B&P Trading Station - Round 4
What would you trade for a Fender Stratocaster electric guitar? It is described more on the B&P Trading Station page.
The final item we trade up to will be given away as a prize at the BABBQ.
Go to the B&P Trading Station
July 26th, 2010 | Category: BABBQ, Blogging | 5 comments
Big Ass BBQ – A little more than 2 weeks away
The BABBQ is just two weeks from this coming Saturday. Right now I have 25 people that have committed to be there. Some local and some from out of town. I’ve had several that said they were coming but haven’t committed yet. I’m OK with that, but in another week or so I need to get serious about what all I need to pick up and order the T-shirts. So you need to decide something pretty soon. I have a few surprises in store…. like a prize for whoever comes the farthest, among other things.
I just started on a shirt design. I’m not sure how firm it is, but here it is as of now. You can click on it to enlarge it.
More information can be found here.
August 13th, 2010 | Category: BABBQ | 108 comments
All About Blood
[Source: Medical Assistant Schools]
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Interesting, Medical | One comment
Office gathering place
Thanks Mike (From Spain)
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Food & Drink, Funny | 9 comments
Friday Open Mic
We’re off on a ride from St. Louis to Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Total mileage about 700 miles. Thanks for all the suggestions of places of interest along the way.
I have a few things pre-posted to show up each day. Will return home on Sunday.
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Open Mic | 7 comments
Self-balancing, one-wheeled electric scooter
Ryno Motors
Thanks Duane P
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Cars / Vehicles, Interesting | 3 comments
Communication
via
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Funny, Internet | 3 comments
Ass Candy
via
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Funny, Signs | 2 comments
Gravity explained
via
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Funny, Internet | 11 comments
Because I’m bored
via
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Animals, Funny | Leave a comment
OK, Who peed on the toilet seat?
via
August 20th, 2010 | Category: Funny | 3 comments
God-grilla – The world’s largest BBQ grill
Jack Henriques, 31, spent three months welding the bespoke steel grill, dubbed ‘God-grilla’, which is heatproofed to 600ºC (1,112ºF). It weighs two tonnes, measures 5m (16ft) across and requires 14 bags of coal to ignite.
The 3.5m (11ft 6in) tall barbecue is so big it can cook 1,000 sausages or 500 burgers at once.
More on this monster grill
Thanks KLAW
10 Telephone Inventions That Failed Miserably
19 August 2010 No Comment
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What did you do before the iPhone existed? I bet you wrote letters and listened to old classics on the gramophone, right?
Well, before such a success reinvented society and made us feel like a new class of human because we have that smooth rectangular shape protruding out of our pocket, there were a few attempts at something similar. And needless to say, they failed miserably.
Chuckle with us at our top ten failures:
1) Sausage Skin Phone
A telephone made using pork meat? It sounds like a crazy concept (well, I suppose it is) but German science teacher Philipp Reis built a phone using a knitting needle, a violin a cork, a coil of wire and yes, a sausage. He used the skin of the sausage to create a microphone by stretching the skin across a hollowed out cork. He was able to create a receiver using the metal to connect with the string of a violin.
Strangely enough, the concept wasn’t a huge commercial success. I imagine they tried out a series of prototypes, but found the microphone always seemed to have been mysteriously chewed, with a coy looking canine sat wagging it’s tail in the corner…
Source
2) PhotoPhone
Don’t be fooled by the name, the PhotoPhone was not the olden days version of ‘facebook’. Unfortunately it did not transmit and receive photographs. However, the concept was very clever. One would project their voice through an instrument towards a mirror, which reflected the same vibrations as the voice. Sunlight was directed towards the mirror. The sunlight captured, and reflected back the mirrors vibrations, which were then transformed back into sound at the receiver. So, instead of using electricity, this phone relied on light.
This was great, if you wanted to talk to someone in the same room as you, or across the road on a sunny day. But failed miserably when cloudy, as light direction is disrupted by outside interferences.
Source:
Picture: http://www.uunhf.org/unitarian/famous/Alexander_Graham_Bell.jpg
3. Laryngaphone
The idea behind the Laryngaphone is to “transmit vibrations from the vocal cords when placed against the throat or cheek.”
The problem with it, however, is that most people are not trained in Morse Code, which seems to be the only language which could possibly be communicable in this way. And this would make for a very long, and kind of tiring phone call- ‘Forget it, why don’t you just write me a letter, I mean, mmm mm mmm mm…’
You can perhaps see why it was an instant failure.
Source
4. Phone-Answering Robot
Imagine a robot that can answer the phone, record a message, or inform you somehow you have call. Brilliant concept eh!? Unfortunately, this robot couldn’t talk, record messages or walk. It can just about pick up the phone. And even then it looks a bit of a struggle to pry the receiver out of it’s cold, metal hands.
Source
5. Pocket Mail
This is not an educational toy for a kid, it is Pocketmail: a device to allow you to send and receive email. Wow, I bet your thinking, like a miniature computer? Well kind of, except, no.
There are two way of using Pocketmail-
1)After composing your email, you need to PUT IT BACK into your pocket, WAIT till you get to work/home, PICK UP the phone, DIAL the Pocketmail number, MOVE the Pocketmail up to the phone, and then, and only then press SEND.
2)Put it straight in the bin. Forget you ever paid a hundred dollars on your credit card, and cancel ASAP that monthly operational fee.
Source
6. N-Gage Gaming Cell Phone
Seriously, N-Gage was a pretty great idea. Shaped like a games console control, you could (hypothetically) carry on your games obsession whilst on the bus to work. Social codes would be broken and transformed whilst you ask the person next to you‘how did you get onto level 5 of Danger Beast?!’. Unfortunately, with some pretty terrible hardware and generally awful service offerings, our dreams were smashed. Until the i-phone came and rescued us.
Source:
Source
7. Phone fingers
We all know latex is great protection for some things…but this? The ‘Phone Fingers’ as it’s known stops you from getting grubby finger prints all over your ipod, and they come in a range of colours and sizes. So, if you spot anyone on the street with a selection of luminous pink digits, their either an obsessive compulsive iPhone owner, or a burglar.
But lets be honest, I’ve not seen a single latex finger. A miss, I think.
Source
8. Motorola Rokr E1 iTunes Phone
You can picture opening your gift form grandma on your birthday and receiving this, after you specifically asked for an iPhone.
Well this isn’t actually a cheap knockoff version form the market, it is an early cell phone which was fully supported by iTunes (grandma’s not such a technophobe!). The Motorola ROKR E1 was not, however, the perfect match for the iPhone. The phone could only hold 100 songs, and downloading was quite a time consuming affair. And if you tried to answer a call whilst listing to your favourite tune, Cindy Lauper would send your phone activities to a snail pace.
You can see why this concept was speedily abandoned.
Source
9. Samsung’s Jitterbug:
What a nice idea. Phones designed for the elderly- nice and simple, no frills, no contracts just a simple yes/no keypad and the standard number pad. The one-touch edition gets even better- just 3 buttons for less confusion- one for the operator, one for pre-programmed friends or family and one for 911. You know, for any emergencies that might happen, you need to call an ambulance because you tripped and fell or something. Only thing is these phones fail to connect to 911 services. Oh Lord!
To be fair, the recall only applies to the SPH-a110 and SPH-a120 model Jitterbug phones with standard keys sold between March 2008 and May 2009, but still.
Source
10. Worst iPhone Gadget
Do you find that you sometimes miss calls on your phone, as it’s not loud enough? Well how about setting it to a devise so that when it rings, it loudly imitates drillers digging the road directly outside of your room, at the same time as playing a lullaby? Maybe the lullaby is to try and counter the drilling, I just don’t know. Either way, this is hilarious, as long as you don’t ever come to own one.
Source
10 Most Dangerous Prisons in the World
14 August 2010 No Comment
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Going to prison? Find out if are going to a sh*t hole or going to get it in the sh*t hole.
Prisons aren’t supposed to be fun, prisons aren’t supposed to be easy to live in, prisons aren’t full of nice people waiting to become your friends. When the criminals of the world all gather into one facility, it’s a recipe for disaster, instead of rehabilitating, most criminals will sink deeper and deeper. We’ve gathered a list of the most dangerous prisons where the most cut-throat in mates rule the roost for just as long as they can keep a knife out of their back…
1. San Quentin, California
Source
San Quentin is the most notorious prison in California and has a long history of violence and brutality. It first opened in 1852 and up until the 1930s it was rife with corruption from the highest management down to the lowest in-mates. In it’s time the prison has hosted some extremely infamous gangs, most notably The Aryan Brotherhood in the 1960s which was born from The Blue Bird Gang from the 1950s, the gang is still an active white supremacist neo-Nazi group to this day. Along with these older gangs, San Quentin houses newer gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, Mexican Mafia, Texas Syndicate, Nuestra Familia and various Asian Tongs.
2. Bang Kwang, Thailand
Source
Bank Kwang, ironically known as “Bangkok Hilton”, is an understaffed, over populated prison packed to the rafters with in mates struggling with physiological issues, as the first three months of any prisoners stay is spent with their legs chained in irons. Traditional Thai culture doesn’t believe in comfortable living for their prison inhabitants and in the words of the prison’s Director Khun Nattee, “Thai prisons are tough, you don’t want to be in Bang Kwang.” Living standards in the prison are extremely low with prisoners receiving only one meal of rice and vegetable soup a day, poor medical care means ill in mates will be left shackled to their beds, waiting for medical treatment they will probably never get. Bang Kwang carries out the death penalty, in mates on death row will have their legs chained in irons until their execution and they are only given two hours notice before death by lethal injection.
3. Rikers Island, New York
Source
Rikers Island is a high security prison built on island in the east river between Queens and the mainland Bronx, it covers over 400 acres and as of the year 2000 it holds 14,000 in mates. The prison demands an $860 million a year budget, there are 10,000 officers and 1,500 civilians employed to the control the population. In 2007, prisoner Charles Afflic was nearly beaten to death by an officer using a baton, the in mate required brain surgery. In the first six months of 2003 alone, six in mates committed suicide and Rikers Island is consistently criticised for their treatment of mentally ill prisoners, as suicides are extremely high.
4. ADX Florence Supermax Facility, Colorado
Source
The Florence Supermax Facility in Colorado was built in response to a growing number of prisoner attacks on guards, built as the ultimate deterrent and the ultimate torture chamber for any in mate within the walls. In mates are completely isolated from the guards and they are forced to stay in completely bare cells for 23 hours a day. Supermax prisons are the highest ranked in security and this prison is no different, built for the worst of the very worst, inhabitants here are repeat offenders in murder, brutality and assault to in mates or guards. In it’s 13 years of service, Florence Supermax has only reported 2 in mate deaths but this version of hell on earth kills it’s in mates mentally, not physically.
5. Alcatraz Island, California
Source
Alcatraz is the most famous prison on the planet, it’s also known as “The Rock” or “The Devil’s Island”, it was built for the cruellest criminals of the 1920s. Alcatraz is well known for it’s extremely unique and intricate design that meant escape was almost impossible. There was literally no contact to the outside world once you entered the cold gates and there was no contact on the inside either. The strict and soul destroying “silence policy” meant in mates weren’t allowed to speak, at risk of extreme punishment, this resulted in many prisoners going insane as they had no emotional release and no one to share conversation with. The prison was shut down in 1963 but the grim legacy has been left behind as a tourist attraction, which many people believe to be haunted.
6. La Sante, Paris
Source
In 2000 the true hellish events happening inside La Sante came to light when the Head Doctor, Veronique Vasseur, published a book of her findings, highlighting the bad conditions of imprisonment, filth and illnesses within the prison walls. The prison building is designed using the “Hub And Spoke” system, one main central building and then other buildings spanning from that one main structure, it’s a system that has been adopted world wide. In it’s history La Sante has housed many infamous guests, during World War II common criminals and opponents to the German occupation of France were sent to the notorious prison, it’s housed Paul Gorguloff who assassinated the French President, Paul Doumer, in 1932 and it played host to Manuel Noriega who was a former military dictator of Panama.
7. Diyarbakır, Turkey
Source
Diyarbakır has gained infamy for its human rights breaches, which are thought to cross the line into true atrocity. From 1981 to 1984, thirty-four in mates died because of the extreme degree of torture practiced, both mental and physical. The prison is notorious for sexual abuse of its in mates, and its horrendous living conditions. Prisoners have attempted to go on hunger strike, set themselves on fire in protest and commit suicide in order to escape the horrors of the Turkish facility. Diyarbakir is known to house children on life imprisonment, and its “crimes against humanity” make it one of the word’s most feared and deadly institutions on the planet.
8. La Sabaneta, Venezuela
Source
La Sabaneta lies in the South American country of Venezuela, the capital Caracas is well known as the most dangerous city in the world as it holds the highest average death toll and crime rate. With a third of the Venezuelan population below the poverty line, prisons are stuffed and La Sabaneta is no different. Meant to hold 15,000 in mates, instead it holds 25,000 so prisoners have had to adapt to living, some sleep in self made hammocks as there’s not enough room on the ground. January 1994 saw the bloodiest battle between guards and in mates in prison history, during a fierce gun fire battle 108 prisoners were killed. The following year, 1995, a shocking total of 196 prisoners died.
9. Tadmor, Syria
Source
The danger of the Syrian prison of Tadmor does not come from the in mates but instead the guards. It’s been described as a “kingdom of death and madness” by a former detainee, at Tadmor the crazed guards butcher in mates with axes. Non violent political protestors are starved in concentration camp type conditions by the prison administrators. After an assassination attempt failed on the Syrian President in 1980, the prisoners of Tadmor paid the ultimate price, military commandos flew in on helicopters and massacred 500 prisoners in their cells. This was a warning sent to keep the in mates of Tadmor in line.
10. Carandiru, Brazil
Source
Carandiru witnessed one of the biggest prison massacres in history, the death count in the Brazilian penitentiary was sky high after local police opened fire on prisoners after riots broke out. Over it’s forty-six year history it’s thought the facility accounted for as many as 1300 in mate deaths but the prison was shut after campaigns from Amnesty International. Not only did the prisoners suffer from a reign of brutality but amidst the fierce violence, an AIDS epidemic broke out and spread across the facility rapidly, at least one in five in mates suffered from the disease.
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14 of the Worlds Most Bizarre Unsolved Mysteries
14 July 2010 No Comment
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A selection of some of the more bizarre unsolved mysteries
Even with modern advancement of scientific techniques for solving crimes and the professional nouse of detectives and investigators, there are still a multitude of high profile cases where crimes have gone unsolved to this very day. From man made to natural phenomenon, we have trawled through hundreds of bizarre unsolved mysteries to cherry pick the best examples!
1. The Voynich Manuscript
A hand written book dated to back the early 15th century is made up of around 240 mammal skin pages containing images and coded text. The author, script and language of the Voynich Manuscript remain completely unknown with no one presently able to decipher the bizarre language. The book is named after Wilfrid M. Voynich who as a book dealer acquired the manuscript in 1912. It is thought the purpose of the book is to illustrate early modern medicine with illustrations of biology, astronomy and alchemy creating all sorts of the possible theories of what it’s true use is.
Source
2. The Marree Man
First discovered on June 26th 1998 in Australia, the massive geoglyph shows an Aborigine with a throwing stick, possibly hunting. It lies on a huge plateau at Finnis Springs, 60km away from the town of Marree and it measures a total of 4.2km long! It’s origin and creator or even creators remain a complete mystery, many people have claimed to be the muscle behind this huge earth drawing with dodgy press releases and rumours rife.
Source
3. The Curious Case of D.B. Cooper
Thanksgiving 1971, a commercial airliner from Portland, Oregon was hi-jacked by a passenger named Dan Cooper, he handed a stewardess a note stating that he had a bomb which he would detonate unless the plane’s flight path was diverted to Seattle. On arrival to Seattle, Cooper gave the orders to release all passengers but he kept the flight staff hostage. He duly made a request for $200,000 in cash and a parachute, he then had the plane take off again. Once the plane was over Lewis River in Southern Washington, Cooper parachuted out of the plane with his swag. After thorough investigation from the FBI, all that was found was a parachute and some marked notes in the river, the man dubbed D.B. Cooper is not known to be dead or alive but an end to this mystery is still no closer.
Source
4. Mary Celeste, The Original Ghost Ship
First launched in 1860 from Nova Scotia with her original name ‘Amazon’, this merchant ship went through numerous accidents under several different owners at sea. She finally turned up at a New York salvage yard and was auctioned off for $3,000, she was fully restored and given a new name; Mary Celeste. The new commandeer of the vessel Benjamin Briggs, 37, was a master of the sea and on November 7th 1872, Captain Briggs departed from New Work with his family and crew to Genoa, Italy where he planned on selling 1,700 barrels of American alcohol. Briggs along with his family and crew were never to be seen again however the ship was found safe and sound floating in the Strait of Gibraltar. The cargo was untouched and personal belongings were still in place perfectly, it is dubbed the greatest maritime mystery of all time.
Source
5. The Black Dahlia Murder
In 1947, the dead body of 22 year old Elizabeth Short was found in a car park in Los Angeles in two pieces, severed crudely at the waist, drained of all her blood and lacerations covered her face. Her nickname, the Black Dahlia, was invented by newspaper reports that covered the high profile murder. Many rumours, theories and suspects have since been contrived but the perpetrator of the murder has never been found.
Source
6. Jack The Ripper
Jack the Ripper, the Whitechapel Murderer and the Leather Apron were all names given to the serial killer who terrorised the east end of London, mainly in the Whitechapel area in 1888. The murders of The Ripper were typically on prostitutes, recognisable by the slit throats and subsequent mutilation of the corpses, the removal of internal organs led people to believe that the Ripper had surgical or anatomical knowledge. The murders were never solved and the notorious legend of Jack the Ripper has lived on ever since.
Source
7. The Cliff Dwelling of Anasazi
Built by the Anasazi Indians, these cliff dwellings held home to thousands of inhabitants but the people that built them and lived in these well crafted structures were seemingly wiped off the face of the earth without any trace. The Anasazi tribe were a peaceful people and after establishing their agricultural culture in 1200 B.C. they completely disappeared 700 years later but not in the usual way of steady decline. There is evidence of belongings left behind but the bodies were simply left in their homes to mummify with their whole culture vanishing. Now a modern day tourist attraction, the mystery is still not solved.
Source
8. The Oak Island Money Pit
First discovered in 1795 by a young boy on a fishing trip, the suspected sink hole turned out to be much more, numerous layers of logs and flat stones made the probability of this hole being coincidental extremely low. A stone tablet was found covered in symbols and it was deciphered to read “forty feet below, two millions pounds lie buried”, this disappeared around 1912 with no pictures or drawings ever taken. It is believed that the Oak Island Money Pit is a tomb protected by a series of traps enclosing huge amounts of treasure but what treasure? Some say it’s the resting place of the Knights Templar with the Holy Grail hidden inside, some say it’s hiding documents from English philosopher Francis Bacon stating he is the writer of Shakespeare’s plays, some say it’s home to Black Beard’s loot!
Source
9. The Sphinx of Giza
The Sphinx of Giza is the world’s largest, man made, monolith structure, believed by many to be built by Pharaoh Khafre around 2,500 B.C but recent evidence such as the position of the Sphinx and the type of erosion of the tail versus the head suggests it was built long before the Egyptian civilisation was established. This suggests that an advanced ancient race of humans existed as long ago as 10,000 B.C and built this awesome structure but who and how?
Source
10. The Stone Spheres of Costa Rica
Over three hundred near perfectly spherical magma based stones were discovered by modern day man in the late 19th century in Costa Rica. The stones that range in size from a few centimetres to over two metres, weighing up to fifteen tonnes are thought to have been crafted between 200 B.C. and 1,500 A.D. by the indigenous people of Costa Rica. Due to the Spanish Conquistadors who colonized Costa Rica and the majority of the Americas, the inhabitants who may have built these wonders are not known and may never be known. Many myths surround the stones such as they came from the Lost City of Atlantis or that every one contains a single coffee bean in it’s centre.
Source
11. The Mystery of Easter Island
The remote island 2,300 miles off the coast of Chile is engulfed in questions and mystery. No one knows the true origins of it’s people, many believe the first inhabitants were a band of Polynesians who arrived via the sea and settled there. It is also thought their population grew to a peak of 11,000 before resources were near used up and cannibalism was resorted to. The enigmatic stone statues were built by the original settlers who had near died out when the modern day man in the form of Dutch “conquistadors” arrived. The native population soon died out completely and the questions of Easter Island were never answered.
Source
12. The Mothman of Virginia
Mothman was a demonic creature seen in the Point Pleasant area of Western Virginia between November 12 1967 and December 1977, most reports describe the monster as being man sized with large red reflective red eyes with huge bat like wings however some say they’ve seen the Mothman without a head, instead it’s eyes are set in it’s chest. The legend prompted a film starring Richard Gere and a metal statue was erected in Virginia as a monument to Mothman. It disappeared after 1977 and has never been seen since, is it dead or merely hibernating?
Source
13. The Taos Hum
The Taos Hum is an extremely high pitched sound that can be heard all over the world especially in the US, UK and Northern Europe. It is usually heard in quiet locations, since it’s undetectable by microphone or VLF antennae, the source and cause of this sound has remained unknown. In 1997, the US government directed a team of highly prestigious scientists to clarify the reasoning behind the hum but their research was to no avail and to this day no-one knows the cause of the Taos Hum.
Source
14. The Disappearance of Fredrick Valentich
This extremely bizarre incident took place on October 21st 1978 to Fredrick Valentich, 20, who was piloting a light aircraft over the Bass Strait to King Island in Australia. Just before his disappearance, he reported on his radio “That strange aircraft is hovering on top of me again. It is hovering and it’s not an aircraft.” seconds later a strange noise terminated his radio signal. Neither Valentich nor his aircraft were ever seen again. Speculation of an alien abduction was fuelled intensely, twenty minutes before Valentich’s last communications, Roy Manifold, a plumber by profession, set up a time lapse camera on the shoreline to catch the sun set, when his pictures were developed it showed a fast moving “object” exiting the water.
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• false
• Food
• Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),GB,GB+ kids
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Promotion,Online,SMS,Mobile
•
• false
• Personal Hygiene
• Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Online
•
• false
• Electrical Goods,Entertainment,Computer Hardware,Film Release,Computer Software
• 25-54 (all)
• iAds
•
• false
• Electrical Goods,Hardware
•
•
•
• false
• Government,Education
• Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (all)
• On-air,Online
• Channel [V]
• false
• Retail,Clothing & Accessories
• 16-39 (all)
• On-air,Promotion,Online,Integrated
• Channel [V]
• false
• Games,Computer Software
• 13-24 (all)
• On-air,Online,Production
•
• false
• Breakfast Food
• 13-24 (female),13-24 (male),Teens 13-17 (all)
• On-air
• Channel [V]
• false
• Fast Food
• 16-39 (all)
• On-air,Production,Integrated
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Film Release
• 16-39 (all),Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all)
• On-air,Online,Integrated,Production
• FUEL TV
• false
• Household Products & Cleaners
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (male),25-54 (female),25-54 (all),55+ (female),55+ (male),55+ (all),GB,GB+ kids,ABs
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Sponsorship
•
• false
• Household Products & Cleaners,Other
• 25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship
• The Weather Channel
• false
• Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 16-39 (all),25-54 (all),55+ (all),GB+ kids,ABs
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship
•
• false
• Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 25-54 (all)
• On-air,iAds
•
• false
• Food,Supermarket
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Online,Integrated,Sponsorship,Promotion
•
• false
•
• 13-24 (all),25-54 (all)
• On-air,iAds
•
• false
• Tourism
• 25-54 (all)
• iAds
•
• true
• Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 16-39 (all),25-54 (all),55+ (all),GB,GB+ kids,ABs
• iAds
•
• false
• Real Estate
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship
• Sky News Business Channel
• false
• Beverage
• 16-39 (male),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Sponsorship,Integrated
• Showtime
• false
• Pharmaceutical,Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles,Toiletries/Cosmetics,Telecommunications,Clothing & Accessories,Hair Care
• Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (all),16-39 (male)
• Integrated,iAds,Mobile,SMS,On-air,Online
•
• true
• Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles,Airline
• 25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (male),55+ (all),ABs
•
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles,Automotive Products
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),ABs
• On-air,Online,Production,Promotion
•
• false
• Alcohol
• 25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Sponsorship,Online,Promotion,Integrated
•
• false
• Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 25-54 (male),55+ (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Promotion
•
• false
• Automotive Products
• 25-54 (all)
• iAds
•
• false
• Breakfast Food
• Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),GB,GB+ kids
• Online,On-air,Production,Promotion,SMS,Integrated
•
• false
• Alcohol,Beverage
• 25-54 (male),55+ (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Online,Sponsorship,Promotion
•
• false
• Alcohol,Beverage
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Promotion,Production,Online
•
• false
• Film Release,Entertainment
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (all),25-54 (all),25-54 (female),Teens 13-17 (female),16-39 (female),16-39 (male),25-54 (male),ABs
• On-air,Online,Production,Promotion,SMS
•
• false
• Fast Food
• 16-39 (male)
• On-air,Production,Sponsorship
•
• false
• Home Improvements
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (female),55+ (male),55+ (all)
• On-air,Production,Promotion
• The Weather Channel
• false
• Food
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (all),55+ (female),55+ (male)
• On-air
• The Weather Channel
• false
• Games,Computer Hardware
• 25-54 (all)
• iAds
•
• false
•
•
• iAds
•
• false
• Fast Food
• 16-39 (all)
• iAds
•
• false
• Alcohol
• 16-39 (male)
• On demand
•
• false
• Mobile Phones
• 16-39 (all)
• On-air,Online
• Channel [V]
• false
• Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Sponsorship
• FUEL TV
• false
• Sport,Toys
• Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (male),13-24 (all)
• On-air,Integrated
• FUEL TV
• false
• Entertainment,Games,Sport
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (all),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Production
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Telecommunications
• 13-24 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (male),25-54 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male),55+ (all),55+ (female),55+ (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Food
• 13-24 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (male),25-54 (all),25-54 (male),25-54 (female)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Banking & Finance
• 25-54 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Online,Integrated
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Fast Food,Food
• 13-24 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (male),16-39 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Sponsorship
• ESPN
• false
• Mobile Phones
• 25-54 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male),16-39 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Production
• FOX SPORTS
• false
•
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (all)
• Sponsorship,On-air
•
• false
• Household Products & Cleaners
• GB,GB+ kids,25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),16-39 (all)
• On-air,Sponsorship
•
• false
• Beverage
•
• On-air,iAds,Production,Promotion
•
• false
• Food
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (all),GB,GB+ kids
• On-air,Online,Integrated
•
• false
• Games
• Kids 5-12,Teens 13-17 (all),Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Production
• FUEL TV
• false
• Games
• 16-39 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Production
• FUEL TV
• false
•
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Promotion
•
• false
• Games
• 16-39 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Production
•
• false
• Alcohol,Beverage
• 25-54 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Production,Sponsorship
• Max
• false
• Telecommunications,Internet Service Provider
• 16-39 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male)
• On-air,Online,Production
• Channel [V]
• false
• Telecommunications
• 25-54 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,Production
• Max
• false
•
•
• On-air,On demand,Online,Integrated,Sponsorship,Mobile,iAds,Production,Promotion,SMS
•
• false
• Toiletries/Cosmetics
• GB+ kids,GB
• On-air,Integrated,Sponsorship,Production
•
• false
• Other
• Kids 0-12,Kids 5-12,Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all)
• On-air,Online,Integrated,Sponsorship,Production
•
• false
• Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• On-air,Integrated,iAds,Sponsorship
• The Weather Channel
• false
• Clothing & Accessories,Sport
• 13-24 (male),13-24 (all)
• On-air,On demand,Online,iAds,Mobile
•
• false
• Computer Hardware
• 16-39 (male),16-39 (all)
• Integrated,On-air
• ESPN
• false
• Clothing & Accessories,Retail
• Kids 5-12
• On-air,Online,Production,Promotion,Sponsorship,Integrated
•
• false
• Toys ,DVD/Home Video
• Kids 5-12,Teens 13-17 (female)
• On-air,Online,Production,Promotion,SMS,Integrated,Sponsorship
•
• false
• Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 16-39 (male),25-54 (male)
• On demand,Production,On-air
• FOX SPORTS
• false
• Film Release,Entertainment
• 13-24 (all),16-39 (all),25-54 (all),16-39 (male),16-39 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (female)
• On demand,Production,On-air
•
• false
• Banking & Finance
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all)
• On-air,Online,Promotion,Sponsorship
• Channel [V],[V]Hits
• false
• Personal Hygiene,Toiletries/Cosmetics
• 16-39 (male),16-39 (all)
• iAds,On-air,Production
• FOX8
• false
• Entertainment,Film Release
• 13-24 (female),13-24 (male),13-24 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• iAds,On-air,Production,Promotion
• The History Channel,UKTV,TV Winners
• false
• Toiletries/Cosmetics
• Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (all)
• Production,Online,Promotion
• [V]Hits,Max
• false
• Garden,Home Improvements
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (female),55+ (male),55+ (all)
• On-air,Production,Sponsorship
• Discovery Channel,Discovery Travel & Living,HOW TO Channel,LifeStyle Channel,National Geographic Channel,Sky News,BBC World News
• false
• Household Products & Cleaners
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (all),55+ (female),GB,GB+ kids
• Production,On-air
• Universal Channel,Lifestyle Food,LifeStyle Channel,W.
• false
• Tourism
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (female),ABs,GB,GB+ kids,55+ (all),55+ (male)
• iAds,On-air,Production,Promotion
• LifeStyle Channel,Sky News,UKTV,TV Winners
• false
• Banking & Finance
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),GB,GB+ kids
• On-air,iAds,Production
• Crime & Investigation,Discovery Channel,Fox Classics,FOX SPORTS News,Universal Channel,National Geographic Channel,Showtime,Sky News,UKTV,W.,HOW TO Channel
• false
• Entertainment,Film Release
• Kids 0-4,Kids 5-12,Kids 0-12,Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (male),13-24 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all),55+ (female),55+ (male),55+ (all),GB,GB+ kids,ABs
• iAds,On-air,Production,Promotion
• UKTV
• true
• Electrical Goods,Computer Hardware,Photographic
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• iAds,On-air,Production
• The History Channel,LifeStyle Channel,Sky News,UKTV
• false
• Airline
• 13-24 (male),13-24 (all),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (male),ABs
• On-air,Integrated,iAds
• The Comedy Channel,Sky News,UKTV
• false
• Fast Food,Food,Restaurant
• Teens 13-17 (female),Teens 13-17 (male),Teens 13-17 (all),13-24 (female),13-24 (male),13-24 (all),16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all)
• On-air,Production
• [V]Hits,Discovery Channel,Discovery Travel & Living,ESPN
• false
• Alcohol
• 16-39 (male),25-54 (male)
• On-air,Integrated,iAds,Production,Sponsorship,Promotion
• The Comedy Channel,Discovery Channel,UKTV
• false
• Pharmaceutical
• 16-39 (female),16-39 (male),16-39 (all),25-54 (female),25-54 (all),25-54 (male)
• iAds,On-air,Production
• Discovery Channel,Fox Classics,Sky News,UKTV
• false
• Automotive Products,Car Manufacturer / Motor Vehicles
• 25-54 (female),25-54 (male),25-54 (all)
• iAds,On-air,Production
• Sky News,UKTV
• true
• Food,Retail,Supermarket
• GB,GB+ kids,25-54 (female),16-39 (all),25-54 (all),55+ (all)
• Production,On-air
•
• false
• Privacy Policy
• Terms and Conditions
• Careers
Friday, August 27, 2010
REVERSE BRAINSTORMING
http://www.ashpfoundation.org/leadershiptoolkit/index.html
Negative Brainstorming
Negative (or Reverse) brainstorming requires a significant level of effort analysing a final short-list (rather the initial mass) of existing ideas. (see BulletProofing and Potential Problem Analysis ). Examining potential failures is relevant when an idea is very new, complex to implement or there is little margin for error. Negative brainstorming consists of a conventional BrainStorming session (or any other suitable idea-generation method) that is applied to questions such as: ‘What could go wrong with this project?’
Often referred to as the ‘tear-down’ method, because of its negativity can be advantageous and seen in a positive light when training implementers to deal with hostile criticism. However, even this example needs to be followed up with a constructive debrief to ensure the implementer feels encouraged and secure.
1. Brainstorm Displaying a comment such as ‘How not to solve the problem, i.e. how to really mess up implementing project X’ will generate much humour and unexpected ideas (which should be noted)
2. Identify a cluster i.e. comments said in different ways that mean the same thing ‘Staff only’; ‘don’t tell non-staff’, reverse the cluster to give a single positive comment e.g. ‘tell those involved’
Reverse Brainstorming
A different approach to brainstorming
Related variant: "Negative Brainstorming"
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems by combining brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two "reverse" questions:
Instead of asking, "How do I solve or prevent this problem?" ask, "How could I possibly cause the problem?"
Instead of asking "How do I achieve these results?" ask,"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
How to Use the Tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
2. Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
"How could I possibly cause the problem?", or
"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
4. Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
5. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are "trying their best" and there is no appetite to "waste time" talking about this.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way.
Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual "good ideas" that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
• "How do we improve patient satisfaction?"
Then she reverses problem statement:
• "How do we make patients more dissatisfied?"
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the "reverse" ideas:
• Double book appointments.
• Remove the chairs from the waiting room.
• Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them).
• Have patients wait outside in the car park.
• Discuss patient's problems in public.
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the "reverse" solutions. Now it's time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. Well, resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
"Well of course we don't leave patients outside in the car park – we already don't do that."
"But what about in the morning, there are often patients waiting outside until opening time?"
"Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments."
"So why don't we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn't happen?"
"Right, we'll do that from tomorrow. There are several members of staff working already, so it's no problem".
And so it went on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: "It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it's helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work".
Key Points:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique for creative problem solving, and can lead to robust solutions. Be sure to follow the basic rules of brainstorming to explore possible solutions to the full.
Reverse Brainstorming
When to use it
Use it when people are finding difficulty in creating ideas.
Use it when you have people with judging and convergent preferences.
Use it when people have more strongly analytic than creative preferences.
Use it as a different method for idea creating, to get even more ideas.
Use when you are able to conceptually reverse the problem.
Quick X Long
Logical X Psychological
Individual X Group
How to use it
Reverse the problem to 'how to cause it'
Change the wording of the problem on which you are working from how to solve it to how to cause it.
For example, when looking at a customer satisfaction problem, ask 'How can we cause customers to be dissatisfied?'
Identify ways of causing the problem
Use Brainstorming or any other method (or a combination of methods) to identify different ways of causing the problem. You can use creative approaches or analytic methods.
An analytic approach would list all of the available things or steps of a process and then break these down further. For example, causing customer satisfaction could isolate when they are on the phone and the person to whom they are talking cannot answer their question.
Find ways of preventing the problem being caused
Now use creative or analytic methods to identify ways of preventing the problem causes identified in the previous step from being caused.
Thus, for example, when the customer is on the phone, the operator may be trained to classify their problem and hand them to the right person.
Example
I am seeking to to keep a folding chair open.
I reword it as 'how to make a folding chair fold up'
I use a spring, an elastic band, a lever.
I reverse the lever so the spring or elastic keeps the chair open.
Reverse Brainstorming
Many people find it easier to be judgemental or analytic, particularly as these methods are widely taught within our education system.
Reversal also takes another position, jumping to an opposite viewpoint. This switch gives a new perspective and hence can lead to new ideas.
Sometimes a team's creative results can be improved by offering them a new perspective. Take the process of brainstorming for example. Brainstorm the opposite of what you want and see what happens. The tool is called a contingency diagram, and this is how it works.
Imagine your team is supposed to brainstorm ideas for increasing customer loyalty. Instead of looking for ideas to improve loyalty, the team brainstorms ways to decrease customer loyalty. Trying to improve employee morale? Brainstorm ideas for destroying morale.
The tool's power is in its ability to harness negative energy (cynicism, sarcasm, hostility, etc.) and use it to spark creativity. If your team is in this type of mood, it's very difficult to build excitement for brainstorming. By giving them a chance to vent their negativity, you will witness amazing creativity.
After the team has filled the wall with ideas for lowering morale or chasing away customers, you are ready to get down to identifying potential solutions to your problem.
Ask the team to analyze the list and develop ideas for solving the problem. Many solutions can be found simply by reversing the ideas on the list. Others can be discovered through patterns and interesting combinations of negative ideas. In either case, the list of "bad" ideas is a tremendous stimulus for generating "good" ideas.
Next time you face the same old problems and a team tired of trying to solve them, cut the team loose on ways to make the problem worse. It will be fun, energizing, and most of all...effective.
Innovation with Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a commonly used group process and innovation tool used to generate a lot of ideas quickly that generates short bursts of energy and a quick way to lots of ideas on the table quickly. Because it is a rather informal process it increases participant and as a result commitment and allows for more creative thinking. Often, new ideas build on each other and it is time efficient, generating ideas, then evaluating to find the best options.
Developmental thinking is well suited to brainstorming, with the rules being:
• no criticism
• build on the ideas of others
• think out of the box
• quantity of ideas is more important than quality.
• Brainstorming is often combined with lateral thinking and green/yellow hat thinking.
How to Brainstorm
1. Agree to a definition or statement of the issue to be brainstormed.
2. Highlight the ground rules.
3. Assign a recorder to visibly and concisely record all the ideas on a flip chart or whiteboard.
4. Work intensely for short periods of time.
5. Treat modifications of recorded ideas as new ideas.
6. Clarify ideas with questions, but avoid long explanations.
7. Make it fun, use humor, encourage everyone to participate.
8. No evaluation until the brainstorming ends.
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming combines traditional brainstorming and reversal techniques and is particularly helpful when your team is having difficulty finding creative ideas, or where judging and convergent preferences are prevalent. It is also helpful with audiences that are highly analytic. The technique helps you to solve problems by focusing on how they are created or by focusing on how to achieve an opposite effect than that desired.
1. Clearly identify the problem or issue.
2. Reverse the challenge, asking "How could I possibly cause this problem?" or "How could I achieve the exact opposite effect?"
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solutions. Then reverse the solutions for ideas to resolve the original problem.
4. Evaluate the solutions to identify the optimal solution(s)
The example shows reverse brainstorming for the initial problem of how to increase patient satisfaction in a clinic setting.
Reverse Brainstorming
A different approach to brainstorming
Related variant: "Negative Brainstorming"
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems by combining brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two "reverse" questions:
Instead of asking, "How do I solve or prevent this problem?" ask, "How could I possibly cause the problem?"
Instead of asking "how do I achieve these results?" ask,
"how could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
How To Use The Tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
"How could I possibly cause the problem?", or
"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
2. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are "trying their best" and there is no appetite to "waste" time talking about this.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way.
Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual "good ideas" that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
• "How do we improve patient satisfaction?"
Then she reverses problem statement:
• "How do we create make more patients dissatisfied?"
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the "reverse" ideas:
• Double book appointments
Remove the chairs from the waiting room
Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them)
Have patients wait outside in the car park
Discuss patient's problems in public
• . and so on
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the "reverse" solutions. Now it's time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. Well resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
"Well of course we don't leave patients outside in the car park - we already don't do that."
"But what about in the morning, there are often patients waiting outside until opening time?"
"Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments."
"So why don't we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn't happen?"
"Right, we'll do that from tomorrow. There are 2 or 3 staff working already, so it's no problem".
And so it went on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: "It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it's helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work".
Key points:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique for creative problem solving, and can lead to robust solutions. Be sure to follow the basic rules of brainstorming to explore possible solutions to the full.
Reverse Brainstorming: A Different Approach to Brainstorming, Creative Thinking and Idea Generation
Reverse Brainstorming:
A Different Approach to Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems with a combination of brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two “reverse” questions:
Instead of asking, “how do I solve or prevent this problem?” ask, “how could I possibly cause the problem?”
Instead of asking “how do I achieve these results?” ask, “how could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?”
How to use the tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
2. Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
“How could I possibly cause the problem?”, or
“How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?”
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
4. Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
5. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brainstorming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are trying their best and they are cynical about the likely success of yet another "top-down" initiative.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way. Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual “good ideas” that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
“How do we improve patient satisfaction?”
Then she reverses problem statement:
“How do we create make more patients dissatisfied?”
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the “reverse” ideas:
• Double book appointments
• Remove the chairs from the waiting room
• Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them)
• Have patients wait outside in the car park
• Discuss patient’s problems in public
• … and so on
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the “reverse” solutions.
Now it’s time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. As you will see, resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
“Well of course we don’t leave patients outside in the car park – we already don’t do that.”
“But what about in the morning: There are often patients waiting outside until opening time?
“Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments.”
“So why don’t we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn’t happen”
“OK, we’ll do that from tomorrow. There are 2 or 3 staff working already, so it’s no problem”.
And so it goes on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: “It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it’s helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work”.
________________________________________
The most effective creativity techniques for getting fresh ideas
Creativity is about turning imagination into value. Ignite your imagination and enrich your creative thinking toolbox by applying these simple and effective creativity techniques.
Reverse brainstorming – how not to solve the problem
Tired of doing routine brainstorms on “how to get more clients” or ”how to get more sales” etc? Turn it around and brainstorm on how to make the problem even worse and after that turn the ideas around again – stating them in positive.
1. Define your problem.
2. Reverse your problem.
3. Brainstorm ideas for the reversed problem – be bold and provocative. Get as many ideas as possible.
4. Reverse those problems, turning them into ideas for your initial problem.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Example:
”How to create trainings that are really boring?” – reversed problem “How to create exciting trainings?” - ideas for initial problem
Lets make people stand still, silent and with their hands tied together. Let people move around in the room freely, get them to communicate with each-other lively and let them do stuff with their hands (moulding, writing, drawing…).
Lets show them irrelevant slides filled with text on law paragraphs. Lets turn off the projector, focus only on the most relevant content and use flip-chart to make cool drawings to help people to memorize the content with symbols only.
Interesting side-effects: by stating ways how not to solve the problem you often develop a deeper understanding of things you are actually doing wrong at the moment. Having them written down and finding ways to turn it around makes you more motivated for positive change.
Superheroes technique – borrowed brains
Don´t just use all the brains you have – also use all the brains you can borrow. Map your superheroes – people you admire – and get ready to rock´n roll!
1. Define your problem.
2. Brainstorm 10-50 superheroes – people who are better than you in some specific domain. Take a note on each superhero´s unique skill.
3. Ask yourself “How would x solve this problem?” or “What can I learn from x to solve this problem?” or “What has x done that could also work for me?” etc. Take notes on ideas that come to your mind.
4. Select the most interesting ideas and find ways in which you can adopt them to your current situation to solve this problem.
5. Take massive action and get results.
This technique is very similar to benchmarking, where the leading “superheros” can be your competitors. Turn your rivals into your superheros – use their brains and ideas to ignite your progress. Shift this paradigm and get results.
Forced connections – the art of combining
There is nothing totally new in this world. The difference between innovators and non-innovators is simply the fact that innovators make better connections that are of value.
1. Define your problem.
2. Brainstorm different keywords that come to your head (relevant and irrelevant to the topic) – sometimes the more irrelevant they seem, the better it is. You can write those keywords down to Post-it notes and attach them to the wall.
3. Start combining those words with each other and making up new connections asking yourself “what kind of ideas does this connection give me to solve my problem?”. Make wild connections by playing with the words and ideas.
4. Select the best ideas.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Did you know that:
• All the modern English literature is a pattern of 26 letters.
• All the paintings that have ever been done are made of 3 fundamental colors – blue, red, yellow.
• All the music that has ever been written consists of patterns made out of 12 notes.
• All the information you see on your computer screen is a pattern of binary code (“1″ or “0″).
Impressive? I want you to redefine the amount of resources to come out with something totally new. You just have to become a great connector of existing elements. “What if I combined these things?”
The journey – adventure for ideas
Switch your thinking by switching your environment. Go out to get some fresh stimuli.
1. Define your problem.
2. Explain the problem to your team-mates and get out from your office (go to the library for example). Ask each member to investigate around to find ideas that could solve the problem and meet in one hour. They can take things with them or make notes and photos for example.
3. Meet, take notes and share the ideas that you developed during your journey.
4. Select the best ones adapt them to your current situation.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Step out from your box, read materials you normally don´t read, talk to people you normally don´t speak. Get fresh ideas by getting fresh input.
Experiment by using elements from different creativity techniques, create combinations that suit you the best and create the ritual that helps you most effectively develop fresh ideas.
True/False Questions
1. Members of the distribution channel are usually not good sources of ideas for new products.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
2. The files of the U.S. Patent Office are kept confidential and entrepreneurs cannot study their contents.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
3. The largest source of new ideas is the U.S. Patent Office.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Easy
4. Focus groups consist of 15 to 25 participants who are asked specific objective functions.
Answer: False Page: 137 Difficulty: Hard
5. The focus group is an excellent method for initially screening ideas and concepts.
Answer: True Page: 137 Difficulty: Medium
6. The key to successful brainstorming is to critically evaluate all ideas presented.
Answer: False Page: 138 Difficulty: Hard
7. Unlike the focus group, problem inventory analysis focuses on specific problems in a general product category.
Answer: True Page: 138 Difficulty: Hard
8. Creativity tends to increase with age.
Answer: False Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
9. Brainstorming is an unstructured process used for generating possible ideas about a problem within a limited time frame through the spontaneous contributions of participants.
Answer: True Page: 139 Difficulty: Easy
10. In reverse brainstorming, the focus is on the positive, all the things that are right about an idea.
Answer: False Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
11. Brainwriting is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
Answer: True Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
12. The Gordon method, in contrast with the other methods, begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
Answer: True Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
13. Using the big-dream approach, a new idea is developed through a list of related issues or suggestions.
Answer: False Page: 141 Difficulty: Hard
14. Forced relationships is a method of forcing confrontations in focus groups.
Answer: False Page: 142 Difficulty: Medium
15. The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution, thinking big.
Answer: True Page: 143 Difficulty: Easy
16. Creative synthesis is closely connected to the technique of parameter analysis.
Answer: True Page: 143 Difficulty: Hard
17. The entrepreneur's ability to recognize a business opportunity is a result of his or her knowledge and experience.
Answer: True Page: 144 Difficulty: Medium
18. When evaluating new product development, the criteria should be inclusive and quantitative.
Answer: True Page: 145 Difficulty: Medium
19. In the idea stage of product planning, test marketing is used to gauge customer acceptance.
Answer: False Page: 146 Difficulty: Medium
20. In the concept stage of product planning, the refined product idea is tested to determine customer acceptance.
Answer: True Page: 147 Difficulty: Easy
21. Only the test marketing phase of product planning provides actual sales results to judge the product's customer appeal.
