Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Techniques for Businesses, Study Guides, Projects, Research of Business

Download Creative Thinking and Problem-Solving Techniques for Businesses and more Study Guides, Projects, Research Business in PDF only on Docsity!     Learn these well   Creative thinking and Problem- solving       Business enterprises are under constant pressure to outperform their competitors and meet their shareholders’ expectations. In order to maintain their market position, business enterprises need to find effective and creative solutions to problems. Entrepreneurs have to use advanced tools and techniques to help them to be creative.       Overview   TOPIC CONTENT CONTENT DETAILS FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND 5. Creative thinking and Problem- solving  Distinction between problem solving and decision making.   Steps in problem-solving  Apply creative thinking skills to solve complex business problems.  Benefits/advantages of creative thinking in the workplace.  Impact (positives/negatives) of creative thinking/problem solving techniques.  Application of creative thinking-/problem solving techniques.  Ways for businesses to create an environment that promotes creative thinking. o Distinguish between problem-solving and decision- making. o Name/Outline/Apply the steps in problem-solving to scenarios/case studies. o Identify and address challenges from given scenarios by applying advanced problem-solving techniques. o Apply creative thinking skills to solve complex business problems. o Explain the benefits/advantages of creative thinking in the workplace. o Evaluate the impact (positives/negatives) of creative thinking/problem- solving techniques, e.g.  Delphi technique  Force-field analysis  Brainstorming  Mind mapping  Nominal group technique  SCAMPER  Forced combination  Empty chair o Explain how businesses can apply the above creative- thinking/problem-solving techniques. o Suggest/Recommend ways for businesses to create an environment that promotes creative thinking.     Activity Identify the problem-solving technique that is represented by EACH statement below. a) Employees are requested to sit in groups and suggest ideas on how to improve business sales. b) The company wants to consult experts on how to adapt the layout of the company for a conservation awareness campaign. c) The CEO wants to make a confidential decision by pretending to discuss these problems with a non-existing person. d) TGB Ltd. wants to change the design of their product and considers the pros and cons of their decision. e) Charlie Chocolate factory asked employees for ideas on how to combine their chocolate products with soccer concepts to celebrate the national soccer championship. (10) Answers to activity Problem solving technique: a) Brainstorming√√ b) Delphi technique √√ c) Empty chair technique √√ d) Forced-field analysis√√ e) Forced combinations √√ (5x2) (10)       4.3 Creative thinking 4.3.1 Creative thinking skills to solve complex business problems Problem-solving technique Description Delphi Involves obtaining the opinions of experts without the experts having to meet in person Force-field analysis It examines all the forces for and all the forces against a decision. Brainstorming Promotes creative thinking and creative problem solving by encouraging idea generation without participants criticizing the idea of fellow participants. Mind mapping Is done in the form of a diagrams with the main idea and related ideas are linked to it (Main idea). Nominal-group technique Participants generate ideas to solve a problem. SSCAMPER New ideas are generated as a set of questions are Studied. Forced combination Participants are provided with a list of random words, pictures or objects then create connections between the problem at hand. Empty chair A role play technique talking to an empty chair. 4.3.2 Benefits/ advantages of creative thinking in the workplace  Better/Unique/ ideas/solutions is generated.  Leads to more positive attitudes.  Improves motivation amongst staff members.  Have a feeling of great accomplishment.  Keep up with fast changing technology.  Stimulates brain function of employees/managers.  Lead to new inventions. The emphasis is on “ways”, not necessarily advantages     Application and evaluate the impact (positives/negatives) of advanced creative thinking / problem- solving skills Problem-solving Technique Impact Application Positives Negatives Force-field Analysis  The various factors supporting and opposing a particular idea can be seen in a visual summary.  It can lead to goals that are better designed, and based on evidence.  It requires the participation of all business units and this is not always possible.  It may not result in a full consensus among the group.  It is time-consuming which in turn can be expensive.  It is used to look to all the forces for and against a decision (pros/advantages and cons/disadvantages) Delphi technique  Experts give anonymous suggestions so they feel and be more creative.  Experts can feed off one another's ideas.  Sometimes there will be no consensus between the respondents.  The process is time consuming and expensive.  Invite a panel of selected experts’ to participate in the process.  Carefully design the questionnaire and send it to the panel. Brainstorming  Stimulates creative thinking.  People get ideas from others and build on them.  No one is allowed to criticize any suggested ideas.  Can be dominated by one strong team member.  Shy members don’t contribute.  Solve problems in a team.  Generate new ideas in a group. Nominal Group technique  Group members all participate.  Votes are anonymous and may be more honest.  All the members have an equal say in the final decision.  Ideas may not converge and there might not be consensus.  The chosen solution will not be always the best one.  Divide the group into smaller groups.  Identify the problem and make it clear to everybody.  Number the possibilities and let everybody vote for the top 3 solutions. And the voting decide on the best solution. Mind mapping  Very easy to generate.  Stimulates brain.  Easy to remember.  Quite complicated and too many influences will make it very difficult to find a solution.  Some people find mind maps too chaotic and messy.  Organize thoughts.  Summarize notes.  Generate new ideas.  Solve problems. Forced combination  Stimulates creativity.  Allows people to really think outside the box.  People involved can feel inhibited by how wild ideas can become.  Generate new ideas in a group. Empty chair  Clarifies the problem  Solutions must be clearly justified.  Limited creativity since only one person’s view is really applied.  Make decision on your own. SCAMPER  It is easy to use.  Stimulates objectivity.  Helps to generate different ideas.  Can lead to a lot of debate.  Time consuming.  See things differently.