But ultimately creative tools and techniques won’t make you “more creative.” They’ll make you more creatively effective, and there’s a difference. Becoming more creative means you change who you are and how you are being, core creative improvement, really, requires personal transformation. The good news, it’s possible. The bad news, it’s quite challenging. Being more creatively effective is a good thing, but it’s a relatively easy change compared to creative transformation.

Creativity is in each of us, that’s a given. We all have creative capacity. Still, without self-expression, without a sense of that force within us, all the tools and techniques in the world are window dressing.

Creativity is an integral part of who we are as human beings, it’s a lot more than Post-It Note brainstorming. Imagination, a creative product, is what makes us different from very smart Dolphins. Not that I know what a Dolphin might imagine, they might have a very rich imaginative life. But a Dolphin has very few outlets for that imagination, whereas humans have endless outlets for self-expression, and also endless outlets for creative suppression.

If you want to be more creative from the core of who you are, it requires changing how you think and behave. That’s why creative transformation is difficult, it’s changing very fundamental things. As my hero and creativity mentor Sid Parnes once said, Deferred Judgment is not just something you do when in the divergent phase of brainstorming, deferred judgment is a way of life. Imagine if you will…

• that you start listening with an ear for what is possible instead of what’s wrong
• that you treat your ideas and the ideas of others with respect, care, and thoughtfulness
• that you are able to distance yourself from the constant stream of critical judgement running through your head

If you could really integrate those three things into your thinking and life, would life be different? I think it would, and that “creative transformation” is a core-level change in who you are that will make you, indeed, more creative. Massively more creative. Combine that way of being with Tools and you are more creative AND more creatively effective. Is it easy to defer judgment as a way of life? Trust me on this, no, but one can make strides in ones journey. Deferral of Judgment is only one of the essential behaviours of a truly actualized creative person. The related concept of Tolerance for Ambiguity is another, but that’s a post for another day.

And yes, dear results-oriented business readers, being more creative and more creatively effective is THE foundational piece for innovation.

Wally Amos started with a simple idea, great cookies

Guerilla Innovation Chapter Fourteen

Run to the Jungle

I’ve written what amounts to a short book on innovation for small business these last couple months. I’ve called it Guerilla Innovation (the starting post is here) and I’ve targeted those who want to create a start-up, or, are internal innovators at companies who have little experience with innovation (and innovation-speak). This is a basic, but I think highly useful, field-guide-like innovation book for small business. Every business starts as a small business, so, I’m not limiting the book to those who don’t have much ambition — I merely wanted to provide a more readable, more practical, approach to innovation without all the “MBA-speak”.

In the spirit of providing real value in this blog, I’ve posted my chapters for Guerilla Innovation and made them available, free, for all to read and use. This is the final chapter. There is a great deal more to say about innovation, particularly in the operational sense, but there is so much already written on that stuff I feel like I’d be re-creating the wheel. This book was about the “how to” of getting started with innovation, and I think this has been accomplished. I reserve the right to post more on the subject, but for now — here are my final thoughts:

• Going Guerrilla as an innovator is a life style choice. It’s pretty much an “all in” game, at least mentally. If you want to succeed as a small business innovator, you’d better be prepared to put your mind, heart, soul and bank account on the line. This is not work for the faint of heart, so, if you are risk averse, fearful, pessimistic or cynical, you’d better deal with that before you jump into the jungle.
• Creating something new takes time. If your life circumstances have you married to a job and with few resources, getting your own venture off the ground could take years, even if you put your heart and soul into it. Still, have hope, because there are hidden resources all around you and the market is more open and democratic now than it has ever been. When I see people doing amazing projects with Kickstarter or WeFunder — average people with an idea and virtually no money to start — one can take heart, dreams can come true. Don’t forget you can start small, start part-time, and it could be a very simple idea. Famous Amos simply made a very good chocolate chip cookie right? So, with hope in your heart, get started and keep going.
• I’ve tried to avoid MBA-speak in this blogged book, but the truth is there is much to learn about business in general and innovation in particular — you should make the effort to do so. Do your own MBA. Start with my business novel Jack’s Notebook, move on to Eric Reis’ The Lean StartUp, read Alex Osterwalder’s Business Model Innovation, and complete the mini-course with the Peter Diamandis tome, Abundance. There are other good books by folks like Seth Godin (I like Tribes a good deal) and Guy Kawasaki. The point here is you should read these books, and, keep up with busienss trends by reading on the web. This is part of what Guerilla Innovators do.
• Speaking of learning, I’ll summarise a lot of the chapters of this online book in one phrase: how you create something new and different usually means you know a great deal about the area you are trying to innovate in. If you dive into the jungle, you need to become an expert in your arena. Put in the work, learn, learn, learn. It’s the jumping off point for innovation.

