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.

Eliciting Talent

Talent is a relative term. When someone is able to perform a task better than peers, s/he is given the label “talented.” There are various ways of eliciting and developing talent:

a) Sheer prolific production. This process enhances methodology, work processes, knowledge and leads to optimal performance.

b) Incubation. Skills are developed at various cognitive levels, which take an amount of time to reach the level of “richness.” The amount of time is dependent on the task and exact skills required.

c) Structure. Developing an optimised structure and performing the endeavour around it optimises growth and learning. Structure is the most misunderstood but valuable concepts in any endeavour.

d) Intrinsic motivation. As a result of nature or nurture, we all have directions that we are more intrinsically motivated towards. We can all be guided towards directions that we are not intrinsically motivated in, but growth and development tend to occur faster when we have a natural interest in the subject.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with 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/

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