What Is Idea All about, Six Thinking Hats - Assignment Example

Assignment Cover Sheet – Individual Course Name: Innovation and Creativity TechComm 3000 Course Coordinator: Simon Williams and Susan Chant Assignment: Assignment 3 Essay Student’s Names and ID Number: Student Name : Student Number : Due Date: 06/11/2016 Date Submitted: 03/11/2016 Word length: 1500 words Student Declaration: Signed: Date: 03/11/2016 Question 1 An idea is a psychological representation of objects. Idea is a product of mental activity. Ideas also refer to the abstract concepts not presented as mental images. The ability to create and understand an idea is significant in understanding the nature of the human beings. Ideas comes up in a reflexive, unstructured manner that do not require any thinking or deep refection. A new or original ideas often results in an innovation. Major difference between creativity and innovation is the focus. Creativity focuses on unleashing the potential of the mind to come up with new ideas. Luecke & Katz (2003) defines creativity as the capability of generating and conceiving something original. The concepts manifests in various ways. For instance, we can see, touch, taste or smell the result of creativity. It is impossible to measure creativity. Creativity can be a form of problem solution of expression. During brainstorming, a dozen of new ideas can come up. It displays creativity, but there is no innovation until the idea comes to reality. On the other hand, innovation is the introduction of something new. It is the successful development and implementation of ideas to maximize their value. That is, making an idea to happen. It involves taking newly created ideas and developing then into something that is useful and practical. In various ways, innovation is the conversion of theory into action. While creativity is imaginative, does not consume money and no risks involved, innovation is a productive process that consumes money for it to be realised and has various risks. Samsung is an example of a contemporary organization that gives it employees the opportunity to be creative and implement the creative ideas to come with new or developed products. For instance, by implementing flexible work hours, Samsung Electronics bolsters employee’s creativity and encourages innovation. Question 2 Six Thinking Hats is a creativity tool that focuses on creativity. Specifically, the tool focuses on the possibilities, alternatives, and new ideas. Implemented by Edward de Bono, Six Thinking Hats is a technique that focuses on enhancing the thinking structure such that decision making in groups and idea evaluation are dramatically improved. Dr. Edward de Bono invented the Sis Thinking in the early 1980’s as a process that would facilitate parallel thinking. The main intention of the tool was to make its users more productive, focused and mindfully involved as a group. The Six Thinking Hats is a thinking process that is easy to use and flexible, and leads to remarkable results with innovative thinking, better communication, and reduced time spent during meetings. Dr. de Bono organized a network that includes authorized trainers to introduce the creative tool. The creative tool has been licenced in various training parts of the world such as Advanced Practical Thinking (APTT) except in Canada. APTT organizes the trainers and supplies the written training materials as authorized by Dr. de Bono. In 2005, the Six Thinking Hats found its use in the United Kingdom in the innovation sector. Facilitation companies offered the tool to the sector. Moreover, the tool trailed within various civil service departments in the United Kingdom. The creative tool comprises of six modes of thinking, also known as directions. The users apply the model proactively, but not reactively. According to de Bono, the model separates ego from performance. The six directs encourages the performance of individuals rather than defending their ego. The premise of the tool bases on the fact that the human brain thinks in variety of ways that are alterable. Hence, Edward implemented the use of a planned way that allows the development of tactics while thinking about a specific issue. Question 3 Six Thinking Hats is a creative tool that focuses the thinking of its users on the benefits, values and attainability of innovative ideas (Luecke & Katz, 2003).The tool provides a framework that helps individuals to think clearly and thoroughly by focusing their thinking attention on a single direction at a time. Six directions characterize the creative tool. The directions include: White hat thinking: Also referred to as the information white, the white hat thinking exclusively considers the available information and facts. It involves generating facts, data and information that are necessary. Black hat thinking: the Black hat thinking involves an individual applying logic to identify reasons that are cautious, practical, realistic, and conservative Red hat thinking: The red hat thinking is where an individual develops intuitive gut reactions on emotional feeling with no justification. Blue hat thinking: the blue hat thinking focus the picture such the identifying the subject and goals. The