You can’t connect the dots if you don’t know any dots.  And as my dear departed father once said, “you can’t do business sitting on your ass”. So, you have a choice to make. Are you going to don a black beret and dive into the jungle and  become a Guerilla Innovator? Or, are you going to sit in an easy chair and watch a football game?

All the best whatever you choose, and do tell me your stories as they unfold. I’m not the Che Guevera of the innovation world (although I do wear a beret) but I am a resource. If you want ideas, or advice, I’m here to help.

And please, direct your friends to this online book if you think they’ll find it useful.

Now, run to the jungle.

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The pre-cursor book to this online book on small business innovation (aka Guerrilla Innovation) is Jack’s Notebook, a business novel about creative problem solving.  This is a great story that blends all the concepts of Guerrilla Innovation into one fast-paced, thriller type book. Creative Problem Solving (CPS) is a fundamental innovation skill, so, I suggest you read, and use, Jack’s Notebook.

Viola Spolin had some interesting thoughts on the value of creativity training… for actors, and everyone else

I’ve neglected to write about a critically important aspect of creativity and innovation —  the value of training.

Creativity and innovation training is a highly effective accelerant for business results.

And yes, you can train creativity. And by the way, if you want brainstorming that works – don’t skip training. Much of the research that says brainstorming doesn’t work (ahem) studied groups with no training.

You can also train people in the fuzzy front end of innovation. That difficult bit of  invention that analysis can’t quite solve on its own is especially challenging for corporations. Training can make a big difference in bridging the gap between market knowledge and… what could be.

You’ll see immediate and positive results with creativity training. Min Basadur did a rigorous study, see here, and that’s not the only proof. Individuals learn how to think and express ideas in a more positive, focused, and free flowing way with certain types of creativity training. Teams achieve breakthrough results when properly facilitated through through a rapid, flexible, but structured process at the front end of innovation.

Creativity training feeds innovation process like wood wool feeds flame.

The creative training many experts advocate is structured Creative Problem Solving training (CPS, aka ‘Osborn-Parnes model’) and Front End of Innovation process training (FEI). CPS is a time-tested framework. Many innovation consultants use CPS or their own modified versions of CPS (see my business novel about CPS, Jack’s Notebook.) FEI process training is about how to conduct and orchestrate a series of activities that happen before the classic stage-gate/pipeline of new product development. Stage-gate is in the textbooks. FEI training is being done, but is relatively obscure. CPS training is generally more available — but not ubiquitous.

Sadly, it’s notable that as an innovation budget line item it is often left out entirely, or, it’s the first sacrificial lamb to be cut. It should be the first thing done, because creativity and innovation training accelerates innovation in five strategic ways:

1. Improved creative thinking leads to enhanced innovation capacity, and with action, results.
2. Training helps instil structured creative thinking and innovation process as a cultural value and habit.
3. CPS and FEI training provide innovation teams with a common language and framework to solve problems, improve communication, expedite complex problem resolution, and moving new business concepts forward.
4. Training corrects many of the myths that surround creativity and innovation. There is a science to this that is largely ignored. For those that learn and practice the science — it’s a competitive advantage.
5. Team efficiency improves because a lot of useless chatter, debate, and conflict is eliminated.

