Volume III, Number 7 ~ Online
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Creating a Climate for Innovation | Enhance Creativity in the Workplace
Meaning is the Key to Engaging Creativity | Negativity is the True Enemy of Creativity
Seven Sources of New Ideas | Creating an Idea Factory: Lessons from Edison
The business enterprise has two, and only two, basic functions: marketing and innovation. It is not necessary for a business to grow bigger; but it is necessary that it constantly grow better.

— Peter Drucker
An enterprise, whether a business or any other institution, that does not innovate will not survive long. And management that does not learn to innovate and foster creativity will not last long. Business and every other organization today have to be designed for change as the norm and must create change rather than react to it.

Innovation is the means by which the entrepreneur creates new wealth-producing resources. It also enables existing resources to have enhanced potential for creating wealth. Innovation is the effort to create purposeful, focused change in an enterprise's economic or social potential.

Some innovations come in a flash of genius, but most result from a conscious and purposeful search for innovation opportunities.

Above all, innovation is work rather than genius. It requires knowledge, ingenuity and focus. Without diligence, persistence and commitment, all the talent, ingenuity and knowledge are to no avail.

In order to innovate, there must be a fertile atmosphere of creativity. Unleashing creativity requires more than brainstorming sessions. It is more than problem solving. People have ideas all the time. The real question is, "Which ideas are you going to use?"

Few workplaces actually encourage creativity. Management inadvertently stifles it with procedures and the status quo necessary for stability and performance. Individuals stifle it internally through their own voice of judgment.


Liz Peterson

Executive / Business Coach
Business Training and Consulting, Inc.
lizpeterson@train4success.com
www.train4success.com
1-800-925-9794

With a background in psychology and an executive MBA, Ms. Peterson has the expertise to guide business leaders who are dealing with the complexity of change in the business environment. Liz works with clients to help them develop clarity of vision and purpose in their business ventures. Utilizing the cost-effective strategies of coaching, clients become aware of their strengths and are able to use these strengths to increase energy and wellbeing. Assumptions, blocking development, are surfaced and changed to positive action steps.

An entrepreneurial client writes: "Throughout the coaching process Liz was very supportive of my ideas. She helped me clarify my goals, she patiently encouraged my exploration of many different avenues.... I feel much more prepared to head into my future."

Liz is a member of the International Coach Federation, and a licensed RN.
Creating a Climate for Innovation, Vol III#7
Copyright © 2002 Simmonds Publications
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