Answer: True Page: 150 Difficulty: Medium
22. The largest area of growth in e-commerce occurs during the fourth quarter holiday season.
Answer: True Page: 150 Difficulty: Medium
23. The entrepreneur should always design and build his own webpage to maintain strategic control.
Answer: False Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
24. An online company's back-end operations involve integration of customer orders with distribution channels.
Answer: True Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
25. Every website should have search capabilities.
Answer: True Page: 151 Difficulty: Easy
26. The firm's website address should appear on all marketing materials.
Answer: True Page: 152 Difficulty: Easy
27. Using electronic databases to track customer information violates federal laws regarding individual privacy.
Answer: False Page: 152 Difficulty: Hard
Multiple Choice Questions
28. _____ is (are) a good source of ideas for new products.
A) Customers
B) Members of the distribution channel
C) The Federal Government
D) all of the above
E) a and b
Answer: D Page: 135-136 Difficulty: Easy
29. Patents filed with the U.S. Patent Office:
A) frequently suggest other new products.
B) are the property of the U.S. Government.
C) are not disclosed to the public.
D) all of the above.
Answer: A Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
30. The Official Gazette is published weekly by:
A) OSHA.
B) USDA.
C) the U.S. Patent Office.
D) none of the above.
Answer: C Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
31. The largest source of new product ideas is:
A) the U.S. Patent Office.
B) the entrepreneur's research and development.
C) customers
D) the federal government.
Answer: B Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
32. Focus groups use which of the following methods?
A) A moderator leads the group in an open, in-depth discussion
B) A moderator asks each individual in the group questions, interview style
C) Each participant fills out a questionnaire, followed by individual exit interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: A Page: 137 Difficulty: Hard
33. Brainstorming groups should:
A) contain an expert in the field to be discussed.
B) be serious and work-oriented.
C) try to generate as many ideas as possible.
D) all of the above.
Answer: C Page: 138 Difficulty: Medium
34. _____ is not desirable when brainstorming is in process.
A) "Freewheeling"
B) Criticism
C) Generating a large quantity of ideas
D) Idea combination and improvement
Answer: B Page: 138 Difficulty: Medium
35. Creativity declines with
A) training and tradition.
B) education and work experience.
C) age, education and lack of use.
D) all of the above.
Answer: C Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
36. Probably the most well known and widely used technique for creative problem solving is:
A) focus groups.
B) brainstorming.
C) forced relationships.
D) scientific method.
Answer: B Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
37. Reverse brainstorming is much like brainstorming except that:
A) criticism is allowed.
B) the technique is based on finding fault.
C) the group must be careful to maintain good morale.
D) all of the above.
Answer: D Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
38. Using ___________ participants silently write their ideas on special forms that circulate within the group.
A) brainstorming
B) reverse brainstorming
C) brainwriting
D) checklist method
Answer: C Page: 140 Difficulty: Hard
39. Which of the following problem-solving techniques begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem?
A) The Gordon method
B) Matrix charting
C) Parameter analysis
D) Free association
Answer: A Page: 140 Difficulty: Hard
40. In the ________ method a new idea is developed through a list of related issues or suggestions:
A) Gordon
B) checklist
C) collective notebook
D) matrix charting
Answer: B Page: 141 Difficulty: Hard
41. In the ________ method, a word is written down, then another, creating a chain of ideas.
A) reverse brainstorming
B) matrix charting
C) heuristic
D) free association
Answer: D Page: 142 Difficulty: Medium
42. Which of the following creative methods involves having participants write down their ideas several times a day?
A) Collective notebook method
B) Parameter analysis
C) Brainstorming
D) Forced relationship
Answer: A Page: 143 Difficulty: Medium
43. This problem-solving method involves developing new ideas by thinking without constraints.
A) Value analysis
B) Attribute listing
C) Brainwriting
D) Big-dream approach
Answer: D Page: 143 Difficulty: Medium
44. Creative synthesis is an important aspect of the _________ method of creative problem solving.
A) brainwriting
B) forced association
C) attribute listing
D) parameter analysis
Answer: D Page: 144 Difficulty: Hard
45. In which stage of the product planning and development process would it be appropriate to give product samples to a panel of potential customers.
A) Idea stage
B) Concept stage
C) Product development stage
D) Commercialization stage
Answer: C Page: 149 Difficulty: Hard
46. The stage in the product planning and development process in which actual sales results are available is:
A) Idea stage
B) Concept stage
C) Product development stage
D) Test marketing stage
Answer: D Page: 150 Difficulty: Easy
47. Front-end website operations involve:
A) search capabilities
B) shopping baskets
C) secure payment features
D) all of the above.
Answer: D Page: 151 Difficulty: Easy
48. Orders and sensitive information should be transferred:
A) through credit card companies.
B) by banner ads.
C) over secure servers.
D) through open telephone lines.
Answer: C Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
Brainstorming Rules
Effective brainstorming can be accomplished by following simple brainstorming DOs and DONTs with your team. A brainstorming session is a tool for generating as many ideas or solutions as possible to a problem or issue. It is not a tool for determining the best solution to a problem or issue. The process of analyzing your brainstormed ideas will not be discussed here; please read about the Affinity Diagram for more information on that subject.
Before beginning any effective brainstorming session, ground rules must be set. This doesn't mean that boundaries are set so tightly that you can't have fun or be creative. It does mean that a code of conduct for person to person interactions has been set. It's when this code of conduct is breached that people stop being creative.
The best way to have meaningful groundrules is to have the team create their own. Try performing a mini-brainstorming session around creating brainstorming groundrules. It should provide a nice opportunity to practice the skills necessary for an effective brainstorming session. This also allows the team to take ownership of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Only if the team hasn't addressed the key groundrules should you (as the facilitator) add to the list. Once the groundrules list is generated, be sure to gain consensus that the session will be conducted according to them, and post them in a highly visible location in the room.
With that, here are four key groundrules that are useful when conducting a brainstorming session:
1. There are no dumb ideas. Period. It's a brainstorming session, not a serious matter that requires only serious solutions. Remember, this is one of the more fun tools of quality, so keep the entire team involved!
2. Don't criticize other people's ideas. This isn't a debate, discussion or forum for one person to display superiority over another.
3. Build on other people's ideas. Often an idea suggested by one person can trigger a bigger and/or better idea by another person. Or a variation of an idea on the board could be the next 'velcro' idea. It is this building of ideas that leads to out of the box thinking and fantastic ideas.
4. Reverse the thought of 'quality over quantity.' Here we want quantity; the more creative ideas the better. As a facilitator, you can even make it a challenge to come up with as many ideas as possible and compare this team's performance to the last brainstorming session you conducted.
Other brainstorming preparation questions:
• Who will lead or facilitate the brainstorming session?
• Who will participate in the brainstorming session?
• Who can write very quickly to record the brainstormed ideas without slowing down the group?
• Where will the brainstorming session be held?
• What materials are needed for brainstorming (easel, paper, white board, pens, etc.)?
• What is my brainstorming session desired outcome?
Chapter 5- creativity and the business idea
Learning Objectives
1-To identify various sources of ideas for new ventures.
2-To discuss methods available for generating new venture ideas.
3-To discuss creativity and the techniques for creative problem solving.
4-To discuss the aspects of the product planning and development process.
5-To discuss aspects of e-commerce and starting an e-commerce business.
student notes
OPENING PROFILE— Frederick W. Smith
1. SOURCES OF NEW IDEAS
A. A sound unique idea for a new product or service, properly evaluated, is essential to
successfully launch a new venture.
B. Consumers.
1. Potential entrepreneurs should continually pay close attention potential customers.
2. This can be an informal or formal survey of consumers expressing their opinions.
3. Be sure that the idea represents a large enough market.
C. Existing Products and Services.
1. Potential entrepreneurs should establish a formal method for monitoring and evaluating the
products and services in the market.
2. This may uncover ways to improve on present products, resulting in new product or service ideas.
D. Distribution Channels.
1. Because they are familiar with the needs of the market, channel members often have suggestions
for new products.
2. These channel members can also help in marketing the new product.
E. Federal Government.
1. The files of the Patent Office contain numerous new product possibilities.
a. The patents can suggest other new product ideas.
b. Several government agencies and publications, such as the Official Gazette, monitor patent
applications.
2. New product ideas can also come in response to government regulations.
F. Research and Development.
1. The largest source for new ideas is the entrepreneur’s own research and development.
2. This can be a formal endeavor connected with one’s current employment or an informal lab in the
garage.
II. METHODS FOR GENERATING IDEAS
A. There are several methods to help generate and test new ideas as a basis for the new venture.
B. Focus Groups.
1. Focus group interviews involve a moderator leading a group through an open in-depth discussion
rather than simply asking questions.
2. The moderator focuses the discussion on the new product area in either a directive or
nondirective manner.
3. The participants are stimulated by comments from other group members in developing a new product
idea.
4. The focus group is also an excellent method for initial screening of ideas and concepts.
C. Brainstorming.
1. Brainstorming allows people to be stimulated to greater creativity by participating in organized
group exercises.
2. When using brainstorming four rules are followed:
a. No criticism is allowed by anyone in the group.
b. “Freewheeling” is encouraged.
c. Quantity of ideas is desired.
d. Combinations and improvements of ideas are encouraged.
3. Brainstorming sessions should be fun with no one dominating or inhibiting the discussion.
D. Problem Inventory Analysis.
1. Problem inventory analysis uses individuals in a manner similar to focus groups, but instead of
generating new ideas, consumers are given a list of problems for a general product category.
2. They are then asked to identify products in this category that have those problems.
3. It is often easier to relate known products to suggested problems in the creation of new product
ideas.
4. Problem inventory analysis should be used primarily to identify product ideas for further
development.
5. Results from product inventory analysis must be carefully evaluated as they may not actually
reflect a new business opportunity.
III. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
A. Creative problem solving is important in identifying a new product, but personal creativity
declines with age, education, lack of use, and bureaucracy.
1. Creativity generally declines in stages.
2. Latent creative potential can be stifled by perceptual, cultural, emotional, and organizational
factors.
B. Brainstorming, the most widely used technique, can generate possible ideas about a problem in a
limited time through spontaneous contributions of participants.
1. Once the problem statement is prepared, 6 to 12 individuals are selected, with no group member
being an expert in the field of the problem.
2. All ideas are recorded, with no criticism allowed.
C. Reverse Brainstorming.
1. Reverse brainstorming is similar to brainstorming, except that criticism is allowed.
2. Since the focus is on the negative aspects of a product or service, care must be taken to
preserve group morale.
3. The process usually involves identifying everything wrong with an idea, then a discussion of ways
to overcome the problems.
D. Brainwriting.
1. Brainwriting is a form of written brainstorming.
2. It is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
3. Participants write their ideas on special forms that circulate within the group.
E. Gordon Method begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
1. The entrepreneur starts by mentioning a general concept associated with the problem and the group
responds with ideas.
2. The actual problem is then revealed, enabling the group to make suggestions for implementation.
F. Checklist Method.
1. A new idea is developed through a list of related issues.
2. The entrepreneur can use the list of questions to guide the development of an idea.
G. Free Association.
1. One of the simplest methods to generate new ideas is free association.
2. A word related to the problem is written down, then another, with each word adding something to
the thought process.
H. Forced Relationships.
1. Forced relationships try to force relationships among some product combinations.
2. The steps in the process:
a. Isolate the elements of the problem.
b. Find the relationships between these elements.
c. Record the relationship in an orderly form.
d. Analyze the relationships to find ideas.
e. Develop new ideas from these patterns.
I. Collective Notebook Method.
1. A small notebook is prepared including a statement of the problem, blank pages, and background
data.
2. Participants consider the problem and its solution, recording ideas several times a day.
3. A list or summary of the best ideas becomes the topic of a final creative focus group.
J. Attribute Listing.
1. Attribute listing is an idea-finding technique requiring the entrepreneur to list the attributes
of a problem and look at each from a variety of viewpoints.
2. Unrelated objects can be brought together to form new combinations and possible uses.
K. Big-Dream Approach.
1. The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution,
thinking big.
2. Ideas should be conceptualized without any constraints.
L. Parameter Analysis.
1. Parameter analysis involves parameter identification and creative synthesis.
2. Parameter identification analyzes variables in the situation to determine their relative
importance.
3. The relationship between parameters that describe the underlying issues is examined and a
solution developed (creative synthesis.)
M. Opportunity Recognition.
1. Some entrepreneurs have the ability to recognize a business opportunity which is fundamental to
the entrepreneurial process.
2. The keys to recognizing an opportunity lies in the knowledge and experience of the individual
entrepreneur.
3. Other important factors are entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial networks.
IV. PRODUCT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A. Once ideas emerge they need further development and refinement.
1. The production planning and development process is divided into five major stages.
2. This process results in the start of the product life cycle.
B. Stage 1: Establishing Evaluation Criteria.
1. Criteria for evaluation should be all-inclusive and quantitative enough to screen the product
carefully.
2. A market opportunity and adequate market demand must exist.
3. Current competing producers, prices, and policies should be evaluated in their impact on market
share.
4. The new product should have synergy with existing management capabilities.
5. The proposed product should be supported by and contribute to the company’s financial well-being.
6. The compatibility of new product’s production requirements with existing plant, machinery, and
personnel should be evaluated.
7. Entrepreneurs should formally evaluate an idea throughout its evolution.
C. Stage 2: Idea Stage
1. Promising new product ideas should be identified and impractical ones eliminated.
2. In the systematic market evaluation checklist method, each new product idea is expressed in terms
of its chief values, merits, and benefits.
3. This technique can be used to determine which new product alternatives should be pursued and
which should be discarded.
4. The company should also determine the need for the product and its value to the company.
5. Need determination should focus on the type of need, its timing, the users involved, the
importance of marketing variables, and the overall market structure and characteristics.
6. In determining the product’s value to the firm, financial scheduling should be evaluated.
D. Stage 3: Concept Stage.
1. In the concept stage the refined idea is tested to determine consumer acceptance.
2. One method of testing is the conversational interview in which respondents are exposed to
statements that reflect attributes of the product idea.
3. Features, price, and promotion should be evaluated in comparison to major competitors.
E. Stage 4: Product Development Stage.
1. In this stage, consumer reaction to the physical product is determined, often through a consumer
panel.
2. The panel can be given samples of the product and competitors’ products to determine consumer
preference.
F. Stage 5: Test Marketing Stage.
1. A market test can be done to increase the certainty of successful commercialization.
2. The test marketing stage provides actual sales results, which indicate the acceptance level of
consumers.
V. E-COMMERCE AND BUSINESS START-UP AND GROWTH
A. The Role of E-Commerce.
1. Both business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce sales continue to increase.
2. The largest e-commerce growth occurs during the fourth quarter holiday season, although there
has been growth in all quarters.
3. Factors that facilitate the growth of e-commerce are:
a. The widespread use of personal computers.
b. The adoption of intranets in companies.
c. The acceptance of the Internet as a business communications platform.
B. Using E-Commerce Creativity.
1. The Internet is especially important for small and medium-sized companies as it lets them
minimize marketing costs while reaching broader markets.
2. An entrepreneur starting an Internet commerce venture needs to address many of the same strategic
and tactical questions as other companies plus some specific online issues.
a. One decision is whether to run the Internet operations within the company or outsource these
operations.
b. If handled inhouse, expensive equipment, software, and support services have to be maintained.
c. There are numerous possibilities for outsourcing the Internet business.
3. The entrepreneur can hire web developers to design the web page or use an e-commerce software
package.
4. The two major components of Internet commerce are front-end and back-end operations.
a. Front-end operations are encompassed in the website’s functionality, such as search capabilities,
shopping cart, and secure payment.
b. Back-end operations involve integrating customer orders with distribution channels and
manufacturing capabilities.
C. Website.
1. The use of websites by entrepreneurial firms is increasing.
a. Yet the majority of small businesses do not feel they have the business ability to build their
own website.
b. The entrepreneur needs to structure the website to effectively engage the target market.
c. The material must be fresh and updated regularly.
2. There are several important features of every website.
a. Each website should have search capabilities.
b. Other functions include shopping cart, secure server connection, credit card payment, and
customer feedback features.
c. Orders and other sensitive customer information should be transferred only through secure
servers.
d. The site should also have an e-mail response system for customer feedback.
3. A successful website has three characteristics: speed, speed, and speed.
a. A website should be easy to use, customized for specific market target groups, and compatible
with different browsers.
b. If the company is targeting international markets, then translation and cultural adaptation need
to be considered.
4. The website address should appear on all marketing materials.
D. Tracking Customer Information.
1. Electronic databases support personal marketing targeted at individual clients.
2. However, care must be taken to follow the laws protecting the privacy of individuals.
3. The U.S. government has generally maintained a policy of noninvolvement with Internet regulation,
but the Federal Trade Commission has also pressed for new laws to protect minors.
E. Doing E-Commerce as an Entrepreneurial Company.
1. The decision to go online for the first time and develop an e-commerce site needs to be a
strategic one.
a. The products should be able to be delivered economically and conveniently.
b. The product has to be interesting for a large number of people, and the company must be ready to
ship the product out of its geographical location.
c. Online operations have to bring significant cost reductions compared with brick-and-mortar
operations.
d. The company must be able to economically draw customers to its website.
2. Conflict between traditional and online marketing channels can lead to a hostile, competing
position of once partnering companies.
VI. IN REVIEW: SUMMARY.
See “Learning Objectives Revisited” below.
learning objectives revisited
Learning Objective 1. To identify various sources of ideas for new ventures.
o Potential entrepreneurs should continually pay close attention to potential customers.
o Monitoring and evaluating the products and services in the market may uncover ways to improve on
present products.
o Channel members are an excellent source of new ideas as they are familiar with the needs of the
market.
o The Federal Government’s Patent Office files contain numerous new product possibilities and new
product ideas can also come in response to government regulations.
o The entrepreneur’s own research and development efforts are the largest source of ideas.
Learning Objective 2. To discuss methods available for generating new venture ideas.
o The focus group can be used to initially screen ideas and concepts.
o Brainstorming allows people to be stimulated to greater creativity by participating in organized
group exercises.
o Problem inventory is similar to focus groups, but instead of generating new ideas, consumers are
given a list of problems for a general product category.
Learning Objective 3. To discuss creativity and the techniques for creative problem solving.
o Creativity is important in identifying a new product.
o Brainstorming, the most widely used technique, can generate possible ideas about a
problem in a limited time through spontaneous contributions of participants.
o Reverse brainstorming is similar to brainstorming, except that criticism is allowed.
o Brainwriting is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
o Gordon Method begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
o Using the checklist method a new idea is developed through a list of related issues.
o One of the simplest methods to generate new ideas is free association.
o Forced relationships try to force relationships among some product combinations.
o Using the collective notebook method participants consider the problem and its solution, recording
ideas several times a day.
o Attribute listing is an idea-finding technique requiring the entrepreneur to list the attributes
of a problem and look at each from a variety of viewpoints.
o The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution,
thinking big.
o Parameter analysis involves parameter identification and creative synthesis.
o The keys to recognizing an opportunity lies in the knowledge and experience of the individual
entrepreneur.
Learning Objective 4. To discuss the aspects of the product planning and development process.
o Stage 1CEstablishing Evaluation Criteria: Criteria for evaluation should be all-inclusive and
quantitative enough to screen the product carefully.
o Stage 2CIdea Stage: Promising new product ideas should be identified and impractical ones
eliminated.
o Stage 3CConcept Stage: The refined product idea is tested to determine consumer acceptance.
o Stage 4CProduct Development Stage: Consumer reaction is determined, often through a consumer
panel.
o Stage 5CTest Marketing Stage: A market test can be done to increase the certainty of successful
commercialization.
Learning Objective 5. To discuss aspects of e-commerce and starting an e-commerce business.
o Both business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce sales continue to increase.
o In starting an Internet venture, the entrepreneur needs to address strategic and tactical
questions, such as whether to create the webpage inhouse or hire others.
o An Internet presence must address both front-end and back-end operations.
o Every webpage should have key function such as shopping cart, secure server connection, credit
card payment, and customer feedback features.
o Tracking customer information through electronic databases can help the venture personalize
marketing, but privacy of individuals must also be protected.
o The firm must be able to deliver the products economically and conveniently.
key terms
Attribute listing. An idea-finding technique requiring individuals to list attributes of an item or
problem and then evaluate each attribute from a variety of viewpoints.
Big-dream approach. This approach requires the individual to dream as grandiose a dream as possible
without worrying about the practicalities of implementation.
Brainstorming. An unstructured process of generating all possible ideas about a problem without
worrying about the practicalities of implementation.
Checklist method. This method requires the individual to prepare a list of related issues or
suggestions.
Collective notebook method. This problem solving method requires a notebook, including a statement
of the problem, ample blank pages, and any background data pertinent to the problem.
Concept stage. Ideas passing the initial screening enter the concept stage where they are developed
into more elaborate product concepts.
Creative problem solving. Techniques ranging from attribute listing to parameter analysis which help
to unlock creativity and to generate ideas.
Focus groups. A focus group interview involves a moderator leading a group of people through an open
and in-depth discussion.
Forced relationships. A technique for developing new products by asking different questions about
ideas and new idea combinations.
Free association. A simple problem solving technique where a word or phrase is used to stimulate a
more developed thinking process.
Gordon method. This technique depends on a group leader, the only one aware of the actual problem,
who then leads the rest of the group through the problem solving process.
Idea stage. In this stage, suggestions for new products are obtained from all possible sources, and
all available devices for generating new products are employed.
Parameter analysis. This is a matching process involving the parameter identification and creative
analysis.
Problem inventory analysis. A method of generating new ideas that uses the customers in a manner
analogous to the focus group.
Product development stage. In this stage, the new product is further developed into a prototype and
tested.
Product life cycle. This cycle is generally divided into four major stages: product introduction,
market growth, market maturity, and sales decline.
Product planning and development process. Generally divided into five major stages: idea stage,
concept stage, product development stage, test marketing stage, test marketing stage, and
commercialization stage.
Reverse brainstorming. Similar to brainstorming, but criticism is allowed and encouraged as a way to
bring out possible problems with the ideas.
Test marketing stage. This, the last step in the evaluation process, provides actual sales results
indicating the acceptance level of customers in real market conditions.
The Reverse Brainstorming Cafe
Coming up with new ideas or insights in a conventional brainstorming session is often hard work and not very engaging. An alternative approach is the so called "reverse brainstorm".
The concept is simple: rather than brainstorm what you want - brain storm the opposite of what you want. For example, if you would like your KM project to be a success don't ask "How do we ensure our KM project is a success?" but ask "How do we ensure that our KM project is a total miserable failure?".
This alternative approach harnesses negative energy such as cynicism, sarcasm and hostility to spark creativity.
So in brief, a reverse brainstorming cafe is a 'reverse brainstorm' where the participant are first asked to discuss and list all the things that should be done to ensure that something is NOT successful.
They are then taken through a process of prioritizing those items and coming up with antidotes i.e. things that if done would ensure the failures would not happen. Next they share these possible responses and insights between the groups.
This is tremendous fun and works exceptionally well as people really engage with the idea of the reverse thinking - paradoxically it is easier and more fun for people to think about why something fails rather then what needs to be done to make it a success - having thought about failure - its is then easy to switch mindsets and reverse things.
This tool can be used to generate and capture ideas for further action or like a knowledge cafe it can be used to improve the understanding of a topic and to draw out the different perspectives of the members of the group.
Possible themes:
• How do we ensure our profession has no future?
• How do we ensure that a KM initiative is a total failure?
• How do we ensure that a project fails?
• What are the most innovative and creative strategies to decimate key staff in an organization?
An outline of the process:
• The facilitator talks about the theme and poses the question. He/she also explains the process. (10 mins)
• The participants break into groups of five. Each Group has a flip chart. They are asked to brainstorm the question and to write on the flip chart as many things as they can think of that will ensure the destruction of their profession. The more outrageous and destructive the better. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks people to wander around the room and look at the flipcharts and see what others have come up with. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks each group to identify the top three items on their list. (10 mins)
• The facilitator goes around the room and ask each group to share their items - giving a few more words of explanation behind each. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks them to think about their three items and come up with three antidotes to them. i.e. 3 things hat if they did really well would ensure that their profession has a very bright future. (10 mins)
• The facilitator goes around the room and ask each group to share their items - giving a few more words of explanation behind each. (10 mins)
• Finally, he/she asks them to sit at their tables and share their experiences and insights from the session in their group. Then they are brought back together and have a large group conversation about the session and what they have learnt. (20 mins)
Timings are a guideline only and at 90 minutes total for about 30 people is tight. Two hours would be a better allocation of time. This works best with about 30 people i.e six groups of five people. More time would be required for a larger group
Reverse Brainstorming
If brainstorming wasn’t a big one word… came across a bigger word … reverse brainstorming!
While diving through the World Wide Web, netted another interesting topic/technique/tool… Reverse brainstorming. As per my understanding and thanks to Mind Tools for this –
Reverse Brainstorming is a tool to be used when one has tried all the possible options and the solutions is still eluding!
If Brainstorming refers to ‘storming of brain’ and hoping to come up with some jewels and pearls and even the mythological pot of nectar as a solution for a problem then reverse brainstorming is just the opposite … brainstorming not to look for solutions but to aggravate the existing problem. To look at various ways in which the current problem can be taken to optimum heights … to the fatal possible limit!
Once some dreadful options have come out of this reverse process, there is a need to look at them and understand their importance. The next step is to reverse these options and see as to how many of them exist currently thereby leading to the problem. The final step is to start working on eliminating them and achieve successful solution.
This sounds interesting and I intend to try it out for some of my long lasting problems!
To know more about Reverse Brainstorming, please visit
Moti va tion
Aims and objectives:
By the end of the chapter you will be able to:
Describe content and process theories of motivation
Understand the difference between content and process approaches
Describe the effect of knowledge of results and goal setting on motivation
Describe the concept of job satisfaction
Describe ways of assessing an individual’s affective response to work
Detail the characteristics most commonly associated with job satisfaction
Understand what is known of the relationship between job satisfaction and
other variables such as gender, personality, class and age
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Three Elements of Motivation
Motivation starts with the desire to be free, to be free from dependency on others,
freedom to live the lifestyle we dream of, freedom to explore our ideas. Total freedom is
not possible or desirable, but the struggle to achieve that ideal is the basis for motivation.
Motivation is built on three basic elements:
1. Motivation starts with a need, vision, dream or desire to achieve the seemingly
impossible. Creativity is associated with ideas, projects and goals, which can be
considered a path to freedom.
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2. Develop a love-to-learn, become involved with risky ventures and continually
seek new opportunities. Success is based on learning what works and does not
work.
3. Developing the ability to overcome barriers and to bounce back from
discouragement or failure. Achievers learn to tolerate the agony of failure. In any
worthwhile endeavor, barriers and failure will be there. Bouncing back requires
creative thinking as it is a learning process. In addition, bouncing back requires
starting again at square one.
Seven Rules of Motivation
#1 Set a major goal, but follow a path. The path has mini goals that go in
many directions. When you learn to succeed at mini goals, you will be
motivated to challenge grand goals.
#2 Finish what you start. A half finished project is of no use to anyone.
Quitting is a habit. Develop the habit of finishing self-motivated projects.
#3 Socialize with others of similar interest. Mutual support is motivating.
We will develop the attitudes of our five best friends. If they are losers, we will
be a loser. If they are winners, we will be a winner. To be a cowboy we must
associate with cowboys.
#4 Learn how to learn. Dependency on others for knowledge supports the
habit of procrastination. Man has the ability to learn without instructors. In
fact, when we learn the art of self-education we will find, if not create,
opportunity to find success beyond our wildest dreams.
#5 Harmonize natural talent with interest that motivates. Natural talent
creates motivation, motivation creates persistence and persistence gets the
job done.
#6 Increase knowledge of subjects that inspires. The more we know
about a subject, the more we want to learn about it. A self-propelled upward
spiral develops.
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#7 Take risk. Failure and bouncing back are elements of motivation. Failure
is a learning tool. No one has ever succeeded at anything worthwhile without a
string of failures.
Sources of Motivational Needs
Biological
increase/decrease stimulation (arousal)
activate senses (taste, touch, smell, etc)
decrease hunger, thirst, discomfort, etc.
maintain homeostasis, balance
Affective
increase/decrease affective dissonance
increase feeling good
decrease feeling bad
increase security of threats or of self-esteem
maintain levels of optimism and enthusiasm
Cognitive
maintain attention to something interesting or
threatening
develop meaning or understanding
increase/decrease cognitive disequilibrium; uncertainty
solve a problem or make a decision
figure something out
eliminate threat or risk
Conative
meet individually developed/selected goal
obtain personal dream
take control of one's life
eliminate threats to meeting goal, obtaining dream
reduce others' control of one's life
Behavioral
elicited by stimulus associated/connected to innately
connected stimulus
obtain desired, pleasant consequences (rewards)
imitate positive models
Spiritual
understand purpose of one's life
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connect self to ultimate unknowns
Humanistic theories
Maslow (1954)
Slater disagrees with the order of needs.
He looked at schizophrenics.
They are not secure but could show intimacy.
A couple of other needs could be added:
Need for self-regard
Need for social respect
Criticism – but already covered by esteem needs and belongingness needs.
Self-efficacy
Emotive influences can be linked to Yerkes-Dodson. Too much emotional arousal will cause a
decrease in self-efficacy and thus a drop in motivation and performance.
Rewards and Reinforcement
Cox believes that motivation is a drive that can be influenced and purposefully changed by
well thought-out environmental manipulations. A behaviourist view.
Primary motivation – derived from activity itself (Intrinsic rewards)
Secondary motivation – Influence from outside the activity (e.g. praise and other
rewards) (Extrinsic Rewards)
Positive motivation
o Primary – your appraisal of how well you are doing (Intrinsic)
o Secondary – positive comments and encouragement from others (Extrinsic)
Negative motivation
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o Primary – Feeling bad about what you are attempting
o Secondary – bad marks for work.
Attribution theory
Locus of control
Internal locus of control – believing that success or failure is attributable to one’s own effort or
ability.
External locus of control – attributing success or failure to factors outside of one’s control (e.g.
luck, poor teaching, etc).
High achievers attribute success to internal and stable (fixed or unchangeable) causes
High achievers attribute failure to external and stable causes (test was not fair) or internal and
unstable causes (I didn’t revise).
Termed ‘Mastery orientated’
Persist in the face of failure
Low achievers attribute success to internal unstable causes (I passed because I did lots of
revision) or external causes such as ‘the test was easy’ or ‘I was lucky my favourite topics
came up’.
They fail to make the connection between personal ability and consequences.
Label them as thick and useless.
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They have low expectations and lower levels of motivation.
A form of ‘learned helplessness’
Point out – cognitive approach
Remedy – Teacher has to persuade the child to think differently about themselves.
Impacting motivation in the classroom
There are a variety of specific actions that teachers can take to increase motivation on
classroom tasks. In general, these fall into the two categories: intrinsic motivation and
extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
Explain or show why learning a
particular content or skill is
important
Create and/or maintain curiosity
Provide a variety of activities and
sensory stimulations
Provide games and simulations
Set goals for learning
Relate learning to student needs
Help student develop plan of action
Provide clear expectations
Give corrective feedback
Provide valuable rewards
Make rewards available
Intrinsic works best for most. Extrinsic rewards will work provided that the teacher is
around.
TYPES OF REWARDS:
PRAISE (and other VERBAL reinforcement) - for correct responses during class
discussions, accurate homework, improved test scores, etc.
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SYMBOLIC REWARDS - such as gold stars, having one's picture on a bulletin
board or name in a newsletter, etc.
TOKEN REWARDS - such as points or chips, which are valueless in
themselves, but which can be redeemed for things of value
TANGIBLE REWARDS - such as edibles, toys, or school related items (pencils,
notebooks, etc.)
ACTIVITY REWARDS - such as free time, being leader of an activity, going on
a field trip
Effective Praise VS Ineffective Praise
EFFECTIVE PRAISE:
1. Is delivered contingently.
2. Specifies the particulars of the accomplishment.
3. Shows spontaneity, and other signs of credibility; suggests clear attention to the
student's accomplishment.
4. Rewards attainment of specified performance criteria.
5. Provides information to students about their competence or the value of their
accomplishments.
6. Orients students towards better appreciation of their own task-related behaviour and
thinking about problem solving.
7. Uses student’s own prior accomplishments as the content for describing present
accomplishments.
8. Is given in recognition of noteworthy effort or success at difficult tasks.
9. Fosters endogenous attributes.
10. Fosters appreciation of and desirable attributions about task relevant behaviour after
the task is completed.
INEFFECTIVE PRAISE:
1. Is delivered randomly or unsystematically.
2. Is restricted to global positive reactions.
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3. Shows a bland uniformity, which suggests a conditioned response made with
minimal attention.
4. Provides no information at all or gives students information about their status.
5. Is given without regard to the effort expended or the meaning of the accomplishment.
6. Focuses students' attention on the teacher as an external authority figure who is
manipulating them.
7. Intrudes into ongoing process, distracting attention from task relevant behaviour.
Motivation factors and strategies by Time period
Beginning, During and Ending
Time: Beginning - When learner enters and starts learning.
Motivation Factors:
Attitudes - towards the environment, teacher, subject matter and self.
Needs - the basic need within the learner at the time of learning.
Motivation Strategies:
make the conditions that surround the subject positive
Positively confront the erroneous beliefs, expectations and assumptions that may
underlie a negative learner attitude.
reduce or remove components of the learning environment that lead to failure or fear
plan activities to allow learners to meet esteem needs
Time: During - When learner is involved in the body or main content of the learning process
Motivation Factors:
Stimulation - the stimulation processes affecting the learner during the learning experience.
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Affect - the emotional experience of the learner while learning.
Motivational Strategies:
change style and content of the learning activity
make learner reaction and involvement essential parts of the learning process, that is,
problem solving, role playing, stimulation
use learner concerns to organise content and to develop themes and teaching
procedures
use a group cooperation goal to maximise learner involvement and sharing
Time: Ending - When learner is completing the learning process
Motivational Factors:
Competence - the competence value for the learner that is a result of the learning
behaviours
Reinforcement - the reinforcement value attached to the learning experience, for the
learner.
Motivational Strategies:
provide consistent feedback regarding mastery of learning
Acknowledge and affirm the learners' responsibility in completing the learning
task
when learning has natural consequences, allow them to be congruently evident
provide artificial reinforcement when it contributes to successful learning, and
provide closure with a positive ending
Motivational Theory and Technique
Motivation Research
1. Supportive, appropriate challenge, meaningful, moderation/optimal.
2. Teach goal setting and self-reinforcement.
3. Offer rewards for good/improved performance.
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4. Novelty, variety, choice, adaptable to interests.
5. Gamelike, fun, fantasy, curiosity, suspense, active.
6. Higher levels, divergence, dissonance, interact with peers.
7. Allow to create finished products.
8. Provide immediate feedback, advance organizers.
9. Show intensity, enthusiasm, interest, minimize anxiety.
10. Make content personal, concrete, familiar.
Other Work Place Motivation Tips
1. Include positive before negative comments.
2. Wish students "good effort" not "good luck".
3. Give flexibility in assignments and due dates.
4. Communicate respect via tasks select and control.
5. Design interactive and interesting activities.
6. Use coop learning, debates and group discussions.
7. Minimize social comparisons and public evaluations.
8. Use relevant, authentic learning tasks.
9. Use optimal difficulty and novelty.
10. Use challenge, curiosity, control, and fantasy.
11. Give challenging but achievable tasks.
12. Create short term or proximal goals and vary these goals.
13. Give employees different ways to demo what they know.
14. Encourage employees to give and get help.
15. Attribute failure to low effort or ineffective strategy.
(Attribute success to effort or competence)
16. Give poor performing employee the role of expert.
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Ways to Motivate Employees
1. Ice Breakers
(Treasured objects, birthday circles, treasure hunts, middle name game,
accomplishment hunts, similarity wheels, who's like me, coat of arms, self-disclosure
intros, expectations charts, scrambled sayings)
2. Goal Cards, Goal Notebooks
(ST and LT with objectives and ideas how to achieve)
3. Floating A, Escape Clauses, Volunteer Assignments, etc.
(To be used on any assignment within 25 hours)
4. Self Report Cards, Self Evaluation
5. Discussion Questions, Issues, Problems, Solutions
(Perhaps answer questions of the other teams, talking chips)
6. Term Crossword Puzzles or Term Matching, Competitions, Dilemmas
7. Success Contracts and Choice Calendars
(Guarantee an A or B if fulfill contract provisions)
8. Positive Statements, Self Reinforcements
(Bury the "I can'ts" and Save the "I Cans")
9. Celebrations, Praises, Acknowledgments, Thank Yous, Put-Ups
(Multicultural days, trips, class awards, helpers, end of term)
10. Class Community Building
(Web Site and Digitized Web class photo, photo album, class project,
tee-shirts, field trips)
11. Democratic Voting, Student Interest Surveys, Class Opinion Polls
12. Random Acts of Kindness, Service Learning/Teaching, Volunteerism
13. Change Roles or Status
(Random roles, assume expert roles, switch roles for a day)
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Name:
________________________
TREASURE HUNT
INSTRUCTIONS: Write your name on the first line. Circulate around the room finding
one trait you have in common (i.e., "newcomer to city") and one item quite dissimilar
(i.e., "has worked for same organization over 10 years" vs. "third job this year!")
NAME
ALIKE
DIFFERENT
1.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
2.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
3.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
4.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
5.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
6.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
7.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
8.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
9.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
10. _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
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EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION
Jere Brophy's review of research n 1987 found nine variables that employers can
manipulate in order to increase employee motivation.
1. Interest - Motivation can be increased by relating the subject to what interests the
employee outside of the work area. Examples are music, games or allowing
employees to select activities of their own.
2. Employee Needs - Employees are motivated when the activities/work they are
involved in meet some of their basic needs.
3. Novelty and Variety - Motivation is increased when activities are varied and
interesting. Research shows that it is better to give two 15 minute lectures with a 5
minute activity between them than to give a 30 minute activity afterwards.
4. Success - When an employee successfully completes a somewhat challenging task,
motivation is increased. Employers can ensure success by making goals and
objectives clear, teaching in small steps, and checking to see if the employees
understand each step.
5. Employee attributions for Success and Failure - Employers must show employees that
failure is a result of lack of effort or an ineffective strategy, not ability. Employees
must be shown that success is the result of both ability and effort.
6. Tension - Tension is a feeling of concern an employee has when he or she knows they
will be required to demonstrate learning. Employers can raise the tension-level by
moving around the room, calling on volunteers, and giving quizzes.
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7. Feeling tone - Feeling tone is the climate in a work place. Feeling tone can be made
positive by treating employees in a courteous manner, expressing sincere interest in
the employees and getting to know them.
8. Feedback - Employee motivation is increased when feedback is given concerning
their performance. Feedback should be specific and given soon after the
performance.
9. Encouragement – Employers often point out all of the negative aspects of an
employees work. Encouragement emphasizes positive aspects and communicates
positive expectations for future behaviors.
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Highlights of Research on Strategies for Motivating
Employees to Learn
Research on employee motivation to learn indicates promising principles suitable for application
in work places.
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Essential Preconditions
1. Supportive environment
2. Appropriate level of challenge/difficulty
3. Meaningful learning objectives
4. Moderation/optimal use
Motivating by Maintaining Success
Expectations
5. Program for success
6. Teach goal setting, performance
appraisal, and self-reinforcement
7. Help employees to recognize linkages
between effort and outcome
8. Provide remedial socialization
Motivating by Supplying Extrinsic
Incentives
9. Offer rewards for good (or improved)
performance
10. Structure appropriate competition
11. Call attention to the instrumental value
of any activity
Motivating by Capitalizing on
Employees' Intrinsic Motivation
12. Adapt tasks to employees' interests
13. Include novelty/variety elements
14. Allow opportunities to make choices or
autonomous decisions
15. Provide opportunities for employees to
respond actively
16. Provide immediate feedback to employee
responses
17. Allow employees to create finished
products
18. Include fantasy or simulation elements
19. Incorporate game-like features
20. Include higher-level objectives and
divergent questions
21. Provide opportunities to interact with
peers
Stimulating Employee Motivation to
Learn
22. Model interest in learning and motivation
to learn
23. Communicate desirable expectations and
attributions about employees' motivation
to learn
24. Minimize employees' performance anxiety
during risk tasks
25. Project intensity
26. Project enthusiasm
27. Induce task interest or appreciation
28. Induce curiosity or suspense
29. Induce dissonance or cognitive conflict
30. Make abstract content more personal,
concrete, or familiar
31.Induce employees to generate their own
motivation to learn
32. State learning objectives and provide
advance organizers
33. Model task-related thinking and problem
solving
________________________________________
WHY HAVE FUN AT WORK?
Getting to Know Your Team
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➢ Ice Breakers
➢ Team Building
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Ice Breakers
Index Card: What is unique about you???
1. Favorite Sports/hobbies/past times (upper left)
2. Birthplace and Favorite cities to visit (upper right)
3. Current Job and Responsibilities (lower left)
4. 2 comments, things, or traits about yourself (e.g., team player,
personable, talkative, opinionated, hate Purdue, like movies, move
a lot, hate sports) (lower right)
5. Accomplishments you are proud of (in the middle)
Treasured Objects -Take out two items out of your wallet and describe
how they best represent you (e.g., family pictures, credit cards, rabbits'
feet) and share.
Intro self by a nickname - current, past, or potential nickname. (Ask others
what it means during break)
Brainstorm a list of questions you would like to ask the others... (e.g., My
person I most admire is? The best book I ever read?)
Middle name game - state what middle name is and how you got it.
Accomplishment Hunt -
1. Turn in 2-3 accomplishments (e.g., past summer, during college,
during life);
2. Workshop leader lists 1-2 of those for each student on a sheet
without names.
3. Participants have to ask "Is this you?" If yes, get a signature.
Team brainteasers – fun IQ tests, scrambled cities,
crossword puzzles, competitions
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Employers Use Fun to Fight Turnover
It's Serious Business!
Everyone has had a bad hair day, but how about a bad tie, bad hat or bad
shoe day? More and more companies are putting together contests on the
ugliest dressed. Why? Another company sponsors an annual turkey bowl.
Employees go out on the loading dock, take a frozen turkey and try to knock
down as many empty wine bottles as possible. This is not evidence of
companies’ gone nuts, but tactics used to stem off a serious business
problem.
The biggest problem facing business today is how to keep and motivate
workers. The other problem slapping them in the face is high turnover. Just
like the Titanic, today's mobile employees jump ship for as little as a $1.00
hr raise unless something keeps them. That something may equate to a fun,
flexible workplace that gives them more freedom and responsibility.
Wouldn't it be great if you enjoyed going to work? Where your supervisors
showed appreciation for what you did?
A company experiencing high turnover has a serious financial problem. It
costs anywhere from $4000-$15,000 to recruit, hire and train a new
employee. One Atlanta company lost 420 of the 431 employees they hired
this year. If it cost them $4000 per employee that equates to a $1.7 million
loss. Unfortunately, most employers do not know how much turnover is
costing them.
Here are a few examples of fun workplaces:
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Humor Corner: Give employees one corner of a break room or other area
to post cartoons, illustrations and other items designed to relieve stress. At
the end of each week, the staff can award a prize for the best submission.
Flextime/flexshare: First Tennessee Bank, (city, state) believes that if you
treat employees well they in return treat your customers well. The use of
flextime and flexshare programs has resulted in double the loan volume
handled since 1992 with no increase in staff or major changes in systems or
technology. An additional bonus: a giant leap in customer service ratings.
The Talking Stick: Try introducing the "talking stick" into your office. This
idea originated from a Native American tradition. Each month a different
person in the office receives the talking stick which provides that person
certain rights and privileges (which vary from office to office) for the month.
For example, the "owner" could provide fellow employees one hour a month
administrative leave.
Employee Dollars: At Phoenix Solutions Inc. employees award an
"employee dollar" to fellow employees who do something special or exceed
company expectations. Each month the employee with the most dollars gets
movie tickets, dinner, and a plaque with their name as "Employee of the
Month."
"Management by fooling around": Herb Kelleher, CEO and founder of
Southwest Airlines, combines fun and hard work into something he calls
"management by fooling around." At the nonconformist airline everything -
from the tickets and boarding passes to the casual dress and occasional
costumes attendants wear - clearly demonstrates that something is
different.
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Payday: The Milwaukee office manager for Manpower Inc. doesn't just give
out paychecks on payday - employees also receive a Payday candy bar with
their check.
Lightning Bolt Thru the Head: A great tools for getting people to think
innovatively and have fun at the same time.
Man Overboard Award: CIGNA believes in rewarding employees who goes
over and beyond for their customers. The Man Overboard Award is a life-
saving ring, which the president presents to an employee at a special
ceremony. CIGNA also pays teams for implemented ideas that improve
productivity with awards as high as $25,000.
Choose Your Own Reward: At Miami-based Creative Staffing, the owner
rewards her employees with parties, expensive dinners, chauffeured
shopping sprees, spa sessions, and cooking lessons with Paul Prodhomme.
She lets her employees decide what they want, then figure out how much
their package costs and also how much additional business they have to
generate to cover those costs. Choose your own reward - sounds like fun!
Engineering Bucks: The technicians at Weather Channel in Atlanta
created their own recognition system--called Tech Bucks. All they did was
Xerox a dollar bill and give five of them out at the beginning of each month.
They give them to each other for doing a good job. At the end of the month
they tally up who got the most and the winner gets a special prize.
Dancing the Macarena: Employees at PeopleSoft, Inc. still haven’t
forgotten the day that CEO David Duffield danced the Macarena in front of
500 happy co-workers. Duffield does not act like a boss. His office is a
cubicle; he answers his own phone and opens his own mail. Annual
employee turnover is three percent, or one-quarter of the national average.
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Employees who earn outstanding service awards get either $500 in cash or
100 stock options.
The Extra Mile- United Services Automobile Association (USAA) provides
blank "Thank You" note stationary for their workers called The Extra Mile.
Employees are encouraged to say "Thank You" to each other for the help
they receive at work. The most surprising thing happened on the first day
USAA printed the notes . . . they ran out! The company couldn't keep up
with the demand.
Fat Friday: Just about everybody loves to eat. At Texas A&M the first
Friday of each month is celebration time. Everyone brings food to share,
and they celebrate birthdays for those month as well as work anniversaries.
Surprise Celebrations: Often it’s the unexpected and informal that
employees enjoy as much as formal awards. Conduct frequent,
unannounced recognition and award celebrations, such as having a pizza
party. If you don’t know of a reason to have a get-together for the work
force, invent one.
Gold Stars and Frogs: At Wachovia Bank, each Monday morning they set
milestones for the week with input from staff members. On Friday,
employees receive a Gold Star and $2.00 (funny money) for each milestone
met. Employees can also recognize their peers with a sticker of a frog,
which is worth $1.00. Staff members display the gold stars and frogs on a
white cardboard poster. At the end of each month, they hold a random
drawing for a dinner ($50.00) and movies ($25.00).