One of the reasons creativity training  is not more commonly done is that there is a misconception that you can’t train creativity. If you think of it as complex problem solving you can indeed train it and improve performance — dramatically so. Creativity is an innate human capacity that is squeezed out of us over time. You can put it back in the tube!

Creativity is intimately related to change, decision making, and problem solving — it’s not just artistic self-expression.

So here’s the teaching point. If you are in charge of an innovation program or initiative, do the training first. For you, and then your team. All activities that happen afterwards will be performed at a higher level, and from day one. Imagine creativity applied to research, platform question framing, idea generation, concept development, and management presentations. Imagine an innovation framework your team can get better and better at…

Training is the fuel for innovation fire.

Tennessee Ernie Ford, sang about the lack of money in his hit “Sixteen Tons”

Guerilla Innovation- Chapter 12

Having a Healthy Money Mindset

One major factor that stops people from making the jump into business ownership is their relationship with money. Before I get into ways in which entrepreneurs (aka ‘guerilla innovators’) can get funds, a blurb on the whole money mindset is in order. Money, because of its importance, is deeply entwined with our thinking. It is often an emotional relationship. These emotions about money can inhibit creativity and put a damper on innovation.

Before you go out fund raising, think about these statements:

• Do you have a problem with asking for money? Do you have a fear of rejection?
• Do you worry you can’t prove or persuade others you and your concept are worth the investment?
• Do you have a deep belief that you don’t deserve success and good things in your life?
• Do you have a belief that the system is rigged to the point you can never beat it?

This is a partial listing. Suffice to say the relationship people have with money is complicated. Books have been written about it, in fact, a speaking industry colleague, Steve Seibold just published: How Rich People Think. Steve’s book is a deep exploration on how people think about money and how it limits or empowers them. Or, read the old classic The Millionaire Next Door. Essentially, it’s important to be aware of how you think about money, you may need to change your thinking!

Here’s the Guerilla Innovators Guide to a Healthy Money Mindset:

1. Money is not evil. Money is necessary to function in today’s world. It’s what buys food and pays the rent. Evil happens when people do things just for money. If you are delivering value to a customer it’s not evil at all, it’s the opposite, you’re helping others, and yourself — it’s a win-win. Compensation for your work or product is fair.
2. Don’t be afraid to say or think that you desire money. Let’s be clear, the object of business is to get money in exchange for something of value. Even in social innovation, money is key to survival and continuing good work. Just because you want money doesn’t mean you’re greedy. Greed is about money for money’s sake and if that’s where you’re coming from, well, I would suggest you are out of balance. Money is a means to an end, not the end itself. Money funds your lifestyle, supports your family, and enables your personal and business career. Money is not success. Success is doing what you want to do (my view).
3. Asking for money doesn’t make you a beggar. Asking for a handout is begging. Asking for funds to implement an idea is a business proposition. Raising funds, you are not going “cap in hand” to a potential customer, loan officer, or angel investor. You are asking another business person to invest, there’s a big difference. Do not assume “low status” – no matter what you’ve ever done or what your station or perceived class in society is does not matter. What matters is your value proposition, take pride in it, you thought it up! You’re a business person — people  either invest or they don’t.
4. Use Your Imagination. You may have never had a significant financial success. You may come from a family that lived hand-to-mouth. My family just got by for many years — so I get this – it has you feeling that it’s all so impossible (cue “Sixteen Tons”). But here’s the thing — you’ve got to believe you can raise, and have, money. You have to see yourself and think of yourself as crossing those thresholds. Imagine yourself with money – it detail. Meditate on how it will feel, look, and be. You can fanticize, and, imagine the real impact, and how you can grow your business and do more of what you want to do.
5. You’ll hear “No” a lot, get used to it. You may have to tell your story (and it should be told as a story) many times. Face the fact you are going to hear “No” in its many forms, a lot. Shake it off like a wet duck and keep asking. The more No’s you get the closer you’ll be to a Yes. You’ll get to Yes if you keep after it and if you have something worthwhile. Oh yeah, don’t forget to ask why they say No. Then adapt!
6. The system isn’t fair. So what? One has to be creative in working around this fact of life. Is it fair some people are born on third base and think they hit a triple? No, but it’s a waste of time and energy to dwell on it. This whole book is about how to out think those with more resources, so, read it and get to work. Or, you can whine about it and get nowhere. You choose.

