Idea Generation

THIS SLIDE CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
L. F. Co p penr ath & Asso ciat es
TM
MegaCreativity
(The Business Fuel of the Millennium)
12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 1

TM
Top 10
Places To Have a Great Idea
10. Performing Manual Labor
9. Listening to a sermon
8. On waking up in the middle of the night
7. Exercising
6. During leisure reading

TM
Top 10
Places To have a Great Idea
5. During a boring meeting
4. Falling asleep or waking up
3. Commuting to work
2. Showering or shaving
1. Sitting on the toilet

TM
Record Your Ideas
Keep Pads (w/pen) in Every Room
Put a Cassette Recorder in Your Car
Carry 3 x 5 Cards or Small Notebook
Get / Use a Phone Answering Machine
Write on Your Wrist but don’t Lose the Idea

TM
Create an “Idea Bank”
Carry / Handout Dollar Bill Size Note Pads
Store in Card Box - “Idea Bank”
Support “Idea Bank” Concept at Every Level
Instead of “Suggestion Boxes” Use “Idea Bank Deposits”

TM
Invite The Creative Process
1. Put your baby picture on your desk,

facing toward visitors
2. Put marker Board or Flipchart (w/multi-colored pens)

in your office to easily initiate “Ready, Fire, Aim”
Sessions (see slides #13 & #14)
3. Spend $5.00 on something for your desk that

represents your vision
Toy Hydrant = Put out Fires
Cat’s Eye Marbles = Keep an Eye on the Future
Mickey Mouse Picture = Customer Service at Disneyland

TM
Invite The Creative Process (cont’d.)
4. Find & Hang a Picture of your vision on the wall
5. Keep some toys on your desk (Legos, crayons)
Innocent, Simple, Creative
6. Common areas should have Pads (flipcharts,

marker boards) along with coffee, soda, water, etc.
(similar suggestion to #2)

TM
Make Time For Ideas
Make a list of the 20 things that causes you to work more

than 50 hours a week
Now Eliminate the Non-Essential Work!
Too much to read
Too much to write
Meaningless decision processes
Challenge Everything You Do!!

TM
Get Your Foot Off The Brake

Forget about “Speed Kills”!
A Sunday afternoon drive is done at “90 MPH”

If you want to compete in this decade you must be:
Fast, Flexible, and Attentive
Simplify Everything
Empower Employees
Increase Knowledge:
Better Understand the Track (Competitive Space)

Optimize the Car (Technology / Products)
Regularly Update Information (Continuous Learning)

TM
Eliminate “Killer Phrases”
It’s not in the budget…
We don’t do things that way… “Killer Phrases”
We tried that before… I don’t have the time or interest to

explore this idea
The currency is not convertible...

New Ideas Won’t Just Happen

TM
Ideas must be sold just like any product / service

Objections must be turned into reasons to buy or at least not block
1. Yes, but..... 21. The boss will never go for it.

2. We tried that before. 22. It’s too far ahead of the times.
3. That’s irrelevant. 23. Laughter
4. We haven’t got the manpower. 24. Suppressed laughter
5. Obviously, you misread my request. 25. Condescending grin
6. Don’t rock the boat. 26. Dirty looks
7. The boss / competition will eat you alive. 27. Don’t fight city hall.
8. Don’t waste time thinking. 28. I’m the one who gets paid to think.
9. Great idea, but not for us. 29. What will people say?
10. It’ll never fly. 30. Get a committee to look into that.
11. Don’t be ridiculous. 31. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
12. People don’t want change. 32. You have got to be kidding.
13. It’s not in the budget. 33. No.
14. Put it in writing. 34. We’ve always done it this way.
15. It will be more trouble than it’s worth. 35. It’s all right in theory.. but..
16. It isn’t your responsibility. 36. Be practical!
17. That’s not in your job description. 37. Do you realize the paperwork it will create?
18. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. 38. Because I said so.
19. Let’s stick with what works. 39. I’ll get back to you.
20. We’ve done all right so far. 40. Silence.

TM
Sample Idea Map

Hitchhiking Finding Right
Fun Questions
Off Ideas
Seeing
Seeing Solutions
Brainstorming
Patterns
Relating To
Self
Bigger Problem Problem Solving
Team
Comparing Defining Idea Taking

Writing
Viewpoints Problem Mapping Notes
Recording
Overcoming Meetings
Writing a Talk
Writers Block
Brain-Friendly
Free
Associating Pre-Outlining Interviewing
Non-Judging
Random
Seeing More
Thoughts
Than on Paper

TM
Idea Map Process
Step 1 State the Problem [Ready]
Step 2 In the center of a piece of paper write a

word or phrase that captures the essence
of your problem and put a circle around it --
this is your “trigger word” [Ready]
Step 3 Now, without judging, fire away for 2 minutes

and write down around this trigger word as
many aspects of the problem / idea as you
can. [Fire]

TM
Idea Map Process (cont’d.)
Step 4 Identify relationships between these words --

use arrows to show inter-relationships. Build
as many as you like and use clarifying words if
necessary. [Fire]
Step 5 Step back and identify 3 or 4 key concepts.