Having Fun: Hal Rosenbluth, CEO of Rosenbluth International (the nation’s
fourth-largest travel services company) believes in creating a fun work
environment. He starts by hiring "nice people," since he believes nice
people like to work together and they like to have fun. Officers dedicate
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every Tuesday afternoon to serving high tea and discussing corporate
values and other matters of importance to new recruits at the company’s
Philadelphia headquarters. There’s a toll-free 800 number for any associate
to contact Rosenbluth. He uses a sort of Crayola Rorschach test by sending
associates crayons and blank paper to render their view of the company. A
"happiness barometer" team meets every six months to benchmark attitudes
and enjoyment levels.
Faux Paus Award: Sometimes it’s fun to recognize an employee’s goof. Try
the "Faux Paus Award" - a plaque passed around the organization at a
monthly social event with the current recipient’s name engraved. The
"keeper" of the award is responsible for selecting the next deserving
recipient.
After Dinner Phone Call: Even though you took time during the work day
to thank the employee who went "above and beyond," go a step further and
call them at home after dinner to say thanks. You might be surprised how
much this can mean.
Breakfast with the President: The Human Resources Department of
Nations Healthcare Inc. initiated a "Breakfast with the President" program
to improve communications between employees and the CEO. Each
breakfast begins at approximately 8:15 a.m., with coffee and biscuits served
by the staff, and ends when the discussion ends. Results--higher morale and
a sense of open communication.
Fun Fridays: A Dallas (Texas) unit of Sprint Corporation uses "Fun Fridays"
to energize workers. Themes have included exchanging a plant with a co-
worker, and ice cream socials where managers wore aprons and served
sundaes.
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Thrilling Thursdays: Nike Employees in Beaverton, Oregon can’t wait for
Thursday to roll around. They stop work at 4:30 in the afternoon and after
some beer and soda they kayak across a lake, race bikes and compete in a
600-yard run.
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Team Building
Celebrating Special Events – Celebrate birthdays, team accomplishments, holidays, and more.
Team Photos – Every time there is a new member of the team, welcome them by replacing the
old team photo.
Activities – Go to challenge courses, lunches, “field trips”
Psychic Massage (a closer activity)
1. Divide in teams of 3-5.
2. In alphabetical order of first names have someone turn his or back to the group
3. Team members must make positive, uplifting statements about that person behind his or
her back but loud enough for others to hear them.
4. One minute per person.
Positive Strokes
1. 2-3 times during a long meeting or workshop, each person fills out a 3 x 5 card about
other participants.
2. They must complete sentences like: "the thing I like best about (name) "and "the
biggest improvement I saw in (name) is".
3. At the end of the day, the folded cards are passed out and read aloud and then given to
the named person.
Community Building -common tee shirts, photo of group and perhaps put up on the Web. Put
announcement of retreat on Web or newsletter.
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Creative Thinking Techniques
➢ Group Creativity Techniques
➢ More on Idea Spurring
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Group Creativity Techniques
➢ Brainstorming – More ideas, the better. Wild ideas good. No evaluation.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas, project planning.
➢ Reverse Brainstorming – How to do things worse, take more time, be less
effective, have less fun.
Example Use: Writing boring year end reports, boosting employee
morale.
➢ SCAPMER method – Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other
uses, Eliminate, Rearrange.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas, new job roles.
➢ Metaphorical Thinking – How is your job like a circus?
Example Use: Interview questions, self performance evaluation.
➢ Six Hats – Wear different hats for different types of thinking.
Example Use: New idea evaluation
➢ Attribute Listing or Morphological Synthesis – Analyze or combine 2 key
variables/components in grid/matrix.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas.
➢ Simulations and Role Plays – act out scenes, do computer simulations
Example Use: Customer Service training.
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Reverse Brainstorming Exercise:
In the space below, list all the ways you can make cubicle life worse:
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Avoid Being an Idea Squelcher
➢ Von Oech’s 10 Blocks to Creativity
➢ Idea Squelching Phrases to Avoid
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Von Oech’s 10 Blocks to Creativity
1. “The Right Answer”
2. “That’s Not Logical”
3. “Follow the Rules”
4. “Be Practical”
5. “Avoid Ambiguity”
6. “To Err is Wrong”
7. “Play is Frivolous”
8. “That’s Not My Area”
9. Don’t Be Foolish”
10. “I’m Not Creative”
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Idea Squelching Phrases
As a manager, work hard to never use these phrases. They will diminish motivation and
creativity and promptly halt all fun at work.
We’ve never done it before.
We’ve already tried that before.
It can’t be done.
It won’t work.
No way.
Are you nuts?
It’s a waste of time.
I’m telling you, it just won’t work.
What will other people think?
Somebody would have suggested it before if it were any good.
It is too _____ (modern, old fashioned, expensive, cheap, flashy, boring,
etc.)
Let’s discuss it at some other time.
You’ve got to be kidding.
You ask too many questions.
It’s not in the budget.
It has limited possibilities.
Let’s form a committee.
Don’t forget the chain of command.
We don’t want to step on any toes.
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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Break into groups and come up with 3 or four very creative idea
squelchers
Rewarding Your Team
➢ “1001 Ways to Reward Your Employees”
➢ “1001 Ways to Energize Employees”
➢ List of Free Rewards:
➢ Reward Activity
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1001 Ways to Reward Employees
Table of Contents Page:
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1001 Ways to Energize Employees
Table of Contents Page:
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Free Rewards
1. Personally thank an employee for a specific job well-done. Specify what was good about it
and why you appreciate it, which tells the employee you do pay attention. For example, say:
"Thank you, Jim, for organizing that project so well. You made it very clear what should happen,
when and why."
2. Put that specific praise in a letter or thank-you note. When you take the time to write
something down, you clearly value it. This makes the praise even more meaningful. When
appropriate, copy the employee's manager on your praise letter. Sharing the praise with
management lets the employee know you support his or her success at your company.
3. Provide as much information as possible about the company. Share as much as you can
about how the company is doing, where it's making money, where it's losing money, how its
products are doing in the marketplace, what new initiatives are being considered and why, and
how the employee can best contribute to these efforts.
4. At every opportunity, include your employees in the decisions you make. In many cases,
your employees understand a side of an issue that you may not. If you need to create a more
efficient delivery system, ask your delivery men and women how they would improve the current
system. If you want to improve work flow for support staff, discuss with your secretaries and
clerical workers how to best keep the work flowing. Use their ideas, and give them credit for them.
5. Give employees the opportunity to learn as many new skills as they are able to. Most
people like to learn, to grow, and to improve their marketability, and the more skills you enable
your employees to learn, the more they will value their position with you. Cross-train whenever
possible so employees know each other's jobs. An added benefit is that employees who
understand the realities of one another's positions are more willing to cooperate and feel more
like members of the same team.
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6. Celebrate successes. Celebrate an employee's successful completion of a project, a
salesperson's landing a big client, your company's improved sales figures, your organization's
successful year-end. After a particularly tense week, bring donuts and coffee and gather
everyone together to applaud a hard-working team. Provide balloons and noisemakers for a
rousing chorus of cheers for the completion of a difficult project. Buy a plastic crown at a party
store to place on the head of an employee who mastered a difficult skill or finished a course of
study. Mark the successes of your staff and celebrate them. Don't be afraid to be goofy in your
celebration; it's a refreshing change from hard work.
7. Provide free time and flexibility. Set aside an hour here and there for employees who have
delivered an extra level of work. Make it clear that the free time is a reward for a specific
accomplishment, such as finishing a challenging project or delivering month-end reports early.
Alternatively, you can reward all your employees together, for example, by letting them leave an
hour early to miss rush-hour traffic on a day of expected heavy traffic. Give extra time for lunch to
an employee or team who has worked through lunch to deliver something to a client. Allow time
off for personal or family responsibilities.
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Reward Activity
You have $20 total to reward your 10 employees. How do you do it? - Brainstorm
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Hiring Creative People
➢ Creativity Tests – like the one you took earlier
➢ List of Creative People’s Personality Traits
➢ Metaphorical Thinking in Interviews
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Metaphorical Thinking in Interviews
How is your current position like being a shark?
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
How was your last job like being in a prison?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
How was your last job like being in an amusement park?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Peer Evaluation Form
Instructions:
Please evaluate your peers’ contributions, using a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. You
should fill out an evaluation form for everyone in the group except yourself. If you think that
one of the items is not applicable for your group work process, please select "no response”.
These ratings will not cause a deduction in your teammates' grades but high ratings will be
used to give them bonus points. So please be as precise as you can.
Your Name:
The name of the member that you are evaluating:
Team Number:
The above member of your team
1) Shows up for team meetings
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
2) Produces the tasks that were agreed upon by the group
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
3) Volunteers when tasks need to be accomplished
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
4) Constructively develops ideas with group members
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
5) Makes helpful suggestions
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
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6) Is a careful listener
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
7) Demonstrates respect for other team members
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
8) Meets deadlines
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
9) Demonstrates interest in and knowledge of topic
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
10) Shares resources
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
11) Incorporates course materials and outside sources
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
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12) Before your team started working on this homework, team members knew that they would
be evaluated by their teammates.
a) Did this information affect your performance positively with respect to the previous
homework?
(1) Yes
(2) No
Comments:
b) Did this information affect your teammates' performance positively with respect to the
previous homework?
(1) Yes
(2) No
Comments:
Exploring Creative Thinking Techniques
Exercise:
Just suppose von Oech’s ball bearing example
Brainstorm in groups of 3-4 and share
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Page 49
“Lets suppose that you’re a marketing hot shot. You get a call from the president of a large company and
learn that somehow his inventory system has fouled up, and his company now has a $1,000,000 over-
supply of ball bearings. Your task is to think of things to do with the ball bearings, using them either one-
at-a-time or in combinations.”
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Page 50
Removing Mental Blocks
Exercise:
List recent examples of idea squelcher or block within your organization –
Discuss how you addressed, seek partners input through pair/share
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Examining Creativity in the Workplace
Exercise:
Image of Workplace through Metaphor
Rank the top ten images of your workplace
My workplace is a …
1.
Mental straight-jacket
2.
Military camp
3.
Ghetto
4.
Prison
5.
Family
6.
Artist’s palette
7.
Team
8.
Negotiating area
9.
Culture
10.
Exhibition
11.
Orchestra
12.
Garden
13.
Expedition
14.
Herd
15.
Museum
16.
Machine
17.
Hospital
18.
Nursery
19.
Labor ward
20.
Beehive
21.
Living organism
22.
Theater
23.
International airport
24.
Refuge
25.
Ocean
26.
Board game
27.
Camping trip
28.
Court room
29.
Monastery
30.
Pressure cooker
31.
Fraternity party
32.
Olympic games
33.
Brew pub
34.
Zoo
35.
Amusement park
36.
Casino
37.
Tour bus
38.
Theme park
39.
Video arcade
40.
Laboratory
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Understanding Managerial/Organizational Impact on
Creativity
Exercise:
Check-off the environmental stimulants/obstacles in your organizational
environment as listed in Managing for Creativity, pages 4-5
Break into groups of 3-4 and share
Environmental Stimulants to Creativity:
1.
Freedom
2.
Good Project Management
3.
Sufficient Resources
4.
Encouragement
5.
Various Organizational Characteristics ( __________________________ )
6.
Recognition
7.
Sufficient Time
8.
Challenge
9.
Pressure
10.
Outside Organization
Environmental Obstacles to Creativity:
1.
Various Organizational Characteristics ( __________________________ )
2.
Constraints
3.
Organizational Disinterest
4.
Poor Project Management
5.
Evaluation
6.
Insufficient Resources
7.
Time Pressure
8.
Over Emphasis on the Status Quo
9.
Competition
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Understanding Managerial/Organizational Impact on
Creativity
Exercise:
Identify balance factors (manager or subordinate perspective) at use in your
organization
Break into groups of 3-4 and share
Goal-Setting
Evaluation
Reward
Pressure
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Page 54
Developing Creative Organizations
Exercise:
von Oech Wack Pack – Your organization is beginning the “I-Journey” Role play cards
as they may apply to the three phases of discovery, synthesis and realization in your
organization
Exercise:
Reverse brainstorm
How not to build and support creativity in your organization
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Increasing Your Creativity
Exercise:
Self-Assessment Personality Test
Creative Behavior Inventory
This is an inventory, not a test. The inventory is simply a list of activities and accomplishments that are commonly considered to
be creative. For each item, circle the answer that best describes the frequency of the behavior in your adolescent and adult life.
Be sure to answer every question, and don’t worry about duplicate or similar items.
3-4
5-6
More than
Never
Once
Twice times times
6 times
1.
Received an award for acting.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
2.
Worked as an editor for a school or university literary publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
3.
Worked as an editor for a newspaper or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
4.
Constructed something that required scientific knowledge such as
a radio, telescope, scientific apparatus, etc.
(excluding school or university course work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
5.
Painted an original picture.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
6.
Designed and made your own greeting card.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
7.
Gave a recital.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
8.
Presented an original mathematics paper to a professional
or special interest group.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
9.
Founded a literary magazine or similar publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
10.
Made a craft out of metal (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
11.
Made candles.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
12.
Knitted or crocheted something (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
13.
Put on a puppet show.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
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14.
Made your own holiday decorations.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
15.
Built a hanging mobile (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
16.
Received an award for performance in modern dance or ballet.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
17.
Received an award for performance in popular dance.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
18.
Had a mathematics paper published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
19.
Made a sculpture (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
20.
Had an original music published or publicly performed.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
21.
Had a piece of literature (poem/short stories, etc.) published in
a school or university publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
22.
Developed an experimental design (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
23.
Wrote poems (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
24.
Entered a project into a science contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
25.
Received an award for an artistic accomplishment.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
26.
Received an award for making a craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
27.
Made a craft out of plastic, Plexiglas, stained glass or a similar material.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
28.
Made cartoons.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
29.
Made a leather craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
30.
Made a ceramic craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
31.
Wrote music for one instrument.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
32.
Wrote music for several instruments.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
33.
Designed and made a piece of clothing
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
34.
Cooked an original dish.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
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35.
Prepared an original floral arrangement.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
36.
Applied math in an original way to solve a practical problem
(excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
37.
Wrote an original computer program (excluding school
or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
38.
Drew a picture for aesthetic reasons.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
39.
Wrote the lyrics to a song.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
40.
Choreographed a dance.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
41.
Wrote a short story (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
42.
Wrote something humorous such as jokes, limericks, satire, etc.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
43.
Made jewelry.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
44.
Recorded a music record or CD.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
45.
Put on a radio show.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
46.
Had a piece of literature (poem, short story, etc.) published
(not in a school or university-related publication).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
47.
Took and developed your own photographs.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
48.
Performed ballet or modern dance in a show or contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
49.
Had art work or craft work publicly exhibited.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
50.
Won an award for musical accomplishments.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
51.
Wrote clever or humorous letters.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
52.
Won an award for a scientific project or paper.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
53.
Assisted in the design of a set for a musical or dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
54.
Had art work published in a school or university publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
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55.
Had a role in a dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
56.
Had art work published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
57.
Started but did not finish a novel.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
58.
Wrote and completed a novel.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
59.
Made or helped make a film or video tape.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
60.
Won an award for some achievement in literature.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
61.
Entered a mathematical paper or project into a contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
62.
Had a scientific paper published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
63.
Planned and kept a garden.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
64.
Kept a sketch book.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
65.
Was a participating member of a symphony orchestra.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
66.
Entered a contest as a singer.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
67.
Entered a contest as a musician.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
68.
Directed or managed a dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
69.
Designed and made a costume.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
70.
Played an instrument (percussion, including piano) with a reasonable
degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
71.
Played an instrument (string) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
72.
Played an instrument (brass) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
73.
Played an instrument (wind) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
74.
Participated in a drama workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
75.
Participated in a craft workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
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________________________________________
Page 59
76.
Participated in a writers’ workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
77.
Participated in a dance workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
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________________________________________
Page 60
Increasing Your Creativity
Exercise:
Identify two-three (designate short/long-term) ways to improve individual,
subordinate, organizational creativity and pair/share
- 60 -
________________________________________
Page 61
EVALUATION OF THE SUBJECT
Please rank 1-5, 1-Poor though 5 Very Well
1
2
3
4
5
1. How well did this course meet the stated learning objective?
2. Content Specifics
2A. The content was clear and understandable
2B. The flow of the topics made sense, and an appropriate amount
of time was spent on each.
2C. The content met or exceeded my expectations.
2D. The content will be useful to me back on the job.
2E. The learning support materials (workbooks, handouts, visuals)
were useful and of good quality.
2F. Rate the overall value to you of the course content.
3. Instructor Specifics
3A. The instructor demonstrated good mastery of the subject matter.
3B. The instructor was well organized and prepared.
3C. The instructor seemed genuinely interested in helping people
learn.
3D. The instructor responded effectively to the group's questions.
3E. Rate the overall quality of the instructors facilitations.
4. Your General Feedback
4A. The length and pacing of the course were just right.
4B. I would recommend this course.
4C. The learning facilities were conducive to a quality educational
experience.
5. What aspects of this course and the instructor contributed most to your learning?
6. What specific recommendations do you have for improving this course?
- 61 -
________________________________________
Page 62
Bibliography
The following are the references used for the Subject Guide:
Books / Testimonials:
1. Source: Merger of Ice Breakers (Bonk, 1998; Raffini, 1996; Scannell &
Newstrom, 1991; Thiagarajan, 1998).
2. Source: Merger of Ice Breakers (Bonk, 1998; Raffini, 1996; Scannell &
Newstrom, 1991; Thiagarajan, 1998)
3. Source: A Whack in the Side of the Head, Von Oech, 1983
4. Source: Creativity Is Forever, Gary Davis. Pg. 29
5. Source: 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson, Kenneth H.
Blanchard (Foreword)
6. Source: 1001 Ways to Energize Employees by Bob Nelson
7. Source: Von Oech R. (1998). A Whack on the Side of the Head
8. Hocevar, D. (1980). Intelligence, divergent thinking, and creativity.
Intelligence, 4, 25-40.
9. Source: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb
Websites:
1. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/evaluation.htm
2. Source: http://www.chartcourse.com/articlefun.htm
3. Source: http://www.offthemark.com/workplace/workplace08.htm
4. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/Cartoon1.html
5. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/reinforce.html
6. Source:http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,297
355,00.html
7. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/besttalent.htm
- 62 -
Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 pm
Question # 1 Total Marks: 1
Gazelles are the firms with:
Select correct option:
High growth rate
Moderate growth rate
Zero% growth rate
Low growth rate
Question # 2 Total Marks: 1
The resources acquired from others(creditors, banks etc) are usually:
Select correct option:
Easily available
Difficult to obtain
Very useful
Very cheap
Question # 3 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 4 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following statements about the intrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
Select correct option:
Trial and error are discouraged.
Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged.
Failures are not allowed
Question # 5 Total Marks: 1
The difference in the entrepreneurial and managerial domains has contributed towards an increase interest in:
Select correct option:
Forming new firms
Partnership
Intrapreneurship
Private firms
Question # 6 Total Marks: 1
The commitment of administrative domain to the resources is for:
Select correct option:
Periodic intervals
Total amount needed
For certain tasks
For long time
Question # 7 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 8 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ?????
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 Total Marks: 1
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Government
Finance
High interest rates
Role models
Question # 10 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 1 1 Total Marks: 1
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 12 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45 22 55
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 13 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 14 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following factors does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Family background
Education
Personal values
Gender
Question # 15 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 16 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 17 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 18 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 19 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 20 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 21 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following culture that has a climate and reward system that favor conservative decision making?
Select correct option:
Entrepreneurial
Intrapreneurial
Corporate
None of the given options
Question # 22 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 23 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 24 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 25 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 26 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 27 Total Marks: 1
All of the following are the broad categories of External forces EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Economic forces
Socioeconomic forces
Technological forces
Competitive forces
Question # 28 Total Marks: 1 External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 29 Total Marks: 1
There is evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 30 Total Marks: 1
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Last edited by Admin on Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:24 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:00 pm
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The decision to start a new business is taken when one perceives that forming a new business is:
Select correct option:
Possible
Desirable
Accurate
Both a and b
entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Business skills
Departure point ???
Goal orientation
An entrepreneur into the hosiery business found out the reason his hosiery was not selling was due to its color. What could be the best source of this information?
Select correct option:
Supplier
Retailer
Competition
Government bureau
of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like they are big ones?
Select correct option:
Competition
Economic development
Technology
Customers
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
Select correct option:
Finance and marketing
Finance and R&D
Marketing and R&D
Marketing and IT
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 9 of 10 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following receives highest investment?
Select correct option:
High potential venture
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is required to develop a good team for creating something new?
Select correct option:
Relationship with team members
Open discussion
Non flexible behavior
Discouragement of team member’s ideas
Question # 3 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 4 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Good entrepreneurs are usually from families which are:
Select correct option:
Landlords
Capitalists
Can be from any family with supportive parents ???????
Conservative parents
Question # 5 of 10 Total Marks: 1
___________ is required if a company wants to be more flexible in adopting changes.
Select correct option:
Management commitment
Contact with customers
Technology
More productivity
Question # 6 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
Select correct option:
Finance and marketing
Finance and R&D
Marketing and R&D
Marketing and IT
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 8 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Business skills
Departure point
Goal orientation
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The decision to start a new business is taken when one perceives that forming a new business is:
Select correct option:
Possible
Desirable
Accurate
Both a and b
Last edited by Admin on Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:00 pm
MGT602
1st question was write the principles of corporate culture.
2nd one was trademark and types
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:08 pm
Q #1: The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
A. Middle ages
B. 18th century
C. 17th century
D. 19th and 20th century
Q #2: ___________ Process of creating incremental wealth is called Entrepreneurship.
A. Dynamic
B. Static
C. Continues
D. Systematic
Q #3: Most important factor in forming a new business is:
A. Finance
B. Marketing
C. Govt Support
D. Family Support
Q #4: Which one of the following is the process of entrepreneurs developing new
products that over time make current products obsolete?
A. Creative destruction
B. New business model
C. Anatomization
D. None of the given options
Q #5: The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a product
development process is called:
A. Iterative synthesis
B. Product-evolution process
C. Ordinary innovation
D. Situation analysis
Q #6: Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small businesses?
A. Poor financial control
B. Poor location
C. Management mistakes
D. Improper inventory control
Q #7: Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
A. Developing successful business ideas
B. Deciding to become an entrepreneur
C. Growing the entrepreneurial firm
D. Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Q #8: Which of the following is NOT included in the opportunity evaluation process?
A. Length of the opportunity
B. Real and perceived value of opportunity
C. Goals and objectives of customers
D. Risks and rewards of opportunity
Q #9: The resistance of employees in an organization against flexibility, growth, and
diversification can be overcome by developing:
A. Entrepreneurship
B. Intrapreneurship
C. Managerial domain
D. Administrative domain
Q #10: The entrepreneur’s_______________ depends on his perception of the
opportunity.
A. Commitment to opportunity
B. Commitment of resources
C. Control of resources
D. Strategic orientation
Q #11: Which of the following statements about the entrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
A. Trial and error are discouraged
B. Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
C. A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
D. Failures are not allowed
Q #12: Which of the following makes the formation of new venture difficult within a
corporate culture?
A. Lack of intrapreneurial talent
B. Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
C. Lack of market opportunity
D. All of the given options
Q #13: Which of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like they are
big ones?
A. Competition
B. Economic development
C. Technology
D. Customers
Q #14: Which of the following is alternatively called corporate venturing?
A. Entrepreneurship
B. Intrapreneurship
C. Act of stating a new venture
D. Offering new products by an existing company
Q #15: Being one’s own boss is a need of:
A. Independence
B. Achievement
C. Affiliation
D. Authority
Q #16: An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
A. Need for independence
B. Need for affiliation
C. Need of fame
D. Need for achievement
Q #17: Which one of the following factors does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
A. Family background
B. Education
C. Personal Values
D. Gender
Q #18: Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Motivation
B. Business skills
C. Departure point
D. Goal orientation
Q #19: Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
A. Administration
B. Utilities
C. Manufacturing
D. None of the above
Q #20: Which one of the following is NOT TRUE about male entrepreneurs?
A. Males often have investors, bank loans, or personal loans in addition to personal
funds
B. Males often have more experience in manufacturing, finance, or technical areas
C. Men are often more confident and less flexible and tolerant
D. Men usually list outside advisors as the least important supporters
Answers
1--B
2--A
3--A
4--A
5--A
6--C
7--B
8--C
9--A
10--D
11--B
12--D
13--C
14--A
15--A
16--D
17--D
18--C
19--B
20--D
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:20 pm
Mgt 602 complete project
Plan Outline:
1.0 Executive Summary
a. Mission
b. Objectives
c. Keys to Success
2.0 Company Summary
d. Company Ownership
e. Company History
f. Company Locations and Facilities
3.0 Services
g. Service Description
h. Competitive Comparison
i. Sales Literature
j. Fulfillment
k. Technology
l. Future Services
4.0 Market Analysis Summary
m. Market Segmentation
n. Service Business Analysis
i. Main Competitors
ii. Competition and Buying Patterns
iii. Business Participants
iv. Distributing a Service
5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary
o. Marketing Strategy
i. Promotion Strategy
ii. Distribution Strategy
iii. Positioning Statement
iv. Pricing Strategy
p. Sales Strategy
i. Sales Programs
ii. Sales Forecast
6.0 Management Summary
2. Organizational Structure
3. Appendix
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:24 pm
mgt602 Enterpreneurship project(sample)
Name: THE BREAD BAKERS
Location: Mall Road Lahore
Status: Private Limited Company
Working days: 365
Production capacity: 100-breads/ day
Introduction
The proposed company plans to establish a project for baking the flavored breads in different and unique shapes and sizes. Every bakery offers the bread, which is milky or simple, or diet in only one usual flavor. No bakery offers the flavored breads so far. This company’s main concern is the baking of that bread. This company will helps in enjoying the people the different flavors in different shapes. All the relevant data has been collected from the bakeries and the market. Its baking process is almost identical to the baking process of the simple bread. There’s no problem in getting the required equipment as well as the material as it is all locally available.
The company “Bread Bakers” is the first company concerning with the manufacturing of the flavored bread. It is the company, which don't only deals with the different flavors of bread but also the shapes of the bread.
We are a full service providing bread bakers offering a wide variety of fresh breads, which have unique flavors and shapes. We have that new world style taste and freshness that is all but obsolete in today's society.
Nature of business
This business is on the basis of partnership. Every partner will equally participate in the activities of business. Nature of business of The Bread Bakers is to carry out the breads such as: Flavored breads and multi –shaped bread.
Mission Statement
To provide our customers with bread that actually looks and tastes good.
Vision
The building of a community within the baking industry who voluntarily come together to meet common need and accomplish common goals.
Management Plan
Partnership Deed
In this service organization there are four partners who collaborate with each other. The profit deed is decided in the equal basis.
Departments
• Production Department
• Purchasing Department
• Finance & Accounts Department
• Marketing Department
Manufacturing unit Location
Our manufacturing unit is located in --------------------------------
We have selected this place because the portion of factory is free so, there are no rent charges and we have our own transportation facility so this is very feasible for us.
Raw Material
Following are the main raw material for the proposed project:
• Flour
• Yeast
• Flavors
• Milk
• Eggs etc.
The entire raw material is locally available in abundance. There is no problem in collecting the raw material from the local sources.
Characteristics of the project
The project, which is being initiated in response to the market demand, will produce quality breads according to the customer’s needs. The product will be a new product in the market. Presently there is no such brand, which produces such flavored breads in unique shapes. The existing bakeries are producing the simple breads but this unit will initiate a new trend in the market. These items have a main emphasis on the morning time when the breads are mostly utilized. It is basically for those persons who are taste conscious and look for some thing new for their breakfast. This item will be distributed to all the exiting bakeries where a separate shelve will be placed.
Distribution Channels
Bread is easily available in every bakery. As we are offering different flavors of bread so we have decided that our distribution channels will be all existing bakeries like China Bakery, Meer Bakery, Asim bakery, al-Meraj bakery, etc. We choose these distribution channels because these bakeries already have a large number of customers they daily visit these bakeries & when they will see our product over there they would surely like to have these flavored bread, so the reason of choosing these bakeries is that we are new in the market & we have no customer orientation. That’s why our distribution sources are all these existing bakeries.
Product Profile
Main Products
As all the other existing bakeries are providing the three main types of bread so with the flavored breads our main emphasis will be on the same three breads which includes:
• Milky bread
• Simple bread
• Diet bread
These introduced flavors are available in each bakery.
Bread flavors
Our bread flavors along with our brands include the following flavors
• Chocolate flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Strawberry flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Vanilla flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Mango flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Pineapple flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Banana Chip flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Fruit Nut Breads by Bread Bakers
• Butter Top Bread by Bread Bakers
• Cheese flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Garlic flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Ginger flavored bread by Bread Bakers
Bread shapes
Our bread is not only concern with the flavors but also with the shapes of the bread, and there are different shapes which includes :
• Oval
• Round
• Square
• Triangle
• Rectangle
• Long-shaped
• Cone-shaped
Specialty
Most of the people don’t like corners of the bread. The Bread Baker’s is the first who consider this need first and now introducing the corner less bread first time in the area. Our specialty is in corner less bread in different sizes as well as flavors.
Future Integration
In future we, The Bread Baker’s are panning to launch a new product…The Stuffed Bread. It is new and different concept. Stuffed bread is a product in which different material will be stuffed according to the choice of our customers.
Market Analysis
Market Research
Before starting any business it is important to recognize the need of customer that either there is demand of particular product exists or not.
The Bread Bakers conducted the research, which shows that the flavored bread is one of the innovations in bread industry in Gujranwala and people are willing to use it.
Target market
The Bread Baker’s are providing their products in different sizes in very reasonable prices. Our main emphasis is on middle-income group and higher income group.
Age Distribution
The Bread Bakers conducted the research on the basis of age sector to analyze that which age sector will like our bread most.
According to our research:
o Children from age of 10 to 15 years will like it 38%.
o People from the age of 15 to 22 years will like it 25%.
o People from the age of 22 to 35 years will like it 23%.
o People from the age of 35 onwards will like it 14%.
This research shows that younger are more willing to use our product.
Market Distribution
The Bread Baker’s also conducted research on the basis that where they should provide there product in which quantity
The research shows that we should provide our product in Satellite Town market 39% of our production. 30% in Model Town, 12 % in Wapda Town, 10% in People’s Colony and 9% in Cantt area.
Strategies
PRICING STRATEGY
Penetration pricing
As we are in the initial stage so our main emphasis is to penetrate in the market by capturing the market share.
There are many pricing strategies but we have to choose this penetration pricing strategy because we are the new entrants & we want to capture a big market share so we have chosen this type of strategy to penetrate in the market.
PRICES
All the existing bakeries are offering the following prices of the breads
Milky, Simple, Diet
Large Rs. 22
Small Rs.18
But we are providing the following prices of the flavored breads.
o Fruit Nut Breads Rs. 40/-
o Chocolate flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Strawberry flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Vanilla flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Mango flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Pineapple flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Cheese flavored bread Rs. 35/-
o Garlic flavored bread Rs. 35/-
o Ginger flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Butter Top Bread Rs. 30/-
o 100% Whole Wheat Bread Rs. 30/-
Entrance Strategy
The entry growth strategy for The Bread Bakers should be to focus initially and more specially to youth and status-quo customers.
Marketing Strategy
The Bread Bakers needs a comprehensive marketing strategy based on company’s philosophy, potential growth strategy and long-term objectives of gaining a strong hold in the bread industry.
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:26 pm
MGT602 Entrepreneurship QUIZ Questiong
Question # 1 of 10 Total Marks: 1
___________ is required if a company wants to be more flexible in adopting changes.
Select correct option:
Management commitment
Contact with customers
Technology
More productivity
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 3 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Good entrepreneurs are usually from families which are:
Select correct option:
Landlords
Capitalists
Can be from any family with supportive parents
Conservative parents
Question # 4 of 10 Total Marks: 1
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following makes formation of new ventures within a corporate structure difficult?
Select correct option:
Lack of intrapreneurial talent ??
Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
Lack of market opportunity
Lack of knowledge
Question # 8 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Professional support network includes following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Personal affiliations
Mentor
Trade associations
Friends
Question # 9 of 10 ( Total Marks: 1
An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
Select correct option:
Need for independence
Need for affiliation
Need of fame
Need for achievement
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Need for independence
Need for affiliation
Need for achievement
Risk taking
Last edited by Admin on Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:38 pm
Offline Quiz 2
Q# 1: International entrepreneur’s decisions are more complex because of:
A. Business expansion
B. Analysis of Huge information is difficult
C. Complex transactions
D. Uncontrollable factors
Q# 2: Which one of the following is NOT the problem in developing the economies
under different developed countries?
A. Gap of knowledge
B. Variable rate of return
C. Different accounting system
D. Same communication style
Q# 3: When the multiplicity of environments become too complex to handle, the
international entrepreneurs often __________.
A. Go for mergers
B. Diversify
C. Decentralize operations
D. Sale out the foreign business
Q# 4: In stage of responsibility allocation process the entrepreneur follows:
A. Highly decentralized decision making process
B. Somewhat centralized decision making process
C. Highly centralized decision making process
D. No particular standard
Q# 5: Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
A. Joint venture
B. Management contracts
C. Management contracts
D. Merger
Q# 6: An ice cream producing company merges with a cotton spinning company this
merger is an example of:
A. Product extension merger
B. Diversified activity merger
C. Market extension merger
D. Vertical merger
Q# 7: Which one of the following gives suggestions for new product but also helps to
market new product in the market?
A. Existing products and services
B. Distribution channels
C. Federal government
D. Consumers
Q# 8: Which one of the following is important for international business to avoid trade
barriers?
A. Protectionist attitude
B. Entrepreneurial partnering
C. Free trade areas
D. None of the given options
Q# 9: Which one of the following is NOT a source of idea generation?
A. Consumers
B. Brain storming
C. Focus group
D. None of the given options
Q# 10: A patent is granted for a specified amount of time because of the assumption:
A. That during this time firm will cover its development costs
B. That firm will earn a sufficient profit during this period
C. To limit the monopoly of the firm
D. That it will stimulate idea and development of a better product
Q# 11: Which of the following is NOT followed in brainstorming?
A. The wilder idea is better
B. Criticism is done by the group members
C. Quantity of ideas is required
D. The session should be fun, with no on dominating the discussion
Q# 12: Developing a new idea through inquiry and testing is called:
A. Heuristics
B. Scientific method
C. Forced relationship
D. Value analysis
Q# 13: The product life cycle starts with which stage of product planning and
development process?
A. Test marketing stage
B. Product development stage
C. Commercialization stage
D. Product planning and development process is a part of product life cycle
Q# 14: The evaluation criteria for the new product should include all of the following,
EXCEPT:
A. Determination of market demand
B. Pricing and marketing policies of other competing firms
C. Determination of the suppliers
D. Product should be profitable
Q# 15: Which of the following is NOT a requirement of Disclosure Document?
A. Description of the invention
B. Photos of invention
C. Claims for invention’s usefulness
D. Cover letter
Q# 16: Which of the following grants the owner protection from anyone else making,
using and selling the identified innovation?
A. Utility patent
B. Design patent
C. Plant patent
D. International patent
Q# 17: Which of the following can NOT be covered under the copyright protection?
A. Computer software
B. Computer hardware
C. Poems and songs
D. Models and sculpture
Q# 18: Licensing is a significant marketing strategy to:
A. Use intellectual property of others
B. Pirate others’ patents
C. Grow the business in new markets
D. Control the costs
Q# 19: Which one of the following is the main problem for the entrepreneur in the
beginning?
A. Lack of experience
B. Lack of education
C. None of the given options
D. Limited resources
Q# 20: Which of the following is NOT essential part of the contract?
A. All the parties envolved should be named
B. Transaction should be described in detail
C. Obtain signatures of the persons envolved
D. Place where contract takes place
1 d
2 d
3 a
4 a
5 d
6 b
7 b
8 b
9 c
10 b
11 b
12 a
13 d
14 c
15 c
16 a
17 b
18 a
19 d
20 b
OR
1 D 11 B
2 D 12 A
3 A 13 D
4 A 14 C
5 A 15 C
6 B 16 A
7 B 17 B
8 C 18 A
9 C 19 D
10 B 20 B
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:32 pm
Q #1: The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
A. Middle ages
B. 18th century
C. 17th century
D. 19th and 20th century
Q #2: ___________ Process of creating incremental wealth is called
Entrepreneurship.
A. DynamicB. Static
C. Continues
D. Systematic
Q #3: Most important factor in forming a new business is:
A. Finance
B. Marketing
C. Govt Support
D. Family Support
Q #4: Which one of the following is the process of entrepreneurs developing new
products that over time make current products obsolete?
A. Creative destructionB. New business model
C. Anatomization
D. None of the given options
Q #5: The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a
product
development process is called:
A. Iterative synthesis
B. Product-evolution process
C. Ordinary innovation
D. Situation analysis
Q #6: Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small
businesses?
A. Poor financial control
B. Poor location
C. Management mistakes
D. Improper inventory control
Q #7: Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial
process?
A. Developing successful business ideas
B. Deciding to become an entrepreneurC. Growing the entrepreneurial firm
D. Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Q #8: Which of the following is NOT included in the opportunity evaluation
process?
A. Length of the opportunity
B. Real and perceived value of opportunity
C. Goals and objectives of customers
D. Risks and rewards of opportunity
Q #9: The resistance of employees in an organization against flexibility,
growth, and
diversification can be overcome by developing:
A. EntrepreneurshipB. Intrapreneurship
C. Managerial domain
D. Administrative domain
Q #10: The entrepreneur’s_______________ depends on his perception of the
opportunity.
A. Commitment to opportunity
B. Commitment of resources
C. Control of resources
D. Strategic orientation
Q #11: Which of the following statements about the entrepreneurial climate is
(are) true?
A. Trial and error are discouraged
B. Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
C. A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
D. Failures are not allowed
Q #12: Which of the following makes the formation of new venture difficult
within a
corporate culture?
A. Lack of intrapreneurial talentB. Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
C. Lack of market opportunity
D. All of the given options
Q #13: Which of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like
they are
big ones?
A. Competition
B. Economic development
C. Technology
D. Customers
Q #14: Which of the following is alternatively called corporate venturing?
A. EntrepreneurshipB. Intrapreneurship
C. Act of stating a new venture
D. Offering new products by an existing company
Q #15: Being one’s own boss is a need of:
A. Independence
B. Achievement
C. Affiliation
D. Authority
Q #16: An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
A. Need for independenceB. Need for affiliation
C. Need of fame
D. Need for achievement
Q #17: Which one of the following factors does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
A. Family background
B. Education
C. Personal Values
D. Gender
Q #18: Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of
the
following EXCEPT:
A. Motivation
B. Business skills
C. Departure pointD. Goal orientation
Q #19: Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
A. Administration
B. Utilities
C. Manufacturing
D. None of the above
Q #20: Which one of the following is NOT TRUE about male entrepreneurs?
A. Males often have investors, bank loans, or personal loans in addition to
personal
funds
B. Males often have more experience in manufacturing, finance, or technical
areas
C. Men are often more confident and less flexible and tolerant
D. Men usually list outside advisors as the least important supporters
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:44 pm
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following has not yet been empirically established as a
distinguishing characteristic of entrepreneurs?
► Locus of control
► Feeling about independence
► Need for achievement
► Risk taking
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
► Self employed
► Discouraged
► Non supportive
► Strict
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The level at which an individual is viewed by society is called:
► Financial status
► Qualification
► Social status
► Achievement
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
► Need for independence
► Need for affiliation
► Need of fame
► Need for achievement
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
With a commercial history of only 300 years, which country was a new comer to
the international arena?
► Japan
► U.S
► China
► U.K
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
International entrepreneur’s decisions are more complex because of:
► Business expansion
► Analysis of Huge information is difficult
► Complex transactions
► Uncontrollable factors
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A company dealing in beer has a merger with cigarettes manufacturing firm. This
merger is called:
► Horizontal merger
► Product extension merger
► Market extension merger
► Vertical merger
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is an important source of idea generation due to
their familiarity with the needs of market?
► Existing products and services
► Distribution channels
► Federal government
► Consumers
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for intial screening
of ideas and concepts?
► Focus group
► Problem inventory analysis
► Brain storming
► Reverse brainstorming
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product
Planning and Development Process?
► Idea Stage
► Product Planning Stage
► Product Development Stage
► Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by
focusing on problems?
► Product inventory analysis
► Gordon method
► Checklist method
► Scientific method
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the main problem for the entrepreneur in the
beginning stages of creating a new venture?
► Lack of experience
► Limited resources
► Lack of education
► None of the given options
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A legally binding agreement between two parties is called:
► A contract
► Licensing
► Insurance
► A copyright
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is included in the description of the business?
► Location
► Products offered
► History
► All of the given options
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The marketing perspective of business plan considers the venture through the
eyes of:
► Investor
► Customer
► Entrepreneur
► Marketing manager
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT a condition of a contract?
► An offer is made
► An acceptance of offer
► Counter offer
► Consideration is given
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
For which of the following copy right acquisition is desirable?
► Songs
► Poems
► Models
► All of the given options
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is TRUE for Disclosure Document?
► It gives recognition that he was the inventor of the idea in past
► It gives recognition that he is the first the inventor of the idea
► It gives recognition that he will be the invent an idea in future
► It gives recognition that he wants to copy the idea
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Trade barriers cause:
► Increase in cost
► Decrease in cost
► Increase in profit
► None of the given options
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Having more than 50% ownership position that provides the entrepreneur with
managerial control is called:
► Joint
venture
► Majority interest
► Horizontal merger
► Diversified activity merger
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
GATT is established in 1947, under:
► German leadership
► French leadership
► U.S. leadership ???
► U.K. leadership
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a method of selling goods to another country through
a person in the entrepreneur’s home country?
► Trading
► Direct export
► Indirect export
► Domestic sales
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In some countries, point of purchase displays are not allowed in retail stores. Such differences
are studied by international entrepreneurs under __________.
► Economic Environment
► Political Environment
► Cultural Environment ???
► Technological Environment
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Most of the finance for the new firm comes from following resources EXCEPT:
► Friends
► Foreign aid
► Relatives
► Personal savings
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Gazelles are the firms with:
► High growth rate
► Moderate growth rate
► Zero growth rate
► Low growth rate
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a product
development process is called which of the following?
► Iterative synthesis
► Product-evolution process
► Ordinary innovation
► Situation analysis
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factors is the most important in forcing U.S companies
to focus on new product development and increased productivity?
► Entrepreneurship
► Hyper competition
► Governmental laws
► Organizational culture
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is required for a company that wants to be more flexible
in adopting changes?
► Management commitment
► Contact with customers
► Technology
► More productivity
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following typical culture has a climate and reward system that
favors conservative decision making?
► Entrepreneurial
► Intrapreneurial
► Corporate
► None of the given options
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statement about the intrapreneurial climate is true?
► Trial and error are discouraged
► Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
► A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
► Failures are not allowed
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following are known as barriers to new product creation and
development?
► Trial and error
► Opportunity parameters
► Opportunity cost
► Intrapreneurship culture
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
All of the following are true regarding male entrepreneurs EXCEPT:
► Typically most male entrepreneurs are first-borns ??
► Dissatisfaction with present job is a departure point for a male entrepreneur
► Male entrepreneurs mostly have a occupational background of middle-management
or administrative-experience in the field
► Male entrepreneurs tend to be opinionated and persuasive in their approach
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Entrepreneurial endeavors consist of all of the following key elements Except:
► New business venturing
► Increasing productivity
► Innovativeness
► Proactiveness
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factor does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
► Family background
► Education
► Personal values
► Gender ??
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
► Administration
► Utilities
► Manufacturing
► None of the above
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the
following EXCEPT:
► Motivation
► Business skills
► Departure point
► Goal orientation
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The former USSR received technology and syrup from Pepsi and provided it with
Soviet vodka and rights to distribute it in the US. This is an example of:
► Economic development
► Barter system
► Balance of payment
► International trade
Question No: 38 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
An entrepreneur doing business within the national border is called:
► International entrepreneurship
► Intrapreneurship
► Domestic entrepreneurship
► None of the given options
Question No: 39 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following may need the business plan?
► Employees
► Investors
► Advisors
► All of the given options
Question No: 40 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
► Joint venture
► Management contracts ??
► Minority interest
► Merger
Question No: 41 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss the role of childhood family environment, which differentiate the
entrepreneur from general public.
Question No: 42 ( Marks: 5 )
While entering into the international market the companies usually have strategic
planning process. What should be considered in the strategic planning?
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:14 pm
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the problems in developing the economies EXCEPT:
Gap of knowledge
Variable rate of return
Same communication style
Different accounting system
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for intial screening
of ideas and concepts?
Focus group
Problem inventory analysis
Brain storming
Reverse brainstorming
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product
Planning and Development Process?
Idea Stage
Product Planning Stage
Product Development Stage
Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a more structured method of problem solving,
including principles and rules for concept formation, making observations and
experiments, and finally validating the hypothesis?
Scientific method
Heuristics
Attribute listing
Value analysis
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is used by entrepreneurs to acquire experience in an
international market before making a major commitment?
Merger
Joint venture
Minority interest
Majority interest
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following plan shows the economically feasibility of business?
Business
Financial
Economic
Marketing
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What are the number of questions a marketing plan usually answers?
5
2
3
4
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following allows the entrepreneur to establish controls on the
process during the implementation of the marketing plan?
Sales data
Research data ???
Consumer data
Technical data
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the charectiristic of the venture that has
experience in related business?
Strength ??
Weakness
Opportunity
Threat
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Advertising and promotion for the business-to-business market involve all of
the following EXCEPT:
Indirect sales ??
Trade magazine advertising
Direct sales
Trade shows
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the characteristic of the venture that has
experience in related business?
Strength ??
Weakness
Opportunity
Threat
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following, banks are usually reluctant to give loan?
Sole Proprietor
Public Limited Companies
Partnership firm
Private Limited Companies
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following majority holds the management control?
Partnership
Corporation
Limited liability company
All of the given options
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following represents the shares in borrowing of Large Enterprises
in Pakistan?
68%
65%
66%
67%
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following represents the environment in which entrepreneurship
can’t grow?
Boom
Vacuum
Maturity
Introductory Phase
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
"What the entrepreneur hopes to accomplish" includes in which section
of business plan?
Vision statement
Mission Statement
Goal Statement
All of the above
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the standard acceptable term of a Limited
Liability Company?
Three
Ten
Twenty
Thirty
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following provides a guideline in determining hiring
procedures?
