Flying in the face of current thinking, this book suggests that we do not need to ‘think outside the box’ in our quest for creativity, rather we should rethink the way we look ‘inside the box’. This idea will resonate only too well with those who have endeavoured to be creative by thinking outside that box, only to have their attempts scuppered by the constraints of bureaucracy and organizational politics. Instead of fighting a losing battle, the author suggests that creativity should be worked at within the constraints of the organizational box, but that space needs to be grown and allowed to be shaken up. Only by experimenting, mutating and finding new directions can you uncover business paths that lead to success. The reader is encouraged not to free themselves from all their knowledge and experiences (the thinking outside the box method) but to use their knowledge and experience in new ways. The book is structured around three key steps: Expanding the box: so that the pieces of the puzzle in it can move around more freelyFilling the box: with even more knowledge, and how to get these new pieces of the puzzle to connect with the existing onesShaking the box: so that the pieces fall into new places and form new patterns.The book shows that anybody can be creative.The creative methods suggested in the book will be linked to real business examples from which techniques have been developed to help their implementation. Numerous exercises and ‘eye-openers’ form part of the practical implementation of Micael Dahlén’s ideas. The book is framed by models and concepts of how creativity works (the creative process, the creative person and the creative result) and what its effects are.
Micael Dahlén is a Professor of Business Administration and Marketing Strategy at the Stockholm School of Economics. His award-winning research within marketing, creativity and consumer behaviour has been published in four books and numerous journal articles. His work is used in various educations in Europe, Asia and the United States, and he lectures and workshops frequently in the industry.
Recensioner i media
"It's welcome relief to come across a book on innovation that isn't full of whacky images and exclamation marks." (Management Today, November 2008) "...rewarding...should inspire new innovators and help those already engaged in the process to pick a path through the obstacles." (Independent, November 4th 2008)
Innehållsförteckning
Acknowledgements. 1 Why this book?PART I: It’s About Success.2 Why creativity?3 Are you creative?4 Why is creativity so important?5 Isn’t creativity dangerous?PART II: Think Inside the Box.6 What is creativity?7 The creative result.8 The creative process.9 The creative person .10 Thinking inside the box.PART III: Expanding the Box.11 The four walls of the box.12 The first wall: conventions and rules.13 The second wall: common sense.14 The third wall: physiology.15 The fourth wall: consciousness.PART IV: Filling the Box.16 There’s no such thing as ‘useless’ knowledge.17 The brain is lazy.18 The power in brands.19 Associations.20 The context rules.PART V: Shaking the Box.21 Preparations for the final step.22 Shaking the box side to side.23 Shaking the box up and down.PART VI: Congratulations: You’ve Become Smarter.24 Are you a creative business innovator?Further Reading.Index
Isobel Hadley-Kamptz, Annika Lantz, Kristofer Ahlström, Susanna Alakoski, Martin Gelin, Anneli Jordahl, Ebba Witt-Brattström, Johanna Palmström, Karin Thunberg, Bodil Jönsson, Simon Bank, Kalle Lind, Björn af Kleen, Klas Ekman, Anna Charlotta Gunnarsson, Johanna Koljonen, Eva Franchell, Andreas Cervenka, Lisa Ehlin, Patrik Lundberg, Alice Kassius Eggers, Malte Persson, Martina Montelius, Jenny Damberg, Micael Dahlen, Bilan Osman, Ida Therén, Sanna Lundell, Ana Udovic, Fanna Ndow Norrby, Nike Markelius, Annika Norlin, Tone Schunnesson, Lina Thomsgård, Behrang Behdjou, Elsa Westerstad, Federico Moreno, Jenny Aschenbrenner, Jenny Lindh, Johanna Frändén, Jonna Sima, Kristina Lindquist, Lisa Förare Winbladh, Lisa Magnusson, Magda Gad, Marimba Roney, Nadia Jebril, Natalia Kazmierska, Sara Martinsson, Tara Moshizi, Valerie Kyeyune Backström, Wanda Bendjelloul, Lisa Ehlin, Lina Thomsgård