Assign a geometric symbol to each key concept.
Put the same symbol around each word or phrase
on your map associated with that concept. This
process is called “Clustering”. [AIM]

TM
Step 6 Create a Cluster Outline
Problem
Writing
Solving Why it Works
Defining Problem Overcoming Block Free Associating

Comparing Viewpoints Pre-Outlining Non-Judging
Relating to a Bigger Problem Taking Notes Random Thoughts
Finding Right Questions Interviewing Seeing Patterns
Seeing Solutions Recording Meetings Seeing More
Brainstorming Writing a Talk Brain-Friendly
Self Fun
Team
Hitchhiking Off Ideas

TM

Step 7 Outline the Map
I. Problem Solving
A. Defining Problem
1. Comparing different viewpoints
2. Relating to bigger problem
3. Finding right questions to ask
B. Seeing Solutions
1. Brainstorming
a. Self
b. Team
2. Hitchhiking off of other solutions
II. Writing
A. Overcoming Writer’s Block
1. Report Writing
2. Writing Talks
B. Pre-Outlining Technique
1. Taking Notes
2. Recording Lectures
3 Interviewing
III.Why It Works
A. Free Association
1. Suspends Judgment
2. Disjointed thoughts, then arranged
3. See more than is written down
B. Brain-Friendly
C. Fun

TM
Ask Six Universal Questions
What Is It?
Where Does It Happen?
When Does It Happen?
How Does It Happen?
Why Does It Happen?
To Whom Does It Happen /

Who Causes It To Happen?

TM
Envisioning The Future
Come Back
Visualize the From The Future
Problem Solved or
Goal Reached Record Steps
Leading To
The Future
Fix a
Solution
or
Achievement
Date
Overcome
Barriers
At Each Step
Identify
Problem
or Goal
Solution

TM
In Search of Opposites
Change Positive
Statements to
Negative 1
Place “No” or “Not”

Define What
before nouns, verbs, Something is NOT 2
adjectives, adverbs Figure Out What Everyone
[word] or [phrase] is
Use Antonyms NOT a .... Else Doesn’t Do 3
The Opposite of What

Use a “What If”
Use “un-”, “non-”, Compass
Everyone Else is Doing 4
“dis-”
What If I .....?
Change Direction /Location
of Perspective 5
Physically / Mentally
Change How You Flip-Flop Results 6
Look at the Problem
Define the Result Turn Defeat into
It it’s Fast, make it Slow Victory 7
If it’s Stopped, Move it What would it take When Facing Defeat,
If it’s Plastic, make it Steel to Produce “Awful” Declare Yourself the
Results Winner! See What
Happens…

TM
Using a “What If” Compass

Run a defined problem through this set of “What If’s”
What If I......?
*Stretch it Make it romantic Combine it Appeal to kids
Winterize it Illuminate it Speed it up Go clockwise
Sharpen it *Freeze it Misspell it Sweeten it
Balance it Tighten it Force it Build it up
Tie it Jump over it Raise the price *Shrink it
Make it terrifying Separate it Appeal to seniors Summarize it
Darken it Slow it down Go counterclockwise Dull it
*Melt it Spell it correctly Sour it Unbalance it
Loosen it Relax it Tear it down Untie it
Go under it Give it away Put it to music Add nostalgic appeal
Make it stronger Make it portable Personalize it Exaggerate it
Put in sex appeal Make it simple Fill it up Make it breakable
Make it funny Moisten it Cushion it Make it disposable
Make it fly Do it backwards Magnetize it Make it invisible
Go forward Put it in pictures Add future appeal Make it weaker
Make it stationary Depersonalize it Understate it Take out sex appeal
Make it complex Empty it Make it unbreakable Make it serious
Dry it Prick it Make it reusable Make it float
Do it sideways Demagnetize it Make it visible Go backward

TM
Can I Pick Your Brain?
Ask for Help
Become Your Competitors’ Customer
Start a “Borrow File”
Start a “Not Invented Here” Contest
Become Part of the Market Place

TM
Can I Pick Your Brain? (cont’d.)
Identify, Visit, and Experience Top Quality
Read a Biography of a Person You are Trying

to Emulate
Start a Clipping File or Subscribe to a Computer

Clipping Service
If at first you don’t succeed, take a break!