Job description
Job specification
Job analysis
Job evaluation
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The S corporation combines the tax advantages of which one of the following?
Proprietorship and limited liability company
Partnership and corporation
Corporation and limited liability company
Partnership and proprietorship
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is the base of Job Advertisement?
Job Description
Job Specification
Job identification
All of the above options
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the results from the difference between actual
cash receipts and cash payments?
Revenue
Profit
Cash flow
Income statement
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What is the primary concern of entrepreneurs, who trade equity for their
growing venture?
Control
Valuation
Investor capabilities
Capitalization
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
When the business does not have assets to support a loan, the entrepreneur
may go for which one of the following options?
Character loan
Straight commercial loan
Installment loan
Long term loan
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following number of years a mortgage loan may possibly cover?
10
20
30
40
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following techniques, money is given to a firm for developing a
technology and involves a tax shelter?
Small business administration loans
Cash flow financing
Small business innovation research grant
Research and development limited partnership
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The overall coordinating party in an agreement is:
Limited partner
Major partner
Minor partner
General partner
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following includes grants from the U.S. government to small
technology based businesses?
Small business administration loans
Small business innovation research grant
Research and development limited partnership
Installment loans
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a formalized method for obtaining funds from private
investors?
Private placement
Private offering
Regulation D
Bootstrap financing
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
When did the Sindh Small Industries Corporation launch its credit scheme?
1972-73
1978-79
1988-89
1992-93
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a type of leverage ratio?
Debt ratio
Net profit margin
Return on investment
Current ratio
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The mean age of entrepreneurial enterprises in Pakistan is:
12 years
15 years
20 years
22 years ??
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In most cases, the venture capitalist:
Seeks control of the company
Never expects a seat on the board of directors
Expects the management team to run the daily operations
Prefers not to interfere in planning and expertise areas
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Conflicts in Management thoughts and Entrepreneur thoughts are resolved by
which of the following company?
Xerox
Unilever
Walls
Volta
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following era entrepreneur enters into a contract with
government to perform a service?
20th century
Earliest period
Middle ages
17th century
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a firm that achieves modest growth?
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question No: 38 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In entrepreneurial domain the commitment to opportunity has short time span but
in managerial domain it is:
For 1 month
For 6 months
For long time span
For 1 year
Question No: 39 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Moral support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Spouses
Friends
Business associates
Relatives
Question No: 40 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Professional support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Personal affiliations
Mentor
Trade associations
Friends
Question No: 41 ( Marks: 5 )
Differentiate the operating budget from capital budget?
Question No: 42 ( Marks: 5 )
It is said that advertising agencies are meant for the promotional tools. Why
do you think that it is a correct statement?
Question No: 43 ( Marks: 10 )
An "S Corporation" is a corporation which has elected to have its
profits pass through to its shareholders, in the same manner as a partnership
or sole proprietorship. Write down the pros and cons of "S
Corporation".
Question No: 44 ( Marks: 10 )
Suppose you want to calculate the net worth of your business. What kind of
statement will you use in order to calculate the net profit? Also discuss its key
feature.
Question No: 45 ( Marks: 10 )
Product or service is the basis of building the marketing plan. What are the
major factors which should be included while writing the marketing plan of a
product or service?
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:15 pm
1. Any trademarks , copyright or trade secrets held by the entrepreneur is as
* Disclosure document
* Patent
* Intellectual
property
* None of the mentioned
2. The organization will never be able to make the necessary changes without_________
* Top management commitment
* Employees
* Workers
* None of the mentioned
3. The ways entrepreneurs make decisions.
* Entrepreneurial domain.
* Reverse
brain storming
* Heuristics
d.Reverse brain storming
4. A trademark is
A
word, symbol, name or device that a business uses to identify its goods.
* A legal protection for information on foreign
products.
* Legal protection for intellectual works.
* Legal protection for a U.S. product exported to
another country.
6. locus of control is
a. A feeling
b. Attitude
c.
Attribute
d. None
of the above
7.
Licensing arrangements have
a. Low
risk process involved
b. Easy
way to generate incremental income
c. Several
pitfalls
d.
All of
the above
8.
Personal characteristics to be a successful entrepreneur
includes
a. Understanding
environment
b. Creating
management options
c. Encourage
open discussion
d.
All of
the above
9.
International entrepreneurship is
* Licensing
* Exporting
* Both of the mentioned options
* None
of the two mentioned
Which
of the following is not a characteristic that is helpful for an
entrepreneur to have?
a.
Self-esteem
b.
Caution
c.
Drive
d.
Optimism
10. Hindrance for going in the international
business is known as
* Synergy
* Turn key point
* Trade
barrier
* Minority interest
5) In chronological age , most entrepreneurs
start their careers between ages
a)
22
and 55
b) 30
and 55
c) 40
and 65
d) None
of the given options
6) ___________________ is the combination of
at least two firms doing similar businesses at the same market level.
a) Diversified
activity Merger
b)
Horizontal
Merger
c) Joint
Venture
d) Vertical
Merger
7) Which of the
following is NOT recognized as a misconception about entrepreneurship?
a) Entrepreneurship is found only is small businesses.
b) Entrepreneurship is easy.
c) Successful entrepreneurship needs only a great idea.
d)
Entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses are different
9) All of the
following are recognized as potential sources of entrepreneurial ideas EXCEPT:
a) Work experiences, skills, and abilities
b) Familiar and unfamiliar products and services
c) Personal interests or hobbies
d)
All of the selections are recognized as potential sources of entrepreneurial
ideas.
10) An
_______________________ is an individual who creates something for the first
time, is a highly driven individual motivated by his or her own work and
personal ideas.
a) Entrepreneur
b)
Inventor
c) Both a and b
d) None of the given options
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:20 pm
1. An entrepreneur’s primary motivation for starting a
business is
* To
make money
* To be independent
* To be
famous
* To be
powerful
2. To be successful in an entrepreneurial venture, you need
* Money
* Luck
* Hard
work
* A good
idea
3. Entrepreneurs are best as
* Managers
* Venture
capitalists
* Planners
* Doers
4. A successful entrepreneur relies on which of the
following for critical management advice
* Internal
management team
* External management
professionals
* Financial sources
* No one
5. Entrepreneurs are:
* High
risk takers
* Moderate risk takers
* Small
risk takers
* Doesn’t
matter
6. Entrepreneurs typically form
* Service
businesses
* Manufacturing
companies
* Constructive
companies
* A variety of ventures
7. Entrepreneurs:
* Are
the life of the party
* Are
bores at a cocktail party
* Will
never go to parties
* Just fit into the crowd at a
party
8. Entrepreneurs and ventures capitalists:
* Get
along well
* Are
the best friends
* Are
cordial friends
* Are in conflict
9. An entrepreneur’s primary motivation for high ego and
need for achievement is based upon a relationship with:
* Spouse
* Mother
* Father
* Children
10. An individual usually begins his or her first significant
entrepreneurial business enterprise at what age
* Teens
* Twenties
* Forties
* Fifties
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:24 pm
1. One
effective way to begin the marketing plan is
a. To make a list of the
information that will be needed to prepare the marketing plan.
* Gathering Data from Secondary Sources
c. Gathering Information from Primary Sources.
* None of the options given
2. A
focus group
a. Is a sample of 10 or 12
potential investors who participate in a discussion?
b.Is
a sample of 10 or 12 potential employees who participate in a discussion?
c.
Is a sample of
10 or 12 potential customers who participate in a discussion?
* None of the options given
3. The
situation analysis is
a. Defining Target Market/Opportunities
and Threats.
* Considering Strengths and Weaknesses
c.
A review of where the company has been
and considers environmental factors.
* None of the options given
4. One
of the difficult decisions
a. Is about the
distribution of the product
b.Is determining the appropriate price for the product.
c. Is about the promotion
of the product
* None of the options given
5. Which
of the following statement is true for marketing system?
* It is all about the internal envoi mental factors
* It identifies the major
interacting components, both internal and external
* It’s about the financial needs of the venture
* None of the options given
6. In
setting marketing goals and objectives the entrepreneur must
* Set the price
* Distribution place
* Must satisfy customers
* None of the
above
7. The
financial plan provides a complete picture of:
a. How
much and when the funds are coming into the organization.
b. Where
the funds are going.
c. How
much cash is available?
d.
Al of the
options given
8. Before
developing the pro forma income statement, the entrepreneur should
a. Prepare operating
budgets
b. Capital budgets.
c. None of the
options given
d.
Both of the
options given (a,b)
9.
Which of the
following statement is true?
* Cash flow is same as profit.
b.
Profit is the
result of subtracting expenses from sales.
c. Cash flow results
from the difference between all cash available and cash payments.
* Cash flows only when actual payments are not made but
only received.
10. Which of the
statement is not true?
a. The S Corporation
combines the tax advantages of the partnership and the corporation.
b.S
Corporations represent almost half of all corporate filings.
c. A popular new entity is
thelimited
liability company (LLC)
* Limited liability
Company(LLC)
offers similar disadvantages as the S Corporation
1. What causes people to do something?
Need for achievement
Need for independence
Motivation
None
of the mentioned options
2. Individuals who help the entrepreneur
in business activities
Role models
Professional-support network
Parents
None
of the mentioned options
3. The
managers in an organization strongly supporting intrapreneurship is called
-----------------------
Top management commitment
Upper management
commitment
Lower management
intrapreneur
Upper management
intrapreneur
4. ------------- involves a manufacturer
giving a foreign manufacturer the right to use a patent, trademark or
technology in return for a royalty
Licensing
Turn-key
projects
Management
contracts
None
of the mentioned options
5. Female
entrepreneurs differ in terms of --------------------, -----------------------,
and ---------------------------
Motivation
Business skills
Occupational background
In brainstorming
No criticism is allowed
Quantity of ideas is desired
None of the mentioned options
Both of the mentioned options
2. A
technique that asks questions about objects or ideas in an effort to develop a
new idea is
Heuristics
Matrix charting
Forced relationships
Attribute
listing
3. The
solution development is
Big-Dream
approach
Parameter
Analysis
Creative synthesis
None of the
above
4. Perceived benefits /risks involve the
following factors:
Utility to customer
Consumption
habits
Buying motives
All of the above
5. A
patent is
A document between government and an
inventor
Grants
holder protection from others making, using, or selling similar idea
A public domain
None of the above
Marketing mix includes:
Product
or service
Financing
Consumer
Retailer
2. Which of the following statement is true
for tax advantage of proprietorship?
There is
double tax on profits
There is no capital stock tax or penalty
for retained earnings
Both of the
options given
None of the
options given
3. Industry analysis should include
information on:
Market size of competitor’s product
Growth rate of suppliers
New products entry
Economic conditions
4. We
need to update the business plan because…………
Environmental factors and internal factors can change the direction of
the plan
Goals set by the
entrepreneurs may be unreasonable.
Goals may not be
measurable.
Goals may not be
specific
5. Marketing
research involves the gathering of data in order to determine information as:
Who will buy the product?
What price
should be charged?
What is the
most effective promotion strategy?
All of the mentioned options
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:25 pm
1. A set of reasons for engaging in a particular behavior,
especially human behavior is
known as _____________.
a. Values
b. Vision
c. Entrepreneurship
d. Motivation
2. Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for
initially screening ideas
and concepts in addition to generating new ideas?
a. Focus group
b. Brain storming
c. Problem inventory analysis
d. Reverse brainstorming
3. The creative process for problem solving that involves making
the strange familiar in
first step and then making the familiar strange through personal,
direct or symbolic
analogy is called _________.
a. Synectics
b. Gordon method
c. Checklist method
d. Scientific method
4. When the multiplicity of environments become too complex to
handle, the
international entrepreneurs often __________.
a. Go for mergers
b. Diversify
c. Decentralize operations
d. Sale out the foreign business
5. An entrepreneur into the hosiery business found out the reason
his hosiery was not
selling was due to its color. What could be the best source of
this information?
a. Supplier
b. Retailer
c. Competition
d. Government bureau
6. In some countries, point of purchase displays are not allowed
in retail stores. Such
differences are studied by international entrepreneurs under
__________
environment.
a. Economic
b. Political
c. Cultural
d. Technological
7. Entrepreneurial success has been significant because of the
culture and the political
and economic systems in _________.
a. European countries
b. Asian countries
c. Transition economies
d. Middle east
8. Having more than 50% ownership position that provides the
entrepreneur with
managerial control is called ___________.
a. Joint venture
b. Majority interest
c. Horizontal merger
d. Diversified activity merger
9. The under-developed or lesser developed countries need
manufacturing technology
and infrastructure and yet do not want to turn over substantial
portion of their
economy to foreign ownership. Which of the following is a solution
to this dilemma?
a. Management contract
b. Indirect exporting
c. Licensing
d. Turn-key project
10. The development of a new venture based on an inventor’s work
often requires
________.
a. Expertise of an
entrepreneur
b. Heavy investment from financers
c. Skilled human resources
d. Highly educated staff
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Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 pm
First topic message reminder :
Question # 1 Total Marks: 1
Gazelles are the firms with:
Select correct option:
High growth rate
Moderate growth rate
Zero% growth rate
Low growth rate
Question # 2 Total Marks: 1
The resources acquired from others(creditors, banks etc) are usually:
Select correct option:
Easily available
Difficult to obtain
Very useful
Very cheap
Question # 3 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 4 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following statements about the intrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
Select correct option:
Trial and error are discouraged.
Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged.
Failures are not allowed
Question # 5 Total Marks: 1
The difference in the entrepreneurial and managerial domains has contributed towards an increase interest in:
Select correct option:
Forming new firms
Partnership
Intrapreneurship
Private firms
Question # 6 Total Marks: 1
The commitment of administrative domain to the resources is for:
Select correct option:
Periodic intervals
Total amount needed
For certain tasks
For long time
Question # 7 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 8 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ?????
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 Total Marks: 1
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Government
Finance
High interest rates
Role models
Question # 10 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 1 1 Total Marks: 1
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 12 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45 22 55
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 13 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 14 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following factors does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Family background
Education
Personal values
Gender
Question # 15 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 16 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 17 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 18 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 19 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 20 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 21 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following culture that has a climate and reward system that favor conservative decision making?
Select correct option:
Entrepreneurial
Intrapreneurial
Corporate
None of the given options
Question # 22 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 23 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 24 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 25 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 26 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 27 Total Marks: 1
All of the following are the broad categories of External forces EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Economic forces
Socioeconomic forces
Technological forces
Competitive forces
Question # 28 Total Marks: 1 External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 29 Total Marks: 1
There is evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 30 Total Marks: 1
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Last edited by Admin on Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:24 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:26 pm
1. The importance of intellectual property should be
understood by entrepreneur even
before _________.
a. Hiring a manager
b.
Engaging an attorney
c. Developing a product
d. Establishing new venture
2. Which of the following is not followed in
brainstorming?
a. Criticism
is done by the group members
b. The wilder idea is batter
c. Quantity of ideas is required
d. The session should be fun, with no on dominating
the discussion
3. The former USSR received technology and syrup
from Pepsi and provided it with
Soviet vodka and rights to distribute it in the US.
This is an example of:
a. Economic development
b.
Barter system
c. Balance of payment
d. International trade
4. A patent is granted for a specified amount of
time because of the assumption:
a. During this time firm will cover its development
costs
b. Firm will earn a sufficient profit during this
period
c. To limit the monopoly of the firm
d.
It will stimulate idea and development of a batter product
5. Developing a new idea through inquiry and testing
is called _________.
a. Heuristics
b.
Scientific method
c. Forced relationship
d. Value analysis
6. In an international perspective, which of the
following decisions are not covered
under strategic planning of an entrepreneur?
a.
What are unique characteristics of each market?
b. Who should be involved in marketing decisions?
c. What customer benefits are provided by the
product
d. What are the company’s major strengths and
weaknesses?
7. Which of the following grants the owner
protection from anyone else making, using
and selling the identified innovation?
a.
Utility patent
b. Design patent
c. Plant patent
d. International patent
8. The problem inventory analysis should b used
primarily to:
a. Reflect a new business opportunity
b.
Identify product idea for further evaluation
c. Solve unknown problems
d. Develop a list of problems
9. Selling goods to another country through a person
in the entrepreneur’s home
country is known as _________.
a. Export
b. Direct export
c.
Indirect export
d. Domestic sales
10. Which of the following statements is not true
about trademarks?
a. A trademark could be a slogan or a particular
sound
b. Some trademarks have no relationship with the
product
c. The filing date for the trademark becomes the
first date use of the mark
d. The entrepreneur
can not file after the mark already been in use
11. The product life cycle is included in which
stage of product planning and
development process?
a. Test marketing stage
b. Product development stage
c.
Commercialization stage
d. Product planning and development process is a
part of product life cycle
12. Which of the following can not be covered under
the copyright protection?
a. Computer software
b. Computer
hardware
c. Poems and songs
d. Models and sculpture
13. Idea of new product is tested in potential
consumers to determine consumer
acceptance at _________ stage.
a. Concept
b. Product development
c. Test marketing
d. Commercialization
14. According to the governing bodies of common
laws, the life of trade secret is:
a. 12 years
b. 17 years
c. 20 years
d. As long as
it remains confidential
15. Which of the following is used by entrepreneurs
to acquire experience in an
international market before making a major
commitment?
a. Merger
b. Joint venture
c. Minority
interest
d. Majority interest
16. The evaluation criteria for the new product
should include all of the following
except:
a. Determination of market demand
b.
Determination of the suppliers
c. Pricing and marketing policies of other competing
firms
d. Product should be profitable
17. Licensing is a significant marketing strategy
to:
a. Use intellectual property of others
b. Pirate others’ patents
c. Grow the
business in new markets
d. Control the costs
18. Automated stock replenishment, electronic
selling and processing of customers
orders and payments are examples of:
a. E-business
b. E-commerce
c. E-trading
d. E-transaction
19. The longest lasting trade agreement with the
objective of liberalizing trade by
eliminating or reducing tariffs, subsidies and
quotas is _________.
a. Free trade area – FTA
b. European community – EC
c. General
agreement on tariffs and trade – GATT
d. The north American free trade agreement – NAFTA
20. The most important characteristic of a
successful business website is
a.
Speed
b. Innovation
c. Graphics
d. Products
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:27 pm
1. The _______ plan shows
whether the business is economically feasible or not.
a. Financial
b. Business
c. Economic
d. Marketing
2. In which of the following,
the ownership of venture is reflected by ownership of
shares of stock?
a. Partnership
b. Limited partnership
c. Corporation
d. Proprietorship
3. Bankers say that most
businesses fail because of the _____ inability to plan
properly.
a. Investor’s
b. Marketer’s
c. Entrepreneur’s
d. Consultant’s
4. The _________ of a venture
could be that the company has experience in related
business.
a. Strength
b. Weakness
c. Opportunity
d. Threat
5. The marketing plan should
focus on strategies and for the first year, goals and
strategies should be projected
__________.
a. Daily
b. Weekly
c. Monthly
d. Quarterly
6. Which of the following is
not a characteristic of marketing plan?
a. It should provide a strategy
to accomplish the company mission
b. It should provide for the
use of existing resources
c. It should be simple and
short
d. It should be rigid
7. Secondary data can be
obtained from all of the following sources, except:
a. Internet
b. Magazine
c. Bureau of statistics
d. Focus group
8. Which of the following is
one of the simplest form and lowest in entry costs.
a. Direct mail marketing
b. Online marketing
c. Sales promotion
d. Export marketing
9. In ________, the death of
entrepreneur results in the termination of venture.
a. Proprietorship
b. Limited company
c. Limited partnership
d. Corporation
10. In partnership, the ability
to raise capital depends on the __________ of the
business.
a. Expansion
b. Success
c. Size
d. Nature
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:42 pm
1. Which of the following are NOT the Accredited
Investors?
a. Institutional investors
b. Investors who purchase less than $150,000 of the
issuer’s securities
c. Investors whose net worth is $1 million
d. Directors, officers, and general partners of the
issuing company
2. Advertising and publicity are used to:
a. Create awareness of the new venture
b. Communicate with customers
c. Promote the products
d. All of the given options ???
3. What is the practical maximum limit to the amount
of loan money guaranteed by
Small Business Administration?
a. $ ten thousand
b. $ hundred thousand
c. $ one million
d. There is no limit
4. All of the following should be followed by entrepreneur
for being effective
leader, EXCEPT:
a. Show respect for employees
b. Show concern for employees’ welfare
c. Try to do everything himself
d. Encourage and praise others
5. An entrepreneur may finance fixed assets by:
a. Inventory loans
b. Installment loans
c. Short-term debt
d. Long-term debt
6. The entrepreneur will find it easier to maintain
control over cash, disbursements
and inventory through:
a. Record keeping
b. Hiring new employees
c. Having more partners
d. Financial controls
7. Recruiting and hiring of new employees may occur
at which level?
a. Entry level
b. Middle management level
c. Senior management level
d. At all three levels
8. Which of the following is the oldest development
financing institution?
a. Small Business Finance Corporation
b. Khushhali Bank
c. Regional Development Finance Corporation
d. Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan
9. Under Rule 504 of Regulation D, a company can
sell up to ______ of securities in
any 12-month period.
a. $50,000
b. $100,000
c. $500,000
d. $1,000,000
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Subject: MGT602 2010 Sat May 29, 2010 6:59 pm
________________________________________
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The level at which an individual is viewed by society is called:
► Financial status
► Qualification
► Social status
► Achievement
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product Planning and Development Process?
► Idea Stage
► Product Planning Stage
► Product Development Stage
► Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT included in four C’s evaluation by lender?
► Character
► Cost
► Continuity
► Contribution
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is NOT essential part of the contract?
► All the parties involved should be named
► Transaction should be described in detail
► Obtain signatures of the persons involved
► Place where contract takes place
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the way by which an entrepreneur can enter into international business?
► Export
► Non equity arrangements
► Direct foreign investment
► All of the given options
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
► Middle ages
► 18th century
► 17th century
► 19th and 20th century
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Andrew Carnegie is an example of entrepreneur of which century:
► Earliest period
► 19th and 20th century
► Middle ages
► 17th century
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
► Finance and marketing
► Finance and R&D
► Marketing and R&D
► Marketing and IT
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Most of the finance for the new firm comes from following resources EXCEPT:
► Friends
► Foreign aid
► Relatives
► Personal savings
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What is the process by which individuals pursue opportunities without regard to resources they currently control?
► Startup management
► Entrepreneurship
► Financial analysis
► Feasibility planning
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a firm that achieves modest growth?
► High potential growth firm
► Foundation firm
► Life style
► Public company
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factors is the most important in forcing U.S companies to focus on new product development and increased productivity?
► Entrepreneurship
► Hyper competition
► Governmental laws
► Organizational culture
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following typical culture has a climate and reward system that favors conservative decision making?
► Entrepreneurial
► Intrapreneurial
► Corporate
► None of the given options
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What takes place during the product-evolution process?
► Innovation is developed and commercialized through entrepreneurial activity
► The product/service is evaluated and any scope of further development is charted
► The business branches into separate units of development and marketing
► The product/service is evaluated to identify its global marketability
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
All the following qualities are requisites for an entrepreneur Except:
► Driven by perception of opportunity
► Learning from business failure
► Cognitive adaptability
► Effectuation
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following factor does not differ in motivating male and female entrepreneurs?
► Independence
► Money
► Job satisfaction
► Opportunity
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the following EXCEPT:
► Motivation
► Business skills
► Departure point
► Goal orientation
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following may need the business plan?
► Employees
► Investors
► Advisors
► All of the given options
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following refers to new products with some technological change?
► Ordinary innovation
► Technological innovation
► Breakthrough innovation
► Technical innovation
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is/are known as barriers to new product creation and development?
► Trial and error
► Opportunity parameters
► Opportunity cost
► Intrapreneurial culture
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to research, when do the female entrepreneurs tend to start their first significant venture?
► In their mid 20s
► In their mid 30s
► In their mid 40s
► In their mid 50s
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements describes “International entrepreneurship”?
► It is the process of an entrepreneur conducting business activities across national boundaries
► It is the process of an entrepreneur conducting business activities within the national boundaries
► It is an innovative corporate management style that encourages employees within an organization to create new product ideas
► It is a business structure in which an individual and his company are considered a single entity for tax and liability purposes
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best describes the term “indirect exporting”?
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
► It refers to buying and selling of commodities
► It refers to a commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
► It refers to selling goods to another country through a person in the entrepreneur’s home country
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the term which best describes the term “management contracts”?
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
► It refers to buying and selling of commodities
► It is a commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
► It is method of doing specific international task
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best defines “minority interest”?
► It refers to having less than 50 percent ownership position
► It refers to forming a third company by combining two companies
► It refers to having more than 50 percent ownership position
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following centuries the people of Malaysia peninsula were converted from Islam?
► 14th century
► 15th century
► 16th century
► 17th century
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which best defines “reverse brainstorming”.
► It refers to groups of individuals providing in a structured format
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the negative
► It refers to a method for individuals to solve problems through one of four mechanisms
► It refers to a method for developing new ideas when the individuals are unaware of the problem
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which best defines “checklist method”
► It refers to developing a new idea through a list of related issues
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the negative
► It refers to a method for individuals to solve problems through one of four mechanisms
► It refers to a method for developing new ideas when the individuals are unaware of the problem
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by focusing on problems?
► Problem inventory analysis
► Gordon method
► Checklist method
► Scientific method
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements best defines “forced relationship”?
► It refers to developing a new idea through a chain of word associations
► It refers to developing a new idea by looking at product combinations
► It refers to developing a new idea through inquiry and testing
► It refers to developing a new idea by evaluating the worth of aspects of ideas
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
How many major stages of “product planning and development process” are there?
► Four
► Five
► Six
► Seven
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following denote no relationship between the mark and the goods or services?
► Coined marks
► Arbitrary marks
► Suggestive marks
► Descriptive marks
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A design patent has a term of:
► 20 years
► 14 years
► 10 years
► 40 years
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Lenders focus on four Cs of credit. Identify which of the following is NOT included in those four Cs.
► Character
► Cash flow
► Collateral
► Code of ethics
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 3 )
Briefly discuss licensing and its benefits.
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 5 )
What is a business plan and what purpose does it serve?
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss the role of “export management firm” in indirect exporting.
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________________________________________
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Location: islamabad
Subject: Re: MGT602 2010 Mon May 31, 2010 7:02 pm
________________________________________
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Individuals who help the entrepreneur in business activities are called:
► Role models
► Moral support networks
► Professional support networks
► Business support networks
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the problems in developing the economies EXCEPT:
► Gap of knowledge
► Variable rate of return
► Same communication style
► Different accounting system
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one the following is the best protection against product liability?
► Avoid negligence
► Warn consumers of any potential hazards
► Give warranty
► Avoid misrepresentation
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following reviews the trends and competitive strategies?
► Environmental analysis
► Product forecast
► Contingency plan
► Industry analysis
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A utility patent has a term of:
► 10 years
► 40 years
► 20 years
► 80 years
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following body issues patents?
► GATT
► NAFTA
► FTA
► PTO
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a more structured method of problem solving, including principles and rules for concept formation, making observations and experiments, and finally validating the hypothesis?
► Scientific method
► Heuristics
► Attribute listing
► Value analysis
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following gives suggestions for new product and also help to market new products?
► Existing products and services
► Distribution channels
► Federal government
► Consumers
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
GATT is established in 1947, under:
► German leadership
► French leadership
► U.S. leadership
► U.K. leadership
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
► Government
► Finance
► High interest rates
► Role models
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A foundation company is formed through which of the following?
► Fashion
► Most popular business
► A winding up company
► Research and development
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small businesses?
► Poor financial control
► Poor location
► Management mistakes
► Improper inventory control
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
► Developing successful business ideas
► Deciding to become an entrepreneur
► Growing the entrepreneurial firm
► Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT a phase of entrepreneurial process?
► Identification and evaluation of opportunity
► Development of business plan
► Deciding to become an entrepreneur
► Determination of required resources
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is not the intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
► Understands environment
► Encourage the team work
► Not flexible
► Persistent
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following system is necessary for expansion or elimination of intrapreneurial units?
► Management
► Evaluation
► Reward
► Training
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factor does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
► Nationality
► Education
► Personal values
► Work history
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Professional support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
► Personal affiliations
► Mentor
► Trade associations
► Friends
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
► Joint venture
► Management contracts
► Minority interest
► Merger
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of non-equity arrangements EXCEPT:
► Licensing
► Management contracts
► Direct export
► Turnkey projects
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to which of the following, an entrepreneur is the person who brings resources, labor, materials and other assets into combinations that increase their value?
► Economist
► Psychologist
► Businessman
► Sociologist
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following abilities must be possessed by an entrepreneur?
► Creative
► Conceptualization
► Understanding environment
► All of the given options
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following options can be very helpful to start-up new ventures?
► Seed Capital
► Infrastructure
► Technology
► Experience
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to Henning and Jardim, female executives tend to be the firstborn. Which of the following supports this research?
► Because firstborn has to be more responsible
► Because firstborn needs special care
► Because firstborn tends to be more flexible
► Because firstborn receives special attention
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In terms of personality, there are strong similarities between men and women entrepreneurs. Which of the following does not refer to this statement?
► Both are energetic
► Both are goal oriented
► They want to be independent
► Males are more confident than women
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following businesses women entrepreneurs prefer to start?
► Manufacturing
► Construction
► Educational services
► High-technology fields
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
“Paying for goods indirectly through another source” refers to:
► Barter
► Trading
► Third-party arrangement
► Balance of payment
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best defines “diversified activity merger”?
► It refers to combining two firms with noncompeting products
► It refers to forming a third company by combining two companies
► It refers to combining at least two totally unrelated firms
► It refers to combining at least two firms at different market levels
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements best defines “brainstorming”?
► It refers to groups of individuals providing in a structured format
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas and solutions
► It refers to a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by focusing on problems
► It refers to a method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the parameters
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which refers to “licensing”.
► It grants holder protection from others making, using or selling similar idea
► It may be a word, symbol, design or some combination that identifies the source of certain goods
► It protects original works of authorship
► It is a contractual agreement giving rights to others to use intellectual property in return for a royalty or fee
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following denote no relationship between the mark and the goods or services?
► Coined marks
► Arbitrary marks
► Suggestive marks
► Descriptive marks
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following trademarks is used to suggest certain features, qualities, ingredients or characteristics of a product or service?
► Coined mark
► Arbitrary mark
► Suggestive mark
► Descriptive mark
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Data that support the opportunity for the venture should be briefly stated in the executive summary. If this venture is an internet business, all of the following facts should be stated by an entrepreneur EXCEPT:
► Growth in the number of internet users
► Growth in the average amount of time spent on the internet
► Growth in sales dollars generated on the internet
► Growth rate of population
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following make the business plan difficult to control and implement?
► Too general goals and objectives
► Too specific goals and objectives
► Realistic goals and objectives
► None of the given options
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 3 )
Describe any three issues that should be addressed in executive summary.
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 5 )
Briefly discuss the status of entrepreneurship in Europe.
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss what kind of information should be mentioned in “description of venture” section of a business plan.
Read more: http://kingsitworld.forumotion.net/midterm-may-2010-latest-papers-f30/mgt602-2010-t97.htm#ixzz0xhlyFT79
Brainstorming
Written by Leon Smith
Generating many radical, creative ideas
Brainstorming is a popular tool that helps you generate creative solutions to a problem.
It is particularly useful when you want to break out of stale, established patterns of thinking, so that you can develop new ways of looking at things. It also helps you overcome many of the issues that can make group problem-solving a sterile and unsatisfactory process.
Used with your team, it helps you bring the diverse experience of all team members into play during problem solving. This increases the richness of ideas explored, meaning that you can find better solutions to the problems you face.
It can also help you get buy in from team members for the solution chosen – after all, they were involved in developing that solution. What’s more, because brainstorming is fun, it helps team members bond with one-another as they solve problems in a positive, distraction-free environment.
Why Use Brainstorming?
Conventional group problem-solving can be fraught with problems. Confident, "big-ego" participants can drown out and intimidate quieter group members. Less confident participants can be too scared of ridicule to share their ideas freely. Others may feel a pressure to conform with the group view, or are held back by an excessive respect for authority. As such, group problem-solving is often ineffective and sterile.
By contrast, brainstorming provides a freewheeling environment in which everyone is encouraged to participate. Quirky ideas are welcomed, and many of the issues of group problem-solving are overcome. All participants are asked to contribute fully and fairly, liberating people to develop a rich array of creative solutions to the problems they're facing.
“Brainstorming 2.0”
The original approach to brainstorming was developed by Madison Avenue advertising executive, Alex Osborn, in the 1950s. Since then, many researchers have explored the technique, and have identified issues with it.
The steps described here seek to take account of this research, meaning that the approach described below differs subtly from Osborn's original one.
What Is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem-solving with lateral thinking. It asks that people come up with ideas and thoughts that can at first seem to be a bit crazy. The idea here is that some of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to the problem you're trying to solve, while others can spark still more ideas. This approach aims to get people unstuck, by "jolting" them out of their normal ways of thinking.
During brainstorming sessions there should therefore be no criticism of ideas: You are trying to open up possibilities and break down wrong assumptions about the limits of the problem. Judgments and analysis at this stage stunt idea generation.
Ideas should only be evaluated at the end of the brainstorming session – this is the time to explore solutions further using conventional approaches.
Individual Brainstorming
While group brainstorming is often more effective at generating ideas than normal group problem-solving, study after study has shown that when individuals brainstorm on their own, they come up with more ideas, and often better quality ideas, than groups of people who brainstorm together.
Partly this occurs because, in groups, people aren’t always strict in following the rules of brainstorming, and bad group behaviors creep in. Mostly, though, this occurs because people are paying so much attention to other people’s ideas that they're not generating ideas of their own – or they're forgetting these ideas while they wait for their turn to speak. This is called "blocking".
When you brainstorm on your own, you'll tend to produce a wider range of ideas than with group brainstorming - you do not have to worry about other people's egos or opinions, and can therefore be more freely creative. For example, you might find that an idea you’d be hesitant to bring up in a group session develops into something quite special when you explore it with individual brainstorming. Nor do you have to wait for others to stop speaking before you contribute your own ideas.
You may not, however, develop ideas as fully when you brainstorm on your own, as you do not have the wider experience of other members of a group to help you.
Tip:
When Brainstorming on your own, consider using Mind Maps to arrange and develop ideas.
Group Brainstorming
When it works, group brainstorming can be very effective for bringing the full experience and creativity of all members of the group to bear on an issue. When individual group members get stuck with an idea, another member's creativity and experience can take the idea to the next stage. Group brainstorming can therefore develop ideas in more depth than individual brainstorming.
Another advantage of group brainstorming is that it helps everyone involved to feel that they’ve contributed to the end solution, and it reminds people that other people have creative ideas to offer. What’s more, brainstorming is fun, and it can be great for team-building!
Brainstorming in a group can be risky for individuals. Valuable but strange suggestions may appear stupid at first sight. Because of this, you need to chair sessions tightly so that ideas are not crushed, and so that the usual issues with group problem-solving don’t stifle creativity.
How to Use the Tool:
You can often get the best results by combining individual and group brainstorming, and by managing the process carefully and according to the "rules" below. That way, you get people to focus on the issue without interruption (this comes from having everyone in a dedicated group meeting), you maximize the number of ideas you can generate, and you get that great feeling of team bonding that comes with a well-run brainstorming session!
To run a group brainstorming session effectively, do the following:
• Find a comfortable meeting environment, and set it up ready for the session.
• Appoint one person to record the ideas that come from the session. These should be noted in a format than everyone can see and refer to. Depending on the approach you want to use, you may want to record ideas on flip charts, whiteboards, or computers with data projectors.
• If people aren’t already used to working together, consider using an appropriate warm-up exercise or ice-breaker.
• Define the problem you want solved clearly, and lay out any criteria to be met. Make it clear that that the objective of the meeting is to generate as many ideas as possible.
• Give people plenty of time on their own at the start of the session to generate as many ideas as possible.
• Ask people to give their ideas, making sure that you give everyone a fair opportunity to contribute.
• Encourage people to develop other people's ideas, or to use other ideas to create new ones.
• Encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among members of the group. Try to get everyone to contribute and develop ideas, including the quietest members of the group.
• Ensure that no one criticizes or evaluates ideas during the session. Criticism introduces an element of risk for group members when putting forward an idea. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session.
• Let people have fun brainstorming. Encourage them to come up with as many ideas as possible, from solidly practical ones to wildly impractical ones. Welcome creativity!
• Ensure that no train of thought is followed for too long. Make sure that you generate a sufficient number of different ideas, as well as exploring individual ideas in detail.
• In a long session, take plenty of breaks so that people can continue to concentrate.
Taking Your Brainstorming Further...
If you're still not getting the ideas you want, try using these approaches to increase the number of ideas that you generate:
• The Stepladder Technique - This improves the contribution of quieter members of the group, by introducing ideas one person at a time.
• Brainwriting - Brainwriting uses a written approach to brainstorming to generate and develop ideas. This helps you get ideas from all individuals, and develop these ideas in depth.
• Brain-netting - This is similar to Brainwriting, but uses an electronic document stored on a central server.
• The Crawford's Slip Approach – The Crawford's Slip Approach helps you get plenty of ideas from all participants in your session, and gives you a view of the popularity of each idea.
The techniques below help you in specific brainstorming situations:
• Reverse Brainstorming – This is useful for improving a product or service.
• Starbursting – Starbursting helps you brainstorm the questions you need to ask to evaluate a proposal.
• Charette Procedure – This procedure helps you brainstorm effectively with large groups of people. (Conventional brainstorming is cumbersome and increasingly ineffective when more than 10 to 12 people are involved.)
Where possible, participants in the brainstorming process should come from as wide a range of disciplines as possible. This brings a broad range of experience to the session and helps to make it more creative. However, don’t make the group too big – as with other types of teamwork, groups of 5 to 7 people are often most effective.
Key Points:
Brainstorming is a useful way of generating radical solutions to problems, just as long as it's managed well. During the brainstorming process there is no criticism of ideas, and free rein is given to people's creativity (criticism and judgment cramp creativity.)
This tends to make group brainstorming sessions enjoyable experiences, which are great for bringing team members together. Using brainstorming also helps people commit to solutions, because they have participated in the development of these solutions.
The best approach to brainstorming combines individual and group brainstorming. Group brainstorming needs formal rules for it to work smooth
How to Brainstorm
Brilliant Ideas for Your Blog
by Dean Rieck • 53 Comments
Brainstorming is one of the most powerful creative techniques ever devised. When used properly, it can produce more and better ideas than any other process. It’s based on the concept that two heads (or three, or four, or more) are better than one.
Many would argue that you can’t create by committee. I agree. Writing and other creative acts are best performed by individuals. Creating by committee, well . . . sucks.
But brainstorming is not about executing ideas. It’s simply about coming up with ideas. And it is almost always more productive as a group activity. The result of a brainstorming session should be a long list of potential ideas which you can evaluate at a later time, acting only on the best.
Sure, you’ll come up with a ton of dumb ideas, but so what? Once you get the ideas flowing, the great ideas will float to the top. And some of those ideas that seem dumb end up being pretty smart — once you try them.
It’s like panning for gold. You have to sift through a lot of sludge to get to the shiny nuggets.
How to brainstorm with other bloggers
If you interact with other bloggers frequently, you probably do a little informal brainstorming already. It’s not just a good way to solve problems, it’s a great way to keep your blog fresh and interesting.
In fact, I’m thinking about brainstorming for bloggers specifically because more and more bloggers are beginning to work together to write blogs, create products, promote each other’s content, and feed off of each other’s energy and ideas.
If you’ve had bad luck with brainstorming, it’s probably because you did it in a stuffy corporate environment where no one feels free to really open up. But if you can assemble the right group of people who feel comfortable with each other, a brainstorming session can be like throwing a match into a room full of firecrackers. There’s a sudden and powerful chain reaction.
What can you brainstorm?
Anything that will benefit from sharper ideas is good fodder for a brainstorming session. Try brainstorming ideas for post topics (or perhaps a series of posts), product ideas, marketing angles, positioning for your business, contests, link building strategies . . . the sky’s the limit.
Here are a few suggestions for creating some fireworks of your own. These guidelines are intended for in-person sessions, so if you plan to brainstorm by Skype, chat, or other means, you may want to adapt the rules a little.
Before your session . . .
Select a leader. When I conduct a session, I often serve as both leader and participant. It works for me, but you may want to select a leader who will remain fairly quiet while the others let their imagination go wild. The leader also needs to keep the group on track and on a time schedule, stifle negative statements, help the group develop ideas fully, and assure that each member contributes.
Define your problem. The leader should write a clear definition for the problem the group will address. All you need is a sentence or two that clearly outlines the situation.
Create an agenda. Outline what topics you want to cover. Prepare a few ideas in advance to get things started, and be prepared to suggest questions to keep the ideas flowing.
Set time limits. How much time you spend depends on the group’s endurance and everyone’s schedule, but it’s usually best to keep it short — 15 to 45 minutes. If you go longer, take frequent breaks to keep people fresh.
Set quotas. The idea is to work fast and produce lots of ideas, which will be evaluated at another time. So decide on a quota, such as a minimum of 100 ideas. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. If you come up with just two ideas a minute, you’ll have 120 in an hour. You can set an overall quota or individual quotas for each topic.
Select your group and announce a session. Choose a mixed group whose blogs are at about the same level to participate. Avoid control freaks and people who need to monopolize the conversation. When you set things up, don’t call it a “meeting.” That conjures images of big oak tables and idiots in neckties. Call it a “session.”
Circulate background information. Prime session participants with a simple statement of the problem, background information, and examples of the kind of ideas you’re looking for.
During your session . . .
Review the problem and background information. Don’t put people to sleep, just quickly go over the problem, background data, and what you hope to accomplish. If there are questions, answer them before you get started.
Establish the ground rules.
1. Each session participant must contribute ideas or add to another’s ideas.
2. No one may criticize or evaluate any idea. Alex F. Osborn in Applied Imagination said it best: “Think up or shut up.”
3. No one will hold back ideas. When something comes to mind, say it.
4. The group will encourage wild, out-of-the box thinking.
5. The goal of the session is quantity, not quality. Quality will be evaluated later.
6. Develop ideas fully. Participants should hitchhike ideas on the ideas of others to produce more and better ideas.
7. Once an idea is developed, the group will move on.
Take detailed notes. Whether written or typed, someone needs to rapidly capture the flow of ideas as they occur. One option is to record the session and transcribe the recording. I’ve found that a combination of note taking and recording works best. The notes serve as an outline of the major topics covered and the recording fills in the details.
After your session . . .
Allow for the incubation of further ideas. If you’ve had a productive session, ideas will continue to occur to people for hours or days after the session. Ask everyone to write down these ideas and submit them later to record along with the main session notes.
Type up and circulate all the ideas generated. The final product of a session will be a multi-page document that lists every single idea created. Nothing should be edited. Organize or classify these ideas for later evaluation. Don’t be surprised if you have literally hundreds of ideas.
Evaluate your ideas and choose the best. The same group can evaluate the ideas or another group can. It’s often best for those responsible for the problem to evaluate the ideas, but you can run into “idea ownership” problems. On the other hand, another group may not be able to grasp the significance of many of the ideas generated. You’ll have to experiment.
When the dust settles, you should find yourself with some surprisingly good ideas. And the whole process often energizes all the participants.
Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work perfectly the first time. It usually doesn’t. Assembling the right group, creating an open atmosphere, and producing the best results often takes time. As with so many other things in life, practice makes perfect.
For more tips on being creative, read 10 easy ways to instantly energize your creative powers at my Pro Copy Tips blog.
About the Author: Dean Rieck is one of America’s top freelance copywriters and publisher of the Direct Creative Blog and Pro Copy Tips, a blog that provides copywriting tips for smart copywriters.
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Comments
1. Raul Sim says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:09 am
I agree! Most of us think that our ideas are bad, or unsuccessful. But if we challenge ideas to flow, we will get to the good ones, even great ones, even best ones!
Reply
2. Todd says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:11 am
“It’s like panning for gold”
That sums it up very nicely. I’ve thought that before. Throw out as many ideas as possible, and hold nothing back. You just never know what will surface.
“2. No one may criticize or evaluate any idea.”
This is , IMO, THE most important rule. It should be number 1. Much like the 2nd Amendment, without it, the rest would be for naught.
Reply
3. Oleg Mokhov says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:15 am
Hey Dean,
The best ideas often come from those fresh to the industry they’re working in, coming from another one. They’re not yet limited to the rules and can see things from an outside perspective.
What a great idea to take a method–brainstorming–that is constantly used in other fields of work and applying it to blogging.
Interesting you mention that bloggers already brainstorm ideas through networking and communication.
I’ve found that mini-brainstorms sometimes happen when leaving high-quality comments on articles.
Not just a comment agreeing, but further discussing by adding an additional point, constructively criticizing something, bringing up a question, and so forth.
The author of the article replies with further discussion. Sometimes they mention getting an idea from the comment, or not seeing a certain side of the topic, and I get ideas while participating in a discussion on a topic I might’ve not otherwise thought about.
I’ll have to try a formal blogging brainstorming session now.
Here’s to effective idea generation, the sifting of the crap to get to the gold nuggets,
Oleg
Reply
4. Jonathan Frei says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:25 am
this is good stuff. I often have trouble coming up with ideas to write about on my own, but far more trouble colaborating on the end product.
You have it right: come up with ideas as a group, execute as an individual.
Reply
5. Nick@Subject2.com says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:38 am
A lot of great information here. I recently started brainstorming with a few other bloggers in my industry. We’ve started appearing on each others blog as guest writers. It’s been great so far.
If you’re a big dummy like me, brainstorming with other bloggers is a great idea.
Reply
6. Henri @ Wake Up Cloud says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:42 am
Nice! This is like a mini-guide to brainstorming. I never knew there were so many rules. I’ve had excellent results with brainstorming with others when I run into trouble.
Often my problems are solved within 10 minutes. Amazing how effectively it works sometimes. I’ve also found it effective to just write everything out on paper if I’m alone and can’t get ahold of anyone.
Reply
7. Sean Platt says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:46 am
I love collaboration. It’s hands down one of my favorite things about working online. I’m no longer limited by proximity, something that makes more difference than I ever imagined.
However, I’ve never thought to bat 100 ideas back and forth in a single session. I usually like to keep it at about a dozen and explore each a bit deeper. I love the idea of machine gun brainstorming, though.
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8. Eric says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:57 am
This all ties into the general trend of open sourcing and mass collaboration. I am big on making people realize that there is always something to learn from any successful endeavor that can apply to and benefit your own. Mass collaboration is successful, so why not apply it to your own projects? Blogging is still in its early forms as a source of information and knowledge. Collaboration will surely be one of the trends that defines the future of blogging.
