Inside the Box

Creativity

The Four Creativity Archetypes

Drew Boyd on November 4, 2014

As you listen to the Voices of Creativity, see if you can spot their archetype. Who are the leading Creativity Preachers in our creativity community, for example? Also, ask yourself: what is your archetype? Which do you aspire to become? Most importantly, how will you get there?

As you listen to the Voices of Creativity, see if you can spot their archetype. Who are the leading Creativity Preachers in our creativity community, for example? Also, ask yourself: what is your archetype? Which do you aspire to become? Most importantly, how will you get there?

Creativity

Decluttering Innovation

Drew Boyd on September 29, 2014

People need time to innovate, but organizations tend to "tax" employees with time-wasting bureaucracy. Here's how to fight back.

People need time to innovate, but organizations tend to "tax" employees with time-wasting bureaucracy. Here's how to fight back.

Creativity

Are You Sitting On the Next Big Thing?

Drew Boyd on August 5, 2014

A new study suggests that over seventy percent of us believe we are already have the next big thing, but we lack the 'know how' and resources to do something about it.

A new study suggests that over seventy percent of us believe we are already have the next big thing, but we lack the 'know how' and resources to do something about it.

Creativity

Mastering the Method of Systematic Creativity

Drew Boyd on July 7, 2014

Anyone can boost their creative output no matter where they are starting from on the creativity scale. Here is how to master five techniques to create new ideas in a systematic and predictable way.

Anyone can boost their creative output no matter where they are starting from on the creativity scale. Here is how to master five techniques to create new ideas in a systematic and predictable way.

Creativity

How Patterns Boost Our Performance...Without Even Knowing It

Drew Boyd on June 2, 2014

Humans are creatures of habits, and these habits can be analyzed and codified into rules that help us perform better in many areas including creativity.

Humans are creatures of habits, and these habits can be analyzed and codified into rules that help us perform better in many areas including creativity.

Creativity

The Myth of Serendipitous Creativity

Drew Boyd on May 13, 2014

With so many successful products created through serendipity, it makes you wonder whether companies can rely on it to create breakthrough products. The answer is no. Serendipity, as a method of innovation, has a very poor track record. The number of serendipitous products is a tiny percentage of the total of all products.

With so many successful products created through serendipity, it makes you wonder whether companies can rely on it to create breakthrough products. The answer is no. Serendipity, as a method of innovation, has a very poor track record. The number of serendipitous products is a tiny percentage of the total of all products.

Creativity

How to Adjust Your Creativity Lens

Drew Boyd on April 30, 2014

You can boost your creative output by changing the resolution around a problem. Think of it like the lens on a camera. You see a completely different view by zooming closer in or by zooming far away. Changing your "lens" reveals new creative solutions.

You can boost your creative output by changing the resolution around a problem. Think of it like the lens on a camera. You see a completely different view by zooming closer in or by zooming far away. Changing your "lens" reveals new creative solutions.

Creativity

The Six Best Books on Creativity and Innovation

Drew Boyd on March 31, 2014

Here are the classics on creativity, those books that actually teach how to do it versus those books that just talk about it. Caution: these are not “light reads,” but they’re the ones I’ve learned the most from.

Here are the classics on creativity, those books that actually teach how to do it versus those books that just talk about it. Caution: these are not “light reads,” but they’re the ones I’ve learned the most from.

Creativity

Thinking Outside the Box: A Misguided Idea

Drew Boyd on February 6, 2014

The nine-dot puzzle and the phrase “thinking outside the box” became metaphors for creativity and spread like wildfire in marketing, management, psychology, the creative arts, engineering, and personal improvement circles. One problem: It's wrong.

The nine-dot puzzle and the phrase “thinking outside the box” became metaphors for creativity and spread like wildfire in marketing, management, psychology, the creative arts, engineering, and personal improvement circles. One problem: It's wrong.

New research that studied the peak creative output of painters suggests that the two-thirds point in our lifespans, the so-called Golden Ratio, may be the peak creative point in time. But what happens leading up to that moment? And, what do we do once we've past it?

The story of Betty Crocker’s "Add an Egg" instant cake mix teaches us a powerful lesson about consumer psychology.

Creativity

Creativity in the Non-Profit Sector

Drew Boyd on December 16, 2013

Non-profit organizations can and must apply systematic methods of innovation to survive and thrive.

Non-profit organizations can and must apply systematic methods of innovation to survive and thrive.

Creativity

Creativity in Human Resources

Drew Boyd on November 11, 2013

Human Resource departments need innovation just as much as any other department. Here are five creativity techniques to see new opportunities in the HR function.

Human Resource departments need innovation just as much as any other department. Here are five creativity techniques to see new opportunities in the HR function.

Creativity

The Marker on the Board (Jacob’s Story)

Drew Boyd on October 13, 2013

Dr. Jacob Goldenberg, creativity researcher and co-author of Inside the Box: A Proven System of Creativity for Breakthrough Results (Simon & Schuster, 2013), shares his story about the surprises that await us when we look into The Closed World.

Dr. Jacob Goldenberg, creativity researcher and co-author of Inside the Box: A Proven System of Creativity for Breakthrough Results (Simon & Schuster, 2013), shares his story about the surprises that await us when we look into The Closed World.

Creativity

Manipulating Language to Be More Creative

Drew Boyd on September 9, 2013

Language and creativity are inseparable. Language puts meaning to our ideas, be it spoken, written, or symbolic. We convey ideas to others which is essential for innovation. Innovation would be nearly impossible if we did not have language.

Language and creativity are inseparable. Language puts meaning to our ideas, be it spoken, written, or symbolic. We convey ideas to others which is essential for innovation. Innovation would be nearly impossible if we did not have language.

Creativity

The Beatles: Innovating the Old-Fashioned Way

Drew Boyd on September 2, 2013

Many have studied and commented on the contributions of the Beatles and the lessons learned. And in the end, it was their prolific use of structured innovation templates that made their contributions possible.

Many have studied and commented on the contributions of the Beatles and the lessons learned. And in the end, it was their prolific use of structured innovation templates that made their contributions possible.

Creativity

Characteristics of Creative Ideas

Drew Boyd on August 15, 2013

Creativity is in the eye of the beholder. But spotting one these five characteristic in a creative concept lends insights to the truly great ones.

Creativity is in the eye of the beholder. But spotting one these five characteristic in a creative concept lends insights to the truly great ones.

Creativity

The Curse of Innovation

Drew Boyd on July 15, 2013

Innovating is tough work especially in the face of many curses such as the US patent system. Fortunately, systematic creativity methods can help.

Innovating is tough work especially in the face of many curses such as the US patent system. Fortunately, systematic creativity methods can help.

Ignoring the base rate can lead to wrong judgments. Instead, take advantage of this often hidden gem.

Creativity

The Voice of the Emergent Customer

Drew Boyd on July 1, 2013

Emergent customers have a unique ability to “wrap their head” around a new concept and improve it. Companies need to hear the voice of the “right” customer during new product development.

Emergent customers have a unique ability to “wrap their head” around a new concept and improve it. Companies need to hear the voice of the “right” customer during new product development.