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.

Hierarchies

Many consultants will argue that the best organisational structure to foster creativity and innovation is a flat one. This is tending towards the truth but is not absolutely accurate.

Reality tells us that there are many reasons why an organisation's structure has its shape (logistics, organic growth, history, size, market share, future strategy) and is, like organisational culture, not easily changed or restructured. Often, there are valid reasons not to make structural adjustments at all.

Thus leaders require, not recommendations for complete restructure, but knowledge of fostering properties that can be easily adapted into the existing structure. This fits with research that indicates that people who generate ideas on a regular basis find structure to be unimportant as long as some criteria are met. These include:

a) Direct access to decision makers ? provides fast feedback and immediate go or kill decisions.

b) Short lines of communication ? if communication gets filtered there is a loss of momentum and corresponding loss of control.

c) Tangible progression ? if ideas are not picked up at all, motivation suffers.

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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You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained. 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/