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9. Phil says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:17 am
My problem is that I have too many ideas, and not enough judgment about which of these ideas should be acted on, and which discarded. Also, it’s of course easier to have an idea than to implement it, so the pile of competing ideas grows ever larger. Sigh… The end result of this process can be rather confusing.
For my Christmas gift wish, I dream this blog might have a forum where each of us could start a thread listing the project ideas we’re considering, and others could compassionately jump in could help kill some of the ideas off.
Reverse-Brainstorming.com: A forum where bad ideas go to die (thus saving the idea owner a lot of work!).
No kidding, I have lots of bad ideas to contribute to the cause, and would donate hosting, software and tech support for such a forum, should the leaders of this blog ever find that helpful.
Reply
10. Michael Deutch says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:21 am
Dean,
One of my favorite brainstorming techniques is the reverse brainstorm. It helps people warm up and get out of an idea rut.
The method is simple. Take any problem and reverse it. Then, brainstorm. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to start the ideas flowing. Once you’ve hit your idea quota, reverse the ideas again.
For instance…start with something like “how can we improve customer support in 2010″ and make it “how can we have horrible customer support in 2010″. From there, brainstorm ways to deliver awful service. When you hit your idea quota, reverse the ideas back and you’ll have ways to ensure quality customer service. Prioritize them and either develop plans for action or brainstorm some more.
Reply
11. Sean Platt says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:26 am
@Phil – to blend last week’s conversation with this one, a forum like that is one of the benefits of paid content. Both Teaching Sells and Sonia’s Remarkable Marketing Blueprint have forums where members who don’t necessarily know one another outside of the forum are able to collaborate on ideas, ask for help with ideas, or engage in general brainstorming with other creatives and business people.
Reply
12. Sonia Simone says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:39 am
@Michael, that is a cool technique and one I hadn’t thought of in awhile, thanks!
@Phil, what Sean said. And it’s just possible we may have something along those lines coming up for you soon.
Reply
13. Phil says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:52 am
Thanks Sean and Sonia. Just entered the world of Sonia via her newsletter course signup form, looking forward to the series and learning more.
Reply
14. Tyler says:
December 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Dean, great post, I’ve used brainstorming in the “corporate environment” many times with mixed results. My experience is that a concise definition of the problem is key, along with a skilled leader/moderator to keep things flowing and on track.
I would love to see a follow-up post on conducting brain-storming sessions online so that I can have brain-storming sessions with my fellow bloggers without having to leave my computer.
Reply
15. JudyAnn Lorenz says:
December 21, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Echoing Sonia! Michael, that is an idea I’m going to apply — the reverse bit.
Phil, YES to a lively forum. I’m remote; communication with other bloggers will be mostly in the blog-i-sphere.
I’m ready to move my blogging up a notch.
Reply
16. Annie says:
December 21, 2009 at 1:11 pm
This is an absolute necessity for businesses and it does not happen nearly enough!! Thanks for the guidelines. They are a great help especially to those companies that feel like a fish out of water of where to even start brainstorming.
I liked the comment about reverse brainstorming! Great idea!
Reply
17. Erin says:
December 21, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hey Dean,
It’s been getting a lot of press lately, but have you heard about skribit (http://skribit.com/)? It’s a really great community for bloggers to bounce ideas off of each other- to put it simply.
It might be a bit of a brainstorming shortcut in that you’re not generating the ideas with a team at a table in a conference room, but I think it’s a really great way to utilize the internet for this sort of thing.
It’s also a nice home for all those fantastic ideas that you come up with that have absolutely nothing to do with what you write about.
Reply
18. Nick@Subject2.com says:
December 21, 2009 at 2:31 pm
@Michael, great idea! I never thought of it in that way. That can completely open the flood gates for brainstorming. Thanks a lot for that.
Reply
19. Harry Waisbren says:
December 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm
One part of this (excellent) post that might warrant further discussion is a contrast you make early:
“Many would argue that you can’t create by committee. I agree. Writing and other creative acts are best performed by individuals. Creating by committee, well . . . sucks.”
I’m not sure if this is entirely true, although undoubtedly there is a massive uphill struggle to create by committee. Even when done successfully the process might suck, but the result certainly wouldn’t.
For example, this begs the question of whether a transcendent rock group is a group of individuals reaching inspiration on their own, or whether they inspire each other through their team chemistry to something much greater than the sum of its parts.
The creative process is a deeply personal experience, and I consider blogging to entail this process considering the transparent and open nature of the writing. Yet, could bloggers do more than brainstorm together, and collaborate as a team of play-writes would through their deep chemistry?
I’m unsure, but as blogging becomes increasingly ubiquitous and collaboration is made easier by new technologies and practices, I am sure that this form of the creative process will be increasingly tested.
Reply
20. Laura Belgray says:
December 21, 2009 at 3:07 pm
@michael, I LOVE the reverse brainstorm strategy. Going to use that from now on.
My other go-to, similar but not exactly the same, is “stupidest ideas you can think of.”
I even use this when I brainstorm by myself. Because even with no one else in the room, I’m ashamed to write down stupid ideas. I always hit “delete.”
Unless, of course, stupid ideas are the point.
Reply
21. Matt says:
December 21, 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is a great piece. To continue to increase the quality of content, bloggers and I believe freelancers in general will need to lean on the strengths of others to achieve brilliance.
You might want to see that idea in practice. Our local projects Madison Ave. Collective and Matchbook focus on bringing together freelance creatives to do good work.
Reply
22. Garry says:
December 21, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Dean – EXCELLENT article! I just forwarded this to my Mastermind team that meets every week. This could spice up the group for sure!!
From past experience Ground Rule #2 is key. “Think up or shut up!” …. brilliant! We used to have a rule in our management meetings – NO STUPID IDEAS. Every idea was valued, accepted, given true and honest consideration. Absolutely essential.
Thanks again for the article!
Garry
Reply
23. Garry says:
December 21, 2009 at 5:45 pm
We currently have a guy working with us on staff that starts out a wild and crazy idea with, “I’m not even sure I think this is a good idea – but, it’s in my head so I’m going to share it!”
We encourage that sentiment during all brainstorming sessions. I am amazed at the ideas that seemed crazy the first time I heard them……..
Garry
Reply
24. Linda Faulkner says:
December 21, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Great ideas for brainstorming for ANYTHING!
Reply
25. Aglo@Travel Guide says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Agreed with your brainstorm idea, like 7 points of ground rules would more helpfull in session. Some time we are forgotten in time limits and don’t know what’s the right topic!
Reply
26. Eric C says:
December 22, 2009 at 1:30 am
I would recommend going no longer than 15 minutes, it is just too hard and unproductive after that.
Reply
27. Jenny Pilley says:
December 22, 2009 at 3:16 am
Great post! We often use this method in our office in smaller groups and proves to be effective. If there is someone with more knowledge about a topic it’s a great way to understand more than just reading about it. It also provides the opportunity to pose questions and get a better understanding yourself without feeling conscious that you’re going off on the wrong track.
Reply
28. Mikkel "DaneBlogger" Juhl says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:29 am
I have never been good at brainstorming to be honest. When I lie in bed, I often come with ideas there.
But I’ll definitely try brainstorming again. Definitely an awesome idea, brainstorm session for the win!
Reply
29. Jose Anajero says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:37 am
In the office where I used to work, we would also brainstorm for ideas from time to time. But Dean’s post reminds me of guidelines how to do it more effectively. And of course, it’s nice to see how brainstorming can be applied in generating ideas for blogging too.
I wonder if you can brainstorm alone. Is that technically possible too?
Thanks once again Brian.
Jose
Reply
30. Andrew @ WeBuildYourBlog.com says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:48 am
This is really a great post! I agree with your description of a leader. A leader should really have more time to listen and to encourage others to participate. It doesn’t mean that if you’re the leader, your ideas are always true and correct.
Reply
31. Heather Villa says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:20 am
A good brainstorming session will just feed off itself. I have found that getting started is the hardest part, but once the process starts, it’s like a ball rolling down hill, the ideas just keep coming and sometimes they come very fast. Great post with lots of useful tips!
Reply
32. Cecilia @ CeciliaEdwards.com says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:51 am
A great tool to use to capture thoughts during a brainstorming session is a mind map. There are software versions (e.g. Mindjet, my favorite MindGenius, and free version like Free Mind) that allow you to rapidly capture thoughts and link them together.
Using the software allows you to re-organize everything when you are done without a lot of hassle.
I am very much in favor of capturing the thoughts and making them available visibly during the session versus only recording. It seems to help keep people engaged.
With the ability to share screens, this can still be done with remote participants.
Reply
33. Darni says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:57 am
I like brainstorming.I usually use it to find the topic of my article.Even dumb ideas can give me some inspiration.
Reply
34. internet marketing specialist says:
December 22, 2009 at 7:39 am
That’s really brilliant. Getting ideas by talking to other bloggers is a great way to come up with creative ideas. There are days when you feel totally drained and your brain is not working right. By the help of others, you get to have that light bulb switch on instantly.
Reply
35. Joshua Black- Underdog Millionaire says:
December 22, 2009 at 9:44 am
Good work Dean. Another brainstorming trick that I like to use is that every member of the team can write their ideas down and introduce them altogether, maybe a non-biased thrid party can type them all up. This way no one can get a brilliant idea shot down, and the importance of coming up with an idea as a team shows more than the importance of the individual trying to push for their idea to go through.
Reply
36. The IMC Team says:
December 22, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Love this — it brings some structure to a creative process where so many of us don’t know where to begin.
Reply
37. Andee Sellman, One Sherpa says:
December 22, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Great thought Dean.
One area where we ‘brainstorm’ is with the use of a keyword research tool. It’s one thing to come up with a great idea but a completely different matter to get a post discovered by the search engines.
So we use a tool called Market Samurai http://www.marketsamurai.com
What I do is think of a topic and then use the tool to expand that idea and find different ways of thinking about that topic.
The net result is always something different but within certain parameters where we’re trying to increase our depth of content in a particular area and keyword intensity
Reply
38. Rupert Alistair says:
December 22, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Dean, I agree with you completely on this one.
I use brainstorming to develop ideas for my blog every day. It keeps my content fresh, quality and interesting (at least that’s what my readers say).
Reply
39. Ralph Leon says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I like the bit on not holding back on ideas. I think this is a big problem for a lot of people, especially when they are with a new group of people. I have found that my best ideas come from the most odd and fun comments and concepts.
@Micheal Haven’t heard of that yet and it sounds brilliant. Next time I am in a brain storming session I am going to have to try that one. Sounds like a good way to start thinking out of the box.
Reply
40. Codrut @ Blog Post Ideas says:
December 23, 2009 at 8:52 am
For # Andee Sellman, One Sherpa
I’ve used marketsamurai, and that’s one of the best tools out there, not to mention the free tutorials they have on their site.
I think this is a great starting point to get new and fresh blog ideas, that you can expand later on, and you get ranked in Google for your posts too, as an added bonus
Reply
41. Deborah says:
December 27, 2009 at 9:41 am
Great post. I’ll add this link to my Facebook Redwood Writers (California Writers Club). I think this would be a great workshop for writers who are developing their book platforms. Thanks!
Reply
42. zhaoyizhan says:
December 28, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Great post. I’ll add this link to my Facebook Redwood Writers (California Writers Club). I think this would be a great workshop for writers who are developing their book platforms. Thanks!
Reply
43. Kian Ann says:
January 2, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I like to keep an “idea bank” for blog posts – and then let it sink in there for a while, and slowly but surely, the ideas on how to craft the post (perspectives to take etc) will come out!
Reply
44. Jack Kinsella says:
January 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm
A great tip for getting really creative ideas in the initial brainstorming stage is to think about something completely unrelated, then try and connect that unrelated item back to the original problem.
Say, for example, you were brainstorming ideas to market your blog. Then you thought about a dog. Now you must find a way to connect the unrelated idea (the dog) with the target problem (marketing a blog). Here goes…..
A dog’s bark can be annoying, but does get attention – perhaps by making a loud annoying noise (or post) you could get your blog attention too.
Not too bad.
Reply
45. Daniel Johnston says:
January 6, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Sadly, because there are very few bloggers who are in my particular niche, I largely miss out on the brainstorming part. of course, that is also a HUGE advantage to have virtually no competition.
Reply
46. Learn Dropshipping says:
August 20, 2010 at 1:36 pm
This is an absolute necessity for businesses and it does not happen nearly enough!! Thanks for the guidelines. They are a great help especially to those companies that feel like a fish out of water of where to even start brainstorming.
I liked the comment about reverse brainstorming! Great idea!
Reply
Reverse Brainstorming – half as popular, twice as fun – I
Posted on March 15, 2010 by Adrian Dobre| Leave a comment
I recently prepared a training on a more peculiar creative problem-solving technique: Reverse Brainstorming. How does it work?
The groups work on the solutions.
The first important step is to come up with an explicit challenge or objective that the group can work upon. From my experience I observed people over discussing the challenge if they have to start the process at the beginning of the session. So, in order to save time, I prefer to ask the person in charge of the group – the responsible within the organization – to come up with a statement that is explicit and denotes a something that the organizations faces with. This should be done by him after he agrees with other participants. Agreement is a key word in this process.
Our particular example of a challenge was: How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT?
The second step is optional. After talking to people about the brainstorming technique I understood how little known are the steps and conventions of this process. Actually, many involved in informal education activities can’t distinguish the differences between a regular discussion and a brainstorming session. I prefer making a short, regular, brainstorming session in order to get people accustomed with the rules. I also choose a subject that is fun and can benefit from crazy, creative ideas that have sometimes little sense. This is used to relax and place the participants in a creative and fun mood.
Third step. The original challenge is reversed and this is where the actual fun starts. The name Reverse Brainstorming comes from the fact that you reverse the challenge and seek solutions for the reverse statement. Doesn’t make sense? It may not just yet, but remember to trust the process and it will all be revealed in the next steps.
Original challenge: How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT?
Reverse 1: How not to recruit the most suitable members for GLT? – Group 1.
Reverse 2: How to recruit the most unsuitable members for GLT? – Group 2.
Having fun is important
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Reverse Brainstorming – half as popular, twice as fun – II
Posted on March 22, 2010 by Adrian Dobre| Leave a comment
This is the second and last part of our Reverse Brainstorming series. Previously we went through the initial preparation, getting the participants accustomed with the process, contributing to the atmosphere and actually doing some work. The fun part. Now, we have to make something out of all these ideas. Buckle up, we go!
Step four. All the statements that the groups have written on their flip-charts are filtered. The first thing to do is to reverse the statements so as to be a solution for the original challenge. After reversing all the statement we can keep only the ones that are feasible. I recommend keeping the ones that did not make the cut in an archive. Who knows with what occasion they will be the next best thing in solving your problems?
A solution to Reverse 2 – How to recruit the most unsuitable members for GLT? – might be: We favour applicants who cheat, steal and lye. If they do heavy drugs, bring’ em on board.
Reversing so as to fit our initial challenge – How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT? – We favour applicants that prove to value integrity, honesty and have a constructive social conduct. We understand how the image of our members if closely connected with the one of the organization. If applicants are related to any illegalities, we will address this issue.
Sharing the solutions.
Step five. Again, an optional one. Technically, we completed the Reverse Brainstorming session. In our training we chose to wrap things more tightly so we included a “Make an Action Plan” stage. The objective: everything has a time-line, a responsible and some evaluation criteria.
In our example, the majority of the solutions people came up with were mostly related to the profile of the desired candidate. But people were proactive and went further. For some of the characteristics, they designed games and special moments in the selection process. All these were placed in the recruitment time-line.
Sixth step. The debriefing. Crucial for every training session, it comprises some sort of assessment – both for the participants and for the trainer. We went through brainstorming stages, rules and important things to remember.
This being said, I strongly encourage using this technique whenever finding solutions comes to a standstill. It is fun, dynamic and useful especially for coming up with flexible solutions to challenges.
Brainstorming is fun!
Brainstorming
What is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming is simply a means of getting a large number of ideas from a group of people in a short time. Brainstorming is great for marketers! Marketers can generate new creative ideas for products, services, solutions or concepts. Not only is brainstorming useful for creative thinking, but is can also be used for marketing problem solving and marketing decision making.
Successful brainstorming depends upon four key rules:
1. Suspend judgement.
2. Let yourself go and freewheel.
3. Go for quantity - quality implies evaluation (which means that you have not suspended judgement).
4. Cross-fertilize - pick up someone else's ideas and suggest others leading from it.
Steps in Brainstorming.
A. State the problem.
B. Restate the problem.
C. Select restatement.
D. Warm-up.
E. Brainstorm.
Oiling the Wheels
If brainstorming group dries up the leader can get the ideas flowing again by using any one of the following approaches:
1. Silent review - let the group review silently the ideas already generated in order to stimulate their thinking.
2. Quantity targets - encourage the group to go for 10, 50 or 100 ideas!
3. The one idea - get the group to focus on one idea and use that as a stimulus.
4. Select a restatement from the list the group produced earlier and brainstorm it.
5. Wildest idea - let the group silently review the ideas already generated in order to use the wildest idea as a stimulus for more productive ideas.
Evaluating ideas
1. Scrutinise all the ideas and pick out any that instantly jump out at you.
2. Sort the remaining ideas into groups of a manageable size and examine using some predefined criteria e.g. profitability or relative competitive advantage.
3. Subject ideas to reverse brainstorming. Ask the question 'In how many ways can this idea fail?'
Creative Thinking Techniques - Enhance Your Creativity
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Powerful Creative Thinking Techniques
If you're looking for creative thinking techniques to jump start your creativity, you've come to the right place.
As I explain in my lens "How to Be More Creative", creativity is a skill that can be learned. In the words of Edward de Bono, one of the giants in the field of creativity: "Creative thinking . . . empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and where appropriate profits."
In addition, an important step of the creativity process is applying creative thinking techniques to help nudge your thinking and get your creative juices flowing.
There are literally hundreds of ingenious creative thinking techniques for approaching problems in unconventional ways. In this lens you'll find ten powerful creative thinking techniques you can begin to apply right away to start generating ideas.
photo credit: neilbetter
Contents at a Glance
1. Assumption-Busting Techniques
4. Brainstorming at IDEO
5. Brainstorming
6. Brainstorming Links
more...
Ten Creativity Techniques
Here are the ten creativity techniques which are explained in this lens:
• Assumption-Busting Techniques
• Brainstorming
• Edison's Idea File
• Koinonia - Generate Ideas by Brainstorming With Others in Your Field
• Lateral Thinking
• The Lotus Blossom Approach
• Mind Maps
• More Creative Links
• Creativity Technique - Introduce a Random Element
• Reverse Brainstorming
• SCAMPER
• The Ten Most Popular Posts on My Blog
Assumption-Busting Techniques
Assumption-Busting Techniques
Assumptions are mental shortcuts: we assume that a situation we're facing is like other situations we've encountered before, and that what worked then will work once again. In fact, the more experienced we are in a particular area, the more likely we are to bring lots of baggage to the problem, which can inhibit us from finding novel and creative solutions.
In order to challenge your assumptions, write down all of the dominant ideas that apply to a particular situation and then deliberately challenge them. List all of the assumptions that you're making and next to each one write a counter-assumption - not necessarily its negation, but its opposite.
Once you drop preconceived notions you're more likely to find better solutions. One approach-suggested by Jurgen Wolff on his blog "Time to Write"-is to pretend that you're a Martian that has just landed on earth and is seeing things on this planet for the first time. This would put you in a position of questioning everything, seeing your problem or situation with completely fresh eyes, and taking nothing for granted.
photo credit: h.koppdelaney
Brainstorming
Brainstorming at IDEO
"Brainstorming is practically a religion at IDEO, one we practice nearly every day. Though brainstorms themselves are often playful, brainstorming as a tool - as a skill - is taken quite seriously. And in a company without many rules, we have a very firm idea about what constitutes a brainstorm and how it should be organised."
(Tom Kelly, The Art of Innovation)
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a process for generating new ideas in which specific rules and techniques are applied which encourage and spark off new ideas which would not have happened under normal circumstances.
The brainstorming rules are basically the following:
• Withhold judgment and criticism. During the first stage of a brainstorming session ideas are not evaluated in any way.
• Wild, seemingly wacky ideas are welcome.
• Go for quantity, not quality.
• Build off the ideas put forth by others.
• Mutate and Combine, that is, deliberately distort and modify existing ideas and deliberately try to build new ideas from combinations of existing ones.
photo credit: roland
Brainstorming Links
Is Brainstorming a Waste of Time?
Participate in the debate.
Brainstorming: Pros and Cons
Bob Sutton's take on brainstorming.
Perfect Brainstorming
The best-known and widely used team-based creative problem solving and creative thinking technique is brainstorming. One major reason why brainstorming is useful is that it helps to free us from 'fixed ideas'.
COCD Box: Improve Your Brainstorming Sessions
The COCD (Center for Development of Creative Thinking) developed a handy tool for creative thinking: the COCD Box. The purpose of the box is to further encourage outlandish thinking during brainstorming sessions. The process works as follows:
1. Ideas are generated during a brainstorming session and each one is given a number.
2. Each participant is given red, yellow, and blue sticking dots. The blue dots represent the plain, but realizable ideas. That is, those ideas that are closest to what is already being done. The red dots represent original, but realizable ideas (the "Wow" ideas). The yellow dots are attached to those ideas that are very original but are not realizable at the present moment.
3. Discuss which ideas should be assigned which dots.
The unique feature of this technique is that it encourages you to consider the yellow ideas, the dreams, the ideas of the future.
Edison's Idea File
Edison's Idea File
Edison's Idea File consists of keeping track of any good ideas that you come across by writing them down and storing them someplace where you'll easily find them when you need them.
As Mark Twain once said: "All ideas are second hand, consciously or unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources and used by the creative person with pride and satisfaction."
Koinonia
Koinonia - Generate Ideas by Brainstorming With Others in Your Field
Koinonia is a creativity technique explained by Michael Michalko's in his book "Thinkertoys":
To generate ideas, brainstorm with others in your field. Einstein, for instance, would freely exchange ideas and opinions with his colleagues. Michalko explains that Einstein would use a technique originated by Socrates in which the principles of Koinonia were applied. Koinonia means "spirit of fellowship."
photo credit: pvera
Koinonia Links
How to Encourage Collaboration on Your Team
The physicist David Bohm researched the lives of Einstein and his colleagues-Heisenberg, Pauli and Bohr-and discovered that they spent years openly bouncing ideas off each other. They exchanged concepts without trying to change the others' minds and without bitter argument. They felt free to propose whatever idea they conceived, establishing an extraordinary professional fellowship. This risk-free collaboration led to breakthroughs and discoveries that later became the foundations of modern physics.
An Interview with Thinkertoys & Cracking Creativity Author Michael Michalko
Koinonia Principles:
ESTABLISH DIALOGUE. In Greek, the word dialogue means "talking through." The Greeks believed that the key to establishing dialogue is to exchange ideas without trying to change the other person's mind.
CLARIFY YOUR THINKING. To clarify your thinking, you must suspend all untested assumptions. Being aware of your assumptions and suspending them allows thought to flow freely.
BE HONEST. Say what you think, even if your thoughts are controversial.
Lateral Thinking
"Seeking to solve problems by unorthodox or apparently illogical methods." Concise Oxford Dictionary"
Lateral Thinking
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way." - Edward de Bono
British physician, author, inventor, and consultant Edward de Bono has had a major impact on the way we think and particularly in the field of creativity. He coined the phrase "lateral thinking" which involves approaching problems from diverse, unexpected angles and from different perspectives. Dr. de Bono meant to differentiate lateral thinking-in which you nudge the mind to make sudden turns- from vertical thinking, which is logical and sequential thinking.
Our brains are "pattern recognition systems", which helps us to quickly evaluate our surroundings and respond accordingly. However, we can get stuck with patterns, which hinders our ability to generate new ideas. Lateral thinking seeks to provide techniques to nudge the brain out of its patterns.
Lateral thinking can be learned, and Dr. de Bono has created several techniques to help you apply lateral thinking to problem solving and idea generation. Some of these are the following: think of as many different alternatives for solving a problem as you possibly can; challenge any assumptions you may have about your problem; and insert random elements which will encourage you to look at the problem from a different and unexpected perspective.
photo credit: laffy4k
Lateral Thinking on Wikipedia
Lateral thinking is a term coined by Edward de Bono in the book New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking published in 1967; it refers to solving problems through an indirect and creative approach. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.
read the rest of the Wikipedia article
Creativity Quote
"There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all."
-- Edward de Bono
Lateral Thinking
Indigo - Dr. Edward de Bono discusses Lateral Thinking™
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Lateral Thinking - An Example
Ford Motor Company
Here's a great example of lateral thinking which I found on the blog Stepcase Lifehack:
Ford Motor Corporation asked Edward de Bono for advice on how they could clearly differentiate themselves from their many competitors in car manufacturing.
Ford had approached the problem of competing from the point of view of a car manufacturer and asked the question, "How can we make our cars more attractive to consumers?"
Dr. de Bono approached the problem from a completely different angle and asked the following question, "How can we make the whole driving experience better for Ford customers?"
The new entry point that was created by looking at a problem from a different perspective allowed Dr. de Bono to come up with the following idea: Ford should buy up parking lots in all the major city centers and make them available for Ford cars only.
Unfortunately, Dr. De Bono's innovative idea was too radical for Ford; they saw themselves as an automobile manufacturer with no interest in the parking lot business.
photo credit: kevindooley
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Three Lateral Thinking Puzzles
Here are three lateral thinking puzzles for you to try and resolve (the answers are provided below, but make an effort to resolve the problems before looking at the answer):
1. Acting on an anonymous phone call, the police raid a house to arrest a suspected murderer. They don't know what he looks like, but they know his name is John. Inside they find a carpenter, a taxi driver, a car mechanic and a fireman playing cards. Without even asking his name, they immediately arrest the fireman. How do they know they've got their man? (Source).
2. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him? (Source).
3. Look at the picture below with the nine dots. Can you connect the nine dots using 4 straight lines, without lifting your pencil from the paper and without retracing any lines?
Solutions to the Three Lateral Thinking Puzzles
The solution to the first problem above is that there was only one man sitting at the table; the other three, the carpenter, the taxi driver, and the mechanic were women.
As for the second problem, the safest room is the third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
For the third problem, the solution is to extend the lines beyond the square-frame created by the dots, as shown in the picture below:
Psychologists have speculated that the nine-dot problem is difficult because people are so dominated by the perception of a square that they don't "see" the possibility of extending lines outside the square formed by the dots.
Lateral Thinking Puzzles on Amazon
Outstanding Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
Cunning Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
Colorful Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
The Lotus Blossom Approach
The Lotus Blossom Approach
The lotus blossom approach works as follows: Describe the problem that you're facing and write it down on a card or Post-it Note and place it in the middle of a large working area. Use other tools for creating ideas to generate a set of ideas on how to solve the problem. Write each idea on a card or Post-it Note of its own and place it around the problem description. This is the first layer of the lotus blossom.
Make a copy of each of the idea cards and place them further out from the first layer. Now surround each of the copied idea cards with secondary ideas, using only the copied idea cards as stimuli. This should result in ideas which are further removed from the original problem. Look around the many ideas you now have and seek to link some of these back to the original problem.
photo credit: ellievanhoutte
Books on Creative Thinking Techniques
Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
by: Michael Michalko
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 08/26/2010)
Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius
by: Michael Michalko
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 08/26/2010)
101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business
by: James M. Higgins
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 08/26/2010)
How to Be More Creative
How to Be More Creative
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Mind Maps
Mind Maps
A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking. The concept was brought into the mainstream by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature and research on how humans think and how the brain works.
Mind maps can be used for all of the following:
- Personal goal setting
- Problem solving
- Writing a business plan
- Generating ideas
- Improving reading comprehension and retention
- Studying for exams
- Learning languages
Basically, you place an image at the center of a piece of paper which represents the subject matter of the mind map. Then you write down a key word that describes your topic. Next, you proceed to draw branches leading out from the central issue which represent the main associations that come from thinking of said issue. From each main association, you then branch out into sub-associations.
Make your branches organic and free flowing, instead of making them structured and rigid. Add just one word per branch. In addition, it's important to use color and images when creating your mind maps to further stimulate both memory and imagination.
photo credit: Philippe Boukobza
Tony Buzan on Mind Maps
"Mind Maps use letters and numbers and they also use color and image, which means that they engage the left and the right sides of the brain. This is why you can increase your thinking power synergistically when you use Mind Maps. Each side of the brain simultaneously feeds off and strengthens the other in a manner which provides limitless creative potential." (Mind Maps at Work, by Tony Buzan, pg. 9)
Maximise the Power of Your Brain - Tony Buzan MIND MAPPING
by iMindMap | video info
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Books on Mind Mapping
The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential
by: Tony Buzan, Barry Buzan
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 08/26/2010)
How to Mind Map: The Ultimate Thinking Tool That Will Change Your Life
by: Tony Buzan
Amazon Price: $11.09 (as of 08/26/2010)
Mind Mapping Step-by-Step
1. Get a plain sheet of paper and turn it so that it's on its landscape side. You're also going to need colored pens or pencils.
2. Mind maps represent a task or idea in pictorial form with a minimum of words. They rely on key pictures and key words that act as triggers. In the center of the page, draw a picture or image that represents the central concept of your mind map.
3. Use colors throughout. Adding images and colors stimulates right-brain thinking; that is, it stimulates creativity and imagination.
4. Write down a key word which represents the central idea. Throughout the mind map you'll use just one key word per line. Keywords exercise your analytical "left brain" and help you find the essence of your subject. A phrase or sentence locks the meaning of a word into a very restricted area. Using just one key word per line gives you the freedom to discover the maximum amount of creative associations for your key word. When you first start mind mapping, the temptation to use complete phrases will be enormous, but you should always look for opportunities to shorten phrases to a single word.
5. What are the main concepts or ideas that can be derived from the image and key word you've placed in the middle of the page? Draw anywhere from five to nine thick branches leading out from your central image/key word. Each of these branches represents a Basic Ordering Idea (BOI), and you're going to find an image and a key word for each.
6. Look at your main branches--your BOIs--and begin making free associations. Draw smaller sub-branches that stem from each BOI to accommodate the new associations you're making. Then connect third-level branches from the ends of the sub-branches, and so on. Let your mind work freely by association and have fun.
7. Make the branches curve and flow.
8. Use images throughout. The images make the mind map more interesting and more memorable. In addition, pictures generate far more associations than words do.
How to Make a Mind Map
How To Make A Mind Map - Version 2
by ukbraintrainer | video info
83 ratings | 90,230 views
curated content from YouTube
Mind Mapping Software
Mind Mapping Lens
Creating Mind Maps: Everything You Need to Know
A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking. The concept was brought into the mainstream by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature an...
More Creative Links
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You can overcome routine thinking and stimulate creative thought by using specific techniques that will help both stimulate and constrain your mind so that it can solve problems more effectively and generate more ideas.
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Random Element
Creativity Technique - Introduce a Random Element
A commonly used creativity technique is defining your problem and then introducing a random element--such as a word you pick randomly out of the dictionary or a magazine--and forcing an association between the word and the problem.
For example, suppose you can't fit your child's new mattress in your car. You look for a random object and the first thing you see is a dog. Dogs can often be seen in cars with their heads hanging out the window. This gives you the idea to open one of the back windows and let part of the mattress hang out the window. This way, you're able to get the mattress in the car.
Here are three random element techniques:
• Random Word: For more information on how to use the random word technique go here or here.
• Random Picture: For more information on how to use the random picture technique go here.
• False Rule: In addition, the random element that you introduce can be a "false rule". Basically, you take a rule, quote, idea or suggestion from somewhere else and apply it to your own situation. For example, apply the following rules to your problem: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line; if you hear hoofs think horses, not zebras; or, always disconnect the power supply before changing the light bulb. For more information on how to use the false rule technique go here.
Introducing random elements is an example of lateral thinking. For more information on lateral thinking, visit my post: Lateral Thinking - Think Out of the Box.
photo credit: emdot
Links on the False Rule Technique
False Rule Technique
To generate new ideas using this method you apply rules to your own probortunity which have already been applied to a different subject but which have not yet been applied to your own. You are taking a rule, quote, idea or suggestion from somewhere else and applying it to your own situation. For example: "Must be 18 or older"; "Refrigerate after opening"; and so on.
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Reverse Brainstoming
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse Brainstorming is a technique in which you state your problem in reverse: change a positive statement into a negative one, try to define what something is not, and so on. Basically, it's a combination of the well-known brainstorming technique with the technique of changing your perspective so that you can look at the problem or situation from a completely different angle.
For example, if you want to increase sales, make a list of all the things you could possibly do to decrease sales. These could include the following:
• Not making any calls to prospects.
• Being rude to customers.
• Showing poor product knowledge.
Then reverse engineer: How can I make more sales by making more sales calls? How can I increase sales by giving better service to my customers? A portion of the book "Cracking Creativity"--including a discussion of the reverse brainstorming technique--is available for free here.
Some more examples of reverse bainstorming:
- A real estate agent might ask: What would make it almost impossible to sell this house?
- Someone starting a web site might ask: What would make people click away from this site as soon as they land on it?
- A contractor competing for a job might ask: What can we do not to win this contract?
photo credit: gustaf wallen
SCAMPER
SCAMPER
The SCAMPER technique was developed by Bob Eberle. SCAMPER is an acronym which stands for questions relating to the following:
S - Substitute/Simplify: Think about substituting part of your product/process for something else. Typical questions include: What can I substitute to make an improvement? What if I swap this for that and see what happens?
C - Combine: Think about combining two or more parts of your problem to achieve a different product/process or to enhance synergy. Typical questions are: What materials, features, processes, people, products or components can I combine? Where can I build synergy?
A - Adapt: Think about which parts of the product/process could be adapted to remove the problem or think how you could change the nature of the product/process. Some typical questions that can be asked are: What part of the product could I change? And in exchange for what? What if I were to change the characteristics of a component?
M - Modify/distort: Think about distorting the product or process in an unusual way. Typical questions can include: What happens if I warp or exaggerate a feature or component? What will happen if I modify the process in some way?
P - Put to other Purposes: Think of how you might be able to put your current solution/ product/process to other purposes, or think of what you could reuse from somewhere else in order to solve your own problem. Typical questions are: What other market could I use this product in? Who or what else might be able to use it?
E - Eliminate: Think of what might happen if you eliminated various parts of the product/process/problem and consider what you might do in that situation. You can ask the following questions: What would happen if I removed a component or part of it? How else would I achieve the solution without the normal way of doing it?
R - Rearrange: Think of what you would do if part of your problem/product/process worked in reverse or was done in a different order. You can use this to see your problem from different angles and come up with new ideas. A typical question would be: What if I did it the other way round?
SCAMPER
Scamper
The SCAMPER technique uses a set of directed questions which you answer about your problem in order to come up with new ideas. The stimulus comes from forcing yourself to answer questions which you would not normally pose. The questions direct you to thinking about a problemin ways which typically come up with new ideas.
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Reverse Brainstorming
Description: It is simlart to the antonym of brainstorming. It leads you to think and depict the problem in the reverse way. Therefore, changing positive statement to negative statements is the main concept of it. Mainaly, it can be regarded as the combination technique from the brainstorming and having ubnormal perspective.
Negative Brainstorming
Negative (or Reverse) brainstorming requires a significant level of effort analysing a final short-list (rather the initial mass) of existing ideas. (see BulletProofing and Potential Problem Analysis ). Examining potential failures is relevant when an idea is very new, complex to implement or there is little margin for error. Negative brainstorming consists of a conventional BrainStorming session (or any other suitable idea-generation method) that is applied to questions such as: ‘What could go wrong with this project?’
Often referred to as the ‘tear-down’ method, because of its negativity can be advantageous and seen in a positive light when training implementers to deal with hostile criticism. However, even this example needs to be followed up with a constructive debrief to ensure the implementer feels encouraged and secure.
1. Brainstorm Displaying a comment such as ‘How not to solve the problem, i.e. how to really mess up implementing project X’ will generate much humour and unexpected ideas (which should be noted)
2. Identify a cluster i.e. comments said in different ways that mean the same thing ‘Staff only’; ‘don’t tell non-staff’, reverse the cluster to give a single positive comment e.g. ‘tell those involved’
Reverse Brainstorming
A different approach to brainstorming
Related variant: "Negative Brainstorming"
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems by combining brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two "reverse" questions:
Instead of asking, "How do I solve or prevent this problem?" ask, "How could I possibly cause the problem?"
Instead of asking "How do I achieve these results?" ask,"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
How to Use the Tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
2. Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
"How could I possibly cause the problem?", or
"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
4. Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
5. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are "trying their best" and there is no appetite to "waste time" talking about this.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way.
Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual "good ideas" that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
• "How do we improve patient satisfaction?"
Then she reverses problem statement:
• "How do we make patients more dissatisfied?"
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the "reverse" ideas:
• Double book appointments.
• Remove the chairs from the waiting room.
• Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them).
• Have patients wait outside in the car park.
• Discuss patient's problems in public.
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the "reverse" solutions. Now it's time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. Well, resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
"Well of course we don't leave patients outside in the car park – we already don't do that."
"But what about in the morning, there are often patients waiting outside until opening time?"
"Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments."
"So why don't we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn't happen?"
"Right, we'll do that from tomorrow. There are several members of staff working already, so it's no problem".
And so it went on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: "It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it's helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work".
Key Points:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique for creative problem solving, and can lead to robust solutions. Be sure to follow the basic rules of brainstorming to explore possible solutions to the full.
Reverse Brainstorming
When to use it
Use it when people are finding difficulty in creating ideas.
Use it when you have people with judging and convergent preferences.
Use it when people have more strongly analytic than creative preferences.
Use it as a different method for idea creating, to get even more ideas.
Use when you are able to conceptually reverse the problem.
Quick X Long
Logical X Psychological
Individual X Group
How to use it
Reverse the problem to 'how to cause it'
Change the wording of the problem on which you are working from how to solve it to how to cause it.
For example, when looking at a customer satisfaction problem, ask 'How can we cause customers to be dissatisfied?'
Identify ways of causing the problem
Use Brainstorming or any other method (or a combination of methods) to identify different ways of causing the problem. You can use creative approaches or analytic methods.
An analytic approach would list all of the available things or steps of a process and then break these down further. For example, causing customer satisfaction could isolate when they are on the phone and the person to whom they are talking cannot answer their question.
Find ways of preventing the problem being caused
Now use creative or analytic methods to identify ways of preventing the problem causes identified in the previous step from being caused.
Thus, for example, when the customer is on the phone, the operator may be trained to classify their problem and hand them to the right person.
Example
I am seeking to to keep a folding chair open.
I reword it as 'how to make a folding chair fold up'
I use a spring, an elastic band, a lever.
I reverse the lever so the spring or elastic keeps the chair open.
Reverse Brainstorming
Many people find it easier to be judgemental or analytic, particularly as these methods are widely taught within our education system.
Reversal also takes another position, jumping to an opposite viewpoint. This switch gives a new perspective and hence can lead to new ideas.
Sometimes a team's creative results can be improved by offering them a new perspective. Take the process of brainstorming for example. Brainstorm the opposite of what you want and see what happens. The tool is called a contingency diagram, and this is how it works.
Imagine your team is supposed to brainstorm ideas for increasing customer loyalty. Instead of looking for ideas to improve loyalty, the team brainstorms ways to decrease customer loyalty. Trying to improve employee morale? Brainstorm ideas for destroying morale.
The tool's power is in its ability to harness negative energy (cynicism, sarcasm, hostility, etc.) and use it to spark creativity. If your team is in this type of mood, it's very difficult to build excitement for brainstorming. By giving them a chance to vent their negativity, you will witness amazing creativity.
After the team has filled the wall with ideas for lowering morale or chasing away customers, you are ready to get down to identifying potential solutions to your problem.
Ask the team to analyze the list and develop ideas for solving the problem. Many solutions can be found simply by reversing the ideas on the list. Others can be discovered through patterns and interesting combinations of negative ideas. In either case, the list of "bad" ideas is a tremendous stimulus for generating "good" ideas.
Next time you face the same old problems and a team tired of trying to solve them, cut the team loose on ways to make the problem worse. It will be fun, energizing, and most of all...effective.
Innovation with Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a commonly used group process and innovation tool used to generate a lot of ideas quickly that generates short bursts of energy and a quick way to lots of ideas on the table quickly. Because it is a rather informal process it increases participant and as a result commitment and allows for more creative thinking. Often, new ideas build on each other and it is time efficient, generating ideas, then evaluating to find the best options.
Developmental thinking is well suited to brainstorming, with the rules being:
• no criticism
• build on the ideas of others
• think out of the box
• quantity of ideas is more important than quality.
• Brainstorming is often combined with lateral thinking and green/yellow hat thinking.
How to Brainstorm
1. Agree to a definition or statement of the issue to be brainstormed.
2. Highlight the ground rules.
3. Assign a recorder to visibly and concisely record all the ideas on a flip chart or whiteboard.
4. Work intensely for short periods of time.
5. Treat modifications of recorded ideas as new ideas.
6. Clarify ideas with questions, but avoid long explanations.
7. Make it fun, use humor, encourage everyone to participate.
8. No evaluation until the brainstorming ends.
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming combines traditional brainstorming and reversal techniques and is particularly helpful when your team is having difficulty finding creative ideas, or where judging and convergent preferences are prevalent. It is also helpful with audiences that are highly analytic. The technique helps you to solve problems by focusing on how they are created or by focusing on how to achieve an opposite effect than that desired.
1. Clearly identify the problem or issue.
2. Reverse the challenge, asking "How could I possibly cause this problem?" or "How could I achieve the exact opposite effect?"
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solutions. Then reverse the solutions for ideas to resolve the original problem.
4. Evaluate the solutions to identify the optimal solution(s)
The example shows reverse brainstorming for the initial problem of how to increase patient satisfaction in a clinic setting.
Reverse Brainstorming
A different approach to brainstorming
Related variant: "Negative Brainstorming"
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems by combining brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two "reverse" questions:
Instead of asking, "How do I solve or prevent this problem?" ask, "How could I possibly cause the problem?"
Instead of asking "how do I achieve these results?" ask,
"how could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
How To Use The Tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
"How could I possibly cause the problem?", or
"How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?"
Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
2. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are "trying their best" and there is no appetite to "waste" time talking about this.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way.
Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual "good ideas" that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
• "How do we improve patient satisfaction?"
Then she reverses problem statement:
• "How do we create make more patients dissatisfied?"
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the "reverse" ideas:
• Double book appointments
Remove the chairs from the waiting room
Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them)
Have patients wait outside in the car park
Discuss patient's problems in public
• . and so on
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the "reverse" solutions. Now it's time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. Well resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
"Well of course we don't leave patients outside in the car park - we already don't do that."
"But what about in the morning, there are often patients waiting outside until opening time?"
"Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments."
"So why don't we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn't happen?"
"Right, we'll do that from tomorrow. There are 2 or 3 staff working already, so it's no problem".
And so it went on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: "It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it's helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work".
Key points:
Reverse brain-storming is a good technique for creative problem solving, and can lead to robust solutions. Be sure to follow the basic rules of brainstorming to explore possible solutions to the full.
Reverse Brainstorming: A Different Approach to Brainstorming, Creative Thinking and Idea Generation
Reverse Brainstorming:
A Different Approach to Brainstorming
Reverse brainstorming helps you solve problems with a combination of brainstorming and reversal techniques. By combining these, you can extend your use of brainstorming to draw out even more creative ideas.
To use this technique, you start with one of two “reverse” questions:
Instead of asking, “how do I solve or prevent this problem?” ask, “how could I possibly cause the problem?”
Instead of asking “how do I achieve these results?” ask, “how could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?”
How to use the tool:
1. Clearly identify the problem or challenge, and write it down.
2. Reverse the problem or challenge by asking:
“How could I possibly cause the problem?”, or
“How could I possibly achieve the opposite effect?”
3. Brainstorm the reverse problem to generate reverse solution ideas. Allow the brainstorm ideas to flow freely. Do not reject anything at this stage.
4. Once you have brainstormed all the ideas to solve the reverse problem, now reverse these into solution ideas for the original problem or challenge.
5. Evaluate these solution ideas. Can you see a potential solution? Can you see attributes of a potential solution?
Tip:
Reverse brainstorming is a good technique to try when it is difficult to identify solutions to the problem directly.
Example:
Luciana is the manager of a health clinic and she has the task of improving patient satisfaction.
There have been various improvement initiatives in the past and the team members have become rather skeptical about another meeting on the subject. The team is overworked, team members are trying their best and they are cynical about the likely success of yet another "top-down" initiative.
So she decides to use some creative problem solving techniques she has learned. This, she hopes, will make the team meeting more interesting and engage people in a new way. Perhaps it will reveal something more than the usual “good ideas” that no one has time to act on.
To prepare for the team meeting, Luciana thinks carefully about the problem and writes down the problem statement:
“How do we improve patient satisfaction?”
Then she reverses problem statement:
“How do we create make more patients dissatisfied?”
Already she starts to see how the new angle could reveal some surprising results.
At the team meeting, everyone gets involved in an enjoyable and productive reverse brainstorming session. They draw on both their work experience with patients and also their personal experience of being patients and customers of other organizations. Luciana helps ideas flow freely, ensuring people to not pass judgment on even the most unlikely suggestions.
Here are just a few of the “reverse” ideas:
• Double book appointments
• Remove the chairs from the waiting room
• Put patients who phone on hold (and forget about them)
• Have patients wait outside in the car park
• Discuss patient’s problems in public
• … and so on
When the brainstorming session runs dry, the team has a long list of the “reverse” solutions.
Now it’s time to look at each one in reverse into a potential solution. As you will see, resulting discussions are quite revealing. For example:
“Well of course we don’t leave patients outside in the car park – we already don’t do that.”
“But what about in the morning: There are often patients waiting outside until opening time?
“Mmm, true. Pretty annoying for people on first appointments.”
“So why don’t we open the waiting room 10 minutes earlier so it doesn’t happen”
“OK, we’ll do that from tomorrow. There are 2 or 3 staff working already, so it’s no problem”.
And so it goes on. The reverse brainstorming session revealed tens of improvement ideas that the team could implement swiftly and easily.
Luciana concluded: “It was enlightening and fun to looking at the problem in reverse. The amazing thing is, it’s helped us become more patient-friendly by stopping doing things rather than creating more work”.
________________________________________
The most effective creativity techniques for getting fresh ideas
Creativity is about turning imagination into value. Ignite your imagination and enrich your creative thinking toolbox by applying these simple and effective creativity techniques.
Reverse brainstorming – how not to solve the problem
Tired of doing routine brainstorms on “how to get more clients” or ”how to get more sales” etc? Turn it around and brainstorm on how to make the problem even worse and after that turn the ideas around again – stating them in positive.
