EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Improve innovation and develop creative thinking in your workplace.
An inspirational creativity and innovation training course designed to develop creative thinking – for managers and work teams.
This practical course will provide managers and specialists with a range of simple creative thinking techniques that they can use to generate ideas and solve problems at work. Real life work problems and opportunities can be built into the workshop, enabling participants to leave with some ideas and potential solutions that can be implemented at work.
Course Objectives
By the end of the one-day creative thinking training, the participants will have:
• An understanding of why some people are naturally creative, but also how everyone can develop their creative skills
• Knowledge of how to use a range of creative thinking methods, tools and techniques to generate ideas and solve problems
• The opportunity to apply the methods and tools to generate ideas for improving areas of their own work
COURSE OVERVIEW
• Benefits of using a creative approach
o Facilitator presentation, participant personal introductions and ice breaker
• Recognizing the difference between creativity & innovation
o Understanding the cycle of innovation
o Facilitator presentation and group discussion
• Breaking through thought patterns and assumptions
o Recognizing left and right brain thinking
o Identifying how creative we are
o Individual creative thinking exercise, group review and self assessment questionnaire
• Enabling creativity
o Simple methods and techniques to develop creativity
o Identifying ways to further develop creative thinking
o Individual practical exercises and group review
• Methods and tools for generating ideas
o Brainstorming or blue-sky thinking session
o Reverse brainstorming
o Sort cards or mind maps
o Sticky notes/Metaplanning technique
o Identifying when best to use each idea generation technique
o Facilitator technique demonstration with group plus learning review
• Logical versus lateral thinking
o Recognizing the differences between lateral and logical thinking
o Appreciating our strengths
o Energizer exercise, short presentation, ‘Message in a bottle” exercise, review
• Creative problem solving
o Creative problem-solving techniques
o Using the problem checklist, “go wild” and 5 whys
o Applying to work related problems
o Facilitator demonstration of techniques, pairs or trios exercise
• Applying the learning
o Turning creative ideas into action
o Small group practical problem solving and creative thinking activities, group feedback and review
• Reviewing the learning and next steps
o Review of learning and action planning
The creativity training will be supported with:
• an optional participant pre-course questionnaire and/or pre-course reading
• a colour printed workbook with tips, techniques and space for personal notes
FOR WHOM?
Manager or equivalents & other Senior Officers with considerable Management experience and responsibilities in the board, members and other Affiliate Agencies.