TM
Corpus Callosum
The Nerve Bundle that Allows the Left and Right Sides of The Human Brain
to Share and Communicate Their Views.
Left Brain Right Brain
Balancing Your Checkbook Highway Driving

Corpus Callosum
The “High” comes The “High” comes from all
from the free association that
Reconciling the goes on in your mind
Numbers. while driving (without
conscious
monitoring).
Verbal, Logical, Analytical Non-Verbal, Visual, Spatial, Perceptual

TM
Creative Process Model
Left Brain Right Brain

Defining the Problem
Gathering Information [Ready]
Analyzing Information
Incubating Information
Free Associating [Fire]
Intuitive Flash
Evaluating Possible Solution [Aim]

Implementing Solution

TM
Getting Creatively “Unstuck”

Use Your Non-Dominant Body Parts
Cross your legs the wrong way
Interlock your fingers the wrong way
Use your non-dominant eye to read a short magazine article
Write down some thoughts with your “other” hand
Breathe through your left nostril for a right-brain jolt
Breathe through your right nostril for a left-brain jolt
Doodle or scribble with the “wrong” hand
Do Things in a Strange Way or Do Strange Things

Drive to work a different way
Close your eyes and daydream about your ideal vacation spot
Make a short phone call to a friend and just catch up
Browse through a magazine and just look at the pictures
Walk around and pretend that that you have to get something
Do Crossword puzzles
Manipulate Your Time

Write down your thoughts as fast as you can. Then go back and edit.
Set a specific time limit for completing your task
Break up your problem into “doable” chunks. Do them one at a time.
Use an “opposites” Idea Map by answering “What would I never do to solve this problem?

TM
Idea Fulfillment
The Action Stage of the Creative Process is Where
Innovation meets Organization

Production
Sales
Distribution
Innovation is required at every junction in a corporation

to compete now and in the future

TM
Institutionalization of Openness
Openness = # ideas x (# Implemented + Fast Failures) x Shared Vision

Penalty For Failure
Reduce Penalty For Failure: Expect It

Reward It
Learn It
Increase “Fast Failures”: Subsection Testing

Small Scale Testing

TM
Achieving a Shared Vision

Visions are built on Knowledge, Instinct, Dreams, and Destiny
Successful Visions are: Directed Toward the Future

(Common Destiny)
Useable Today
Firmly Grounded in the Past
Stable Yet Flexible to Changing Environments
Easily Understood
Well-Promoted

TM
Promoting Vision
Hang Pictures of it
Add Feeling
Name Places and Things that “fit”
Put a Piece of the Vision on Your Desk
Help Eliminate the Old Vision
Realize the “Neutral Zone”
Celebrate Even Small Successes

TM
Ideas, Ideas, Ideas
Rule 1. Come up with a lot of ideas THEN throw the bad ones away
(or better yet, SAVE THEM for a rainy day!)
Make Learning Fun
Start an Innovation Team with Discrete Projects
Cutting Paperwork
Cutting Required Approvals
Improving Motivation
Reducing Stress
Wage an Active War on “Killer Phrases”
Engage All Participants During Meetings

TM
Selling, Buy-in, Influence

In almost all normal situations, the realization of ideas requires
others to share or at least not block the realization process.
Almost always this results in Idea Modification [shared vision];
and sometimes results in abandonment as Idea knowledge is
accumulated.
First: Do what others in your organization do:

Memos, Meetings, Proposals, Reports, Surveys.
You cannot write about it or speak to it often enough.
Second: If the quality of your idea is special, then treat it that way!
Prepare a Promotional Package that Supports it.

TM
Selling, Buy-in, Influence (cont’d.)
Sell Inside
(Including Yourself)
Sell Up the Organization

(Two Levels)
Sell Down the

Organization
(Two Levels)
Sell Outside
Confidentiality Issues??
Opposites Approach

TM
Envision the Future
Ask “What’s the Opposite?”
Challenge the Assumptions
Walk in the Other Person’s Shoes
Create a metaphor
Borrow & Adapt
Get Out Colored Pens & Draw

Some “Idea Maps”

TM
Force Field Analysis
Forces Forces
Supporting Resisting
You Must Determine How To:
Encourage the Supporting Forces
Neutralize or Defeat Resisting Forces

TM
Idea Quality
1. Trust your Gut
2. Trust your Gut
3. Check with your brain
4. See # 1
Follow Sigmund Freud’s example:
Take out a coin. Label “heads = yes”, “tails = no”.