1. Define your problem.
2. Reverse your problem.
3. Brainstorm ideas for the reversed problem – be bold and provocative. Get as many ideas as possible.
4. Reverse those problems, turning them into ideas for your initial problem.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Example:
”How to create trainings that are really boring?” – reversed problem “How to create exciting trainings?” - ideas for initial problem
Lets make people stand still, silent and with their hands tied together. Let people move around in the room freely, get them to communicate with each-other lively and let them do stuff with their hands (moulding, writing, drawing…).
Lets show them irrelevant slides filled with text on law paragraphs. Lets turn off the projector, focus only on the most relevant content and use flip-chart to make cool drawings to help people to memorize the content with symbols only.
Interesting side-effects: by stating ways how not to solve the problem you often develop a deeper understanding of things you are actually doing wrong at the moment. Having them written down and finding ways to turn it around makes you more motivated for positive change.
Superheroes technique – borrowed brains
Don´t just use all the brains you have – also use all the brains you can borrow. Map your superheroes – people you admire – and get ready to rock´n roll!
1. Define your problem.
2. Brainstorm 10-50 superheroes – people who are better than you in some specific domain. Take a note on each superhero´s unique skill.
3. Ask yourself “How would x solve this problem?” or “What can I learn from x to solve this problem?” or “What has x done that could also work for me?” etc. Take notes on ideas that come to your mind.
4. Select the most interesting ideas and find ways in which you can adopt them to your current situation to solve this problem.
5. Take massive action and get results.
This technique is very similar to benchmarking, where the leading “superheros” can be your competitors. Turn your rivals into your superheros – use their brains and ideas to ignite your progress. Shift this paradigm and get results.
Forced connections – the art of combining
There is nothing totally new in this world. The difference between innovators and non-innovators is simply the fact that innovators make better connections that are of value.
1. Define your problem.
2. Brainstorm different keywords that come to your head (relevant and irrelevant to the topic) – sometimes the more irrelevant they seem, the better it is. You can write those keywords down to Post-it notes and attach them to the wall.
3. Start combining those words with each other and making up new connections asking yourself “what kind of ideas does this connection give me to solve my problem?”. Make wild connections by playing with the words and ideas.
4. Select the best ideas.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Did you know that:
• All the modern English literature is a pattern of 26 letters.
• All the paintings that have ever been done are made of 3 fundamental colors – blue, red, yellow.
• All the music that has ever been written consists of patterns made out of 12 notes.
• All the information you see on your computer screen is a pattern of binary code (“1″ or “0″).
Impressive? I want you to redefine the amount of resources to come out with something totally new. You just have to become a great connector of existing elements. “What if I combined these things?”
The journey – adventure for ideas
Switch your thinking by switching your environment. Go out to get some fresh stimuli.
1. Define your problem.
2. Explain the problem to your team-mates and get out from your office (go to the library for example). Ask each member to investigate around to find ideas that could solve the problem and meet in one hour. They can take things with them or make notes and photos for example.
3. Meet, take notes and share the ideas that you developed during your journey.
4. Select the best ones adapt them to your current situation.
5. Take massive action and get results.
Step out from your box, read materials you normally don´t read, talk to people you normally don´t speak. Get fresh ideas by getting fresh input.
Experiment by using elements from different creativity techniques, create combinations that suit you the best and create the ritual that helps you most effectively develop fresh ideas.
True/False Questions
1. Members of the distribution channel are usually not good sources of ideas for new products.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
2. The files of the U.S. Patent Office are kept confidential and entrepreneurs cannot study their contents.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
3. The largest source of new ideas is the U.S. Patent Office.
Answer: False Page: 136 Difficulty: Easy
4. Focus groups consist of 15 to 25 participants who are asked specific objective functions.
Answer: False Page: 137 Difficulty: Hard
5. The focus group is an excellent method for initially screening ideas and concepts.
Answer: True Page: 137 Difficulty: Medium
6. The key to successful brainstorming is to critically evaluate all ideas presented.
Answer: False Page: 138 Difficulty: Hard
7. Unlike the focus group, problem inventory analysis focuses on specific problems in a general product category.
Answer: True Page: 138 Difficulty: Hard
8. Creativity tends to increase with age.
Answer: False Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
9. Brainstorming is an unstructured process used for generating possible ideas about a problem within a limited time frame through the spontaneous contributions of participants.
Answer: True Page: 139 Difficulty: Easy
10. In reverse brainstorming, the focus is on the positive, all the things that are right about an idea.
Answer: False Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
11. Brainwriting is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
Answer: True Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
12. The Gordon method, in contrast with the other methods, begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
Answer: True Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
13. Using the big-dream approach, a new idea is developed through a list of related issues or suggestions.
Answer: False Page: 141 Difficulty: Hard
14. Forced relationships is a method of forcing confrontations in focus groups.
Answer: False Page: 142 Difficulty: Medium
15. The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution, thinking big.
Answer: True Page: 143 Difficulty: Easy
16. Creative synthesis is closely connected to the technique of parameter analysis.
Answer: True Page: 143 Difficulty: Hard
17. The entrepreneur's ability to recognize a business opportunity is a result of his or her knowledge and experience.
Answer: True Page: 144 Difficulty: Medium
18. When evaluating new product development, the criteria should be inclusive and quantitative.
Answer: True Page: 145 Difficulty: Medium
19. In the idea stage of product planning, test marketing is used to gauge customer acceptance.
Answer: False Page: 146 Difficulty: Medium
20. In the concept stage of product planning, the refined product idea is tested to determine customer acceptance.
Answer: True Page: 147 Difficulty: Easy
21. Only the test marketing phase of product planning provides actual sales results to judge the product's customer appeal.
Answer: True Page: 150 Difficulty: Medium
22. The largest area of growth in e-commerce occurs during the fourth quarter holiday season.
Answer: True Page: 150 Difficulty: Medium
23. The entrepreneur should always design and build his own webpage to maintain strategic control.
Answer: False Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
24. An online company's back-end operations involve integration of customer orders with distribution channels.
Answer: True Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
25. Every website should have search capabilities.
Answer: True Page: 151 Difficulty: Easy
26. The firm's website address should appear on all marketing materials.
Answer: True Page: 152 Difficulty: Easy
27. Using electronic databases to track customer information violates federal laws regarding individual privacy.
Answer: False Page: 152 Difficulty: Hard
Multiple Choice Questions
28. _____ is (are) a good source of ideas for new products.
A) Customers
B) Members of the distribution channel
C) The Federal Government
D) all of the above
E) a and b
Answer: D Page: 135-136 Difficulty: Easy
29. Patents filed with the U.S. Patent Office:
A) frequently suggest other new products.
B) are the property of the U.S. Government.
C) are not disclosed to the public.
D) all of the above.
Answer: A Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
30. The Official Gazette is published weekly by:
A) OSHA.
B) USDA.
C) the U.S. Patent Office.
D) none of the above.
Answer: C Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
31. The largest source of new product ideas is:
A) the U.S. Patent Office.
B) the entrepreneur's research and development.
C) customers
D) the federal government.
Answer: B Page: 136 Difficulty: Medium
32. Focus groups use which of the following methods?
A) A moderator leads the group in an open, in-depth discussion
B) A moderator asks each individual in the group questions, interview style
C) Each participant fills out a questionnaire, followed by individual exit interviews
D) None of the above
Answer: A Page: 137 Difficulty: Hard
33. Brainstorming groups should:
A) contain an expert in the field to be discussed.
B) be serious and work-oriented.
C) try to generate as many ideas as possible.
D) all of the above.
Answer: C Page: 138 Difficulty: Medium
34. _____ is not desirable when brainstorming is in process.
A) "Freewheeling"
B) Criticism
C) Generating a large quantity of ideas
D) Idea combination and improvement
Answer: B Page: 138 Difficulty: Medium
35. Creativity declines with
A) training and tradition.
B) education and work experience.
C) age, education and lack of use.
D) all of the above.
Answer: C Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
36. Probably the most well known and widely used technique for creative problem solving is:
A) focus groups.
B) brainstorming.
C) forced relationships.
D) scientific method.
Answer: B Page: 139 Difficulty: Medium
37. Reverse brainstorming is much like brainstorming except that:
A) criticism is allowed.
B) the technique is based on finding fault.
C) the group must be careful to maintain good morale.
D) all of the above.
Answer: D Page: 140 Difficulty: Medium
38. Using ___________ participants silently write their ideas on special forms that circulate within the group.
A) brainstorming
B) reverse brainstorming
C) brainwriting
D) checklist method
Answer: C Page: 140 Difficulty: Hard
39. Which of the following problem-solving techniques begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem?
A) The Gordon method
B) Matrix charting
C) Parameter analysis
D) Free association
Answer: A Page: 140 Difficulty: Hard
40. In the ________ method a new idea is developed through a list of related issues or suggestions:
A) Gordon
B) checklist
C) collective notebook
D) matrix charting
Answer: B Page: 141 Difficulty: Hard
41. In the ________ method, a word is written down, then another, creating a chain of ideas.
A) reverse brainstorming
B) matrix charting
C) heuristic
D) free association
Answer: D Page: 142 Difficulty: Medium
42. Which of the following creative methods involves having participants write down their ideas several times a day?
A) Collective notebook method
B) Parameter analysis
C) Brainstorming
D) Forced relationship
Answer: A Page: 143 Difficulty: Medium
43. This problem-solving method involves developing new ideas by thinking without constraints.
A) Value analysis
B) Attribute listing
C) Brainwriting
D) Big-dream approach
Answer: D Page: 143 Difficulty: Medium
44. Creative synthesis is an important aspect of the _________ method of creative problem solving.
A) brainwriting
B) forced association
C) attribute listing
D) parameter analysis
Answer: D Page: 144 Difficulty: Hard
45. In which stage of the product planning and development process would it be appropriate to give product samples to a panel of potential customers.
A) Idea stage
B) Concept stage
C) Product development stage
D) Commercialization stage
Answer: C Page: 149 Difficulty: Hard
46. The stage in the product planning and development process in which actual sales results are available is:
A) Idea stage
B) Concept stage
C) Product development stage
D) Test marketing stage
Answer: D Page: 150 Difficulty: Easy
47. Front-end website operations involve:
A) search capabilities
B) shopping baskets
C) secure payment features
D) all of the above.
Answer: D Page: 151 Difficulty: Easy
48. Orders and sensitive information should be transferred:
A) through credit card companies.
B) by banner ads.
C) over secure servers.
D) through open telephone lines.
Answer: C Page: 151 Difficulty: Medium
Brainstorming Rules
Effective brainstorming can be accomplished by following simple brainstorming DOs and DONTs with your team. A brainstorming session is a tool for generating as many ideas or solutions as possible to a problem or issue. It is not a tool for determining the best solution to a problem or issue. The process of analyzing your brainstormed ideas will not be discussed here; please read about the Affinity Diagram for more information on that subject.
Before beginning any effective brainstorming session, ground rules must be set. This doesn't mean that boundaries are set so tightly that you can't have fun or be creative. It does mean that a code of conduct for person to person interactions has been set. It's when this code of conduct is breached that people stop being creative.
The best way to have meaningful groundrules is to have the team create their own. Try performing a mini-brainstorming session around creating brainstorming groundrules. It should provide a nice opportunity to practice the skills necessary for an effective brainstorming session. This also allows the team to take ownership of acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. Only if the team hasn't addressed the key groundrules should you (as the facilitator) add to the list. Once the groundrules list is generated, be sure to gain consensus that the session will be conducted according to them, and post them in a highly visible location in the room.
With that, here are four key groundrules that are useful when conducting a brainstorming session:
1. There are no dumb ideas. Period. It's a brainstorming session, not a serious matter that requires only serious solutions. Remember, this is one of the more fun tools of quality, so keep the entire team involved!
2. Don't criticize other people's ideas. This isn't a debate, discussion or forum for one person to display superiority over another.
3. Build on other people's ideas. Often an idea suggested by one person can trigger a bigger and/or better idea by another person. Or a variation of an idea on the board could be the next 'velcro' idea. It is this building of ideas that leads to out of the box thinking and fantastic ideas.
4. Reverse the thought of 'quality over quantity.' Here we want quantity; the more creative ideas the better. As a facilitator, you can even make it a challenge to come up with as many ideas as possible and compare this team's performance to the last brainstorming session you conducted.
Other brainstorming preparation questions:
• Who will lead or facilitate the brainstorming session?
• Who will participate in the brainstorming session?
• Who can write very quickly to record the brainstormed ideas without slowing down the group?
• Where will the brainstorming session be held?
• What materials are needed for brainstorming (easel, paper, white board, pens, etc.)?
• What is my brainstorming session desired outcome?
Chapter 5- creativity and the business idea
Learning Objectives
1-To identify various sources of ideas for new ventures.
2-To discuss methods available for generating new venture ideas.
3-To discuss creativity and the techniques for creative problem solving.
4-To discuss the aspects of the product planning and development process.
5-To discuss aspects of e-commerce and starting an e-commerce business.
student notes
OPENING PROFILE— Frederick W. Smith
1. SOURCES OF NEW IDEAS
A. A sound unique idea for a new product or service, properly evaluated, is essential to
successfully launch a new venture.
B. Consumers.
1. Potential entrepreneurs should continually pay close attention potential customers.
2. This can be an informal or formal survey of consumers expressing their opinions.
3. Be sure that the idea represents a large enough market.
C. Existing Products and Services.
1. Potential entrepreneurs should establish a formal method for monitoring and evaluating the
products and services in the market.
2. This may uncover ways to improve on present products, resulting in new product or service ideas.
D. Distribution Channels.
1. Because they are familiar with the needs of the market, channel members often have suggestions
for new products.
2. These channel members can also help in marketing the new product.
E. Federal Government.
1. The files of the Patent Office contain numerous new product possibilities.
a. The patents can suggest other new product ideas.
b. Several government agencies and publications, such as the Official Gazette, monitor patent
applications.
2. New product ideas can also come in response to government regulations.
F. Research and Development.
1. The largest source for new ideas is the entrepreneur’s own research and development.
2. This can be a formal endeavor connected with one’s current employment or an informal lab in the
garage.
II. METHODS FOR GENERATING IDEAS
A. There are several methods to help generate and test new ideas as a basis for the new venture.
B. Focus Groups.
1. Focus group interviews involve a moderator leading a group through an open in-depth discussion
rather than simply asking questions.
2. The moderator focuses the discussion on the new product area in either a directive or
nondirective manner.
3. The participants are stimulated by comments from other group members in developing a new product
idea.
4. The focus group is also an excellent method for initial screening of ideas and concepts.
C. Brainstorming.
1. Brainstorming allows people to be stimulated to greater creativity by participating in organized
group exercises.
2. When using brainstorming four rules are followed:
a. No criticism is allowed by anyone in the group.
b. “Freewheeling” is encouraged.
c. Quantity of ideas is desired.
d. Combinations and improvements of ideas are encouraged.
3. Brainstorming sessions should be fun with no one dominating or inhibiting the discussion.
D. Problem Inventory Analysis.
1. Problem inventory analysis uses individuals in a manner similar to focus groups, but instead of
generating new ideas, consumers are given a list of problems for a general product category.
2. They are then asked to identify products in this category that have those problems.
3. It is often easier to relate known products to suggested problems in the creation of new product
ideas.
4. Problem inventory analysis should be used primarily to identify product ideas for further
development.
5. Results from product inventory analysis must be carefully evaluated as they may not actually
reflect a new business opportunity.
III. CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING
A. Creative problem solving is important in identifying a new product, but personal creativity
declines with age, education, lack of use, and bureaucracy.
1. Creativity generally declines in stages.
2. Latent creative potential can be stifled by perceptual, cultural, emotional, and organizational
factors.
B. Brainstorming, the most widely used technique, can generate possible ideas about a problem in a
limited time through spontaneous contributions of participants.
1. Once the problem statement is prepared, 6 to 12 individuals are selected, with no group member
being an expert in the field of the problem.
2. All ideas are recorded, with no criticism allowed.
C. Reverse Brainstorming.
1. Reverse brainstorming is similar to brainstorming, except that criticism is allowed.
2. Since the focus is on the negative aspects of a product or service, care must be taken to
preserve group morale.
3. The process usually involves identifying everything wrong with an idea, then a discussion of ways
to overcome the problems.
D. Brainwriting.
1. Brainwriting is a form of written brainstorming.
2. It is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
3. Participants write their ideas on special forms that circulate within the group.
E. Gordon Method begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
1. The entrepreneur starts by mentioning a general concept associated with the problem and the group
responds with ideas.
2. The actual problem is then revealed, enabling the group to make suggestions for implementation.
F. Checklist Method.
1. A new idea is developed through a list of related issues.
2. The entrepreneur can use the list of questions to guide the development of an idea.
G. Free Association.
1. One of the simplest methods to generate new ideas is free association.
2. A word related to the problem is written down, then another, with each word adding something to
the thought process.
H. Forced Relationships.
1. Forced relationships try to force relationships among some product combinations.
2. The steps in the process:
a. Isolate the elements of the problem.
b. Find the relationships between these elements.
c. Record the relationship in an orderly form.
d. Analyze the relationships to find ideas.
e. Develop new ideas from these patterns.
I. Collective Notebook Method.
1. A small notebook is prepared including a statement of the problem, blank pages, and background
data.
2. Participants consider the problem and its solution, recording ideas several times a day.
3. A list or summary of the best ideas becomes the topic of a final creative focus group.
J. Attribute Listing.
1. Attribute listing is an idea-finding technique requiring the entrepreneur to list the attributes
of a problem and look at each from a variety of viewpoints.
2. Unrelated objects can be brought together to form new combinations and possible uses.
K. Big-Dream Approach.
1. The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution,
thinking big.
2. Ideas should be conceptualized without any constraints.
L. Parameter Analysis.
1. Parameter analysis involves parameter identification and creative synthesis.
2. Parameter identification analyzes variables in the situation to determine their relative
importance.
3. The relationship between parameters that describe the underlying issues is examined and a
solution developed (creative synthesis.)
M. Opportunity Recognition.
1. Some entrepreneurs have the ability to recognize a business opportunity which is fundamental to
the entrepreneurial process.
2. The keys to recognizing an opportunity lies in the knowledge and experience of the individual
entrepreneur.
3. Other important factors are entrepreneurial alertness and entrepreneurial networks.
IV. PRODUCT PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT PROCESS
A. Once ideas emerge they need further development and refinement.
1. The production planning and development process is divided into five major stages.
2. This process results in the start of the product life cycle.
B. Stage 1: Establishing Evaluation Criteria.
1. Criteria for evaluation should be all-inclusive and quantitative enough to screen the product
carefully.
2. A market opportunity and adequate market demand must exist.
3. Current competing producers, prices, and policies should be evaluated in their impact on market
share.
4. The new product should have synergy with existing management capabilities.
5. The proposed product should be supported by and contribute to the company’s financial well-being.
6. The compatibility of new product’s production requirements with existing plant, machinery, and
personnel should be evaluated.
7. Entrepreneurs should formally evaluate an idea throughout its evolution.
C. Stage 2: Idea Stage
1. Promising new product ideas should be identified and impractical ones eliminated.
2. In the systematic market evaluation checklist method, each new product idea is expressed in terms
of its chief values, merits, and benefits.
3. This technique can be used to determine which new product alternatives should be pursued and
which should be discarded.
4. The company should also determine the need for the product and its value to the company.
5. Need determination should focus on the type of need, its timing, the users involved, the
importance of marketing variables, and the overall market structure and characteristics.
6. In determining the product’s value to the firm, financial scheduling should be evaluated.
D. Stage 3: Concept Stage.
1. In the concept stage the refined idea is tested to determine consumer acceptance.
2. One method of testing is the conversational interview in which respondents are exposed to
statements that reflect attributes of the product idea.
3. Features, price, and promotion should be evaluated in comparison to major competitors.
E. Stage 4: Product Development Stage.
1. In this stage, consumer reaction to the physical product is determined, often through a consumer
panel.
2. The panel can be given samples of the product and competitors’ products to determine consumer
preference.
F. Stage 5: Test Marketing Stage.
1. A market test can be done to increase the certainty of successful commercialization.
2. The test marketing stage provides actual sales results, which indicate the acceptance level of
consumers.
V. E-COMMERCE AND BUSINESS START-UP AND GROWTH
A. The Role of E-Commerce.
1. Both business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce sales continue to increase.
2. The largest e-commerce growth occurs during the fourth quarter holiday season, although there
has been growth in all quarters.
3. Factors that facilitate the growth of e-commerce are:
a. The widespread use of personal computers.
b. The adoption of intranets in companies.
c. The acceptance of the Internet as a business communications platform.
B. Using E-Commerce Creativity.
1. The Internet is especially important for small and medium-sized companies as it lets them
minimize marketing costs while reaching broader markets.
2. An entrepreneur starting an Internet commerce venture needs to address many of the same strategic
and tactical questions as other companies plus some specific online issues.
a. One decision is whether to run the Internet operations within the company or outsource these
operations.
b. If handled inhouse, expensive equipment, software, and support services have to be maintained.
c. There are numerous possibilities for outsourcing the Internet business.
3. The entrepreneur can hire web developers to design the web page or use an e-commerce software
package.
4. The two major components of Internet commerce are front-end and back-end operations.
a. Front-end operations are encompassed in the website’s functionality, such as search capabilities,
shopping cart, and secure payment.
b. Back-end operations involve integrating customer orders with distribution channels and
manufacturing capabilities.
C. Website.
1. The use of websites by entrepreneurial firms is increasing.
a. Yet the majority of small businesses do not feel they have the business ability to build their
own website.
b. The entrepreneur needs to structure the website to effectively engage the target market.
c. The material must be fresh and updated regularly.
2. There are several important features of every website.
a. Each website should have search capabilities.
b. Other functions include shopping cart, secure server connection, credit card payment, and
customer feedback features.
c. Orders and other sensitive customer information should be transferred only through secure
servers.
d. The site should also have an e-mail response system for customer feedback.
3. A successful website has three characteristics: speed, speed, and speed.
a. A website should be easy to use, customized for specific market target groups, and compatible
with different browsers.
b. If the company is targeting international markets, then translation and cultural adaptation need
to be considered.
4. The website address should appear on all marketing materials.
D. Tracking Customer Information.
1. Electronic databases support personal marketing targeted at individual clients.
2. However, care must be taken to follow the laws protecting the privacy of individuals.
3. The U.S. government has generally maintained a policy of noninvolvement with Internet regulation,
but the Federal Trade Commission has also pressed for new laws to protect minors.
E. Doing E-Commerce as an Entrepreneurial Company.
1. The decision to go online for the first time and develop an e-commerce site needs to be a
strategic one.
a. The products should be able to be delivered economically and conveniently.
b. The product has to be interesting for a large number of people, and the company must be ready to
ship the product out of its geographical location.
c. Online operations have to bring significant cost reductions compared with brick-and-mortar
operations.
d. The company must be able to economically draw customers to its website.
2. Conflict between traditional and online marketing channels can lead to a hostile, competing
position of once partnering companies.
VI. IN REVIEW: SUMMARY.
See “Learning Objectives Revisited” below.
learning objectives revisited
Learning Objective 1. To identify various sources of ideas for new ventures.
o Potential entrepreneurs should continually pay close attention to potential customers.
o Monitoring and evaluating the products and services in the market may uncover ways to improve on
present products.
o Channel members are an excellent source of new ideas as they are familiar with the needs of the
market.
o The Federal Government’s Patent Office files contain numerous new product possibilities and new
product ideas can also come in response to government regulations.
o The entrepreneur’s own research and development efforts are the largest source of ideas.
Learning Objective 2. To discuss methods available for generating new venture ideas.
o The focus group can be used to initially screen ideas and concepts.
o Brainstorming allows people to be stimulated to greater creativity by participating in organized
group exercises.
o Problem inventory is similar to focus groups, but instead of generating new ideas, consumers are
given a list of problems for a general product category.
Learning Objective 3. To discuss creativity and the techniques for creative problem solving.
o Creativity is important in identifying a new product.
o Brainstorming, the most widely used technique, can generate possible ideas about a
problem in a limited time through spontaneous contributions of participants.
o Reverse brainstorming is similar to brainstorming, except that criticism is allowed.
o Brainwriting is silent, written generation of ideas by a group of people.
o Gordon Method begins with group members not knowing the exact nature of the problem.
o Using the checklist method a new idea is developed through a list of related issues.
o One of the simplest methods to generate new ideas is free association.
o Forced relationships try to force relationships among some product combinations.
o Using the collective notebook method participants consider the problem and its solution, recording
ideas several times a day.
o Attribute listing is an idea-finding technique requiring the entrepreneur to list the attributes
of a problem and look at each from a variety of viewpoints.
o The big-dream approach requires the entrepreneur to dream about the problem and its solution,
thinking big.
o Parameter analysis involves parameter identification and creative synthesis.
o The keys to recognizing an opportunity lies in the knowledge and experience of the individual
entrepreneur.
Learning Objective 4. To discuss the aspects of the product planning and development process.
o Stage 1CEstablishing Evaluation Criteria: Criteria for evaluation should be all-inclusive and
quantitative enough to screen the product carefully.
o Stage 2CIdea Stage: Promising new product ideas should be identified and impractical ones
eliminated.
o Stage 3CConcept Stage: The refined product idea is tested to determine consumer acceptance.
o Stage 4CProduct Development Stage: Consumer reaction is determined, often through a consumer
panel.
o Stage 5CTest Marketing Stage: A market test can be done to increase the certainty of successful
commercialization.
Learning Objective 5. To discuss aspects of e-commerce and starting an e-commerce business.
o Both business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce sales continue to increase.
o In starting an Internet venture, the entrepreneur needs to address strategic and tactical
questions, such as whether to create the webpage inhouse or hire others.
o An Internet presence must address both front-end and back-end operations.
o Every webpage should have key function such as shopping cart, secure server connection, credit
card payment, and customer feedback features.
o Tracking customer information through electronic databases can help the venture personalize
marketing, but privacy of individuals must also be protected.
o The firm must be able to deliver the products economically and conveniently.
key terms
Attribute listing. An idea-finding technique requiring individuals to list attributes of an item or
problem and then evaluate each attribute from a variety of viewpoints.
Big-dream approach. This approach requires the individual to dream as grandiose a dream as possible
without worrying about the practicalities of implementation.
Brainstorming. An unstructured process of generating all possible ideas about a problem without
worrying about the practicalities of implementation.
Checklist method. This method requires the individual to prepare a list of related issues or
suggestions.
Collective notebook method. This problem solving method requires a notebook, including a statement
of the problem, ample blank pages, and any background data pertinent to the problem.
Concept stage. Ideas passing the initial screening enter the concept stage where they are developed
into more elaborate product concepts.
Creative problem solving. Techniques ranging from attribute listing to parameter analysis which help
to unlock creativity and to generate ideas.
Focus groups. A focus group interview involves a moderator leading a group of people through an open
and in-depth discussion.
Forced relationships. A technique for developing new products by asking different questions about
ideas and new idea combinations.
Free association. A simple problem solving technique where a word or phrase is used to stimulate a
more developed thinking process.
Gordon method. This technique depends on a group leader, the only one aware of the actual problem,
who then leads the rest of the group through the problem solving process.
Idea stage. In this stage, suggestions for new products are obtained from all possible sources, and
all available devices for generating new products are employed.
Parameter analysis. This is a matching process involving the parameter identification and creative
analysis.
Problem inventory analysis. A method of generating new ideas that uses the customers in a manner
analogous to the focus group.
Product development stage. In this stage, the new product is further developed into a prototype and
tested.
Product life cycle. This cycle is generally divided into four major stages: product introduction,
market growth, market maturity, and sales decline.
Product planning and development process. Generally divided into five major stages: idea stage,
concept stage, product development stage, test marketing stage, test marketing stage, and
commercialization stage.
Reverse brainstorming. Similar to brainstorming, but criticism is allowed and encouraged as a way to
bring out possible problems with the ideas.
Test marketing stage. This, the last step in the evaluation process, provides actual sales results
indicating the acceptance level of customers in real market conditions.
The Reverse Brainstorming Cafe
Coming up with new ideas or insights in a conventional brainstorming session is often hard work and not very engaging. An alternative approach is the so called "reverse brainstorm".
The concept is simple: rather than brainstorm what you want - brain storm the opposite of what you want. For example, if you would like your KM project to be a success don't ask "How do we ensure our KM project is a success?" but ask "How do we ensure that our KM project is a total miserable failure?".
This alternative approach harnesses negative energy such as cynicism, sarcasm and hostility to spark creativity.
So in brief, a reverse brainstorming cafe is a 'reverse brainstorm' where the participant are first asked to discuss and list all the things that should be done to ensure that something is NOT successful.
They are then taken through a process of prioritizing those items and coming up with antidotes i.e. things that if done would ensure the failures would not happen. Next they share these possible responses and insights between the groups.
This is tremendous fun and works exceptionally well as people really engage with the idea of the reverse thinking - paradoxically it is easier and more fun for people to think about why something fails rather then what needs to be done to make it a success - having thought about failure - its is then easy to switch mindsets and reverse things.
This tool can be used to generate and capture ideas for further action or like a knowledge cafe it can be used to improve the understanding of a topic and to draw out the different perspectives of the members of the group.
Possible themes:
• How do we ensure our profession has no future?
• How do we ensure that a KM initiative is a total failure?
• How do we ensure that a project fails?
• What are the most innovative and creative strategies to decimate key staff in an organization?
An outline of the process:
• The facilitator talks about the theme and poses the question. He/she also explains the process. (10 mins)
• The participants break into groups of five. Each Group has a flip chart. They are asked to brainstorm the question and to write on the flip chart as many things as they can think of that will ensure the destruction of their profession. The more outrageous and destructive the better. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks people to wander around the room and look at the flipcharts and see what others have come up with. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks each group to identify the top three items on their list. (10 mins)
• The facilitator goes around the room and ask each group to share their items - giving a few more words of explanation behind each. (10 mins)
• The facilitator asks them to think about their three items and come up with three antidotes to them. i.e. 3 things hat if they did really well would ensure that their profession has a very bright future. (10 mins)
• The facilitator goes around the room and ask each group to share their items - giving a few more words of explanation behind each. (10 mins)
• Finally, he/she asks them to sit at their tables and share their experiences and insights from the session in their group. Then they are brought back together and have a large group conversation about the session and what they have learnt. (20 mins)
Timings are a guideline only and at 90 minutes total for about 30 people is tight. Two hours would be a better allocation of time. This works best with about 30 people i.e six groups of five people. More time would be required for a larger group
Reverse Brainstorming
If brainstorming wasn’t a big one word… came across a bigger word … reverse brainstorming!
While diving through the World Wide Web, netted another interesting topic/technique/tool… Reverse brainstorming. As per my understanding and thanks to Mind Tools for this –
Reverse Brainstorming is a tool to be used when one has tried all the possible options and the solutions is still eluding!
If Brainstorming refers to ‘storming of brain’ and hoping to come up with some jewels and pearls and even the mythological pot of nectar as a solution for a problem then reverse brainstorming is just the opposite … brainstorming not to look for solutions but to aggravate the existing problem. To look at various ways in which the current problem can be taken to optimum heights … to the fatal possible limit!
Once some dreadful options have come out of this reverse process, there is a need to look at them and understand their importance. The next step is to reverse these options and see as to how many of them exist currently thereby leading to the problem. The final step is to start working on eliminating them and achieve successful solution.
This sounds interesting and I intend to try it out for some of my long lasting problems!
To know more about Reverse Brainstorming, please visit
Moti va tion
Aims and objectives:
By the end of the chapter you will be able to:
Describe content and process theories of motivation
Understand the difference between content and process approaches
Describe the effect of knowledge of results and goal setting on motivation
Describe the concept of job satisfaction
Describe ways of assessing an individual’s affective response to work
Detail the characteristics most commonly associated with job satisfaction
Understand what is known of the relationship between job satisfaction and
other variables such as gender, personality, class and age
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Three Elements of Motivation
Motivation starts with the desire to be free, to be free from dependency on others,
freedom to live the lifestyle we dream of, freedom to explore our ideas. Total freedom is
not possible or desirable, but the struggle to achieve that ideal is the basis for motivation.
Motivation is built on three basic elements:
1. Motivation starts with a need, vision, dream or desire to achieve the seemingly
impossible. Creativity is associated with ideas, projects and goals, which can be
considered a path to freedom.
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2. Develop a love-to-learn, become involved with risky ventures and continually
seek new opportunities. Success is based on learning what works and does not
work.
3. Developing the ability to overcome barriers and to bounce back from
discouragement or failure. Achievers learn to tolerate the agony of failure. In any
worthwhile endeavor, barriers and failure will be there. Bouncing back requires
creative thinking as it is a learning process. In addition, bouncing back requires
starting again at square one.
Seven Rules of Motivation
#1 Set a major goal, but follow a path. The path has mini goals that go in
many directions. When you learn to succeed at mini goals, you will be
motivated to challenge grand goals.
#2 Finish what you start. A half finished project is of no use to anyone.
Quitting is a habit. Develop the habit of finishing self-motivated projects.
#3 Socialize with others of similar interest. Mutual support is motivating.
We will develop the attitudes of our five best friends. If they are losers, we will
be a loser. If they are winners, we will be a winner. To be a cowboy we must
associate with cowboys.
#4 Learn how to learn. Dependency on others for knowledge supports the
habit of procrastination. Man has the ability to learn without instructors. In
fact, when we learn the art of self-education we will find, if not create,
opportunity to find success beyond our wildest dreams.
#5 Harmonize natural talent with interest that motivates. Natural talent
creates motivation, motivation creates persistence and persistence gets the
job done.
#6 Increase knowledge of subjects that inspires. The more we know
about a subject, the more we want to learn about it. A self-propelled upward
spiral develops.
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#7 Take risk. Failure and bouncing back are elements of motivation. Failure
is a learning tool. No one has ever succeeded at anything worthwhile without a
string of failures.
Sources of Motivational Needs
Biological
increase/decrease stimulation (arousal)
activate senses (taste, touch, smell, etc)
decrease hunger, thirst, discomfort, etc.
maintain homeostasis, balance
Affective
increase/decrease affective dissonance
increase feeling good
decrease feeling bad
increase security of threats or of self-esteem
maintain levels of optimism and enthusiasm
Cognitive
maintain attention to something interesting or
threatening
develop meaning or understanding
increase/decrease cognitive disequilibrium; uncertainty
solve a problem or make a decision
figure something out
eliminate threat or risk
Conative
meet individually developed/selected goal
obtain personal dream
take control of one's life
eliminate threats to meeting goal, obtaining dream
reduce others' control of one's life
Behavioral
elicited by stimulus associated/connected to innately
connected stimulus
obtain desired, pleasant consequences (rewards)
imitate positive models
Spiritual
understand purpose of one's life
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connect self to ultimate unknowns
Humanistic theories
Maslow (1954)
Slater disagrees with the order of needs.
He looked at schizophrenics.
They are not secure but could show intimacy.
A couple of other needs could be added:
Need for self-regard
Need for social respect
Criticism – but already covered by esteem needs and belongingness needs.
Self-efficacy
Emotive influences can be linked to Yerkes-Dodson. Too much emotional arousal will cause a
decrease in self-efficacy and thus a drop in motivation and performance.
Rewards and Reinforcement
Cox believes that motivation is a drive that can be influenced and purposefully changed by
well thought-out environmental manipulations. A behaviourist view.
Primary motivation – derived from activity itself (Intrinsic rewards)
Secondary motivation – Influence from outside the activity (e.g. praise and other
rewards) (Extrinsic Rewards)
Positive motivation
o Primary – your appraisal of how well you are doing (Intrinsic)
o Secondary – positive comments and encouragement from others (Extrinsic)
Negative motivation
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o Primary – Feeling bad about what you are attempting
o Secondary – bad marks for work.
Attribution theory
Locus of control
Internal locus of control – believing that success or failure is attributable to one’s own effort or
ability.
External locus of control – attributing success or failure to factors outside of one’s control (e.g.
luck, poor teaching, etc).
High achievers attribute success to internal and stable (fixed or unchangeable) causes
High achievers attribute failure to external and stable causes (test was not fair) or internal and
unstable causes (I didn’t revise).
Termed ‘Mastery orientated’
Persist in the face of failure
Low achievers attribute success to internal unstable causes (I passed because I did lots of
revision) or external causes such as ‘the test was easy’ or ‘I was lucky my favourite topics
came up’.
They fail to make the connection between personal ability and consequences.
Label them as thick and useless.
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They have low expectations and lower levels of motivation.
A form of ‘learned helplessness’
Point out – cognitive approach
Remedy – Teacher has to persuade the child to think differently about themselves.
Impacting motivation in the classroom
There are a variety of specific actions that teachers can take to increase motivation on
classroom tasks. In general, these fall into the two categories: intrinsic motivation and
extrinsic motivation.
Intrinsic
Extrinsic
Explain or show why learning a
particular content or skill is
important
Create and/or maintain curiosity
Provide a variety of activities and
sensory stimulations
Provide games and simulations
Set goals for learning
Relate learning to student needs
Help student develop plan of action
Provide clear expectations
Give corrective feedback
Provide valuable rewards
Make rewards available
Intrinsic works best for most. Extrinsic rewards will work provided that the teacher is
around.
TYPES OF REWARDS:
PRAISE (and other VERBAL reinforcement) - for correct responses during class
discussions, accurate homework, improved test scores, etc.
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SYMBOLIC REWARDS - such as gold stars, having one's picture on a bulletin
board or name in a newsletter, etc.
TOKEN REWARDS - such as points or chips, which are valueless in
themselves, but which can be redeemed for things of value
TANGIBLE REWARDS - such as edibles, toys, or school related items (pencils,
notebooks, etc.)
ACTIVITY REWARDS - such as free time, being leader of an activity, going on
a field trip
Effective Praise VS Ineffective Praise
EFFECTIVE PRAISE:
1. Is delivered contingently.
2. Specifies the particulars of the accomplishment.
3. Shows spontaneity, and other signs of credibility; suggests clear attention to the
student's accomplishment.
4. Rewards attainment of specified performance criteria.
5. Provides information to students about their competence or the value of their
accomplishments.
6. Orients students towards better appreciation of their own task-related behaviour and
thinking about problem solving.
7. Uses student’s own prior accomplishments as the content for describing present
accomplishments.
8. Is given in recognition of noteworthy effort or success at difficult tasks.
9. Fosters endogenous attributes.
10. Fosters appreciation of and desirable attributions about task relevant behaviour after
the task is completed.
INEFFECTIVE PRAISE:
1. Is delivered randomly or unsystematically.
2. Is restricted to global positive reactions.
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3. Shows a bland uniformity, which suggests a conditioned response made with
minimal attention.
4. Provides no information at all or gives students information about their status.
5. Is given without regard to the effort expended or the meaning of the accomplishment.
6. Focuses students' attention on the teacher as an external authority figure who is
manipulating them.
7. Intrudes into ongoing process, distracting attention from task relevant behaviour.
Motivation factors and strategies by Time period
Beginning, During and Ending
Time: Beginning - When learner enters and starts learning.
Motivation Factors:
Attitudes - towards the environment, teacher, subject matter and self.
Needs - the basic need within the learner at the time of learning.
Motivation Strategies:
make the conditions that surround the subject positive
Positively confront the erroneous beliefs, expectations and assumptions that may
underlie a negative learner attitude.
reduce or remove components of the learning environment that lead to failure or fear
plan activities to allow learners to meet esteem needs
Time: During - When learner is involved in the body or main content of the learning process
Motivation Factors:
Stimulation - the stimulation processes affecting the learner during the learning experience.
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Affect - the emotional experience of the learner while learning.
Motivational Strategies:
change style and content of the learning activity
make learner reaction and involvement essential parts of the learning process, that is,
problem solving, role playing, stimulation
use learner concerns to organise content and to develop themes and teaching
procedures
use a group cooperation goal to maximise learner involvement and sharing
Time: Ending - When learner is completing the learning process
Motivational Factors:
Competence - the competence value for the learner that is a result of the learning
behaviours
Reinforcement - the reinforcement value attached to the learning experience, for the
learner.
Motivational Strategies:
provide consistent feedback regarding mastery of learning
Acknowledge and affirm the learners' responsibility in completing the learning
task
when learning has natural consequences, allow them to be congruently evident
provide artificial reinforcement when it contributes to successful learning, and
provide closure with a positive ending
Motivational Theory and Technique
Motivation Research
1. Supportive, appropriate challenge, meaningful, moderation/optimal.
2. Teach goal setting and self-reinforcement.
3. Offer rewards for good/improved performance.
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4. Novelty, variety, choice, adaptable to interests.
5. Gamelike, fun, fantasy, curiosity, suspense, active.
6. Higher levels, divergence, dissonance, interact with peers.
7. Allow to create finished products.
8. Provide immediate feedback, advance organizers.
9. Show intensity, enthusiasm, interest, minimize anxiety.
10. Make content personal, concrete, familiar.
Other Work Place Motivation Tips
1. Include positive before negative comments.
2. Wish students "good effort" not "good luck".
3. Give flexibility in assignments and due dates.
4. Communicate respect via tasks select and control.
5. Design interactive and interesting activities.
6. Use coop learning, debates and group discussions.
7. Minimize social comparisons and public evaluations.
8. Use relevant, authentic learning tasks.
9. Use optimal difficulty and novelty.
10. Use challenge, curiosity, control, and fantasy.
11. Give challenging but achievable tasks.
12. Create short term or proximal goals and vary these goals.
13. Give employees different ways to demo what they know.
14. Encourage employees to give and get help.
15. Attribute failure to low effort or ineffective strategy.
(Attribute success to effort or competence)
16. Give poor performing employee the role of expert.
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Ways to Motivate Employees
1. Ice Breakers
(Treasured objects, birthday circles, treasure hunts, middle name game,
accomplishment hunts, similarity wheels, who's like me, coat of arms, self-disclosure
intros, expectations charts, scrambled sayings)
2. Goal Cards, Goal Notebooks
(ST and LT with objectives and ideas how to achieve)
3. Floating A, Escape Clauses, Volunteer Assignments, etc.
(To be used on any assignment within 25 hours)
4. Self Report Cards, Self Evaluation
5. Discussion Questions, Issues, Problems, Solutions
(Perhaps answer questions of the other teams, talking chips)
6. Term Crossword Puzzles or Term Matching, Competitions, Dilemmas
7. Success Contracts and Choice Calendars
(Guarantee an A or B if fulfill contract provisions)
8. Positive Statements, Self Reinforcements
(Bury the "I can'ts" and Save the "I Cans")
9. Celebrations, Praises, Acknowledgments, Thank Yous, Put-Ups
(Multicultural days, trips, class awards, helpers, end of term)
10. Class Community Building
(Web Site and Digitized Web class photo, photo album, class project,
tee-shirts, field trips)
11. Democratic Voting, Student Interest Surveys, Class Opinion Polls
12. Random Acts of Kindness, Service Learning/Teaching, Volunteerism
13. Change Roles or Status
(Random roles, assume expert roles, switch roles for a day)
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Name:
________________________
TREASURE HUNT
INSTRUCTIONS: Write your name on the first line. Circulate around the room finding
one trait you have in common (i.e., "newcomer to city") and one item quite dissimilar
(i.e., "has worked for same organization over 10 years" vs. "third job this year!")
NAME
ALIKE
DIFFERENT
1.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
2.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
3.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
4.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
5.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
6.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
7.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
8.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
9.
_____________________ _____________________ _____________________
10. _____________________ _____________________ _____________________
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EMPLOYEE MOTIVATION
Jere Brophy's review of research n 1987 found nine variables that employers can
manipulate in order to increase employee motivation.
1. Interest - Motivation can be increased by relating the subject to what interests the
employee outside of the work area. Examples are music, games or allowing
employees to select activities of their own.
2. Employee Needs - Employees are motivated when the activities/work they are
involved in meet some of their basic needs.
3. Novelty and Variety - Motivation is increased when activities are varied and
interesting. Research shows that it is better to give two 15 minute lectures with a 5
minute activity between them than to give a 30 minute activity afterwards.
4. Success - When an employee successfully completes a somewhat challenging task,
motivation is increased. Employers can ensure success by making goals and
objectives clear, teaching in small steps, and checking to see if the employees
understand each step.
5. Employee attributions for Success and Failure - Employers must show employees that
failure is a result of lack of effort or an ineffective strategy, not ability. Employees
must be shown that success is the result of both ability and effort.
6. Tension - Tension is a feeling of concern an employee has when he or she knows they
will be required to demonstrate learning. Employers can raise the tension-level by
moving around the room, calling on volunteers, and giving quizzes.
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7. Feeling tone - Feeling tone is the climate in a work place. Feeling tone can be made
positive by treating employees in a courteous manner, expressing sincere interest in
the employees and getting to know them.
8. Feedback - Employee motivation is increased when feedback is given concerning
their performance. Feedback should be specific and given soon after the
performance.
9. Encouragement – Employers often point out all of the negative aspects of an
employees work. Encouragement emphasizes positive aspects and communicates
positive expectations for future behaviors.
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Highlights of Research on Strategies for Motivating
Employees to Learn
Research on employee motivation to learn indicates promising principles suitable for application
in work places.
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Essential Preconditions
1. Supportive environment
2. Appropriate level of challenge/difficulty
3. Meaningful learning objectives
4. Moderation/optimal use
Motivating by Maintaining Success
Expectations
5. Program for success
6. Teach goal setting, performance
appraisal, and self-reinforcement
7. Help employees to recognize linkages
between effort and outcome
8. Provide remedial socialization
Motivating by Supplying Extrinsic
Incentives
9. Offer rewards for good (or improved)
performance
10. Structure appropriate competition
11. Call attention to the instrumental value
of any activity
Motivating by Capitalizing on
Employees' Intrinsic Motivation
12. Adapt tasks to employees' interests
13. Include novelty/variety elements
14. Allow opportunities to make choices or
autonomous decisions
15. Provide opportunities for employees to
respond actively
16. Provide immediate feedback to employee
responses
17. Allow employees to create finished
products
18. Include fantasy or simulation elements
19. Incorporate game-like features
20. Include higher-level objectives and
divergent questions
21. Provide opportunities to interact with
peers
Stimulating Employee Motivation to
Learn
22. Model interest in learning and motivation
to learn
23. Communicate desirable expectations and
attributions about employees' motivation
to learn
24. Minimize employees' performance anxiety
during risk tasks
25. Project intensity
26. Project enthusiasm
27. Induce task interest or appreciation
28. Induce curiosity or suspense
29. Induce dissonance or cognitive conflict
30. Make abstract content more personal,
concrete, or familiar
31.Induce employees to generate their own
motivation to learn
32. State learning objectives and provide
advance organizers
33. Model task-related thinking and problem
solving
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WHY HAVE FUN AT WORK?
