Success in the modern workplace means going beyond convention, offering new solutions and constantly innovating. Individuals at all levels, working alone or in teams, are required to make decisions and solve problems, often involving the new and the unfamiliar.

Solutions to new problems require not just problem-solving skills, but also cutting-edge creativity. These skills are highly prized and rewarded in today’s working environment by individuals and organisations looking for a competitive edge.

BENEFITS
After this one-day workshop you will be able to:

			study problems
			identify possible solutions
			use creative thinking techniques

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
You can expect to:

			understand the value of creativity and problem solving
			know the nine stages of problem solving
			be able to solve problems individually and in groups
			apply various lateral thinking techniques

COURSE OUTLINE
Pre-course task

Identifying problems

Introduction

			Discovering how every occupation requires creativity
			Quantity, variety, elaborateness and uniqueness
			Daydreaming – past successes and easy problems can hinder creativity

Preparing to solve the problem

			The nine stages of problem solving
			Two methods of problem solving

Studying the problem

			Identifying the root causes of a problem
			Springboards to creative solutions
			Reactive and proactive approaches to problem solving

Identifying possible solutions

			Brainstorming – the role of the brainstorm leader
			Creative thinking techniques – re-labeling
			Seeing problems in different ways by making analogies and comparisons

Decision-making

			Which mental functions do we use to make decisions?
			Developing the criteria needed for an ideal solution
			The five factors of decision-making

WHO THE COURSE IS FOR
This course is for anyone who wants to improve their work performance by becoming more innovative.