The articles and papers in these archives were been written between 1996 and
2013, with most of them from the eight year period of 2004-2012. Over the years
of working with, studying and writing about creativity and innovation, I leaned
a great deal about the subject. Not surprisingly, I learned that much of what
I wrote about years ago is no longer valid (in February, 2013, as I write this).
For instance, I used to be a strong proponent of brainstorming. Now, I realise
that it is not a very good way to generate creative ideas (this is part of why
I developed anticonventional thinking or ACT).
Rather than sift through, update and delete old articles, some of which people
still find useful, I have taken the lazy-person's approach. I have archived
all of my writings from the period. Current writings, together with a very few
favourites from older days, are now in the Thoughts section of the web site.
Because these are archived, they may be out of date, wrong and include bad
links. I apologise for that. Of course, a lot of the articles are also valid
and up to date. I don't apologise for that!
Optimism and Innovation
Optimism is a key ingredient to Innovation. Fernando de Sousa explains why.
by de Sousa Fernando Cardosa
Loss Aversion and Idea Implementation
Loss aversion can effect whether or not an innovative idea is implemented. Learn why this happens and what you can do about it.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
How Status Quo Bias Can Kill Innovation
Status quo bias is an irrational cognitive bias to avoid change. We all have it. But it can be bad news for your innovation initiative.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Hiring Creative Employees
Business leaders say they want more creative employees. This is not reflected in job advertising. Learn more about how to find and hire creative people.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Job Pressure, Priority and Innovation
Employees complain that they do not have time to innovate. This because they fail to prioritise innovation. Learn why in this article.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
7 Essential Characteristics of Innovative Companies
Learn what are the seven essential characteristics of innovative companies. Hint: none of them are directly about innovation!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
No UK companies in Top 100 Global Innovators List?
No UK companies in Top 100 Global Innovators List? Then, It Is Time to take a long look at your Innovation Eco-Systems
by Simon Evans
Boring Ideas and Boring Dinner Guests
Brainstorming and other creative thinking approaches require you generate a lot of conventional ideas in order to start finding creative ideas. Jeffrey disagrees.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Training in CPS Without A Training Session?
Training in CPS Without A Training Session? The fourth in a series of articles by Fernando de Sousa on Creative Problem Solving.
by de Sousa Fernando Cardosa
Anticonventional Thinking and Implementation
Anticonventional thinking (ACT) makes implementation easy, in part because it focuses on developing a big idea to achieve a goal.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Best Ideas Are Never Very Creative
A truly creative idea, the kind of idea that has the potential to become a breakthrough innovation is seldom the best solution to the problem or the best path to achieving a goal.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video: A Quick Introduction to ACT
Video: A quick, two minute introdction to anticonventional thinking (ACT)
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
A Simple Anticonventional Thinking (ACT) Exercise
A variation on a traditional creative thinking exercise helps you try out ACT
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
At Last, Make It Happen!
A different approach to creative problem solving, whose main characteristic is supposed to be its emphasis in committing the team to comply with action plan requirements.
by Fernando Cardoso de Sousa
A Mental Investment
State supported mental healthcare should be a priority for every country claiming it wants a creative and innovative population. Jeffrey Explains why.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Making sure your IP is protected
You've created an amazing product and you are ready to introduce it to the world. One of the most important considerations for an entrepreneur bringing a new product to market is intellectual property protection.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Anticonventional Thinking (ACT) Method (2.0)
Anticonventional thinking (ACT) is a new approach to achieving goals through creative thinking. Learn more!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Creativity, Innovation and Cake
People are confusing the terms
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Problem-Free, Idea-Free Creative Thinking
Think in an Anticonventional Way: Stop Searching for the “Idea” and the “Problem” as the Backbones of Team Creative Thinking
by Fernando Cardoso de Sousa
Designing the Perfect Ideas Competition
If you want to run an innovation competition in your company, this is the way to do it.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
What if you change IWWMI into WASNT?
Traditional creative problem solving (CPS) tells you to formulate problem statements with
by Fernando Cardoso de Sousa
Turn Your Problems Into Goals
Creativity is oftern perceived to be about problem solving. However, I believe that we should make it more about attaining gaols.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Let’s Bounce a Few Ideas Off Each Other
The way that highly creative people generate ideas to solve problems or achieve goals is very different to brainstorming rules. But I also reckon the former is a better way.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Has Innovation Lost Its Meaning?