Getting to Know Your Team
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➢ Ice Breakers
➢ Team Building
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Ice Breakers
Index Card: What is unique about you???
1. Favorite Sports/hobbies/past times (upper left)
2. Birthplace and Favorite cities to visit (upper right)
3. Current Job and Responsibilities (lower left)
4. 2 comments, things, or traits about yourself (e.g., team player,
personable, talkative, opinionated, hate Purdue, like movies, move
a lot, hate sports) (lower right)
5. Accomplishments you are proud of (in the middle)
Treasured Objects -Take out two items out of your wallet and describe
how they best represent you (e.g., family pictures, credit cards, rabbits'
feet) and share.
Intro self by a nickname - current, past, or potential nickname. (Ask others
what it means during break)
Brainstorm a list of questions you would like to ask the others... (e.g., My
person I most admire is? The best book I ever read?)
Middle name game - state what middle name is and how you got it.
Accomplishment Hunt -
1. Turn in 2-3 accomplishments (e.g., past summer, during college,
during life);
2. Workshop leader lists 1-2 of those for each student on a sheet
without names.
3. Participants have to ask "Is this you?" If yes, get a signature.
Team brainteasers – fun IQ tests, scrambled cities,
crossword puzzles, competitions
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Employers Use Fun to Fight Turnover
It's Serious Business!
Everyone has had a bad hair day, but how about a bad tie, bad hat or bad
shoe day? More and more companies are putting together contests on the
ugliest dressed. Why? Another company sponsors an annual turkey bowl.
Employees go out on the loading dock, take a frozen turkey and try to knock
down as many empty wine bottles as possible. This is not evidence of
companies’ gone nuts, but tactics used to stem off a serious business
problem.
The biggest problem facing business today is how to keep and motivate
workers. The other problem slapping them in the face is high turnover. Just
like the Titanic, today's mobile employees jump ship for as little as a $1.00
hr raise unless something keeps them. That something may equate to a fun,
flexible workplace that gives them more freedom and responsibility.
Wouldn't it be great if you enjoyed going to work? Where your supervisors
showed appreciation for what you did?
A company experiencing high turnover has a serious financial problem. It
costs anywhere from $4000-$15,000 to recruit, hire and train a new
employee. One Atlanta company lost 420 of the 431 employees they hired
this year. If it cost them $4000 per employee that equates to a $1.7 million
loss. Unfortunately, most employers do not know how much turnover is
costing them.
Here are a few examples of fun workplaces:
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Humor Corner: Give employees one corner of a break room or other area
to post cartoons, illustrations and other items designed to relieve stress. At
the end of each week, the staff can award a prize for the best submission.
Flextime/flexshare: First Tennessee Bank, (city, state) believes that if you
treat employees well they in return treat your customers well. The use of
flextime and flexshare programs has resulted in double the loan volume
handled since 1992 with no increase in staff or major changes in systems or
technology. An additional bonus: a giant leap in customer service ratings.
The Talking Stick: Try introducing the "talking stick" into your office. This
idea originated from a Native American tradition. Each month a different
person in the office receives the talking stick which provides that person
certain rights and privileges (which vary from office to office) for the month.
For example, the "owner" could provide fellow employees one hour a month
administrative leave.
Employee Dollars: At Phoenix Solutions Inc. employees award an
"employee dollar" to fellow employees who do something special or exceed
company expectations. Each month the employee with the most dollars gets
movie tickets, dinner, and a plaque with their name as "Employee of the
Month."
"Management by fooling around": Herb Kelleher, CEO and founder of
Southwest Airlines, combines fun and hard work into something he calls
"management by fooling around." At the nonconformist airline everything -
from the tickets and boarding passes to the casual dress and occasional
costumes attendants wear - clearly demonstrates that something is
different.
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Payday: The Milwaukee office manager for Manpower Inc. doesn't just give
out paychecks on payday - employees also receive a Payday candy bar with
their check.
Lightning Bolt Thru the Head: A great tools for getting people to think
innovatively and have fun at the same time.
Man Overboard Award: CIGNA believes in rewarding employees who goes
over and beyond for their customers. The Man Overboard Award is a life-
saving ring, which the president presents to an employee at a special
ceremony. CIGNA also pays teams for implemented ideas that improve
productivity with awards as high as $25,000.
Choose Your Own Reward: At Miami-based Creative Staffing, the owner
rewards her employees with parties, expensive dinners, chauffeured
shopping sprees, spa sessions, and cooking lessons with Paul Prodhomme.
She lets her employees decide what they want, then figure out how much
their package costs and also how much additional business they have to
generate to cover those costs. Choose your own reward - sounds like fun!
Engineering Bucks: The technicians at Weather Channel in Atlanta
created their own recognition system--called Tech Bucks. All they did was
Xerox a dollar bill and give five of them out at the beginning of each month.
They give them to each other for doing a good job. At the end of the month
they tally up who got the most and the winner gets a special prize.
Dancing the Macarena: Employees at PeopleSoft, Inc. still haven’t
forgotten the day that CEO David Duffield danced the Macarena in front of
500 happy co-workers. Duffield does not act like a boss. His office is a
cubicle; he answers his own phone and opens his own mail. Annual
employee turnover is three percent, or one-quarter of the national average.
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Employees who earn outstanding service awards get either $500 in cash or
100 stock options.
The Extra Mile- United Services Automobile Association (USAA) provides
blank "Thank You" note stationary for their workers called The Extra Mile.
Employees are encouraged to say "Thank You" to each other for the help
they receive at work. The most surprising thing happened on the first day
USAA printed the notes . . . they ran out! The company couldn't keep up
with the demand.
Fat Friday: Just about everybody loves to eat. At Texas A&M the first
Friday of each month is celebration time. Everyone brings food to share,
and they celebrate birthdays for those month as well as work anniversaries.
Surprise Celebrations: Often it’s the unexpected and informal that
employees enjoy as much as formal awards. Conduct frequent,
unannounced recognition and award celebrations, such as having a pizza
party. If you don’t know of a reason to have a get-together for the work
force, invent one.
Gold Stars and Frogs: At Wachovia Bank, each Monday morning they set
milestones for the week with input from staff members. On Friday,
employees receive a Gold Star and $2.00 (funny money) for each milestone
met. Employees can also recognize their peers with a sticker of a frog,
which is worth $1.00. Staff members display the gold stars and frogs on a
white cardboard poster. At the end of each month, they hold a random
drawing for a dinner ($50.00) and movies ($25.00).
Having Fun: Hal Rosenbluth, CEO of Rosenbluth International (the nation’s
fourth-largest travel services company) believes in creating a fun work
environment. He starts by hiring "nice people," since he believes nice
people like to work together and they like to have fun. Officers dedicate
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every Tuesday afternoon to serving high tea and discussing corporate
values and other matters of importance to new recruits at the company’s
Philadelphia headquarters. There’s a toll-free 800 number for any associate
to contact Rosenbluth. He uses a sort of Crayola Rorschach test by sending
associates crayons and blank paper to render their view of the company. A
"happiness barometer" team meets every six months to benchmark attitudes
and enjoyment levels.
Faux Paus Award: Sometimes it’s fun to recognize an employee’s goof. Try
the "Faux Paus Award" - a plaque passed around the organization at a
monthly social event with the current recipient’s name engraved. The
"keeper" of the award is responsible for selecting the next deserving
recipient.
After Dinner Phone Call: Even though you took time during the work day
to thank the employee who went "above and beyond," go a step further and
call them at home after dinner to say thanks. You might be surprised how
much this can mean.
Breakfast with the President: The Human Resources Department of
Nations Healthcare Inc. initiated a "Breakfast with the President" program
to improve communications between employees and the CEO. Each
breakfast begins at approximately 8:15 a.m., with coffee and biscuits served
by the staff, and ends when the discussion ends. Results--higher morale and
a sense of open communication.
Fun Fridays: A Dallas (Texas) unit of Sprint Corporation uses "Fun Fridays"
to energize workers. Themes have included exchanging a plant with a co-
worker, and ice cream socials where managers wore aprons and served
sundaes.
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Thrilling Thursdays: Nike Employees in Beaverton, Oregon can’t wait for
Thursday to roll around. They stop work at 4:30 in the afternoon and after
some beer and soda they kayak across a lake, race bikes and compete in a
600-yard run.
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Team Building
Celebrating Special Events – Celebrate birthdays, team accomplishments, holidays, and more.
Team Photos – Every time there is a new member of the team, welcome them by replacing the
old team photo.
Activities – Go to challenge courses, lunches, “field trips”
Psychic Massage (a closer activity)
1. Divide in teams of 3-5.
2. In alphabetical order of first names have someone turn his or back to the group
3. Team members must make positive, uplifting statements about that person behind his or
her back but loud enough for others to hear them.
4. One minute per person.
Positive Strokes
1. 2-3 times during a long meeting or workshop, each person fills out a 3 x 5 card about
other participants.
2. They must complete sentences like: "the thing I like best about (name) "and "the
biggest improvement I saw in (name) is".
3. At the end of the day, the folded cards are passed out and read aloud and then given to
the named person.
Community Building -common tee shirts, photo of group and perhaps put up on the Web. Put
announcement of retreat on Web or newsletter.
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Creative Thinking Techniques
➢ Group Creativity Techniques
➢ More on Idea Spurring
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Group Creativity Techniques
➢ Brainstorming – More ideas, the better. Wild ideas good. No evaluation.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas, project planning.
➢ Reverse Brainstorming – How to do things worse, take more time, be less
effective, have less fun.
Example Use: Writing boring year end reports, boosting employee
morale.
➢ SCAPMER method – Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other
uses, Eliminate, Rearrange.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas, new job roles.
➢ Metaphorical Thinking – How is your job like a circus?
Example Use: Interview questions, self performance evaluation.
➢ Six Hats – Wear different hats for different types of thinking.
Example Use: New idea evaluation
➢ Attribute Listing or Morphological Synthesis – Analyze or combine 2 key
variables/components in grid/matrix.
Example Use: Coming up with new ideas.
➢ Simulations and Role Plays – act out scenes, do computer simulations
Example Use: Customer Service training.
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Reverse Brainstorming Exercise:
In the space below, list all the ways you can make cubicle life worse:
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Avoid Being an Idea Squelcher
➢ Von Oech’s 10 Blocks to Creativity
➢ Idea Squelching Phrases to Avoid
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Von Oech’s 10 Blocks to Creativity
1. “The Right Answer”
2. “That’s Not Logical”
3. “Follow the Rules”
4. “Be Practical”
5. “Avoid Ambiguity”
6. “To Err is Wrong”
7. “Play is Frivolous”
8. “That’s Not My Area”
9. Don’t Be Foolish”
10. “I’m Not Creative”
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Idea Squelching Phrases
As a manager, work hard to never use these phrases. They will diminish motivation and
creativity and promptly halt all fun at work.
We’ve never done it before.
We’ve already tried that before.
It can’t be done.
It won’t work.
No way.
Are you nuts?
It’s a waste of time.
I’m telling you, it just won’t work.
What will other people think?
Somebody would have suggested it before if it were any good.
It is too _____ (modern, old fashioned, expensive, cheap, flashy, boring,
etc.)
Let’s discuss it at some other time.
You’ve got to be kidding.
You ask too many questions.
It’s not in the budget.
It has limited possibilities.
Let’s form a committee.
Don’t forget the chain of command.
We don’t want to step on any toes.
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________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________
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Break into groups and come up with 3 or four very creative idea
squelchers
Rewarding Your Team
➢ “1001 Ways to Reward Your Employees”
➢ “1001 Ways to Energize Employees”
➢ List of Free Rewards:
➢ Reward Activity
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1001 Ways to Reward Employees
Table of Contents Page:
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1001 Ways to Energize Employees
Table of Contents Page:
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Free Rewards
1. Personally thank an employee for a specific job well-done. Specify what was good about it
and why you appreciate it, which tells the employee you do pay attention. For example, say:
"Thank you, Jim, for organizing that project so well. You made it very clear what should happen,
when and why."
2. Put that specific praise in a letter or thank-you note. When you take the time to write
something down, you clearly value it. This makes the praise even more meaningful. When
appropriate, copy the employee's manager on your praise letter. Sharing the praise with
management lets the employee know you support his or her success at your company.
3. Provide as much information as possible about the company. Share as much as you can
about how the company is doing, where it's making money, where it's losing money, how its
products are doing in the marketplace, what new initiatives are being considered and why, and
how the employee can best contribute to these efforts.
4. At every opportunity, include your employees in the decisions you make. In many cases,
your employees understand a side of an issue that you may not. If you need to create a more
efficient delivery system, ask your delivery men and women how they would improve the current
system. If you want to improve work flow for support staff, discuss with your secretaries and
clerical workers how to best keep the work flowing. Use their ideas, and give them credit for them.
5. Give employees the opportunity to learn as many new skills as they are able to. Most
people like to learn, to grow, and to improve their marketability, and the more skills you enable
your employees to learn, the more they will value their position with you. Cross-train whenever
possible so employees know each other's jobs. An added benefit is that employees who
understand the realities of one another's positions are more willing to cooperate and feel more
like members of the same team.
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6. Celebrate successes. Celebrate an employee's successful completion of a project, a
salesperson's landing a big client, your company's improved sales figures, your organization's
successful year-end. After a particularly tense week, bring donuts and coffee and gather
everyone together to applaud a hard-working team. Provide balloons and noisemakers for a
rousing chorus of cheers for the completion of a difficult project. Buy a plastic crown at a party
store to place on the head of an employee who mastered a difficult skill or finished a course of
study. Mark the successes of your staff and celebrate them. Don't be afraid to be goofy in your
celebration; it's a refreshing change from hard work.
7. Provide free time and flexibility. Set aside an hour here and there for employees who have
delivered an extra level of work. Make it clear that the free time is a reward for a specific
accomplishment, such as finishing a challenging project or delivering month-end reports early.
Alternatively, you can reward all your employees together, for example, by letting them leave an
hour early to miss rush-hour traffic on a day of expected heavy traffic. Give extra time for lunch to
an employee or team who has worked through lunch to deliver something to a client. Allow time
off for personal or family responsibilities.
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Reward Activity
You have $20 total to reward your 10 employees. How do you do it? - Brainstorm
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Hiring Creative People
➢ Creativity Tests – like the one you took earlier
➢ List of Creative People’s Personality Traits
➢ Metaphorical Thinking in Interviews
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Metaphorical Thinking in Interviews
How is your current position like being a shark?
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
How was your last job like being in a prison?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________
How was your last job like being in an amusement park?
_____________________________________________________________________________________
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Peer Evaluation Form
Instructions:
Please evaluate your peers’ contributions, using a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest. You
should fill out an evaluation form for everyone in the group except yourself. If you think that
one of the items is not applicable for your group work process, please select "no response”.
These ratings will not cause a deduction in your teammates' grades but high ratings will be
used to give them bonus points. So please be as precise as you can.
Your Name:
The name of the member that you are evaluating:
Team Number:
The above member of your team
1) Shows up for team meetings
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
2) Produces the tasks that were agreed upon by the group
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
3) Volunteers when tasks need to be accomplished
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
4) Constructively develops ideas with group members
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
5) Makes helpful suggestions
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
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6) Is a careful listener
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
7) Demonstrates respect for other team members
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
8) Meets deadlines
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
9) Demonstrates interest in and knowledge of topic
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
10) Shares resources
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
11) Incorporates course materials and outside sources
(1) 1
(2) 2
(3) 3
(4) 4
(5) 5
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12) Before your team started working on this homework, team members knew that they would
be evaluated by their teammates.
a) Did this information affect your performance positively with respect to the previous
homework?
(1) Yes
(2) No
Comments:
b) Did this information affect your teammates' performance positively with respect to the
previous homework?
(1) Yes
(2) No
Comments:
Exploring Creative Thinking Techniques
Exercise:
Just suppose von Oech’s ball bearing example
Brainstorm in groups of 3-4 and share
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________________________________________
Page 49
“Lets suppose that you’re a marketing hot shot. You get a call from the president of a large company and
learn that somehow his inventory system has fouled up, and his company now has a $1,000,000 over-
supply of ball bearings. Your task is to think of things to do with the ball bearings, using them either one-
at-a-time or in combinations.”
- 49 -
________________________________________
Page 50
Removing Mental Blocks
Exercise:
List recent examples of idea squelcher or block within your organization –
Discuss how you addressed, seek partners input through pair/share
- 50 -
________________________________________
Page 51
Examining Creativity in the Workplace
Exercise:
Image of Workplace through Metaphor
Rank the top ten images of your workplace
My workplace is a …
1.
Mental straight-jacket
2.
Military camp
3.
Ghetto
4.
Prison
5.
Family
6.
Artist’s palette
7.
Team
8.
Negotiating area
9.
Culture
10.
Exhibition
11.
Orchestra
12.
Garden
13.
Expedition
14.
Herd
15.
Museum
16.
Machine
17.
Hospital
18.
Nursery
19.
Labor ward
20.
Beehive
21.
Living organism
22.
Theater
23.
International airport
24.
Refuge
25.
Ocean
26.
Board game
27.
Camping trip
28.
Court room
29.
Monastery
30.
Pressure cooker
31.
Fraternity party
32.
Olympic games
33.
Brew pub
34.
Zoo
35.
Amusement park
36.
Casino
37.
Tour bus
38.
Theme park
39.
Video arcade
40.
Laboratory
- 51 -
________________________________________
Page 52
Understanding Managerial/Organizational Impact on
Creativity
Exercise:
Check-off the environmental stimulants/obstacles in your organizational
environment as listed in Managing for Creativity, pages 4-5
Break into groups of 3-4 and share
Environmental Stimulants to Creativity:
1.
Freedom
2.
Good Project Management
3.
Sufficient Resources
4.
Encouragement
5.
Various Organizational Characteristics ( __________________________ )
6.
Recognition
7.
Sufficient Time
8.
Challenge
9.
Pressure
10.
Outside Organization
Environmental Obstacles to Creativity:
1.
Various Organizational Characteristics ( __________________________ )
2.
Constraints
3.
Organizational Disinterest
4.
Poor Project Management
5.
Evaluation
6.
Insufficient Resources
7.
Time Pressure
8.
Over Emphasis on the Status Quo
9.
Competition
- 52 -
________________________________________
Page 53
Understanding Managerial/Organizational Impact on
Creativity
Exercise:
Identify balance factors (manager or subordinate perspective) at use in your
organization
Break into groups of 3-4 and share
Goal-Setting
Evaluation
Reward
Pressure
- 53 -
________________________________________
Page 54
Developing Creative Organizations
Exercise:
von Oech Wack Pack – Your organization is beginning the “I-Journey” Role play cards
as they may apply to the three phases of discovery, synthesis and realization in your
organization
Exercise:
Reverse brainstorm
How not to build and support creativity in your organization
- 54 -
________________________________________
Page 55
Increasing Your Creativity
Exercise:
Self-Assessment Personality Test
Creative Behavior Inventory
This is an inventory, not a test. The inventory is simply a list of activities and accomplishments that are commonly considered to
be creative. For each item, circle the answer that best describes the frequency of the behavior in your adolescent and adult life.
Be sure to answer every question, and don’t worry about duplicate or similar items.
3-4
5-6
More than
Never
Once
Twice times times
6 times
1.
Received an award for acting.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
2.
Worked as an editor for a school or university literary publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
3.
Worked as an editor for a newspaper or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
4.
Constructed something that required scientific knowledge such as
a radio, telescope, scientific apparatus, etc.
(excluding school or university course work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
5.
Painted an original picture.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
6.
Designed and made your own greeting card.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
7.
Gave a recital.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
8.
Presented an original mathematics paper to a professional
or special interest group.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
9.
Founded a literary magazine or similar publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
10.
Made a craft out of metal (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
11.
Made candles.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
12.
Knitted or crocheted something (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
13.
Put on a puppet show.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
- 55 -
________________________________________
Page 56
14.
Made your own holiday decorations.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
15.
Built a hanging mobile (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
16.
Received an award for performance in modern dance or ballet.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
17.
Received an award for performance in popular dance.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
18.
Had a mathematics paper published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
19.
Made a sculpture (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
20.
Had an original music published or publicly performed.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
21.
Had a piece of literature (poem/short stories, etc.) published in
a school or university publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
22.
Developed an experimental design (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
23.
Wrote poems (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
24.
Entered a project into a science contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
25.
Received an award for an artistic accomplishment.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
26.
Received an award for making a craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
27.
Made a craft out of plastic, Plexiglas, stained glass or a similar material.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
28.
Made cartoons.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
29.
Made a leather craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
30.
Made a ceramic craft.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
31.
Wrote music for one instrument.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
32.
Wrote music for several instruments.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
33.
Designed and made a piece of clothing
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
34.
Cooked an original dish.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
- 56 -
________________________________________
Page 57
35.
Prepared an original floral arrangement.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
36.
Applied math in an original way to solve a practical problem
(excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
37.
Wrote an original computer program (excluding school
or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
38.
Drew a picture for aesthetic reasons.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
39.
Wrote the lyrics to a song.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
40.
Choreographed a dance.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
41.
Wrote a short story (excluding school or university work).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
42.
Wrote something humorous such as jokes, limericks, satire, etc.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
43.
Made jewelry.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
44.
Recorded a music record or CD.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
45.
Put on a radio show.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
46.
Had a piece of literature (poem, short story, etc.) published
(not in a school or university-related publication).
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
47.
Took and developed your own photographs.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
48.
Performed ballet or modern dance in a show or contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
49.
Had art work or craft work publicly exhibited.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
50.
Won an award for musical accomplishments.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
51.
Wrote clever or humorous letters.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
52.
Won an award for a scientific project or paper.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
53.
Assisted in the design of a set for a musical or dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
54.
Had art work published in a school or university publication.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
- 57 -
________________________________________
Page 58
55.
Had a role in a dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
56.
Had art work published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
57.
Started but did not finish a novel.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
58.
Wrote and completed a novel.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
59.
Made or helped make a film or video tape.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
60.
Won an award for some achievement in literature.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
61.
Entered a mathematical paper or project into a contest.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
62.
Had a scientific paper published.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
63.
Planned and kept a garden.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
64.
Kept a sketch book.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
65.
Was a participating member of a symphony orchestra.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
66.
Entered a contest as a singer.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
67.
Entered a contest as a musician.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
68.
Directed or managed a dramatic production.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
69.
Designed and made a costume.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
70.
Played an instrument (percussion, including piano) with a reasonable
degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
71.
Played an instrument (string) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
72.
Played an instrument (brass) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
73.
Played an instrument (wind) with a reasonable degree of proficiency.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
74.
Participated in a drama workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
75.
Participated in a craft workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
- 58 -
________________________________________
Page 59
76.
Participated in a writers’ workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
77.
Participated in a dance workshop, club, or similar organization.
0
1
2
3-4
5-6
7+
- 59 -
________________________________________
Page 60
Increasing Your Creativity
Exercise:
Identify two-three (designate short/long-term) ways to improve individual,
subordinate, organizational creativity and pair/share
- 60 -
________________________________________
Page 61
EVALUATION OF THE SUBJECT
Please rank 1-5, 1-Poor though 5 Very Well
1
2
3
4
5
1. How well did this course meet the stated learning objective?
2. Content Specifics
2A. The content was clear and understandable
2B. The flow of the topics made sense, and an appropriate amount
of time was spent on each.
2C. The content met or exceeded my expectations.
2D. The content will be useful to me back on the job.
2E. The learning support materials (workbooks, handouts, visuals)
were useful and of good quality.
2F. Rate the overall value to you of the course content.
3. Instructor Specifics
3A. The instructor demonstrated good mastery of the subject matter.
3B. The instructor was well organized and prepared.
3C. The instructor seemed genuinely interested in helping people
learn.
3D. The instructor responded effectively to the group's questions.
3E. Rate the overall quality of the instructors facilitations.
4. Your General Feedback
4A. The length and pacing of the course were just right.
4B. I would recommend this course.
4C. The learning facilities were conducive to a quality educational
experience.
5. What aspects of this course and the instructor contributed most to your learning?
6. What specific recommendations do you have for improving this course?
- 61 -
________________________________________
Page 62
Bibliography
The following are the references used for the Subject Guide:
Books / Testimonials:
1. Source: Merger of Ice Breakers (Bonk, 1998; Raffini, 1996; Scannell &
Newstrom, 1991; Thiagarajan, 1998).
2. Source: Merger of Ice Breakers (Bonk, 1998; Raffini, 1996; Scannell &
Newstrom, 1991; Thiagarajan, 1998)
3. Source: A Whack in the Side of the Head, Von Oech, 1983
4. Source: Creativity Is Forever, Gary Davis. Pg. 29
5. Source: 1001 Ways to Reward Employees by Bob Nelson, Kenneth H.
Blanchard (Foreword)
6. Source: 1001 Ways to Energize Employees by Bob Nelson
7. Source: Von Oech R. (1998). A Whack on the Side of the Head
8. Hocevar, D. (1980). Intelligence, divergent thinking, and creativity.
Intelligence, 4, 25-40.
9. Source: How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci by Michael J. Gelb
Websites:
1. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/evaluation.htm
2. Source: http://www.chartcourse.com/articlefun.htm
3. Source: http://www.offthemark.com/workplace/workplace08.htm
4. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/Cartoon1.html
5. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/reinforce.html
6. Source:http://www.entrepreneur.com/Your_Business/YB_SegArticle/0,4621,297
355,00.html
7. Source: http://www.cartoonwork.com/besttalent.htm
- 62 -
Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 pm
Question # 1 Total Marks: 1
Gazelles are the firms with:
Select correct option:
High growth rate
Moderate growth rate
Zero% growth rate
Low growth rate
Question # 2 Total Marks: 1
The resources acquired from others(creditors, banks etc) are usually:
Select correct option:
Easily available
Difficult to obtain
Very useful
Very cheap
Question # 3 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 4 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following statements about the intrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
Select correct option:
Trial and error are discouraged.
Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged.
Failures are not allowed
Question # 5 Total Marks: 1
The difference in the entrepreneurial and managerial domains has contributed towards an increase interest in:
Select correct option:
Forming new firms
Partnership
Intrapreneurship
Private firms
Question # 6 Total Marks: 1
The commitment of administrative domain to the resources is for:
Select correct option:
Periodic intervals
Total amount needed
For certain tasks
For long time
Question # 7 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 8 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ?????
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 Total Marks: 1
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Government
Finance
High interest rates
Role models
Question # 10 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 1 1 Total Marks: 1
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 12 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45 22 55
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 13 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 14 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following factors does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Family background
Education
Personal values
Gender
Question # 15 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 16 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 17 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 18 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 19 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 20 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 21 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following culture that has a climate and reward system that favor conservative decision making?
Select correct option:
Entrepreneurial
Intrapreneurial
Corporate
None of the given options
Question # 22 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 23 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 24 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 25 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 26 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 27 Total Marks: 1
All of the following are the broad categories of External forces EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Economic forces
Socioeconomic forces
Technological forces
Competitive forces
Question # 28 Total Marks: 1 External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 29 Total Marks: 1
There is evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 30 Total Marks: 1
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Last edited by Admin on Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:24 pm; edited 3 times in total
Admin
Administrator
Number of posts: 8062
Age: 36
Location: Sharqi Abadi Mustafabad Kasur
Job/hobbies: Do more for other
Mode (i.e. cool, angry etc): Serious
Warining:
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Rate by Admin:
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Reputation: 22
Registration date: 2007-10-23
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:00 pm
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The decision to start a new business is taken when one perceives that forming a new business is:
Select correct option:
Possible
Desirable
Accurate
Both a and b
entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Business skills
Departure point ???
Goal orientation
An entrepreneur into the hosiery business found out the reason his hosiery was not selling was due to its color. What could be the best source of this information?
Select correct option:
Supplier
Retailer
Competition
Government bureau
of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like they are big ones?
Select correct option:
Competition
Economic development
Technology
Customers
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
Select correct option:
Finance and marketing
Finance and R&D
Marketing and R&D
Marketing and IT
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 9 of 10 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following receives highest investment?
Select correct option:
High potential venture
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is required to develop a good team for creating something new?
Select correct option:
Relationship with team members
Open discussion
Non flexible behavior
Discouragement of team member’s ideas
Question # 3 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 4 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Good entrepreneurs are usually from families which are:
Select correct option:
Landlords
Capitalists
Can be from any family with supportive parents ???????
Conservative parents
Question # 5 of 10 Total Marks: 1
___________ is required if a company wants to be more flexible in adopting changes.
Select correct option:
Management commitment
Contact with customers
Technology
More productivity
Question # 6 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
Select correct option:
Finance and marketing
Finance and R&D
Marketing and R&D
Marketing and IT
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 8 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Business skills
Departure point
Goal orientation
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
The decision to start a new business is taken when one perceives that forming a new business is:
Select correct option:
Possible
Desirable
Accurate
Both a and b
Last edited by Admin on Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
Admin
Administrator
Number of posts: 8062
Age: 36
Location: Sharqi Abadi Mustafabad Kasur
Job/hobbies: Do more for other
Mode (i.e. cool, angry etc): Serious
Warining:
0 / 1000 / 100
Rate by Admin:
0 / 1000 / 100
Reputation: 22
Registration date: 2007-10-23
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:00 pm
MGT602
1st question was write the principles of corporate culture.
2nd one was trademark and types
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:08 pm
Q #1: The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
A. Middle ages
B. 18th century
C. 17th century
D. 19th and 20th century
Q #2: ___________ Process of creating incremental wealth is called Entrepreneurship.
A. Dynamic
B. Static
C. Continues
D. Systematic
Q #3: Most important factor in forming a new business is:
A. Finance
B. Marketing
C. Govt Support
D. Family Support
Q #4: Which one of the following is the process of entrepreneurs developing new
products that over time make current products obsolete?
A. Creative destruction
B. New business model
C. Anatomization
D. None of the given options
Q #5: The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a product
development process is called:
A. Iterative synthesis
B. Product-evolution process
C. Ordinary innovation
D. Situation analysis
Q #6: Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small businesses?
A. Poor financial control
B. Poor location
C. Management mistakes
D. Improper inventory control
Q #7: Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
A. Developing successful business ideas
B. Deciding to become an entrepreneur
C. Growing the entrepreneurial firm
D. Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Q #8: Which of the following is NOT included in the opportunity evaluation process?
A. Length of the opportunity
B. Real and perceived value of opportunity
C. Goals and objectives of customers
D. Risks and rewards of opportunity
Q #9: The resistance of employees in an organization against flexibility, growth, and
diversification can be overcome by developing:
A. Entrepreneurship
B. Intrapreneurship
C. Managerial domain
D. Administrative domain
Q #10: The entrepreneur’s_______________ depends on his perception of the
opportunity.
A. Commitment to opportunity
B. Commitment of resources
C. Control of resources
D. Strategic orientation
Q #11: Which of the following statements about the entrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
A. Trial and error are discouraged
B. Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
C. A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
D. Failures are not allowed
Q #12: Which of the following makes the formation of new venture difficult within a
corporate culture?
A. Lack of intrapreneurial talent
B. Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
C. Lack of market opportunity
D. All of the given options
Q #13: Which of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like they are
big ones?
A. Competition
B. Economic development
C. Technology
D. Customers
Q #14: Which of the following is alternatively called corporate venturing?
A. Entrepreneurship
B. Intrapreneurship
C. Act of stating a new venture
D. Offering new products by an existing company
Q #15: Being one’s own boss is a need of:
A. Independence
B. Achievement
C. Affiliation
D. Authority
Q #16: An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
A. Need for independence
B. Need for affiliation
C. Need of fame
D. Need for achievement
Q #17: Which one of the following factors does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
A. Family background
B. Education
C. Personal Values
D. Gender
Q #18: Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the
following EXCEPT:
A. Motivation
B. Business skills
C. Departure point
D. Goal orientation
Q #19: Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
A. Administration
B. Utilities
C. Manufacturing
D. None of the above
Q #20: Which one of the following is NOT TRUE about male entrepreneurs?
A. Males often have investors, bank loans, or personal loans in addition to personal
funds
B. Males often have more experience in manufacturing, finance, or technical areas
C. Men are often more confident and less flexible and tolerant
D. Men usually list outside advisors as the least important supporters
Answers
1--B
2--A
3--A
4--A
5--A
6--C
7--B
8--C
9--A
10--D
11--B
12--D
13--C
14--A
15--A
16--D
17--D
18--C
19--B
20--D
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:20 pm
Mgt 602 complete project
Plan Outline:
1.0 Executive Summary
a. Mission
b. Objectives
c. Keys to Success
2.0 Company Summary
d. Company Ownership
e. Company History
f. Company Locations and Facilities
3.0 Services
g. Service Description
h. Competitive Comparison
i. Sales Literature
j. Fulfillment
k. Technology
l. Future Services
4.0 Market Analysis Summary
m. Market Segmentation
n. Service Business Analysis
i. Main Competitors
ii. Competition and Buying Patterns
iii. Business Participants
iv. Distributing a Service
5.0 Strategy and Implementation Summary
o. Marketing Strategy
i. Promotion Strategy
ii. Distribution Strategy
iii. Positioning Statement
iv. Pricing Strategy
p. Sales Strategy
i. Sales Programs
ii. Sales Forecast
6.0 Management Summary
2. Organizational Structure
3. Appendix
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:24 pm
mgt602 Enterpreneurship project(sample)
Name: THE BREAD BAKERS
Location: Mall Road Lahore
Status: Private Limited Company
Working days: 365
Production capacity: 100-breads/ day
Introduction
The proposed company plans to establish a project for baking the flavored breads in different and unique shapes and sizes. Every bakery offers the bread, which is milky or simple, or diet in only one usual flavor. No bakery offers the flavored breads so far. This company’s main concern is the baking of that bread. This company will helps in enjoying the people the different flavors in different shapes. All the relevant data has been collected from the bakeries and the market. Its baking process is almost identical to the baking process of the simple bread. There’s no problem in getting the required equipment as well as the material as it is all locally available.
The company “Bread Bakers” is the first company concerning with the manufacturing of the flavored bread. It is the company, which don't only deals with the different flavors of bread but also the shapes of the bread.
We are a full service providing bread bakers offering a wide variety of fresh breads, which have unique flavors and shapes. We have that new world style taste and freshness that is all but obsolete in today's society.
Nature of business
This business is on the basis of partnership. Every partner will equally participate in the activities of business. Nature of business of The Bread Bakers is to carry out the breads such as: Flavored breads and multi –shaped bread.
Mission Statement
To provide our customers with bread that actually looks and tastes good.
Vision
The building of a community within the baking industry who voluntarily come together to meet common need and accomplish common goals.
Management Plan
Partnership Deed
In this service organization there are four partners who collaborate with each other. The profit deed is decided in the equal basis.
Departments
• Production Department
• Purchasing Department
• Finance & Accounts Department
• Marketing Department
Manufacturing unit Location
Our manufacturing unit is located in --------------------------------
We have selected this place because the portion of factory is free so, there are no rent charges and we have our own transportation facility so this is very feasible for us.
Raw Material
Following are the main raw material for the proposed project:
• Flour
• Yeast
• Flavors
• Milk
• Eggs etc.
The entire raw material is locally available in abundance. There is no problem in collecting the raw material from the local sources.
Characteristics of the project
The project, which is being initiated in response to the market demand, will produce quality breads according to the customer’s needs. The product will be a new product in the market. Presently there is no such brand, which produces such flavored breads in unique shapes. The existing bakeries are producing the simple breads but this unit will initiate a new trend in the market. These items have a main emphasis on the morning time when the breads are mostly utilized. It is basically for those persons who are taste conscious and look for some thing new for their breakfast. This item will be distributed to all the exiting bakeries where a separate shelve will be placed.
Distribution Channels
Bread is easily available in every bakery. As we are offering different flavors of bread so we have decided that our distribution channels will be all existing bakeries like China Bakery, Meer Bakery, Asim bakery, al-Meraj bakery, etc. We choose these distribution channels because these bakeries already have a large number of customers they daily visit these bakeries & when they will see our product over there they would surely like to have these flavored bread, so the reason of choosing these bakeries is that we are new in the market & we have no customer orientation. That’s why our distribution sources are all these existing bakeries.
Product Profile
Main Products
As all the other existing bakeries are providing the three main types of bread so with the flavored breads our main emphasis will be on the same three breads which includes:
• Milky bread
• Simple bread
• Diet bread
These introduced flavors are available in each bakery.
Bread flavors
Our bread flavors along with our brands include the following flavors
• Chocolate flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Strawberry flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Vanilla flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Mango flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Pineapple flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Banana Chip flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Fruit Nut Breads by Bread Bakers
• Butter Top Bread by Bread Bakers
• Cheese flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Garlic flavored bread by Bread Bakers
• Ginger flavored bread by Bread Bakers
Bread shapes
Our bread is not only concern with the flavors but also with the shapes of the bread, and there are different shapes which includes :
• Oval
• Round
• Square
• Triangle
• Rectangle
• Long-shaped
• Cone-shaped
Specialty
Most of the people don’t like corners of the bread. The Bread Baker’s is the first who consider this need first and now introducing the corner less bread first time in the area. Our specialty is in corner less bread in different sizes as well as flavors.
Future Integration
In future we, The Bread Baker’s are panning to launch a new product…The Stuffed Bread. It is new and different concept. Stuffed bread is a product in which different material will be stuffed according to the choice of our customers.
Market Analysis
Market Research
Before starting any business it is important to recognize the need of customer that either there is demand of particular product exists or not.
The Bread Bakers conducted the research, which shows that the flavored bread is one of the innovations in bread industry in Gujranwala and people are willing to use it.
Target market
The Bread Baker’s are providing their products in different sizes in very reasonable prices. Our main emphasis is on middle-income group and higher income group.
Age Distribution
The Bread Bakers conducted the research on the basis of age sector to analyze that which age sector will like our bread most.
According to our research:
o Children from age of 10 to 15 years will like it 38%.
o People from the age of 15 to 22 years will like it 25%.
o People from the age of 22 to 35 years will like it 23%.
o People from the age of 35 onwards will like it 14%.
This research shows that younger are more willing to use our product.
Market Distribution
The Bread Baker’s also conducted research on the basis that where they should provide there product in which quantity
The research shows that we should provide our product in Satellite Town market 39% of our production. 30% in Model Town, 12 % in Wapda Town, 10% in People’s Colony and 9% in Cantt area.
Strategies
PRICING STRATEGY
Penetration pricing
As we are in the initial stage so our main emphasis is to penetrate in the market by capturing the market share.
There are many pricing strategies but we have to choose this penetration pricing strategy because we are the new entrants & we want to capture a big market share so we have chosen this type of strategy to penetrate in the market.
PRICES
All the existing bakeries are offering the following prices of the breads
Milky, Simple, Diet
Large Rs. 22
Small Rs.18
But we are providing the following prices of the flavored breads.
o Fruit Nut Breads Rs. 40/-
o Chocolate flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Strawberry flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Vanilla flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Mango flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Pineapple flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Cheese flavored bread Rs. 35/-
o Garlic flavored bread Rs. 35/-
o Ginger flavored bread Rs. 30/-
o Butter Top Bread Rs. 30/-
o 100% Whole Wheat Bread Rs. 30/-
Entrance Strategy
The entry growth strategy for The Bread Bakers should be to focus initially and more specially to youth and status-quo customers.
Marketing Strategy
The Bread Bakers needs a comprehensive marketing strategy based on company’s philosophy, potential growth strategy and long-term objectives of gaining a strong hold in the bread industry.
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:26 pm
MGT602 Entrepreneurship QUIZ Questiong
Question # 1 of 10 Total Marks: 1
___________ is required if a company wants to be more flexible in adopting changes.
Select correct option:
Management commitment
Contact with customers
Technology
More productivity
Question # 2 of 10 Total Marks: 1
External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 3 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Good entrepreneurs are usually from families which are:
Select correct option:
Landlords
Capitalists
Can be from any family with supportive parents
Conservative parents
Question # 4 of 10 Total Marks: 1
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 7 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following makes formation of new ventures within a corporate structure difficult?
Select correct option:
Lack of intrapreneurial talent ??
Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
Lack of market opportunity
Lack of knowledge
Question # 8 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Professional support network includes following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Personal affiliations
Mentor
Trade associations
Friends
Question # 9 of 10 ( Total Marks: 1
An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
Select correct option:
Need for independence
Need for affiliation
Need of fame
Need for achievement
Question # 10 of 10 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Need for independence
Need for affiliation
Need for achievement
Risk taking
Last edited by Admin on Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:13 pm; edited 1 time in total
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 4:38 pm
Offline Quiz 2
Q# 1: International entrepreneur’s decisions are more complex because of:
A. Business expansion
B. Analysis of Huge information is difficult
C. Complex transactions
D. Uncontrollable factors
Q# 2: Which one of the following is NOT the problem in developing the economies
under different developed countries?
A. Gap of knowledge
B. Variable rate of return
C. Different accounting system
D. Same communication style
Q# 3: When the multiplicity of environments become too complex to handle, the
international entrepreneurs often __________.
A. Go for mergers
B. Diversify
C. Decentralize operations
D. Sale out the foreign business
Q# 4: In stage of responsibility allocation process the entrepreneur follows:
A. Highly decentralized decision making process
B. Somewhat centralized decision making process
C. Highly centralized decision making process
D. No particular standard
Q# 5: Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
A. Joint venture
B. Management contracts
C. Management contracts
D. Merger
Q# 6: An ice cream producing company merges with a cotton spinning company this
merger is an example of:
A. Product extension merger
B. Diversified activity merger
C. Market extension merger
D. Vertical merger
Q# 7: Which one of the following gives suggestions for new product but also helps to
market new product in the market?
A. Existing products and services
B. Distribution channels
C. Federal government
D. Consumers
Q# 8: Which one of the following is important for international business to avoid trade
barriers?
A. Protectionist attitude
B. Entrepreneurial partnering
C. Free trade areas
D. None of the given options
Q# 9: Which one of the following is NOT a source of idea generation?
A. Consumers
B. Brain storming
C. Focus group
D. None of the given options
Q# 10: A patent is granted for a specified amount of time because of the assumption:
A. That during this time firm will cover its development costs
B. That firm will earn a sufficient profit during this period
C. To limit the monopoly of the firm
D. That it will stimulate idea and development of a better product
Q# 11: Which of the following is NOT followed in brainstorming?
A. The wilder idea is better
B. Criticism is done by the group members
C. Quantity of ideas is required
D. The session should be fun, with no on dominating the discussion
Q# 12: Developing a new idea through inquiry and testing is called:
A. Heuristics
B. Scientific method
C. Forced relationship
D. Value analysis
Q# 13: The product life cycle starts with which stage of product planning and
development process?
A. Test marketing stage
B. Product development stage
C. Commercialization stage
D. Product planning and development process is a part of product life cycle
Q# 14: The evaluation criteria for the new product should include all of the following,
EXCEPT:
A. Determination of market demand
B. Pricing and marketing policies of other competing firms
C. Determination of the suppliers
D. Product should be profitable
Q# 15: Which of the following is NOT a requirement of Disclosure Document?
A. Description of the invention
B. Photos of invention
C. Claims for invention’s usefulness
D. Cover letter
Q# 16: Which of the following grants the owner protection from anyone else making,
using and selling the identified innovation?
A. Utility patent
B. Design patent
C. Plant patent
D. International patent
Q# 17: Which of the following can NOT be covered under the copyright protection?
A. Computer software
B. Computer hardware
C. Poems and songs
D. Models and sculpture
Q# 18: Licensing is a significant marketing strategy to:
A. Use intellectual property of others
B. Pirate others’ patents
C. Grow the business in new markets
D. Control the costs
Q# 19: Which one of the following is the main problem for the entrepreneur in the
beginning?
A. Lack of experience
B. Lack of education
C. None of the given options
D. Limited resources
Q# 20: Which of the following is NOT essential part of the contract?
A. All the parties envolved should be named
B. Transaction should be described in detail
C. Obtain signatures of the persons envolved
D. Place where contract takes place
1 d
2 d
3 a
4 a
5 d
6 b
7 b
8 b
9 c
10 b
11 b
12 a
13 d
14 c
15 c
16 a
17 b
18 a
19 d
20 b
OR
1 D 11 B
2 D 12 A
3 A 13 D
4 A 14 C
5 A 15 C
6 B 16 A
7 B 17 B
8 C 18 A
9 C 19 D
10 B 20 B
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:32 pm
Q #1: The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
A. Middle ages
B. 18th century
C. 17th century
D. 19th and 20th century
Q #2: ___________ Process of creating incremental wealth is called
Entrepreneurship.
A. DynamicB. Static
C. Continues
D. Systematic
Q #3: Most important factor in forming a new business is:
A. Finance
B. Marketing
C. Govt Support
D. Family Support
Q #4: Which one of the following is the process of entrepreneurs developing new
products that over time make current products obsolete?
A. Creative destructionB. New business model
C. Anatomization
D. None of the given options
Q #5: The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a
product
development process is called:
A. Iterative synthesis
B. Product-evolution process
C. Ordinary innovation
D. Situation analysis
Q #6: Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small
businesses?
A. Poor financial control
B. Poor location
C. Management mistakes
D. Improper inventory control
Q #7: Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial
process?
A. Developing successful business ideas
B. Deciding to become an entrepreneurC. Growing the entrepreneurial firm
D. Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Q #8: Which of the following is NOT included in the opportunity evaluation
process?
A. Length of the opportunity
B. Real and perceived value of opportunity
C. Goals and objectives of customers
D. Risks and rewards of opportunity
Q #9: The resistance of employees in an organization against flexibility,
growth, and
diversification can be overcome by developing:
A. EntrepreneurshipB. Intrapreneurship
C. Managerial domain
D. Administrative domain
Q #10: The entrepreneur’s_______________ depends on his perception of the
opportunity.
A. Commitment to opportunity
B. Commitment of resources
C. Control of resources
D. Strategic orientation
Q #11: Which of the following statements about the entrepreneurial climate is
(are) true?
A. Trial and error are discouraged
B. Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
C. A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
D. Failures are not allowed
Q #12: Which of the following makes the formation of new venture difficult
within a
corporate culture?
A. Lack of intrapreneurial talentB. Lack of freedom to make autonomous decisions
C. Lack of market opportunity
D. All of the given options
Q #13: Which of the following factors has allowed small companies to act like
they are
big ones?
A. Competition
B. Economic development
C. Technology
D. Customers
Q #14: Which of the following is alternatively called corporate venturing?