Ask “ Is this a good idea “? Flip the coin. If it comes
up “YES” and your gut says “ Lets do two out of three “,
then your intuitive reaction has been revealed.
Ask questions about:

Success Failure
Past Future
Personal Professional
Mission Vision
Timing

TM
Is This A Reasonable Idea?
Identify as many of the following as possible:

Positive Factors
Interesting Qualities
Negative Factors
Idea: File:
4x6 Index Card
8.5x5.5 Planner
Date:
Positives Interesting Negatives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
( )x2= ( )x1= ( ) x -2 =
Rating

TM
File Those Ideas
You, Family, Employees, Management

TM
Some Things To Think About
Generate Lots of Ideas
Create Ideas that are 15 minutes Ahead of their Time
Always look for a Second Right Answer
If at First You don’t Succeed....Take a Break
Write Down Your Ideas....Don’t Lose Them!
If everyone says “You’re wrong”, you are “One Step Ahead”.

If they laugh, you’re Two Steps Ahead!

TM
Some Things To Think About (cont’d.)
The Answer to any Question Pre-Exists -- We need to Ask

the Right Question to Reveal the Answer
When You Ask a Dumb Question, You Get a Smart Answer
Never Solve a Problem from Its Original Perspective
Visualize Your Problem as Solved before Solving it
All Behavior Consists of Opposites -- Learn to See Things

Backwards, Inside Out, and Upside Down

TM
Challenging an Assumption can Turn Obstacles into

Opportunities
If Different Shoes Don’t Work, Try Looking at Your Problem

From a Helicopter...or a Space Ship
Think Like Nature... Ask “How Would Nature Solve This

Problem?”
Borrow from the Past...Then Adapt
Make Sure the Penalty for Failure Is NOT Greater than the
Penalty for Doing Nothing

TM
Often it’s the Interesting Part of an Idea....NOT the Positives

or Negatives that Leads to Innovation
Writing Down Ideas is Like Money in the Bank
Always Start a 60 minute Meeting With a One Minute

Warm-up Exercise
Make Friends with Your Shower -- If Inspired to Sing, Maybe

the Song has an Idea in it for You!

TM
Remember…Every Idea Is Important
To Someone!! What’s Important to You?

Idea Generation

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THIS SLIDE CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL PROPRIETARY INFORMATION

L. F. Co p penr ath & Asso ciat es

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 1

10. Performing Manual Labor

8. On waking up in the middle of the night

6. During leisure reading

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 2

5. During a boring meeting

4. Falling asleep or waking up

1. Sitting on the toilet

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 3

Record Your Ideas

Keep Pads (w/pen) in Every Room

Put a Cassette Recorder in Your Car

Carry 3 x 5 Cards or Small Notebook

Get / Use a Phone Answering Machine

Write on Your Wrist but don’t Lose the Idea

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 4

Create an “Idea Bank”

Carry / Handout Dollar Bill Size Note Pads

Store in Card Box - “Idea Bank”

Support “Idea Bank” Concept at Every Level

Instead of “Suggestion Boxes” Use “Idea Bank Deposits”

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 5

Invite The Creative Process

1. Put your baby picture on your desk,

2. Put marker Board or Flipchart (w/multi-colored pens)

3. Spend $5.00 on something for your desk that

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 6

Invite The Creative Process (cont’d.)

4. Find & Hang a Picture of your vision on the wall

5. Keep some toys on your desk (Legos, crayons)

Innocent, Simple, Creative

6. Common areas should have Pads (flipcharts,

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 7

Make Time For Ideas

Make a list of the 20 things that causes you to work more

Now Eliminate the Non-Essential Work!

Too much to read

Too much to write

Meaningless decision processes

Challenge Everything You Do!!

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 8

Get Your Foot Off The Brake

A Sunday afternoon drive is done at “90 MPH”

Fast, Flexible, and Attentive

Better Understand the Track (Competitive Space)

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 9

Eliminate “Killer Phrases”

It’s not in the budget…

We don’t do things that way… “Killer Phrases”

We tried that before… I don’t have the time or interest to

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 10

New Ideas Won’t Just Happen

Ideas must be sold just like any product / service

1. Yes, but..... 21. The boss will never go for it.

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 11

Sample Idea Map

Comparing Defining Idea Taking

12/08/21 Copyright © 1999 Larry Coppenrath, All Rights Reserved 12

Idea Map Process

Step 1 State the Problem [Ready]

Step 2 In the center of a piece of paper write a