Creativity and Innovation Management - the Value of Challenge

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Money doesn't do it

Challenge and the expansion of competencies figure highly in the realm of motivation. Most people require challenging work if only to prevent boredom.

The Eastern perception of creativity identifies challenge as a part of self-actualisation - the individual is moving toward his or her ideal self.

Competency expansion is positively correlated with a feeling of self-actualisation.

Competency expansion directly addresses problem solving, in that it gives the individual a problem to resolve that is beyond that individual's present capability, and thus indices the problem solving state, or in other words, the creative state.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with an Innovation Management Bible, a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/