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This post is the 12th chapter/module in an online innovation book tailored for small business. The working title is Guerilla Innovation. If you want to start at the beginning and read the entire book, start at the introduction, here.

Chapter is 13 is next, Keys to Entrepreneurial Survival.

The pre-cursor book to this online book on small business innovation (aka Guerrilla Innovation) is Jack’s Notebook, a business novel about creative problem solving.  This is a great story that blends all the concepts of Guerrilla Innovation into one fast-paced, thriller type book. Yes, Jack does Notebooking and a form of Scaffolding as part of the story. Stories are a great way to integrate learning!

Guerilla Innovation Chapter Five

Notebooking is Innovation Viagra

What do Leonardo DaVinci, Thomas Edison, Jack Kerouac, Beatrix Potter, Madame Curie, and Twyla Tharp all have in common?

They all do Idea Notebooks. Call the behavior Notebooking. It’s not just ideas, it’s also questions, facts, observations — products of your curiosity. The big company version of Notebooking is an Idea Management System (IMS). Notebooks are the IMS for small business innovators.

You have a Jungle Business Plan in your purse or man bag. It’s a short document that forms the outline of what you are doing in your quest for innovation. It’s a guide and you’re actively working it, evolving as the landscape in front of you changes. You use creative problem solving (CPS) on the inevitable challenges that arise as you seek solutions for customers that create value. You’re using the COQ (Curiosity, Observation, and Questions) tool to explore and learn more. These are the ways of being that make up an innovator. Notice, they’re nearly all about some kind of thinking.

It’s a lot to think about. Really, it’s brain overload. This is not the time to discuss memory, but suffice to say, the untrained and unaided mind is a poor recorder.

I heard Tony Buzan* speak some time ago and he said something (many things) very interesting: The human mind, on average, has about 65,000 thoughts a day. This gives new meaning to the cliché “go with the flow” doesn’t it? For an innovator in small business a large percentage of those 65,000 thoughts are about their business, and hopefully, a large percentage of those are about innovation. What happens to all those insights, questions, and ideas? Many of them, most of them, are gone like a rare bird vanishing on the horizon, never to be seen, or thought, again.

Unless — you notebook.

I am occasionally invited to do a radio program related to creativity and innovation and the bad news about radio interviews is they are short – 5 minutes or less. I’m often asked “what’s the one thing our listeners should do to be more creative?” The answer is notebooking. If you notebook your ideas, thoughts, lists of facts, and questions, you’ll be tapping into your own genius in a more effective way — a much more effective way. Researchers think that notebooking alone can make a person twice as creatively effective.

I don’t know about you but when someone says I can double my effectiveness in anything, I’m all ears. Notebooking is Innovation Viagra. Unlike Viagra it requires work, but it’s fun, and the more you do it the better you get at it. What I’ve found most interesting over the years is the post-thought connections you make. There’s something powerful about the re-processing that happens when you review, add more ideas, and this often results in “aha’s,”connections, and solutions.

So, run, don’t walk, to your local art supply store and get yourself a notebook. You might even get two, a small one for when you are not able to carry lots of stuff with you (think romantic dinners, movies, even while jogging) and a larger one for day-to-day work.

One last thought about notebooking. It’s important to write things down and if you do a better job of it it’s a big step. However, it’s not an action step. On a daily basis you need to review your notes and then do a quick convergence and decide which things need immediate action, which go into a longer term plan (or into the Jungle Plan), and which are thoughts that need more fermentation to be good wine.

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The next chapter is about how to build-out ideas and move towards a complete innovation, click here for Chapter Six.

* Buzan is amazing, he invented the tool of Mind-Mapping which is well worth learning and doing.

The pre-cursor book to this online book on small business innovation (aka Guerrilla Innovation) is Jack’s Notebook, a business novel about creative problem solving.  This is a great story that blends all the concepts of Guerrilla Innovation into one fast-paced, thriller type book. Yes, Jack does Notebooking!

