| Creativity and the Art of Problem Solving | | | | status quo and take a step away from the standard |
| "Problems cannot be solved by the same level of | | | | means of operation. Failing to do so will only create |
| thinking that created them." | | | | more problems. As Einstein notes, it is impossible to |
| - Albert Einstein | | | | solve a problem without shifting to some higher (or |
| No one is immune to problems. No matter how | | | | at the very least, alternative) level of thinking. |
| successful you are or how well prepared you may | | | | Creative thinking is a means of progress. However, it |
| be, sooner or later you will be faced with a problem. | | | | also involves a willingness to take risks. New ideas |
| The problem may be minor (an inner-office dispute | | | | always present the possibility of failure. Fear of failing |
| that needs a brief intervention) or major (the stock | | | | is often what prevents companies from taking a |
| market crashes and you loose what was going to be | | | | more creative approach to the way they operate. |
| your retirement plan). No matter what the situation | | | | Sticking to "tried and true" business methods feels |
| is, it is in your best interest to find a solution. | | | | safe. However, what happens when a major change |
| Creativity is absolutely essential to effective problem | | | | occurs and the old methods no longer suffice? |
| solving and thereby essential to success. | | | | Companies must either choose to evolve or expire. |
| I have often observed a tendency within myself and | | | | Take for example, the music recording industry. |
| in others to get caught up in making the "right" | | | | Record labels are infamous for taking a huge |
| decision. Most school systems and learning programs | | | | percentage of the artist's album profits and placing |
| are built around the idea that there is a "right" and | | | | them under contractual restrictions that ensure the |
| "wrong" way to do things, answers that are either | | | | label has control of the finished product. Tired of |
| "correct" or "incorrect" and actions that are either | | | | having to cater to their producers and label |
| "good" or bad". While it is of course important to | | | | management, a few bands started to take matters |
| learn the concept of right and wrong, thinking in such | | | | into their own hands. In 2007, Radiohead released |
| stark terms of black and white limit our ability to | | | | their album, In Rainbows, on the Internet. The band |
| make decisions and come up with solutions to more | | | | offered the album for free. Anyone who wanted to |
| complex problems. | | | | download it could pay whatever they wished to do |
| This is where creativity comes in. By allowing the | | | | so. Many paid nothing. A few gave extravagant |
| mind to think more freely and perhaps | | | | amounts. Most gave somewhere in the range of |
| unconventionally, you alleviate yourself of restrictions | | | | what they would have paid for any other album. The |
| that may have you locked in a bind. When it comes | | | | difference was that all the money went straight to |
| to successful business, the more creative the | | | | the artists. As a result, the band made far more |
| company, the better equipped they are to overcome | | | | money than they would have had they renewed |
| any obstacles they may encounter. Some companies | | | | their contract with EMI and they were able to have |
| are able to rely upon money and an abundance of | | | | full artistic control of their music. The band took a risk |
| resources to stay afloat, however, in the event of a | | | | in leaving the security offered by a big name label |
| serious financial loss, they would be left with nothing. | | | | but came out the better for it. |
| It is always the creative companies that are able to | | | | Taking creative risks always presents the option of |
| survive. If you were to level the playing field by | | | | failure. The alternative, however, is a sure fade into |
| taking away all the financial resources, what would be | | | | the background, if not a full collapse with little hope |
| left would be the creative energy and intellectual | | | | of recovery. Take a creative risk and chances are |
| stamina of the business as a whole. | | | | that you will be successful. |
| Creativity means being able to depart from the | | | | |