FIND YOUR OWN REASON. December 31, 2009
Posted by brainactivist in How to think creatively.Tags: creative thinking, creativity, innovative thinking, using creativity
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The intended use for something is just the beginning. For example, I use PowerPoint for the same reason every one else does, but I also use it to organize my thoughts. I think of the slides as note cards, and put everything on them then move things around. I even wrote scenes for a screenplay that way instead of a screenplay program. On poker sites (yes, I play poker…..a great place to be creative), there’s a feature where you can locate friends, intended so you can see what tables your friends are playing and join them. I note who the bad players are, then locate them so I can play with an advantage.
I read that Flickr was originally a feature in game, but that developers noticed that more than playing the game, people were using the photo feature to post their photos, so they dropped the game and applied user feedback to refocus their original idea into a profitable business.
You get the idea. Be creative and customize existing things to your own use, not necessarily the use it was created for. What examples of this kind of innovative thinking do you have?
BUILD ON A SOLID FOUDATION. December 10, 2009
Posted by brainactivist in How to think creatively.Tags: creativity, marketing strategy
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I begin every job with a process to learn a client’s most compelling competitive advantage that has relevance in their marketplace and that is unique. Usually a client will think they know what it is, and sometimes they’re right, but generally there’s more to the story.
Over the years, I’ve fine-tuned a pretty quick process that yields important results. Big agencies charge hundreds of thousands of dollars to do this, and small ones just skip this step. If I had to say what my unique competitive advantage is, it’s this step. I just finished an engagement for DHL and they said it was the best work they ever had. This strategy step to lay the foundation properly is why.
Great marketing has to be based on a truth, and finding it is like an archaeological dig. When you unleash creativity based on a meaningful strategy, you’ve got a powerhouse. Often clients will say, “..well, you’re creative, I know you’ll think of something”. But you don’t just make up great marketing. It is not fiction. It’s the opposite. It’s truth well told.
NOW MORE THAN EVER. December 7, 2009
Posted by brainactivist in The need for creativity.Tags: creativity, innovative thinking, politics
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Nothing calls for creative thinking more than daunting seemingly insoluble problems like the ones we as a country have now. Unfortunately fear can have a stifling effect on untested ideas. When the old ideas haven’t worked, we need new ideas…we all agree there I’d assume. But the first rule of truly creative thinking is having the room to fail, something world leaders and businesses don’t have right now. On the upside, I’d assume that when circumstances are dire, people might be more wiling to try something truly new, not just old stuff tweaked to look new. Do you think we’re there yet??