Has the word innovation become so overused that it no longer has any real meaning? I believe so.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video: Core Tenets of Anticonventional Thinking No. 1
The first of a series of videos to be made on the core tenets of anticonventional thinking (ACT). This video provides a very quick introduction to ACT and the first core tenet.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Seven Core Tenets of Anticonventional Thinking
Anticonventional thinking is a new approach to creativity that is based on current research. Here are the seven core tenets to anticonventional thinking
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
World's Best Approach to Innovation
Forming small, autonomous teams and teaching them to use anticonventional thinking is the best approach big companies can take to innovation
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Changing Jeffrey
Over the years of writing about creativity, I have changed my ideas, assumptions, products and ways of doing business. Why? Because I believe in creativity!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Creativity War
In case you haven’t noticed, there is a minor war raging among creativity professionals. On one side we have the creative problem solving enthusiasts – let’s call them the pro-brainstormers – and on the other side we have the anti-brainstormers.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Become the Problem Innovation
When you want real insight into problems that you are trying to solve through creativity, try becoming the problem. It's fun and effective!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Creative Pursuit of Laziness
The people who seem the laziest in your office are probably the most creative. Learn from them.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Anti-Science Threatens America’s Innovation
The biggest threat facing America today is not the economy, it is not the growing divide between the rich and the poor. It is the growing anti-science movement.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Conceptual Conversations
Sometimes, a simple conversation to thrash out ideas and develop solutions into concepts can be a far more effective approach to creativity and kicking off innovation.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Start From Scratch Conceptually
Government, business and people can easily become bogged down by procedures and processes that harm efficiency and kill innovation. The obvious solution is to start from scratch. Learn how.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
People Think Creative Ideas Are Like Vomit!
Here is a surprising fact for you. Most people do not like creative ideas and can even compare them to vomit. Really.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Feel Good Pseudo-Innovation
Some innovation initiatives are more about making people feel good than they are about innovation. But that is ok!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Imagination Is the Root of Innovation
Imagination is the realm of the mind where you see things that do not yet exist in this world, but which one day might. It is an under-appreciated yet critical element of creativity and innovation.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Nine Rules of Creative Leadership
The nine principals rules of creative leadership: what every creative leader needs to know!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Threatstorming
Threatstorming is a creative approach to identifying potential threats and risks to your business.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Meeting and the Wrong Problem
A very short story about Jeffrey helping a client find the right problem
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Download Free eBooklet on Anticonventional Thinking
Download the 20 page eBooklet on anticonventional thinking and learn more about this powerful idea generation and development process.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video Interview: Innovation vs. Vision
Margaret Manson, Chief Inspirator of Innofuture, interviews Jeffrey Baumgartner about innovation vs. vision, his book and more.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video: Creativity and Leadership: The 3Cs
The 3Cs is a simple, yet powerful technique that you can use to motivate people on your team to share and develop creative ideas. Learn more by watching this video!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video: Boring Problems
Video: Let's Get Creative: Boring Problems. Jeffrey Baumgartner talks about why boring problem statements in brainstorms lead to boring ideas and explains how you can get better results with provocative probelms/challenge statements
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Interview with Jeffrey (in Portuguese)
Jeffrey Baumgartner is interviewed on National Portuguese radio on matters relating to creativity, innovation and improving the Algarve region.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Innovation vs. Vision
Truly innovative companies do not focus on innovation, rather they focus on relentlessly chasing their strategy
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Your Future Depends on Creativity
The world is changing your future, and your children's future, depends on your creativity!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Jeffrey on Anticonventional Thinking
Jeffrey Baumgartner talks briefly about anti conventional thinking following the 2011 European Conference on Creativity and Innovation in Faro, Portugal
by Baumgartner Jeffrey
Video: Jeffrey on Open Innovation
A short video of Jeffrey Baumgartner talking about open innovation for small and medium sized businesses.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Open Innovation for Small Companies
Open innovation is not just for big companies with massive research budgets. Even small companies can benefit from open innovation. Learn how!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Beware the Cult of Ideas
The Cult of Ideas is a dangerous phenomenon in innovation, one that more and more companies fall prey to. What about your company?
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Creative Problem Solving (CPS)
Everything you need to know about Creative Problem Solving (CPS)
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Three C's
Most organisations kill off new ideas before they have really been considered. Learn why and learn a simple technique you can use to encourage creative ideas!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video - Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us
A video clip on "Drive: The surprising truth about what motivates us"
by Dan Pink
10 Steps to Boost Corporate Innovation
Ten quick steps that will lead your firm to corporate innovation.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Innovation Process
A description of the business innovation process complete with a cartoon illustration showing work flow in the process.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Metrics for Idea Generation
Metrics for Idea Generation discusses the selection of metrics for idea generation projects, and the management of the process given its’ inputs and outputs.
by Dr. Brian Glassman
Cost cutting idea management
How to use idea management to identify innovative means of reducing operational costs. This article could save you millions!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Ideas Campaigns
A comprehensive paper on how ideas campaigns work and why they should be the basis of any idea management initiative
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Innovation: Back to the Basics
A lack of common jargon is detrimental to the innovation business and the business of innovation!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Video - Innovation - without it, we're screwed
A brief exploration of the state of innovation in Australian business. Irreverent, frank and hopefully interesting.
by Tim Morris
If at First You Don't Succeed, Learn!
