Module #2:
Creativity
Are you capable of coming up with innovative solutions to problems? Do you enjoy the process of brainstorming to generate new ideas?
Then you have a creative mindset! Creative professionals use their vision and imagination to produce original ideas. Entrepreneurs use creativity to identify new opportunities for customers and clients and present solutions to existing problems.
Creativity is a highly sought after and important skill in business settings allowing entrepreneurs to innovate, discover new opportunities, and come up with solutions for existing problems. Without creativity, and its resulting innovations, a company simply cannot grow or adapt to external changes. Creativity equips your company to turn a challenge into an opportunity.
You can improve your ability to brainstorm, find inspiration, and communicate your ideas by leaning on a structured creative process. This module will introduce you to a step-by-step process called Design Thinking that can help engage your creative mindset in a way that puts people first.
Blackstone Launchpad Workshop 2.mp4Watch Workshop 2 to learn about creativity from Dion Walcott, Creator of MARTK'D and Director of Partnership at Director Of Partnerships Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design
You can connect with Dion on Instagram or LinkedIn.
Learn (Pre-readings)
Read Benefits of Creativity in the Workplace (5 min)
Read The Importance of Creativity in Business (7 min)
Watch Design Thinking (4 min)
Read How to Use Entrepreneurial Creativity for Innovation (5 min)
Practice (Post-workshop Resources)
Nurture entrepreneurial creativity within yourself with these exercises.
Complete an interactive lesson and quiz on Creativity & Innovation (15 min)
Read Ways to Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Creativity (5 min)
Learn about design thinking - a step-by-step process that helps professionals come up with creative solutions to problems in a structured way that encourages creativity and empathy (understanding the feelings of someone else).
Watch The Design Thinking Process (8 min)
Read Design Thinking: Solving Life’s Problems (7 min)
Read Design Thinking in Netflix (5 min)
Practice with these Design Thinking Exercises and Activities (5 min to review)
Create an Empathy Map based on interviews, research, and observations (60 min to practice)
Explore the concept of an “elevator pitch” then begin developing and practicing your own pitches using these exercises.
Read How to Effectively Pitch a Business Idea (10 min)
Read Learn How to Develop and Edit an Elevator Pitch (60 min)
Learn how entrepreneurs use vision-casting to communicate their vision in a clear and engaging way. These resources provide an overview of vision-casting as well as tips for developing this valuable skill.
Read How to Cast Your Vision (5 min)
Read Vision Casting (7 min)
Consider how operating with constraints (limited resources) can spark creativity and innovation.
Read Applying the theory of constraints for business success (5 min)
Read Why Constraints Are Good for Innovation (7 min)
Use these tips to recognize opportunity in business settings.
Read Tips for Recognizing Opportunity (5 min)
Complete an interactive lesson and quiz on Opportunity Recognition (15 min)
Each module in the Innovation Skills Series provides resources for you to learn about core concepts and practice to strengthen your skills. Try following this Recommended Schedule to ensure that you can complete all four modules.