Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

Feasibility

Task feasibility is also a part of the motivation equation.

If a task if feasible, then motivation increases. And if a task is out of reach, then motivation decreases. This is encompassed in the philosophy of incremental production and structure ? large, complex and impossible tasks are split into smaller more manageable ones.

But the above goes against the philosophy of competency expansion ? if a task is too easy, then challenge is reduced and motivational effort is reduced. So making a task slightly out of reach optimises motivation.

There have been situations where impossible tasks have created exceptional motivation (the Apollo 11 fiasco), but there, arguably, only the technical challenge seemed out of reach. The possibility of the task was demonstrated in that the problem was solved. The block was the illusion of difficulty and not the unfeasibility of the task itself.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

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Kal Bishop, MBA

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Kal Bishop is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/