Idea Generation Other people see things and say

Idea Generation Other people see things and say ‘Why? ’ …. But I dream things that never were and say ‘Why not? ’ George Bernard Shaw

Attributes of the Creative Person • • • Openness to experience Observance – seeing things differently Curiosity Personal freedom Willingness to take calculated risks Self reliance Persistence Freedom from fear of failure Desire for recognition

Managing Creativity- Inhibition • • Bureaucracy Tradition and culture Poor communication Penalties for failure Tight deadlines Authority over responsibility Values which inhibit

Managing Creativity- Fostering • • • Open organisational structure Freedom to fail Culture of new ideas Delegate responsibility Circulate success stories Empowerment

Creative Organisation • • • Sharing a vision Interpersonal support Praising achievement Coaching Conflict resolution Accepting failure

Sources of Ideas………. • • Existing Businesses Franchises Product Licensing Patents Networking Support Agencies WWW………. .

Techniques for generating ideas • Guidelines for idea generating sessions – Select participants – Have a facilitator – Task Focus – Time Management

Techniques for generating ideas • Brainstorming • Attribute Listing • Who, what, where, when, why, how • Assumption Smashing • Discontinuity

Screening ideas for opportunities • The ‘Gut Feeling’ is not good enough! • Need for Solid Market Research – Size of market – Competitor Analysis – Market Conditions and trends – Profit Margins – Revenue Opportunities

Assessing a Good Idea – Questions to ask (O’Kane) • • Why is it a good idea? What are the assumptions? What type of customer will buy it? Why? List four ideas why the idea will NOT work List four ideas why it will work. What are the differences?

Key Issues • Timing • Feasibility of the idea • Suitability of the idea to the circumstances of the potential entrepreneur

Transforming Ideas into Realisable Opportunities • • • Action-oriented Focus and pace Easy to understand Networking with the industry Try, test and revise Harnessing competencies and capability

Useful Websites • • • Entrepreneurs. about. com/cs/ideas Entrepreneurs. about. com/library/weekly/199/aa 092799. htm www. bizplus. ie www, businesscreativitynetwork. org. uk/tools. htm www. circle-of-excellence. com www. cocd. be/eng/index. htm www. entrepreneur. com www. irc. net. lu www. niftybusinessideas. com www. planware. org www. powerhomebiz. com www. work-at-home-index. net/limks/telecommuniting. html

Useful Websites • http: //ireland. franchiseopportunities. com/ • http: //www. irishfranchiseassociation. com/ • http: //www. irishfranchisemagazine. net/? ck=1&s=4 ecb efb 5514 aa 1997 c 7 a 043483400 f 58 • www. ideacafe. com