Thinking Creatively Mr Stones Unit 1 Topic 1

Thinking Creatively Mr Stones Unit 1 Topic 1. 2. 2

Lesson Objectives Must learn: Understand that having creative ideas is a key aspect of setting up a business Should learn: Some business ideas come through lateral thinking Could learn: Roles to develop creative thinking for new business ideas

Thinking Creatively What’s it all about? Coming up with an idea that didn’t exist before Thinking ‘Outside of the Box’

Why is creative thinking important? • Gaining competitive advantage • To keep businesses ‘fresh’ • To challenge entrepreneurs • To create excitement and a buzz • To motivate and stimulate

Task 1: LOST! Your flight has crash landed on a desert island leaving only you and your worst enemy alive. The plane fell into the sea, so there isn’t much debris. You are barefoot, with just enough clothes to cover your embarrassment. There are no signs of other people. All you can see is sea and jungle. Between you, all that you now own are the items listed.

LOST! Work in pairs Read the instructions for the task Make a list of the items you would want, starting with the most important – you can only pick 5 Remember, you need to explain why you made the choices you have REMEMBER: THINK CREATIVELY! - 15 minutes -

Deliberate Creativity • • • Deliberate creatively involves using a range of thinking methods that help us create new ideas. By going through different processes, new ideas can emerge. Examples: Discussions, mind maps, lateral thinking and blue skies thinking.

Lateral Thinking Lateral thinking is about producing ideas that we wouldn’t normally come up with It is often referred to as ‘Thinking out of the box’

Lateral Thinking Techniques There are lots of techniques that promote lateral thinking. Two of the most common ones are: 1. 2. Blue skies thinking; De Bono’s Thinking hats.

1. Blue Skies Thinking Using this technique, participants are encouraged to think of as many ideas as possible about an issue or problem. All ideas are recorded. Lets try it. . . . with the BAG example, think of as many things as possible that come to mind. - You have 15 minutes -

2. Thinking Hats Thinking hats (created by De Bono) is a technique to help focus and organise ideas. There are 7 different coloured hats • Each hat represents a different style of thinking • The hats are ‘put on’ one at a time to think about a problem • http: //www. businessstudiesonline. co. uk/Gcse. Business/Activities /Module 1/Factors. Of. Production/Seven. Thinking. Hatsres/frame. htm

Six Thinking Hats Lets try it with the Circus Example

What side are you on? Left brain or right brain? http: //www. businessstudiesonline. co. uk/live/index. php? optio n=com_content&view=article&id=2&Itemid=8

Right Brain Student Characteristics You take notes but lose them. You may have a hard time keeping track of your research You might have a hard time making up your mind You are good with people You don't fall for practical jokes as easily as some You seem dreamy, but you're really deep in thought People may have told you're psychic You like to write fiction, draw, or play music You might be athletic You like mystery stories You may lose track of time You are spontaneous You’re fun and witty You may find it hard to follow verbal directions You are unpredictable You get lost You are emotional You don't like reading directions You may listen to music while studying You read lying down You may be interested in “the unexplained” You are philosophical You take time to ponder and you think there are two sides to every story

Left Brain Student Characteristics You probably work with a To-Do list You like to be the critic in class You're good at math or science You are rational and logical Your research is precise and well-documented You set goals for yourself You can interpret information well You like action movies You read sitting up Your words are precise Your room is orderly You can answer questions spontaneously You follow directions and you do read directions (unlike some people) You aren't touchy-feely You can listen to a long lecture without losing patience You don’t let feelings get in your way

Mini Plenary: Creative Problem-Solving Quiz Are you a professional? This short quiz will help you understand your thinking style better. http: //www. creativityatwork. com/articles. Content/creativity-quiz. html

Question 1 1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator? The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do simple things in an overly complicated way.

Question 2 2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator ? Wrong Answer: Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant and close the refrigerator. Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to think through the repercussions of your actions.

Question 3 1. The Lion King is hosting an animal conference, all the animals attend except one. Which animal does not attend? Correct Answer: The Elephant is in the refrigerator. This tests your memory. OK, even if you did not answer the first three questions, correctly you can surely answer this one.

Question 4 4. There is a river you must cross. But it is inhabited by crocodiles. How do you manage it? Correct Answer: You swim across. All the crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting! This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes. FACT: Around 90% of the professionals they tested got all questions wrong. But many pre-schoolers got several correct answers.

Homework Now watch another episode of Dragons Den on TV or Online and see if you can name the type of creative thinking behind the business ideas shown on the show. http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=0 u. X 0 DWjy. GOE