I’m writing today of the words others have given me, and also, my own words. I occasionally hear from somebody who has read my business novel, Jack’s Notebook. The notes are generally positive. Some have been — inspirational. It’s a profoundly fulfilling thing to hear about the positive impact your words have on others. I’m grateful for the audience, and grateful for the words of empowerment others have given me.

Yesterday a reader of Jack’s Notebook, Aaron Eden, posted an interesting blog piece about his journey into the world of creativity and innovation. In Butterflies to Hurricanes – How Innovation and Creative Problem Solving Changed My Life, I got a glimpse at seeing how my words work. Aaron read Jack’s Notebook and has integrated CPS (Creative Problem Solving) into his personal and work life.  I get the sense that his career is really taking off as a result. This is the kind of thing I’d hoped for writing Jack’s Notebook!

Words, positive, creative, empowering words, can have an impact many years after they are first spoken or written. And I’m not just talking about Shakespeare here. Case in point: Aaron did a follow up interview with me. In the interview I mentioned an early mentor of mine, Bill McGrane. Bill advised me, in 1977, to read more books and become an expert at things (“read six books about something and you’re something of an expert…you’ll know more about that subject than 99% of the population”). I had always thought of an expert as something it would take years to become, so, Bill’s perspective and advice was an eye and mind opener. Simple advice that I took — and it has had a lasting positive impact.  Simple advice that opened Aaron’s mind 35 years later. Words can be a lasting legacy. RIP Bill McGrane Jr. and know that your wisdom and positivity echo in a new generation.

The point of this post is — take care to leave a lasting legacy of positive creativity in your words. What are those words for you? I’d ask — how can you inspire others? I’d say, reach into your soul and share what you know with them. I’d suggest that you find ways to empower others — by using your best, most creative, most positive, most empowering words. Put those words on paper, and speak those words to seekers, as Bill McGrane did over breakfast one morning with me. Then know that some of those words will spiral in human consciousness and create positive energy for years to come.

And that’s a good thing.

“Creativity is Not a Muse, it’s a Choice.”

Gregg Fraley

Yes, that’s my quote, and what this post is all about today.

I’m writing this piece to co-publish on a cool new blog called Follow the Weasel. Most of the content on FtW is in German, but selected bits, such as mine, are in English. FtW is a potpourri of creativity and innovation topics, a bit of design and invention, and it has a younger readership in Austria and Germany. Thank you to “Alf Red” a young visionary for the invitation to guest post on FtW. My post is directed at younger people, but it might resonate with anyone seeking greater creativity.

There is a ton of written material about creativity and innovation. I make an effort to keep up with the waves of literature — and it’s hard work. There’s a new methodology, a new process, fresh brain research, best practices, anti-best practices — some of it is quite good. There is also stuff about how creativity relates to mysticism and spirituality, also good. Finally there is also what I as an American would simply term “bullshit” — in other words, useless, boring drivel. If you intend to innovate, I would encourage you to read widely and make your own judgments. And…don’t get lost in all the words. Creativity, the wellspring of innovation, starts with something very simple — a choice.

Creativity is not something that happens to you. Or doesn’t happen to you! It may feel that way at times when your creativity doesn’t seem to be present. People over many years have bemoaned how elusive creativity seems to be, and term it a muse, an angel, a gift from God, etc. Creativity is indeed connected to spirituality. In my view it is part of the soul. So, I understand why people would connect it to things divine. And I understand it’s elusive nature, I don’t deny that.

And…

I strongly believe that Creativity is more of a choice than it is a muse.

When you make an active choice to be creative, your life changes. When you get up in the morning and look in the mirror and say “I’m creative” you’re choosing a path, and, you’re telling your brain how to behave. Good things will flow from that choice, trust me. When you make that creative choice, creativity, over time, becomes something that’s part of your being, your personality, how you think and act — all you do. When you integrate it into your life and mind, elusive creativity shows up more often and stays longer.

