion Trombay Road, Mumbai 400071, Maharashtra India Mobile: +919820183752 Tel:+9122 25209313 Email:vijisri@ideasrs.com URL: www.ideasrs.com Blog: www.ideasrs.com/blogzrs
"Why should serious work be boring?" Creative Block Busting Workshop 2009 IDEAS-RS. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced , stored, in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission of IDEAS-RS.