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TOPIC 1: CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Explain/Elaborate on the meaning of creative thinking
• The ability to think of original, varied new ideas or new approaches.
• To be original, innovative and resourceful.
• You must try to think differently and to apply.
Differentiate between ROUTINE versus CREATIVE thinking
ROUTINE THINKING CREATIVE THINKING
Is a LEFT-brain Is a RIGHT brain
function. function.
Focus on analytical Focus on creativity,
thought, logic, imagination, insight,
reasoning, number holistic thought, art
and written skills. and music
awareness.
Differentiate between CONVENTIONAL and NON-CONVENTIONAL solutions
CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS NON-CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS
• Getting solutions that are based on and • Getting solutions that are not based on
that conforms to, what is generally and do not conform to, what is
done or believed. generally done or believed.
Ways in which a business can create an environment that stimulate and promote creative
thinking
• Emphasise the importance of creative thinking and ensure that all staff know that
management want to hear their ideas.
• Encourage staff to come up with new ideas.
• Make time for brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas, e.g. regular workshops
• Place suggestion boxes around the workplace and keep communication channels
open for new ideas.
• Train staff in innovative techniques, creative problem-solving skills, mind-mapping and
lateral thinking.
• Encourage job swops within the organisation and other businesses
• Encourage alternative ways of working
• Respond enthusiastically to all ideas and never let anyone feel less important.
2
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Discuss/Describe/Explain the advantages/benefits of creative thinking in the workplace
• Better ideas are generated.
• May give the business a competitive advantage if unique strategies are implemented.
• Complex business problems may be solved.
• Productivity increases as management or employees may quickly generate multiple
ideas which utilises time and money more effectively.
• Managers and employees have more confidence as they can live up to their full
potential.
• Managers will be better leaders as they will be able to manage change(s) positively
and creatively.
• Managers and employees can develop a completely new outlook, which may be
applied to any task(s) they may do.
• Leads to more positive attitudes as managers and employees feel that they have
contributed towards problem solving.
• Improves motivation amongst staff members.
• Managers and Employees have a feeling of great accomplishment and they will not
resist the process once they contributed towards the success of the business.
• Management and employees may keep up with fast changing technology.
• Stimulates initiative from employees and managers, as they are continuously pushed
out of their comfort zone.
• Creativity may lead to new inventions which improves the general standard of living.
Define PROBLEM SOLVING
• Process of analysing a situation to identify strategies to bring about change.
• Gathering facts that include problem findings and problem shaping.
• Problems can be solved by a group/ team or an individual team member.
• Alternative solutions are generated and critically evaluated.
Explain the meaning of a Delphi technique and Force-field analysis
DELPHI TECHNIQUE FORCE-FIELD ANALYSIS
• Is used to solve new and complex • Used for decision making.
problems.
• Uses an expert panel who never meets • Particularly when implementing
face-to-face. change management.
• This encourages creative problem • Structured way of looking at the pros
solving without the disadvantage of (advantages) and cons
group meetings. (disadvantages) as a plan for change.
3
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Explain/Discuss/Describe how businesses can apply the PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES to
solve business problems
DELPHI TECHNIQUE
Businesses must invite a PANEL of experts to research the
complaints from customers.
Experts do not have to be in one PLACE and will be contacted
individually.
Design a QUESTIONNAIRE and distribute it to the experts.
Request the panel to INDIVIDUALLY respond to the questionnaire
and RETURN it to the business.
SUMMARISE the responses from the experts in a feedback report.
Send the feedback report and a SECOND set of questions based
on the feedback report to the panel members.
Request panel members to provide further input after they have
STUDIED the results.
Prepare a final SUMMARY REPORT.
The business should CHOOSE the best solution after reaching
consensus.
4
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TOPIC 1: CREATIVE THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Explain/Elaborate on the meaning of creative thinking
• The ability to think of original, varied new ideas or new approaches.
• To be original, innovative and resourceful.
• You must try to think differently and to apply.
Differentiate between ROUTINE versus CREATIVE thinking
ROUTINE THINKING CREATIVE THINKING
Is a LEFT-brain Is a RIGHT brain
function. function.
Focus on analytical Focus on creativity,
thought, logic, imagination, insight,
reasoning, number holistic thought, art
and written skills. and music
awareness.
Differentiate between CONVENTIONAL and NON-CONVENTIONAL solutions
CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS NON-CONVENTIONAL SOLUTIONS
• Getting solutions that are based on and • Getting solutions that are not based on
that conforms to, what is generally and do not conform to, what is
done or believed. generally done or believed.
Ways in which a business can create an environment that stimulate and promote creative
thinking
• Emphasise the importance of creative thinking and ensure that all staff know that
management want to hear their ideas.
• Encourage staff to come up with new ideas.
• Make time for brainstorming sessions to generate new ideas, e.g. regular workshops
• Place suggestion boxes around the workplace and keep communication channels
open for new ideas.
• Train staff in innovative techniques, creative problem-solving skills, mind-mapping and
lateral thinking.
• Encourage job swops within the organisation and other businesses
• Encourage alternative ways of working
• Respond enthusiastically to all ideas and never let anyone feel less important.
2
Downloaded by Athi ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58953644
Discuss/Describe/Explain the advantages/benefits of creative thinking in the workplace
• Better ideas are generated.
• May give the business a competitive advantage if unique strategies are implemented.
• Complex business problems may be solved.
• Productivity increases as management or employees may quickly generate multiple
ideas which utilises time and money more effectively.
• Managers and employees have more confidence as they can live up to their full
potential.
• Managers will be better leaders as they will be able to manage change(s) positively
and creatively.
• Managers and employees can develop a completely new outlook, which may be
applied to any task(s) they may do.
• Leads to more positive attitudes as managers and employees feel that they have
contributed towards problem solving.
• Improves motivation amongst staff members.
• Managers and Employees have a feeling of great accomplishment and they will not
resist the process once they contributed towards the success of the business.
• Management and employees may keep up with fast changing technology.
• Stimulates initiative from employees and managers, as they are continuously pushed
out of their comfort zone.
• Creativity may lead to new inventions which improves the general standard of living.
Define PROBLEM SOLVING
• Process of analysing a situation to identify strategies to bring about change.
• Gathering facts that include problem findings and problem shaping.
• Problems can be solved by a group/ team or an individual team member.
• Alternative solutions are generated and critically evaluated.
Explain the meaning of a Delphi technique and Force-field analysis
DELPHI TECHNIQUE FORCE-FIELD ANALYSIS
• Is used to solve new and complex • Used for decision making.
problems.
• Uses an expert panel who never meets • Particularly when implementing
face-to-face. change management.
• This encourages creative problem • Structured way of looking at the pros
solving without the disadvantage of (advantages) and cons
group meetings. (disadvantages) as a plan for change.
3
Downloaded by Athi ()
, lOMoARcPSD|58953644
Explain/Discuss/Describe how businesses can apply the PROBLEM-SOLVING TECHNIQUES to
solve business problems
DELPHI TECHNIQUE
Businesses must invite a PANEL of experts to research the
complaints from customers.
Experts do not have to be in one PLACE and will be contacted
individually.
Design a QUESTIONNAIRE and distribute it to the experts.
Request the panel to INDIVIDUALLY respond to the questionnaire
and RETURN it to the business.
SUMMARISE the responses from the experts in a feedback report.
Send the feedback report and a SECOND set of questions based
on the feedback report to the panel members.
Request panel members to provide further input after they have
STUDIED the results.
Prepare a final SUMMARY REPORT.
The business should CHOOSE the best solution after reaching
consensus.
4
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