ENHANCING CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION

In today's business environment organisations cannot afford to maintain the status quo. As competition in all industries intensifies, it is more important than ever to focus on innovation and creativity to differentiate yourself from the competition. It is crucial to embrace the technologies that will turn future opportunities into profits.

If we have a better understanding of how great ideas are generated, we will have the key to unlock huge new waves of innovation and productivity. Everything around us is a product of creative minds thinking differently, challenging the norm, taking risks, and learning from trial and error. It would therefore not be wrong to say that creativity is a mindset or a framework for approaching challenges and to see them rather as opportunities.

Great ideas are not exclusive to famous inventors; often it is not the proverbial "Lightbulb moment". They come when one is not directly thinking about the problem at all. Great ideas or solutions to a problem come when one is driving, taking a shower, or just having a peaceful moment drinking coffee.

The big question is: How do you increase the rate of innovation in your company? Here are a few ideas:

1. Create an environment in which your team feels free to share ideas. Calling a meeting is not conducive to brainstorming. An open office layout encourages interaction and random conversations from which new ideas could blossom. Design specific spaces for employee interaction e.g. An atrium or spot in the garden.
2. If you have a big team divide them into smaller groups where they will feel at ease to share their ideas. Steer away from formal agendas and let them populate their own random agenda or topics to discuss.
3. Allow ideas to come from all levels of your organisation, as breakthrough ideas can come from unexpected places. Lend an ear to the younger generation that is not shackled by tradition and the 'way it has always been done.'
4. To drive invention and innovation one must create hyper constraints on the team by severely limiting resources i.e. money and time. This will ensure that they don't take an easy or conventional route in solving the problem as they are forced in a position to think differently.
5. Allow your team to have 'crazy ideas' and cross-pollinate with others.  Each member must feel it is safe to share his thinking. No-one should block anyone else's idea. Acknowledge all ideas and try building onto them. Always start with a sense of possibility - all ideas are worth exploring.

As the leader of the pack, you must be willing to open yourself up to new perspectives and new possibilities for action. You never know... the smallest spark, when actualised, could become the flame that fuels innovation and growth in your business.

Finally, remember, "The day before something is a breakthrough, it is a crazy idea."

• Inspired by World Creativity and Innovation Day celebrated on 21 April 2021.