Creativity Management ? Collaboration NOT Competition


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.

Collaboration NOT Competition

Creativity and Innovation are often used interchangeably. From the above we can see that the two are separate and distinct. That is perhaps why the place of competition in the field of creativity and innovation is often misquoted:

a) Collaboration beats competition in creativity. What is required to generate good ideas is intellectual cross-pollination as opposed to a restriction of ideas ? which competition enhances.

b) Collaboration beats competition in creativity. Competition causes many people to shut down. Everyone suffers from evaluation apprehension and competition enhances that.

c) Collaboration beats competition in creativity. Competition does not engender a culture of psychological safety and freedom, which encourages people to express their cognitive activity.

d) Competition beats collaboration in innovation. Perhaps. It is true that firms compete to successfully commercialise products. However, the present debate between Open Source Software and Microsoft indicates that a free exchange of ideas is better for the economy as a whole and may be better for companies in the long run. IBM has recently allowed public access to many of its patents.

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/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

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 MBA, 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/







Related News



Portsmouth Lose Niko Kranjcar... and Creativity? - Bleacher Report

Sydney Morning Herald

Portsmouth Lose Niko Kranjcar... and Creativity?
Bleacher Report, CA -20 hours ago
The concern is that, much more than simply a young and talented player, Niko Kranjcar is the very heart of Portsmouth's creativity. ...
Pompey handed Kranjcar blowInTheNews.co.uk
all 225 news articles

Unique blend of creativity by FJWU artists - The News - International

Unique blend of creativity by FJWU artists
The News - International, Pakistan -Aug 26, 2008
The VC termed it a stunning combination of spontaneous creativity and expression as well as a unique display of art by the students. ...
Life, society art exhibition at FJWUDaily Times
Art exhibition held at FJWUThe Post
all 4 news articles

Saudi novelist wins Arab creativity award - Saudi Gazette

Saudi novelist wins Arab creativity award
Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia -4 hours ago
Paris – The Lebanese Cultural Forum in France announced the Arab Creativity award to Saudi novelist Rajaa Alem, Wednesday. The forum’s head Nabil Shagra ...

Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education Seeks ... - Wisbusiness.com

Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education Seeks ...
Wisbusiness.com, WI -13 hours ago
The Wisconsin Task Force on Arts and Creativity in Education will hold a public forum at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 4, 2008 at Electronic Theater ...

Barracking for Barack - SmartCompany.com.au

China Daily

Barracking for Barack
SmartCompany.com.au, Australia -4 hours ago
Third, sound business planning and active engagement of all key stakeholders in innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial activity that establishes a ...
Hillary Wows Convention Crowd!Queerty
Much Higher IQAmerican Spectator
Biden can help Obama where he most needs itConcord Monitor
all 2,196 news articles

Saving the world with camera and creativity - New Zealand Herald

Saving the world with camera and creativity
New Zealand Herald, New Zealand -Aug 24, 2008
By Vaimoana Tapaleao Saving the world might only take five minutes - with a camera in hand, a bit of creativity and youthpower. ...


Creativity without destruction? - Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Creativity without destruction?
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA -4 hours ago
BY SONYA SORICH - ssorich@ledger-enquirer.com -- Creativity is frequently perceived to go hand in hand with some degree of psychological instability. ...

Tropic Thunder and Vicky Cristina Barcelona: The unfocused and the ... - World Socialist Web Site

World Socialist Web Site

Tropic Thunder and Vicky Cristina Barcelona: The unfocused and the ...
World Socialist Web Site, MI -2 hours ago
The worst aspect of Vicky Cristina Barcelona is its attitude toward art and creativity, which is entirely superficial. The narrator and the characters speak ...

Storytime teaches social skills, creativity - Gulf Coast Newspapers

Gulf Coast Newspapers

Storytime teaches social skills, creativity
Gulf Coast Newspapers, AL -6 hours ago
... a source of inspiration and entertainment, a chance to connect with other children in a social setting, and a time for creativity and expression. ...

Contest aims to foster recycling creativity - Asheville Citizen-Times

Contest aims to foster recycling creativity
Asheville Citizen-Times, NC -Aug 27, 2008
So, the area economic development group launched Creative Juice, a collegiate competition challenging teams to create value or meaning from a “throw-away” ...
Competition challenges college students to turn trash into cashAppalachian State University
all 2 news articles