Monday, May 28, 2007

Brainstorming Technique

Any one who is serious about using creativity to develop new ideas, must learn the art of conducting brainstorming. The following links provide adequate information. Read, reflect and Use it regularly.


Brainstorming Technique

Handouts on Brainstorming

Eight Rules to Briliant Brainstorming

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Monday, May 21, 2007

Economics Course from Carnegie Mellon University

You can access the Carnegie Mellon University's online course workbooks used in the full semester course on Micro Economics taught at the following link. The access includes the complete online workbooks including all expository text.

Economics

Sunday, May 20, 2007

How to Apologise?

We all make mistakes. We do need to apologise at time. The problem is how do we say sorry. You may find the following link useful:



The Art of Apology from Harvard

Monday, May 14, 2007

Managing Difficult People

We all face difficult people at work and in our social encounters. How do we manage them Read the following article:

Managing Difficult People

Dealing with difficult people workbook

Insights on Creativity -

The preference to stay as we are right now is the norm rather than exception. The uncertainty and risk associated with new things and new ideas are the main reason for the avoidance attitude. We need to adapt and change to survive. Remaining status quo is not going to bring you anywhere. Organisations need to accept the truth - innovate or die.

Organisations who wish to survive and grow need to adopt innovation as one of their basic strategies. Innovation demands that the people in the organization learn to THINK differently, so that they are able to bring about new ideas. Managers must recognise that creativity and inovation are not meant to be limited to R&D department. Creativity and Innovation should become the norm in all types of activities. Once we become committed to the reality that innovation is required in all our processes, management policies, marketing, services and products we will be able to convince the employees of the need to THINK more Creatively.

The million dollar question is - How do we make people think creatively? First you must accept the fact that all of us are creative. If that is so, why are the majority of employees reluctant to think more creatively? Generally, the processes and structure in the workplace discourages creativity. The best place to start is to take a comprehensive review of the present practices and processes that are in place and ask whether each of this practices encourages or discourages creativity.

One should be prepared to slaughter sacred cows if you want to move on to become a more creative and innovative organization. Business organizations need to think of new products and services so that they can stand out from their competitors. Thinking and developing new products and services demand that the employees be equipped with creative thinking skills. Innovative business organizations know how to create the right work environment for innovation.

Employees at all levels must be trained on creative problem solving techniques, so that they will be equipped with competencies and skills that will enable them to generate creative ideas, when dealing with problems in the workplace. One needs to create the environment that supports creative thinking first, so that employees can move to a higher level of creating new products and services. To take the innovation and creativity to a higher level, you must remember that creativity is about generating new ideas, while innovation is about introducing feasible business products or service. Gaining an insight on creativity is the best way to develop effective problem solving skills.


Arul John Peter, is a Facilitator with the Centre for Creative Thinking, based in Singapore (www.creativityasia.com). He conducts training workshops on creativity and related soft skills for clients in Asia and Middle East. He holds an MBA and majored in strategic human resource management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science as his basic degree and professional qualification in administrative and people management from the Institute of Administrative Management, United Kingdom. He is a member of the American Creativity Association.

Thursday, May 10, 2007

Creativity Techniques

Training and Staff development is becoming critical for the success of an organisation. Training executives play important role in this aspect. They need to have the right skills and tools in order to improve the Abilities, Skills and Knowledge (A.S.K.)of individual employees. Training managers in the process of managing and providing training and development programme are helping their employees to acquire critical skills and competencies that would enable them to enhance their performance. There are other independent trainers who are also involved in providing similar services to business organisations. if you are always looking for some interesting puzzles then this is
the site.

Creativity Techniques

If you wish to have a workshop exclusively for your colleagues/employees in your workplace on Creative Thinking, then you may contact Centre for Creative Thinking (Tel: +65 63370098) www.creativityasia.com for details.


John

Saturday, May 5, 2007

Marketing Book

If you would likw to know more about marketing, then this free ebopok is your reference. This is an interesting ebook on marketing:

Marketing Book

John

Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Resources at Open University

You want to familiarise yourself with various topics. The Open University, UK is the place you should visit. In the Internet age, you are just a click away. Good Luck.


Open University, UK

Arul John