If you say, on the other hand, “am I creative?” or even worse, “I’m not creative” your brain will listen and will process challenges with no momentum. And, you’ll be living life tentatively, with fear, and with no confidence — and that’s no way to live. If creativity is a muse, you’ll have told it to go somewhere else. If you think this way now, that you are not creative, remember that creativity is not just about artistic talent, at its root it’s the human capability of solving problems. If you’ve ever solved a problem, you are creative.

So, young people, creative people, I urge you to make the choice. Say it out loud. Write it down in your idea notebook (which you must have with you at all times). Pick a time, every day, to remind yourself of your choice. Maybe it’s the morning mirror, maybe it’s an oak tree you pass, maybe it’s the door to your home, maybe it’s the first taste of coffee or tea. That’s your reminder moment, your re-choice moment. Pick your moment now.

Try this for a month and see the difference in your creative results. I’d wish you luck, but when you make this choice you no longer need it. I’ll just say — happy trails to you, until we meet again.

PS: If you want to start into more advanced practice, you might consider my book — Jack’s Notebook, a business novel about creative problem solving.

PPS: If you liked this post or found it interesting, please comment, and/or subscribe to this blog, thank you)

I’ve been busy lately doing a training course for salespeople called SalesStorming. My course is not rocket science, it’s just applied creativity concepts focused on selling challenges.

I’ve been in front of about 50 sales reps in recent weeks and although they are regularly involved in highly complex sales challenges (the kind that are difficult to win, with long sales cycles, and require a team effort) virtually none of these sales professionals had any idea, really, about how to brainstorm. It was fun to bring them into the new century of creative thinking. In two days we were thinking up breakthrough ideas and learning at the same time. I daresay I created some believers!

Now, to be clear about brainstoming — I’m not talking about poorly organized, un-focused, un-facilitated sessions where people break all the original rules. Rules like deferral of judgment, quantity of ideas, having trained participants, a neutral facilitator, etc. My sales hero’s nearly all had done “break the rules” brainstorming — aka 1949 brainstorming. Just to elaborate, this is where a manager takes a marker to a flip chart or white board and starts listing ideas — while colleagues debate, discuss, critique, argue, analyze and make fun of each others ideas. This is what’s often passing for brainstorming — and not just in sales departments (you could also call it braindribbling or bullshifting). This is what most of them said “doesn’t work” as we started the training.

I’ve been coached recently to write shorter posts, so here’s the point: If you want better ideas for any challenge — for sales, marketing, process improvement, customer service, new products, etc. — stop brainstorming like it’s 1949. Get trained in modern idea generation techniques, practice the skill, and you’ll bring your capability of creative problem solving into the new century. This choice might be the most cost effective thing you do all year, it might even be deemed strategic. What modern techniques? I’ll tell, but not in this post, and a hint, it’s not just Post-It Notes.

If you need help with idea generation, year 2011 style, by all means call me. Or, send me a telegram.

I’m thinking about this because The Creative Problem Solving Institute just concluded in Atlanta, Georgia. Also known as CPSI (“sipSee”) it’s an amazing event and it’s been happening for over 55 years. Normally I’d be there but work has conspired to keep me away. CPSI, was my creativity lost and found, really, an inflection point in my life.

Trust me, you are creative, and there are lots of ways to “get it back.”

In 1987 I was in my mid-30′s and in the brutal trench warfare of mainframe software sales. Aggressive selling, unethical tricks, and constant pressure go against who I am, and after several years of competitive battles my psychic energy was worn down. I’d had a career in television, where I had a good deal of “creative” opportunity, but in spite of some innovative work at QUBE, I’d not been able to monetize my talent. I thought of creativity as something that came as a bolt from the blue — and that happened to me now and then — but it was frustrating. One day I’d be the creative hero, the next day vacant of ideas. The ups and downs were emotionally exhausting, and it had me drinking too much, and searching for other muses, etc. At the time I believed creativity was something that artists did, and, since I was no longer involved in the arts, even remotely, I’d pretty much given up thinking of myself as creative. I was a salesman, and creativity was not the key job requirement (or so I thought). It gets worse, I was unduly influenced by a succession of sales managers and colleagues — whose cynicism and world views were much like the characters in the play Glengary Glen Ross. Creativity as a concept was something they would, and did, actively sneer at. Truthfully, I would have myself.