Sometimes potentially great ideas do not work out. When this happens, it should not be seen as a failure. Rather it is an opportunity to learn and innovate!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Turning Problems into Innovation Challenges
Whether you are planning a brainstorming session, an ideas campaign in an idea management system or innovation process management system or simply need innovative solutions to business problems, you need to start with an innovation challenge.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
A Dozen Ingredients for a Culture of Innovation
A culture of innovation is very simply a workplace environment that constantly encourages people to think creatively and facilitates implementing creative ideas so that they may become innovations. Read about the key ingredients here.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Your Innovation Manifesto
If your firm is going to get serious about innovation, you probably need an innovation manifesto laying out changes. We've written one up for you.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Innovation Process Management
Innovation Process Management is a comprehensive approach to running a sustainable innovation initiative in your organisation.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Innovation Strategies for a Recession
Learn about the innovation strategies your firm should adopt in order to grow during the current economic downturn
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Downsizing Workforce Downsizes Innovation
Learn why mass lay-offs are deadly dangerous to your firm's innovation potential. You may be surprised!
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Rewarding Innovation
A reward scheme can make or kill an innovation initiative. Learn more about the theory and practice of sensible innovation rewards practice and learn what mistakes to avoid.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Free idea evaluator
An easy to use on-line tool that allows you to evaluate an idea using an evaluation matrix.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Creative Idea Implementation Plan
Implementing creative ideas can be more challenging than implementing other projects. The creative idea implementation plan is a easy to follow framework specifically designed to help you implement creative ideas effectively and profitably.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
KISS: Keep Innovation Simple, Sweetheart
There is a tendency today to innovate in order to make products and processes more complex. Often this can be a mistake. Read about the benefits of innovating for simplicity.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Are Your Ideas Audacious Enough?
In most business ideas, there is a direct correlation between how audacious and risky an idea is and its innovativeness and reward potential. Learn why the most innovative ideas are usually the most audacious.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The Corporate Innovation Machine
The corporate innovation machine is a model for understanding how to implement an effective, idea management based innovation strategy in your firm.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Introduction to Idea Management (PDF file,475KB)
An eight page, heavily illustrated booklet that explains in simple language the basic principles about idea management and idea flow in enterprises.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Communication and Innovation
Good communication is critical to good organisational innovation. Learn why.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
The risk of an idea
Why innovative people in your firm may not be sharing their best ideas
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Individual vs. organisational innovation
Organisational innovation is entirely different from individual innovation. It is important to understand why.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Big and little innovation
Why incremental innovation is just as important as radical innovation
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Four Kinds of Corporate Innovation
Learn about the four kinds of corporate innovation and how to promote each within your firm.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Idea Flow
Learn about the different kinds of idea flow in organisations and why four dimensional idea flow is best.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Destroy Your Assumptions
Learn why you may be making dangerous assumptions that limit your ability to innovate.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Evaluating ideas
Learn how to quickly determine whether an idea is likely to work
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Calculating the costs and returns on idea management
Find out how to calculate the costs of implementing idea management and what kind of return on investment you can expect.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Organisational creativity - the top ten enablers (PDF document: 212kb)
As part of a masters degree research project Wayne Morris surveyed a range of New Zealand organisations with the intention of identifying the factors that enable organisational creativity. These are his top ten.
by Wayne Morris
The care and framing of strategic innovation challenges (PDF document: 338 kb)
Before you begin to brainstorm or launch an ideas campaign, be sure you frame your challenge in the right way. Learn how to frame challenges that bring in the best ideas.
by Dr. Authur Van Gundy
Review of the Main Principles of the Creative Process (PDF document: 202kb)
This article highlights the fundamental processes involved in creative thinking, including analysis, analogy, synthesis, and transition to initial causes or objectives, using clear illustrations and examples.
by Dr. Stephen Sweid
The Great Innovation Lie
A lot of expensive consultants are these days touting highly complicated innovation structures to firms like yours. However, highly structured innovation systems inevitably fail because they do not provide freedom to be creative.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Ideas: the Tip of the Iceberg (PDF document; 134kb)
Establishing a culture of innovation in a company results in so much more than just ideas.
by Maren Baermann
Decision Maker
The Zda Decision maker is a fun shockwave animation that can help you make decisions. Enjoy
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Idea management
A quick and dirty introduction to the basic principles idea management
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Team role-play
Team role-playing is a fun, but effective means of getting your staff to take a more creative approach to typical problems and situations.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
Ideas Campaigns in a nutshell
An Ideas campaign is a powerful alternative to brainstorming. An ideas campaign can include hundreds or thousands of participants from all over the world.
by Jeffrey Baumgartner