blue hat thinking focuses on managing the thinking process and identifying next steps and action plans. Yellow hat thinking: this direction is where an individual applies logic to identify benefits and seek harmony. In most cases, the individual sees the positive side of situations. Green hat thinking: the green thinking direction results to statements of provocation and investigation where an individual thinks creatively. The theoretical reasons why the Six Thinking Hats benefits its users is that in encourages parallel thinking, encourage full-spectrum thinking, and separates ego from performance. Moreover, the model encourages innovativeness. General motors put significance on continuous improvement. The philosophy of Kaizen under the name of continuous improvement focuses on progress and innovation. However, for an idea to become a reality, GM incorporates innovative spirit among its employees by polishing creativity. GM accepts new concepts offered by individuals to encourage innovation. The company values imagination as it is the outlet for creativity among individuals within the company. Question 4 Using creativity tools in an individual context assists the individual to obtain a larger number of ideas on a subject compare to the amount generated while in a group. Individually applying the creative techniques is more effective when an individual need to solve a problem, produce a list of concepts, or focus on a broader issue. For most people that apply creativity techniques, the individual often choose a comfortable place to sit and think. As a result, there are minimal distractions hence the ability to focus on the problem at hand. For instance, brainstorming on your own eliminates the worry about other people’s ego and opinions. Individual brainstorming encourages creativity, as the individual is freer. Individual brainstorming results to original ideas. Individual brainstorming is an independent process that occurs on a solitary basis and includes techniques such as free speaking, free writing, free word association and the spider web. In this case, the individual takes notes of their thoughts, according to Luecke & Katz (2003) individual brainstorming is more affection compared to the traditional brainstorming. The free association yields irrational outputs that are refinable to become recognizable concepts. Mind mapping is another creativity technique best used by an individual. The technique allows an individual to represent ideas and notes in a tree diagram. In this case, the individual sets an overall theme at the centre of a large paper in landscape and label all the major branches, sub-topis and cluster materials. Practicing creativity techniques individually enhances the creation of new idea, breakthrough of fixed ways of thinking, development of new inspiring and techniques, and enhances the ability to think outside the box. Question 5 The entrepreneurs and organizations capacity for creativity and innovation can be enhanced. Organizations seek the opportunity to become more competitive. As a result, organizations have to encourage creativity by creating a climate that supports and enables creative thinking among the employees. To enhance creativity within organizations, it is critical to create a culture that nourishes creativity. Organizational culture concerns the values, beliefs, and traditions that reflect the foundation of the organization. Developing a positive culture is the key to increasing the possibilities of organizational success through creativity and innovation. A culture is viewed to be bad or good depending on the ability to support the achievement of the organizational goals. A good culture enables the organization to achieve its goals and objectives and effectively adjust to the external environment. If an organizations needs to enhance its creativity and become more innovative, it has to design its culture appropriately. Organization culture dimensions such as availability of necessary resources, reward systems, rapidly formed relationship, specific targets and sharing of knowledge impacts upon the frequency and speed to which an organization enhances innovation and creativity. Organizational culture that supports creativity nourishes creative ways of representing and solving problems. Ultimately, creativity will encourage innovation. The capacity of an organization to become creative and innovative depends on the organizational structure and culture. Creativity, collaboration, and excellence are the key elements of leadership at Samsung. Samsung attracts world’s talented manager and continuously evolve the company’s culture to support and foster innovative idea that assists in the advancement of technology, creation of new products and improvement of the lives of the customers. Samsung presents awards to employees every year in the four major company parts namely; technology, design, special size, and distinguished. The company’s unique culture influences the ability of the entire organization to come up with creative ideas and move steps faster that the competitors. References Luecke, R. & Katz, R 2003 ‘Managing Creativity and Innovation’. 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