How many of us lose any sense of our creative selves and never recover? If you believe, as I do, that creativity is nearly akin to the spirit or soul — that’s not good.

So, it was good fortune that I landed one summer day at the SUNY Buffalo campus. How I got there is another story, but I found myself in a “Springboard” course, led by a retired Naval officer, and a Home Ec teacher from Washington DC. I was taught, experientially, the CPS process (aka Osborn-Parnes model, which I wrote a business novel about, Jack’s Notebook, years later) and — my life changed forever. Learning the model was powerful. Perhaps more important was the fact I started thinking of creativity as problem solving and not just self-expression or the arts. I started thinking I was a creative person, again, but in a new way, and that alone was profound. The community of people at CPSI was also transformative. People at the conference were open-minded to an unusual degree, openly warm, supportive of ideas. The “culture” of CPSI gradually broke down a thick layer of ice over my creative soul. Creativity is problem solving, AND, it’s about self-expression.  When you feel free to be self-expressed, creativity flows. When creative flow is aided by deliberate process you become a very dangerous person (in a good way).

A funny thing happened in the years after my first CPSI — I steadily became more successful. I kept going to back CPSI, kept learning, and started to use and facilitate “the process”. Meanwhile back at my career, I bounced from company to company and every time I did brought me a bit closer to work that was fulfilling and worthwhile financially. By 93 I was a founder of an innovative software firm that went public in 97. Since then I’ve been busy writing and consulting, and, trying to communicate my message of creative empowerment, and innovative results, to anyone who’s interested.

If you’re in need of finding or re-finding your creativity, a good first step would be to read Jack’s Notebook (now available on Kindle, and sorry to plug my own book, this is why I wrote it). After that, consider CPSI. Read this blog as a weekly dose and reminder. And remember, you are creative, say that to yourself all the time…it will all flow from there.

"CPS" = Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process

CPS really works. Entrepreneur’s and Innovators, learn it and prosper.

I had the opportunity and pleasure of co-teaching a class this week with Silicon Valley wiz Randy Haykin. We did a Team Problem Solving course for the MBA program at Cambridge’s Judge Business School. It was a dynamic week and mostly due to a clever cadre of international students. The course featured  “CPS” (aka Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving process) as the primary method/tool.  Students processed an entrepreneurial challenge using CPS and presented solutions — business plans — on the final day.

What amazed me most about the course was how well CPS worked even with inexperienced users, with no neutral facilitator, and in a very compressed time frame. The final presentations were not only creative, they were complete, and at times ingenious. One group reinvented the concept of the bookstore. Another group created a crowd-sourced pricing tool for real-estate, and the third team solved a marketing challenge for a new brand of premium wine. The quality of ideas was very high, and even more important, the actions plans were compelling, even inspiring. Now granted, these are talented young people, but even so, in three days they created totally valid business concepts, using a methodology they were still learning.

I wrote a business novel about CPS, Jack’s Notebook, so, it won’t surprise most of you that I believe it’s a valuable process. Having learned it myself nearly 25 years ago I sometimes take the power of it for granted. At times in my life I’ve flogged CPS like salted cashews, but I often feel my song of praise is unheard. This week’s course reassures me that even though CPS was articulated in the 1950′s it remains an amazingly effective, flexible, and intuitive business tool. There are other great methods and tools, but the great thing about CPS is you can include them, or aspects of them, under its forgiving umbrella. Six Sigma, TRIZ, Theory of Constraints, and DeBono’s Six Hats — all can be used with CPS. You can even use improvisation games.

I guess I’m singing that song again.

Here’s the bottom line: CPS should be a must-learn process for any aspiring entrepreneur or innovator. My suggestion: buy Jack’s Notebook and teach yourself.

I’ll send you the book free if you give me .1% of your new venture!