Creativity and Innovation in Business - Coursework Example

Creative Thinking for Business al Affiliation) Introduction The business logic for the 21st century is fairly more demanding than that of previous eras – hence the need for creativity and innovation. This is because there are certain factors that have come into existence that previously were not. One of the factors is the high level of competition. This competition has resulted in there being a variety of alternatives for consumers within a particular field. Following this, the goal for business owners has had to shift from that of effecting profit to that of bringing about sustainability and maintenance. This is to ensure that in a competitive business domain their business strategy remains relevant. Furthermore, the importance of creativity and innovation has also been fueled by the exposure to technology and education (Singh, 2008). Through this, business administrators and innovators have a wider canvass from which to explore their theories and ideas. This paper aims to explore the creative and innovative elements that could be put in place for a statistics firm in the health domain. Creativity and Innovation Creativity refers to the phenomenon of pushing the mind to its greatest potentials in order to develop new ideas. Innovation on the other hand refers to the actual introduction and enhancement of change through previously unexploited ideas. Notably, while one may be creative they may not necessary be innovative. Creativity is not measurable because it is subjective – it is impossible to determine where exactly an individual’s creative aspect reach as it is not visible. Innovation is measurable because it is visible – the changes that one effects can be seen in the system upon which they work. In summation creativity is centered on conceptualization – the creation of concepts upon which a system could become more effective and outstanding (Anheir, 2010). Innovation is centered on action – it allows one to act upon the concepts they have developed in a manner that is visible and definitive to all the stakeholders involved. Problem/Solution Tanner Inc is an organization that deals with statistics and record keeping for the health sector. The problem in this regard is that there appears to be a miscommunication and misunderstanding between the patients and the staff of Mt. Olive hospital. The patients, for the most part, are illiterate and therefore are unable to understand and keep track of their medical records. The staffs, owing to the large number of patients they have to deal with, frequently overlook certain aspects of patients’ health that eventually become detrimental. In the event that this is not cubed and a clear mode of understanding for both parties developed the incidences of health severity and death could be on the increase. Tanner Inc aims to solve this by establishing an easier method through which patients could understand and interpret their own records and the doctors could easily detect even the slightest change/pattern that could affect a patient’s health. In the spirit of innovation, Tanner Inc could develop a record keeping strategy through which records are marked by color scheme palettes or design patterns. For instance if a patient’s blood pressure is below/above norm it could be marked by a grey/black color scheme and if it is at the right point it could be marked by a yellow or green palette. The representation of each palette should be laid out in the records to ensure that patients and doctors are aware of what each scheme represents. The process would be such that hospital staff do the normal record keeping and engage the services of Tanner Inc to refine the records using this design strategy. This Strategy is a new one in the health sector and would be beneficial if taken up with determination. The records would be kept short and precise in order to ensure that the occurrence of confusion in any way whatsoever is averted. Notably, the major areas of health would be the focus of the process; ease of sleep, blood pressure, healing speed, cost control etc. Opportunity for Exploitation Firstly, the problem in question deals with a large part of the population and regards a popular sector of human existence. Therefore, Tanner Inc has the platform to impact change on a good number of people’s lives and in a magnitude that is actually relevant. Furthermore, the solution that Tanner Inc proposes would be needed by the health sector at large. A problem is ailing health operators that deal with large numbers of in and out patients. Mt.Olive Hospital is also the largest hospital within its county. Therefore being able to accomplish the fit in question would see Tanner Inc make a worthwhile alliance and partner in the hospital. In the situation at hand, Tanner Inc already has a testing ground for its idea. Most companies develop an idea and do not have a ready ground for trial at hand. Owing to the outstanding nature of the idea at hand, if Tanner Inc were to be successful, this could transform its innovation reputation, image, and goodwill to immeasurable heights. Creation of Creative Culture Creative Culture refers to a style of living and action that embodies consistency in creativity. It is centered on ensuring that the creative aspects of an organization are maintained and sustained throughout its existence. Tanner Inc could acquire a creative culture through encouragement/incorporation of a reading culture. Scholars argue that reading is the sole most efficient way through which mindsets are broadened. It allows people travel in time to understand different people’s modes of thinking and merge that with their own. Tanner Inc could do this through creation of a library within it to allow their employees a platform to explore reading. The organization could also incorporate creativity contests in its strategy. In this way, people are fuelled to come up with the most outstanding ideas they possibly can. Those that come up with the best ideas would enjoy bonuses to reward them (Kirimi, 2005). In these ways, the creative culture within the organization could be sustained. The process of creativity Stakeholders and Staff must be made to understand the importance of the creative process. This is as regards firstly to the company’s achievement of set goals. Secondly, they should be made to understand how said process is important to their skill development as individuals. The process is likely to be unsuccessful if this stage is overlooked as there would not be any comprehension (Anheir, 2010). As is human nature human beings must be made to understand of how something is beneficial to them in order for them to accord it their utmost attention. The process of creativity must also see to it that the ideas generated are brought into action. This will see to it that they bear fruit and that employees are motivated because their ideas are taken into account. Barriers to creativity The process could be barred by lack of motivation. This is if for instance if employees feel that their ideas are not accorded due importance. Employees should be made to feel that the attempts they make in the creative process are of utmost importance to the company. This is through as previously mentioned – rewarding them with bonuses or promotions. It could also be barred by a management system that does not act as a role model (Kirimi, 2005). The management must also be creative and innovative in order for the staff to act similarly. The management should be as committed to the creative process as the employee body is. These two factors could very well sink the entire creative process if they come about. However, of the two lack of motivation is the most widespread factor. Scholars assert that in instances of failure the most common factor, as cited by employees is usually lack of motivation (Singh, 2008). Summary In order for the creative process to be successful, creativity and innovation must go hand in hand. Creativity remains pointless without innovation whilst innovation is not even an existence phenomenon without creativity. In this regard, an organization must have staffs that are well endowed in both aspects. It should have those that are excellent in creativity as well as those that are excellent in innovation so that they complement each other. Whilst in the creative process, the focus should be a field that has actual relevance so that the impact can be felt on a widespread basis (Singh, 2008). Notably, success would only be accomplished if the concept that an organization is working with is unique; this is the whole essence of creativity. Organizations should strive to come up with ideas that have not been enacted before in order to achieve greater heights. The organization should also ensure that they have a clear understanding of the filed upon which they are enacting the process. Only after consideration of all the above factors could the creative process become successful. Recommendations If Tanner Inc were to be successful in the endeavor in question firstly, the organization’s stakeholders must have a shared and clear vision. This lays down the foundation as to why they are working towards a certain achievements and how this is to be accomplished. The organization must also lay down a clear period upon which they intend to act. This ensures that they fulfill the need in question in due time in order for the process to remain relevant. It is also important that there be alternative modes of operation in case the laid out strategy fails. In this way before failure becomes definite, the organization would have accorded success its best shot (Anheir, 2010). The organization should also allow for an outside analysis of their mode of operation. This is to ensure that they have an unbiased opinion on whether their strategy is effective. In similar light, the organization could benefit greatly from interacting with others in the same field in order to view issues from their perspectives. In this way, they would be able to have a history of attempts made to solve the issue and the limitations or strengths that prompted the result. References Anheir, H. 2010. Cultural expression, creativity and innovation . London: Sage. Kirimi, D. 2005. Transformational corporate leadership. Luton: Andrews. Singh, S. 2008. The immanent disaster : creativity and innovation. Delhi: Kalpaz Publications. Read More