A. EntrepreneurshipB. Intrapreneurship
C. Act of stating a new venture
D. Offering new products by an existing company
Q #15: Being one’s own boss is a need of:
A. Independence
B. Achievement
C. Affiliation
D. Authority
Q #16: An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
A. Need for independenceB. Need for affiliation
C. Need of fame
D. Need for achievement
Q #17: Which one of the following factors does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
A. Family background
B. Education
C. Personal Values
D. Gender
Q #18: Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of
the
following EXCEPT:
A. Motivation
B. Business skills
C. Departure pointD. Goal orientation
Q #19: Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
A. Administration
B. Utilities
C. Manufacturing
D. None of the above
Q #20: Which one of the following is NOT TRUE about male entrepreneurs?
A. Males often have investors, bank loans, or personal loans in addition to
personal
funds
B. Males often have more experience in manufacturing, finance, or technical
areas
C. Men are often more confident and less flexible and tolerant
D. Men usually list outside advisors as the least important supporters
Admin
Administrator
Number of posts: 8062
Age: 36
Location: Sharqi Abadi Mustafabad Kasur
Job/hobbies: Do more for other
Mode (i.e. cool, angry etc): Serious
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 3:44 pm
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following has not yet been empirically established as a
distinguishing characteristic of entrepreneurs?
► Locus of control
► Feeling about independence
► Need for achievement
► Risk taking
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
► Self employed
► Discouraged
► Non supportive
► Strict
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The level at which an individual is viewed by society is called:
► Financial status
► Qualification
► Social status
► Achievement
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
An individual’s need to be recognized is called:
► Need for independence
► Need for affiliation
► Need of fame
► Need for achievement
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
With a commercial history of only 300 years, which country was a new comer to
the international arena?
► Japan
► U.S
► China
► U.K
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
International entrepreneur’s decisions are more complex because of:
► Business expansion
► Analysis of Huge information is difficult
► Complex transactions
► Uncontrollable factors
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A company dealing in beer has a merger with cigarettes manufacturing firm. This
merger is called:
► Horizontal merger
► Product extension merger
► Market extension merger
► Vertical merger
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is an important source of idea generation due to
their familiarity with the needs of market?
► Existing products and services
► Distribution channels
► Federal government
► Consumers
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for intial screening
of ideas and concepts?
► Focus group
► Problem inventory analysis
► Brain storming
► Reverse brainstorming
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product
Planning and Development Process?
► Idea Stage
► Product Planning Stage
► Product Development Stage
► Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by
focusing on problems?
► Product inventory analysis
► Gordon method
► Checklist method
► Scientific method
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the main problem for the entrepreneur in the
beginning stages of creating a new venture?
► Lack of experience
► Limited resources
► Lack of education
► None of the given options
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A legally binding agreement between two parties is called:
► A contract
► Licensing
► Insurance
► A copyright
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is included in the description of the business?
► Location
► Products offered
► History
► All of the given options
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The marketing perspective of business plan considers the venture through the
eyes of:
► Investor
► Customer
► Entrepreneur
► Marketing manager
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT a condition of a contract?
► An offer is made
► An acceptance of offer
► Counter offer
► Consideration is given
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
For which of the following copy right acquisition is desirable?
► Songs
► Poems
► Models
► All of the given options
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is TRUE for Disclosure Document?
► It gives recognition that he was the inventor of the idea in past
► It gives recognition that he is the first the inventor of the idea
► It gives recognition that he will be the invent an idea in future
► It gives recognition that he wants to copy the idea
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Trade barriers cause:
► Increase in cost
► Decrease in cost
► Increase in profit
► None of the given options
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Having more than 50% ownership position that provides the entrepreneur with
managerial control is called:
► Joint
venture
► Majority interest
► Horizontal merger
► Diversified activity merger
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
GATT is established in 1947, under:
► German leadership
► French leadership
► U.S. leadership ???
► U.K. leadership
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a method of selling goods to another country through
a person in the entrepreneur’s home country?
► Trading
► Direct export
► Indirect export
► Domestic sales
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In some countries, point of purchase displays are not allowed in retail stores. Such differences
are studied by international entrepreneurs under __________.
► Economic Environment
► Political Environment
► Cultural Environment ???
► Technological Environment
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Most of the finance for the new firm comes from following resources EXCEPT:
► Friends
► Foreign aid
► Relatives
► Personal savings
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Gazelles are the firms with:
► High growth rate
► Moderate growth rate
► Zero growth rate
► Low growth rate
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The intersection of knowledge and a recognized social need to start a product
development process is called which of the following?
► Iterative synthesis
► Product-evolution process
► Ordinary innovation
► Situation analysis
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factors is the most important in forcing U.S companies
to focus on new product development and increased productivity?
► Entrepreneurship
► Hyper competition
► Governmental laws
► Organizational culture
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is required for a company that wants to be more flexible
in adopting changes?
► Management commitment
► Contact with customers
► Technology
► More productivity
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following typical culture has a climate and reward system that
favors conservative decision making?
► Entrepreneurial
► Intrapreneurial
► Corporate
► None of the given options
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statement about the intrapreneurial climate is true?
► Trial and error are discouraged
► Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
► A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged
► Failures are not allowed
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following are known as barriers to new product creation and
development?
► Trial and error
► Opportunity parameters
► Opportunity cost
► Intrapreneurship culture
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
All of the following are true regarding male entrepreneurs EXCEPT:
► Typically most male entrepreneurs are first-borns ??
► Dissatisfaction with present job is a departure point for a male entrepreneur
► Male entrepreneurs mostly have a occupational background of middle-management
or administrative-experience in the field
► Male entrepreneurs tend to be opinionated and persuasive in their approach
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Entrepreneurial endeavors consist of all of the following key elements Except:
► New business venturing
► Increasing productivity
► Innovativeness
► Proactiveness
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factor does not affect a person for being an
entrepreneur?
► Family background
► Education
► Personal values
► Gender ??
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following areas are preferred by women entrepreneurs?
► Administration
► Utilities
► Manufacturing
► None of the above
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the
following EXCEPT:
► Motivation
► Business skills
► Departure point
► Goal orientation
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The former USSR received technology and syrup from Pepsi and provided it with
Soviet vodka and rights to distribute it in the US. This is an example of:
► Economic development
► Barter system
► Balance of payment
► International trade
Question No: 38 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
An entrepreneur doing business within the national border is called:
► International entrepreneurship
► Intrapreneurship
► Domestic entrepreneurship
► None of the given options
Question No: 39 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following may need the business plan?
► Employees
► Investors
► Advisors
► All of the given options
Question No: 40 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
► Joint venture
► Management contracts ??
► Minority interest
► Merger
Question No: 41 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss the role of childhood family environment, which differentiate the
entrepreneur from general public.
Question No: 42 ( Marks: 5 )
While entering into the international market the companies usually have strategic
planning process. What should be considered in the strategic planning?
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:14 pm
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
There is an evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the problems in developing the economies EXCEPT:
Gap of knowledge
Variable rate of return
Same communication style
Different accounting system
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for intial screening
of ideas and concepts?
Focus group
Problem inventory analysis
Brain storming
Reverse brainstorming
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product
Planning and Development Process?
Idea Stage
Product Planning Stage
Product Development Stage
Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a more structured method of problem solving,
including principles and rules for concept formation, making observations and
experiments, and finally validating the hypothesis?
Scientific method
Heuristics
Attribute listing
Value analysis
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is used by entrepreneurs to acquire experience in an
international market before making a major commitment?
Merger
Joint venture
Minority interest
Majority interest
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following plan shows the economically feasibility of business?
Business
Financial
Economic
Marketing
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What are the number of questions a marketing plan usually answers?
5
2
3
4
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following allows the entrepreneur to establish controls on the
process during the implementation of the marketing plan?
Sales data
Research data ???
Consumer data
Technical data
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the charectiristic of the venture that has
experience in related business?
Strength ??
Weakness
Opportunity
Threat
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Advertising and promotion for the business-to-business market involve all of
the following EXCEPT:
Indirect sales ??
Trade magazine advertising
Direct sales
Trade shows
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the characteristic of the venture that has
experience in related business?
Strength ??
Weakness
Opportunity
Threat
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following, banks are usually reluctant to give loan?
Sole Proprietor
Public Limited Companies
Partnership firm
Private Limited Companies
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following majority holds the management control?
Partnership
Corporation
Limited liability company
All of the given options
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following represents the shares in borrowing of Large Enterprises
in Pakistan?
68%
65%
66%
67%
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following represents the environment in which entrepreneurship
can’t grow?
Boom
Vacuum
Maturity
Introductory Phase
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
"What the entrepreneur hopes to accomplish" includes in which section
of business plan?
Vision statement
Mission Statement
Goal Statement
All of the above
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the standard acceptable term of a Limited
Liability Company?
Three
Ten
Twenty
Thirty
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following provides a guideline in determining hiring
procedures?
Job description
Job specification
Job analysis
Job evaluation
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The S corporation combines the tax advantages of which one of the following?
Proprietorship and limited liability company
Partnership and corporation
Corporation and limited liability company
Partnership and proprietorship
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is the base of Job Advertisement?
Job Description
Job Specification
Job identification
All of the above options
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following shows the results from the difference between actual
cash receipts and cash payments?
Revenue
Profit
Cash flow
Income statement
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What is the primary concern of entrepreneurs, who trade equity for their
growing venture?
Control
Valuation
Investor capabilities
Capitalization
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
When the business does not have assets to support a loan, the entrepreneur
may go for which one of the following options?
Character loan
Straight commercial loan
Installment loan
Long term loan
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following number of years a mortgage loan may possibly cover?
10
20
30
40
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following techniques, money is given to a firm for developing a
technology and involves a tax shelter?
Small business administration loans
Cash flow financing
Small business innovation research grant
Research and development limited partnership
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The overall coordinating party in an agreement is:
Limited partner
Major partner
Minor partner
General partner
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following includes grants from the U.S. government to small
technology based businesses?
Small business administration loans
Small business innovation research grant
Research and development limited partnership
Installment loans
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a formalized method for obtaining funds from private
investors?
Private placement
Private offering
Regulation D
Bootstrap financing
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
When did the Sindh Small Industries Corporation launch its credit scheme?
1972-73
1978-79
1988-89
1992-93
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a type of leverage ratio?
Debt ratio
Net profit margin
Return on investment
Current ratio
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The mean age of entrepreneurial enterprises in Pakistan is:
12 years
15 years
20 years
22 years ??
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In most cases, the venture capitalist:
Seeks control of the company
Never expects a seat on the board of directors
Expects the management team to run the daily operations
Prefers not to interfere in planning and expertise areas
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Conflicts in Management thoughts and Entrepreneur thoughts are resolved by
which of the following company?
Xerox
Unilever
Walls
Volta
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following era entrepreneur enters into a contract with
government to perform a service?
20th century
Earliest period
Middle ages
17th century
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a firm that achieves modest growth?
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question No: 38 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In entrepreneurial domain the commitment to opportunity has short time span but
in managerial domain it is:
For 1 month
For 6 months
For long time span
For 1 year
Question No: 39 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Moral support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Spouses
Friends
Business associates
Relatives
Question No: 40 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Professional support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
Personal affiliations
Mentor
Trade associations
Friends
Question No: 41 ( Marks: 5 )
Differentiate the operating budget from capital budget?
Question No: 42 ( Marks: 5 )
It is said that advertising agencies are meant for the promotional tools. Why
do you think that it is a correct statement?
Question No: 43 ( Marks: 10 )
An "S Corporation" is a corporation which has elected to have its
profits pass through to its shareholders, in the same manner as a partnership
or sole proprietorship. Write down the pros and cons of "S
Corporation".
Question No: 44 ( Marks: 10 )
Suppose you want to calculate the net worth of your business. What kind of
statement will you use in order to calculate the net profit? Also discuss its key
feature.
Question No: 45 ( Marks: 10 )
Product or service is the basis of building the marketing plan. What are the
major factors which should be included while writing the marketing plan of a
product or service?
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:15 pm
1. Any trademarks , copyright or trade secrets held by the entrepreneur is as
* Disclosure document
* Patent
* Intellectual
property
* None of the mentioned
2. The organization will never be able to make the necessary changes without_________
* Top management commitment
* Employees
* Workers
* None of the mentioned
3. The ways entrepreneurs make decisions.
* Entrepreneurial domain.
* Reverse
brain storming
* Heuristics
d.Reverse brain storming
4. A trademark is
A
word, symbol, name or device that a business uses to identify its goods.
* A legal protection for information on foreign
products.
* Legal protection for intellectual works.
* Legal protection for a U.S. product exported to
another country.
6. locus of control is
a. A feeling
b. Attitude
c.
Attribute
d. None
of the above
7.
Licensing arrangements have
a. Low
risk process involved
b. Easy
way to generate incremental income
c. Several
pitfalls
d.
All of
the above
8.
Personal characteristics to be a successful entrepreneur
includes
a. Understanding
environment
b. Creating
management options
c. Encourage
open discussion
d.
All of
the above
9.
International entrepreneurship is
* Licensing
* Exporting
* Both of the mentioned options
* None
of the two mentioned
Which
of the following is not a characteristic that is helpful for an
entrepreneur to have?
a.
Self-esteem
b.
Caution
c.
Drive
d.
Optimism
10. Hindrance for going in the international
business is known as
* Synergy
* Turn key point
* Trade
barrier
* Minority interest
5) In chronological age , most entrepreneurs
start their careers between ages
a)
22
and 55
b) 30
and 55
c) 40
and 65
d) None
of the given options
6) ___________________ is the combination of
at least two firms doing similar businesses at the same market level.
a) Diversified
activity Merger
b)
Horizontal
Merger
c) Joint
Venture
d) Vertical
Merger
7) Which of the
following is NOT recognized as a misconception about entrepreneurship?
a) Entrepreneurship is found only is small businesses.
b) Entrepreneurship is easy.
c) Successful entrepreneurship needs only a great idea.
d)
Entrepreneurial ventures and small businesses are different
9) All of the
following are recognized as potential sources of entrepreneurial ideas EXCEPT:
a) Work experiences, skills, and abilities
b) Familiar and unfamiliar products and services
c) Personal interests or hobbies
d)
All of the selections are recognized as potential sources of entrepreneurial
ideas.
10) An
_______________________ is an individual who creates something for the first
time, is a highly driven individual motivated by his or her own work and
personal ideas.
a) Entrepreneur
b)
Inventor
c) Both a and b
d) None of the given options
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:20 pm
1. An entrepreneur’s primary motivation for starting a
business is
* To
make money
* To be independent
* To be
famous
* To be
powerful
2. To be successful in an entrepreneurial venture, you need
* Money
* Luck
* Hard
work
* A good
idea
3. Entrepreneurs are best as
* Managers
* Venture
capitalists
* Planners
* Doers
4. A successful entrepreneur relies on which of the
following for critical management advice
* Internal
management team
* External management
professionals
* Financial sources
* No one
5. Entrepreneurs are:
* High
risk takers
* Moderate risk takers
* Small
risk takers
* Doesn’t
matter
6. Entrepreneurs typically form
* Service
businesses
* Manufacturing
companies
* Constructive
companies
* A variety of ventures
7. Entrepreneurs:
* Are
the life of the party
* Are
bores at a cocktail party
* Will
never go to parties
* Just fit into the crowd at a
party
8. Entrepreneurs and ventures capitalists:
* Get
along well
* Are
the best friends
* Are
cordial friends
* Are in conflict
9. An entrepreneur’s primary motivation for high ego and
need for achievement is based upon a relationship with:
* Spouse
* Mother
* Father
* Children
10. An individual usually begins his or her first significant
entrepreneurial business enterprise at what age
* Teens
* Twenties
* Forties
* Fifties
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:24 pm
1. One
effective way to begin the marketing plan is
a. To make a list of the
information that will be needed to prepare the marketing plan.
* Gathering Data from Secondary Sources
c. Gathering Information from Primary Sources.
* None of the options given
2. A
focus group
a. Is a sample of 10 or 12
potential investors who participate in a discussion?
b.Is
a sample of 10 or 12 potential employees who participate in a discussion?
c.
Is a sample of
10 or 12 potential customers who participate in a discussion?
* None of the options given
3. The
situation analysis is
a. Defining Target Market/Opportunities
and Threats.
* Considering Strengths and Weaknesses
c.
A review of where the company has been
and considers environmental factors.
* None of the options given
4. One
of the difficult decisions
a. Is about the
distribution of the product
b.Is determining the appropriate price for the product.
c. Is about the promotion
of the product
* None of the options given
5. Which
of the following statement is true for marketing system?
* It is all about the internal envoi mental factors
* It identifies the major
interacting components, both internal and external
* It’s about the financial needs of the venture
* None of the options given
6. In
setting marketing goals and objectives the entrepreneur must
* Set the price
* Distribution place
* Must satisfy customers
* None of the
above
7. The
financial plan provides a complete picture of:
a. How
much and when the funds are coming into the organization.
b. Where
the funds are going.
c. How
much cash is available?
d.
Al of the
options given
8. Before
developing the pro forma income statement, the entrepreneur should
a. Prepare operating
budgets
b. Capital budgets.
c. None of the
options given
d.
Both of the
options given (a,b)
9.
Which of the
following statement is true?
* Cash flow is same as profit.
b.
Profit is the
result of subtracting expenses from sales.
c. Cash flow results
from the difference between all cash available and cash payments.
* Cash flows only when actual payments are not made but
only received.
10. Which of the
statement is not true?
a. The S Corporation
combines the tax advantages of the partnership and the corporation.
b.S
Corporations represent almost half of all corporate filings.
c. A popular new entity is
thelimited
liability company (LLC)
* Limited liability
Company(LLC)
offers similar disadvantages as the S Corporation
1. What causes people to do something?
Need for achievement
Need for independence
Motivation
None
of the mentioned options
2. Individuals who help the entrepreneur
in business activities
Role models
Professional-support network
Parents
None
of the mentioned options
3. The
managers in an organization strongly supporting intrapreneurship is called
-----------------------
Top management commitment
Upper management
commitment
Lower management
intrapreneur
Upper management
intrapreneur
4. ------------- involves a manufacturer
giving a foreign manufacturer the right to use a patent, trademark or
technology in return for a royalty
Licensing
Turn-key
projects
Management
contracts
None
of the mentioned options
5. Female
entrepreneurs differ in terms of --------------------, -----------------------,
and ---------------------------
Motivation
Business skills
Occupational background
In brainstorming
No criticism is allowed
Quantity of ideas is desired
None of the mentioned options
Both of the mentioned options
2. A
technique that asks questions about objects or ideas in an effort to develop a
new idea is
Heuristics
Matrix charting
Forced relationships
Attribute
listing
3. The
solution development is
Big-Dream
approach
Parameter
Analysis
Creative synthesis
None of the
above
4. Perceived benefits /risks involve the
following factors:
Utility to customer
Consumption
habits
Buying motives
All of the above
5. A
patent is
A document between government and an
inventor
Grants
holder protection from others making, using, or selling similar idea
A public domain
None of the above
Marketing mix includes:
Product
or service
Financing
Consumer
Retailer
2. Which of the following statement is true
for tax advantage of proprietorship?
There is
double tax on profits
There is no capital stock tax or penalty
for retained earnings
Both of the
options given
None of the
options given
3. Industry analysis should include
information on:
Market size of competitor’s product
Growth rate of suppliers
New products entry
Economic conditions
4. We
need to update the business plan because…………
Environmental factors and internal factors can change the direction of
the plan
Goals set by the
entrepreneurs may be unreasonable.
Goals may not be
measurable.
Goals may not be
specific
5. Marketing
research involves the gathering of data in order to determine information as:
Who will buy the product?
What price
should be charged?
What is the
most effective promotion strategy?
All of the mentioned options
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
Post by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:25 pm
1. A set of reasons for engaging in a particular behavior,
especially human behavior is
known as _____________.
a. Values
b. Vision
c. Entrepreneurship
d. Motivation
2. Which of the following techniques is an excellent method for
initially screening ideas
and concepts in addition to generating new ideas?
a. Focus group
b. Brain storming
c. Problem inventory analysis
d. Reverse brainstorming
3. The creative process for problem solving that involves making
the strange familiar in
first step and then making the familiar strange through personal,
direct or symbolic
analogy is called _________.
a. Synectics
b. Gordon method
c. Checklist method
d. Scientific method
4. When the multiplicity of environments become too complex to
handle, the
international entrepreneurs often __________.
a. Go for mergers
b. Diversify
c. Decentralize operations
d. Sale out the foreign business
5. An entrepreneur into the hosiery business found out the reason
his hosiery was not
selling was due to its color. What could be the best source of
this information?
a. Supplier
b. Retailer
c. Competition
d. Government bureau
6. In some countries, point of purchase displays are not allowed
in retail stores. Such
differences are studied by international entrepreneurs under
__________
environment.
a. Economic
b. Political
c. Cultural
d. Technological
7. Entrepreneurial success has been significant because of the
culture and the political
and economic systems in _________.
a. European countries
b. Asian countries
c. Transition economies
d. Middle east
8. Having more than 50% ownership position that provides the
entrepreneur with
managerial control is called ___________.
a. Joint venture
b. Majority interest
c. Horizontal merger
d. Diversified activity merger
9. The under-developed or lesser developed countries need
manufacturing technology
and infrastructure and yet do not want to turn over substantial
portion of their
economy to foreign ownership. Which of the following is a solution
to this dilemma?
a. Management contract
b. Indirect exporting
c. Licensing
d. Turn-key project
10. The development of a new venture based on an inventor’s work
often requires
________.
a. Expertise of an
entrepreneur
b. Heavy investment from financers
c. Skilled human resources
d. Highly educated staff
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Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Sat Aug 22, 2009 3:59 pm
First topic message reminder :
Question # 1 Total Marks: 1
Gazelles are the firms with:
Select correct option:
High growth rate
Moderate growth rate
Zero% growth rate
Low growth rate
Question # 2 Total Marks: 1
The resources acquired from others(creditors, banks etc) are usually:
Select correct option:
Easily available
Difficult to obtain
Very useful
Very cheap
Question # 3 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 4 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following statements about the intrepreneurial climate is (are) true?
Select correct option:
Trial and error are discouraged.
Resources of the firm need to be available and easily accessible
A multidisciplinary approach is discouraged.
Failures are not allowed
Question # 5 Total Marks: 1
The difference in the entrepreneurial and managerial domains has contributed towards an increase interest in:
Select correct option:
Forming new firms
Partnership
Intrapreneurship
Private firms
Question # 6 Total Marks: 1
The commitment of administrative domain to the resources is for:
Select correct option:
Periodic intervals
Total amount needed
For certain tasks
For long time
Question # 7 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 8 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ?????
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 9 Total Marks: 1
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Government
Finance
High interest rates
Role models
Question # 10 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 1 1 Total Marks: 1
The entrepreneur must possess the abilities:
Select correct option:
Creative
Conceptualization
Understanding environment
All of the given options
Question # 12 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45 22 55
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 13 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the first step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur ???
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 14 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following factors does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
Family background
Education
Personal values
Gender
Question # 15 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 16 Total Marks: 1
The activities which occur when the new venture is started are called:
Select correct option:
Motivation
Goal orientation
Departure point
Business skills
Question # 17 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is NOT an intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
Select correct option:
Understands environment
Encourage the team work
Not flexible
Persistent
Question # 18 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 19 Total Marks: 1
The startups which rarely go public are called:
Select correct option:
Life style
Foundation Company
Small company
High potential venture
Question # 20 Total Marks: 1
It is proved that most businesses failed because of improper planning of an/a:
Select correct option:
Investor
Marketer
Entrepreneur
Consultant
Question # 21 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following culture that has a climate and reward system that favor conservative decision making?
Select correct option:
Entrepreneurial
Intrapreneurial
Corporate
None of the given options
Question # 22 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following firm achieves modest growth:
Select correct option:
High potential growth firm
Foundation firm
Life style
Public company
Question # 23 Total Marks: 1
In terms of chronological age, most entrepreneurs initiate their entrepreneurial carrier between ages of:
Select correct option:
15 and 22
22 and 45
45 and 57
57 and 63
Question # 24 Total Marks: 1
Which of the following has a contradictory relationship with an individual for being an entrepreneur?
Select correct option:
His birth order
Parents’ social status
Parents’ occupation
Relationship with parents
Question # 25 Total Marks: 1
Which one of the following is the fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
Select correct option:
Developing successful business ideas
Deciding to become an entrepreneur
Growing the entrepreneurial firm
Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question # 26 Total Marks: 1
The chief motivational factor for _________________ entrepreneurs to leave jobs is the frustration of not being allowed to perform at the level of which they are capable.
Select correct option:
Male
Female
Young
All of the given options
Question # 27 Total Marks: 1
All of the following are the broad categories of External forces EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Economic forces
Socioeconomic forces
Technological forces
Competitive forces
Question # 28 Total Marks: 1 External forces directly affect all of the following EXCEPT:
Select correct option:
Market segmentation strategies
Types of products/services offered
Management structure of organization
Choice of businesses to acquire or sell
Question # 29 Total Marks: 1
There is evidence that an entrepreneur usually has _______________ parents.
Select correct option:
Self employed
Discouraged
Non supportive
Strict
Question # 30 Total Marks: 1
Government can help in forming new venture by providing:
Select correct option:
Finance
Technology
Infrastructure
Subsidiaries
Last edited by Admin on Thu Oct 29, 2009 4:24 pm; edited 3 times in total
Admin
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:26 pm
1. The importance of intellectual property should be
understood by entrepreneur even
before _________.
a. Hiring a manager
b.
Engaging an attorney
c. Developing a product
d. Establishing new venture
2. Which of the following is not followed in
brainstorming?
a. Criticism
is done by the group members
b. The wilder idea is batter
c. Quantity of ideas is required
d. The session should be fun, with no on dominating
the discussion
3. The former USSR received technology and syrup
from Pepsi and provided it with
Soviet vodka and rights to distribute it in the US.
This is an example of:
a. Economic development
b.
Barter system
c. Balance of payment
d. International trade
4. A patent is granted for a specified amount of
time because of the assumption:
a. During this time firm will cover its development
costs
b. Firm will earn a sufficient profit during this
period
c. To limit the monopoly of the firm
d.
It will stimulate idea and development of a batter product
5. Developing a new idea through inquiry and testing
is called _________.
a. Heuristics
b.
Scientific method
c. Forced relationship
d. Value analysis
6. In an international perspective, which of the
following decisions are not covered
under strategic planning of an entrepreneur?
a.
What are unique characteristics of each market?
b. Who should be involved in marketing decisions?
c. What customer benefits are provided by the
product
d. What are the company’s major strengths and
weaknesses?
7. Which of the following grants the owner
protection from anyone else making, using
and selling the identified innovation?
a.
Utility patent
b. Design patent
c. Plant patent
d. International patent
8. The problem inventory analysis should b used
primarily to:
a. Reflect a new business opportunity
b.
Identify product idea for further evaluation
c. Solve unknown problems
d. Develop a list of problems
9. Selling goods to another country through a person
in the entrepreneur’s home
country is known as _________.
a. Export
b. Direct export
c.
Indirect export
d. Domestic sales
10. Which of the following statements is not true
about trademarks?
a. A trademark could be a slogan or a particular
sound
b. Some trademarks have no relationship with the
product
c. The filing date for the trademark becomes the
first date use of the mark
d. The entrepreneur
can not file after the mark already been in use
11. The product life cycle is included in which
stage of product planning and
development process?
a. Test marketing stage
b. Product development stage
c.
Commercialization stage
d. Product planning and development process is a
part of product life cycle
12. Which of the following can not be covered under
the copyright protection?
a. Computer software
b. Computer
hardware
c. Poems and songs
d. Models and sculpture
13. Idea of new product is tested in potential
consumers to determine consumer
acceptance at _________ stage.
a. Concept
b. Product development
c. Test marketing
d. Commercialization
14. According to the governing bodies of common
laws, the life of trade secret is:
a. 12 years
b. 17 years
c. 20 years
d. As long as
it remains confidential
15. Which of the following is used by entrepreneurs
to acquire experience in an
international market before making a major
commitment?
a. Merger
b. Joint venture
c. Minority
interest
d. Majority interest
16. The evaluation criteria for the new product
should include all of the following
except:
a. Determination of market demand
b.
Determination of the suppliers
c. Pricing and marketing policies of other competing
firms
d. Product should be profitable
17. Licensing is a significant marketing strategy
to:
a. Use intellectual property of others
b. Pirate others’ patents
c. Grow the
business in new markets
d. Control the costs
18. Automated stock replenishment, electronic
selling and processing of customers
orders and payments are examples of:
a. E-business
b. E-commerce
c. E-trading
d. E-transaction
19. The longest lasting trade agreement with the
objective of liberalizing trade by
eliminating or reducing tariffs, subsidies and
quotas is _________.
a. Free trade area – FTA
b. European community – EC
c. General
agreement on tariffs and trade – GATT
d. The north American free trade agreement – NAFTA
20. The most important characteristic of a
successful business website is
a.
Speed
b. Innovation
c. Graphics
d. Products
Admin
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Thu Oct 15, 2009 4:27 pm
1. The _______ plan shows
whether the business is economically feasible or not.
a. Financial
b. Business
c. Economic
d. Marketing
2. In which of the following,
the ownership of venture is reflected by ownership of
shares of stock?
a. Partnership
b. Limited partnership
c. Corporation
d. Proprietorship
3. Bankers say that most
businesses fail because of the _____ inability to plan
properly.
a. Investor’s
b. Marketer’s
c. Entrepreneur’s
d. Consultant’s
4. The _________ of a venture
could be that the company has experience in related
business.
a. Strength
b. Weakness
c. Opportunity
d. Threat
5. The marketing plan should
focus on strategies and for the first year, goals and
strategies should be projected
__________.
a. Daily
b. Weekly
c. Monthly
d. Quarterly
6. Which of the following is
not a characteristic of marketing plan?
a. It should provide a strategy
to accomplish the company mission
b. It should provide for the
use of existing resources
c. It should be simple and
short
d. It should be rigid
7. Secondary data can be
obtained from all of the following sources, except:
a. Internet
b. Magazine
c. Bureau of statistics
d. Focus group
8. Which of the following is
one of the simplest form and lowest in entry costs.
a. Direct mail marketing
b. Online marketing
c. Sales promotion
d. Export marketing
9. In ________, the death of
entrepreneur results in the termination of venture.
a. Proprietorship
b. Limited company
c. Limited partnership
d. Corporation
10. In partnership, the ability
to raise capital depends on the __________ of the
business.
a. Expansion
b. Success
c. Size
d. Nature
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Re: Old MGT 602 ~*~ENTERPRENUERSHIP QUIZ DISSCUSSION~*~
by Admin on Fri Oct 16, 2009 2:42 pm
1. Which of the following are NOT the Accredited
Investors?
a. Institutional investors
b. Investors who purchase less than $150,000 of the
issuer’s securities
c. Investors whose net worth is $1 million
d. Directors, officers, and general partners of the
issuing company
2. Advertising and publicity are used to:
a. Create awareness of the new venture
b. Communicate with customers
c. Promote the products
d. All of the given options ???
3. What is the practical maximum limit to the amount
of loan money guaranteed by
Small Business Administration?
a. $ ten thousand
b. $ hundred thousand
c. $ one million
d. There is no limit
4. All of the following should be followed by entrepreneur
for being effective
leader, EXCEPT:
a. Show respect for employees
b. Show concern for employees’ welfare
c. Try to do everything himself
d. Encourage and praise others
5. An entrepreneur may finance fixed assets by:
a. Inventory loans
b. Installment loans
c. Short-term debt
d. Long-term debt
6. The entrepreneur will find it easier to maintain
control over cash, disbursements
and inventory through:
a. Record keeping
b. Hiring new employees
c. Having more partners
d. Financial controls
7. Recruiting and hiring of new employees may occur
at which level?
a. Entry level
b. Middle management level
c. Senior management level
d. At all three levels
8. Which of the following is the oldest development
financing institution?
a. Small Business Finance Corporation
b. Khushhali Bank
c. Regional Development Finance Corporation
d. Industrial Development Bank of Pakistan
9. Under Rule 504 of Regulation D, a company can
sell up to ______ of securities in
any 12-month period.
a. $50,000
b. $100,000
c. $500,000
d. $1,000,000
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Subject: MGT602 2010 Sat May 29, 2010 6:59 pm
________________________________________
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The level at which an individual is viewed by society is called:
► Financial status
► Qualification
► Social status
► Achievement
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the next stage to the Concept Stage of Product Planning and Development Process?
► Idea Stage
► Product Planning Stage
► Product Development Stage
► Test Marketing Stage
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT included in four C’s evaluation by lender?
► Character
► Cost
► Continuity
► Contribution
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is NOT essential part of the contract?
► All the parties involved should be named
► Transaction should be described in detail
► Obtain signatures of the persons involved
► Place where contract takes place
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the way by which an entrepreneur can enter into international business?
► Export
► Non equity arrangements
► Direct foreign investment
► All of the given options
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
The entrepreneur was distinguished from capital provider in:
► Middle ages
► 18th century
► 17th century
► 19th and 20th century
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Andrew Carnegie is an example of entrepreneur of which century:
► Earliest period
► 19th and 20th century
► Middle ages
► 17th century
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following two work environments should be good for spawning the new enterprises?
► Finance and marketing
► Finance and R&D
► Marketing and R&D
► Marketing and IT
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Most of the finance for the new firm comes from following resources EXCEPT:
► Friends
► Foreign aid
► Relatives
► Personal savings
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What is the process by which individuals pursue opportunities without regard to resources they currently control?
► Startup management
► Entrepreneurship
► Financial analysis
► Feasibility planning
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a firm that achieves modest growth?
► High potential growth firm
► Foundation firm
► Life style
► Public company
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factors is the most important in forcing U.S companies to focus on new product development and increased productivity?
► Entrepreneurship
► Hyper competition
► Governmental laws
► Organizational culture
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following typical culture has a climate and reward system that favors conservative decision making?
► Entrepreneurial
► Intrapreneurial
► Corporate
► None of the given options
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
What takes place during the product-evolution process?
► Innovation is developed and commercialized through entrepreneurial activity
► The product/service is evaluated and any scope of further development is charted
► The business branches into separate units of development and marketing
► The product/service is evaluated to identify its global marketability
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
All the following qualities are requisites for an entrepreneur Except:
► Driven by perception of opportunity
► Learning from business failure
► Cognitive adaptability
► Effectuation
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following factor does not differ in motivating male and female entrepreneurs?
► Independence
► Money
► Job satisfaction
► Opportunity
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Female entrepreneurs differ from male entrepreneurs in terms of all of the following EXCEPT:
► Motivation
► Business skills
► Departure point
► Goal orientation
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following may need the business plan?
► Employees
► Investors
► Advisors
► All of the given options
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following refers to new products with some technological change?
► Ordinary innovation
► Technological innovation
► Breakthrough innovation
► Technical innovation
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is/are known as barriers to new product creation and development?
► Trial and error
► Opportunity parameters
► Opportunity cost
► Intrapreneurial culture
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to research, when do the female entrepreneurs tend to start their first significant venture?
► In their mid 20s
► In their mid 30s
► In their mid 40s
► In their mid 50s
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements describes “International entrepreneurship”?
► It is the process of an entrepreneur conducting business activities across national boundaries
► It is the process of an entrepreneur conducting business activities within the national boundaries
► It is an innovative corporate management style that encourages employees within an organization to create new product ideas
► It is a business structure in which an individual and his company are considered a single entity for tax and liability purposes
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best describes the term “indirect exporting”?
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
► It refers to buying and selling of commodities
► It refers to a commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
► It refers to selling goods to another country through a person in the entrepreneur’s home country
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the term which best describes the term “management contracts”?
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
► It refers to buying and selling of commodities
► It is a commercial activity of buying and bringing in goods from a foreign country
► It is method of doing specific international task
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best defines “minority interest”?
► It refers to having less than 50 percent ownership position
► It refers to forming a third company by combining two companies
► It refers to having more than 50 percent ownership position
► It refers to selling goods made in one country to another country
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In which of the following centuries the people of Malaysia peninsula were converted from Islam?
► 14th century
► 15th century
► 16th century
► 17th century
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which best defines “reverse brainstorming”.
► It refers to groups of individuals providing in a structured format
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the negative
► It refers to a method for individuals to solve problems through one of four mechanisms
► It refers to a method for developing new ideas when the individuals are unaware of the problem
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which best defines “checklist method”
► It refers to developing a new idea through a list of related issues
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the negative
► It refers to a method for individuals to solve problems through one of four mechanisms
► It refers to a method for developing new ideas when the individuals are unaware of the problem
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by focusing on problems?
► Problem inventory analysis
► Gordon method
► Checklist method
► Scientific method
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements best defines “forced relationship”?
► It refers to developing a new idea through a chain of word associations
► It refers to developing a new idea by looking at product combinations
► It refers to developing a new idea through inquiry and testing
► It refers to developing a new idea by evaluating the worth of aspects of ideas
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
How many major stages of “product planning and development process” are there?
► Four
► Five
► Six
► Seven
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following denote no relationship between the mark and the goods or services?
► Coined marks
► Arbitrary marks
► Suggestive marks
► Descriptive marks
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A design patent has a term of:
► 20 years
► 14 years
► 10 years
► 40 years
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Lenders focus on four Cs of credit. Identify which of the following is NOT included in those four Cs.
► Character
► Cash flow
► Collateral
► Code of ethics
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 3 )
Briefly discuss licensing and its benefits.
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 5 )
What is a business plan and what purpose does it serve?
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss the role of “export management firm” in indirect exporting.
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Admin
Admin
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Points: 1517
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Join date: 2010-05-15
Age: 22
Location: islamabad
Subject: Re: MGT602 2010 Mon May 31, 2010 7:02 pm
________________________________________
Question No: 1 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Individuals who help the entrepreneur in business activities are called:
► Role models
► Moral support networks
► Professional support networks
► Business support networks
Question No: 2 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the problems in developing the economies EXCEPT:
► Gap of knowledge
► Variable rate of return
► Same communication style
► Different accounting system
Question No: 3 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one the following is the best protection against product liability?
► Avoid negligence
► Warn consumers of any potential hazards
► Give warranty
► Avoid misrepresentation
Question No: 4 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following reviews the trends and competitive strategies?
► Environmental analysis
► Product forecast
► Contingency plan
► Industry analysis
Question No: 5 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A utility patent has a term of:
► 10 years
► 40 years
► 20 years
► 80 years
Question No: 6 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following body issues patents?
► GATT
► NAFTA
► FTA
► PTO
Question No: 7 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a more structured method of problem solving, including principles and rules for concept formation, making observations and experiments, and finally validating the hypothesis?
► Scientific method
► Heuristics
► Attribute listing
► Value analysis
Question No: 8 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following gives suggestions for new product and also help to market new products?
► Existing products and services
► Distribution channels
► Federal government
► Consumers
Question No: 9 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
GATT is established in 1947, under:
► German leadership
► French leadership
► U.S. leadership
► U.K. leadership
Question No: 10 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Factors contribute to the creation of new venture EXCEPT:
► Government
► Finance
► High interest rates
► Role models
Question No: 11 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
A foundation company is formed through which of the following?
► Fashion
► Most popular business
► A winding up company
► Research and development
Question No: 12 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is the primary cause of failure in small businesses?
► Poor financial control
► Poor location
► Management mistakes
► Improper inventory control
Question No: 13 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following is a fourth step in the entrepreneurial process?
► Developing successful business ideas
► Deciding to become an entrepreneur
► Growing the entrepreneurial firm
► Moving from an idea to an entrepreneurial firm
Question No: 14 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is NOT a phase of entrepreneurial process?
► Identification and evaluation of opportunity
► Development of business plan
► Deciding to become an entrepreneur
► Determination of required resources
Question No: 15 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which one of the following is not the intrapreneurial leadership characteristic?
► Understands environment
► Encourage the team work
► Not flexible
► Persistent
Question No: 16 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following system is necessary for expansion or elimination of intrapreneurial units?
► Management
► Evaluation
► Reward
► Training
Question No: 17 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following factor does not affect a person for being an entrepreneur?
► Nationality
► Education
► Personal values
► Work history
Question No: 18 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Professional support network includes all of the following EXCEPT:
► Personal affiliations
► Mentor
► Trade associations
► Friends
Question No: 19 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of foreign direct investment EXCEPT:
► Joint venture
► Management contracts
► Minority interest
► Merger
Question No: 20 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Following are the types of non-equity arrangements EXCEPT:
► Licensing
► Management contracts
► Direct export
► Turnkey projects
Question No: 21 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to which of the following, an entrepreneur is the person who brings resources, labor, materials and other assets into combinations that increase their value?
► Economist
► Psychologist
► Businessman
► Sociologist
Question No: 22 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following abilities must be possessed by an entrepreneur?
► Creative
► Conceptualization
► Understanding environment
► All of the given options
Question No: 23 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following options can be very helpful to start-up new ventures?
► Seed Capital
► Infrastructure
► Technology
► Experience
Question No: 24 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
According to Henning and Jardim, female executives tend to be the firstborn. Which of the following supports this research?
► Because firstborn has to be more responsible
► Because firstborn needs special care
► Because firstborn tends to be more flexible
► Because firstborn receives special attention
Question No: 25 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
In terms of personality, there are strong similarities between men and women entrepreneurs. Which of the following does not refer to this statement?
► Both are energetic
► Both are goal oriented
► They want to be independent
► Males are more confident than women
Question No: 26 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following businesses women entrepreneurs prefer to start?
► Manufacturing
► Construction
► Educational services
► High-technology fields
Question No: 27 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
“Paying for goods indirectly through another source” refers to:
► Barter
► Trading
► Third-party arrangement
► Balance of payment
Question No: 28 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following best defines “diversified activity merger”?
► It refers to combining two firms with noncompeting products
► It refers to forming a third company by combining two companies
► It refers to combining at least two totally unrelated firms
► It refers to combining at least two firms at different market levels
Question No: 29 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following statements best defines “brainstorming”?
► It refers to groups of individuals providing in a structured format
► It refers to a group method for obtaining new ideas and solutions
► It refers to a method for obtaining new ideas and solutions by focusing on problems
► It refers to a method for obtaining new ideas focusing on the parameters
Question No: 30 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Identify the statement which refers to “licensing”.
► It grants holder protection from others making, using or selling similar idea
► It may be a word, symbol, design or some combination that identifies the source of certain goods
► It protects original works of authorship
► It is a contractual agreement giving rights to others to use intellectual property in return for a royalty or fee
Question No: 31 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following denote no relationship between the mark and the goods or services?
► Coined marks
► Arbitrary marks
► Suggestive marks
► Descriptive marks
Question No: 32 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following trademarks is used to suggest certain features, qualities, ingredients or characteristics of a product or service?
► Coined mark
► Arbitrary mark
► Suggestive mark
► Descriptive mark
Question No: 33 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Data that support the opportunity for the venture should be briefly stated in the executive summary. If this venture is an internet business, all of the following facts should be stated by an entrepreneur EXCEPT:
► Growth in the number of internet users
► Growth in the average amount of time spent on the internet
► Growth in sales dollars generated on the internet
► Growth rate of population
Question No: 34 ( Marks: 1 ) - Please choose one
Which of the following make the business plan difficult to control and implement?
► Too general goals and objectives
► Too specific goals and objectives
► Realistic goals and objectives
► None of the given options
Question No: 35 ( Marks: 3 )
Describe any three issues that should be addressed in executive summary.
Question No: 36 ( Marks: 5 )
Briefly discuss the status of entrepreneurship in Europe.
Question No: 37 ( Marks: 5 )
Discuss what kind of information should be mentioned in “description of venture” section of a business plan.
Read more: http://kingsitworld.forumotion.net/midterm-may-2010-latest-papers-f30/mgt602-2010-t97.htm#ixzz0xhlyFT79
Brainstorming
Written by Leon Smith
Generating many radical, creative ideas
Brainstorming is a popular tool that helps you generate creative solutions to a problem.
It is particularly useful when you want to break out of stale, established patterns of thinking, so that you can develop new ways of looking at things. It also helps you overcome many of the issues that can make group problem-solving a sterile and unsatisfactory process.
Used with your team, it helps you bring the diverse experience of all team members into play during problem solving. This increases the richness of ideas explored, meaning that you can find better solutions to the problems you face.
It can also help you get buy in from team members for the solution chosen – after all, they were involved in developing that solution. What’s more, because brainstorming is fun, it helps team members bond with one-another as they solve problems in a positive, distraction-free environment.
Why Use Brainstorming?
Conventional group problem-solving can be fraught with problems. Confident, "big-ego" participants can drown out and intimidate quieter group members. Less confident participants can be too scared of ridicule to share their ideas freely. Others may feel a pressure to conform with the group view, or are held back by an excessive respect for authority. As such, group problem-solving is often ineffective and sterile.
By contrast, brainstorming provides a freewheeling environment in which everyone is encouraged to participate. Quirky ideas are welcomed, and many of the issues of group problem-solving are overcome. All participants are asked to contribute fully and fairly, liberating people to develop a rich array of creative solutions to the problems they're facing.
“Brainstorming 2.0”
The original approach to brainstorming was developed by Madison Avenue advertising executive, Alex Osborn, in the 1950s. Since then, many researchers have explored the technique, and have identified issues with it.
The steps described here seek to take account of this research, meaning that the approach described below differs subtly from Osborn's original one.
What Is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming combines a relaxed, informal approach to problem-solving with lateral thinking. It asks that people come up with ideas and thoughts that can at first seem to be a bit crazy. The idea here is that some of these ideas can be crafted into original, creative solutions to the problem you're trying to solve, while others can spark still more ideas. This approach aims to get people unstuck, by "jolting" them out of their normal ways of thinking.
During brainstorming sessions there should therefore be no criticism of ideas: You are trying to open up possibilities and break down wrong assumptions about the limits of the problem. Judgments and analysis at this stage stunt idea generation.
Ideas should only be evaluated at the end of the brainstorming session – this is the time to explore solutions further using conventional approaches.
Individual Brainstorming
While group brainstorming is often more effective at generating ideas than normal group problem-solving, study after study has shown that when individuals brainstorm on their own, they come up with more ideas, and often better quality ideas, than groups of people who brainstorm together.
Partly this occurs because, in groups, people aren’t always strict in following the rules of brainstorming, and bad group behaviors creep in. Mostly, though, this occurs because people are paying so much attention to other people’s ideas that they're not generating ideas of their own – or they're forgetting these ideas while they wait for their turn to speak. This is called "blocking".
When you brainstorm on your own, you'll tend to produce a wider range of ideas than with group brainstorming - you do not have to worry about other people's egos or opinions, and can therefore be more freely creative. For example, you might find that an idea you’d be hesitant to bring up in a group session develops into something quite special when you explore it with individual brainstorming. Nor do you have to wait for others to stop speaking before you contribute your own ideas.
You may not, however, develop ideas as fully when you brainstorm on your own, as you do not have the wider experience of other members of a group to help you.
Tip:
When Brainstorming on your own, consider using Mind Maps to arrange and develop ideas.
Group Brainstorming
When it works, group brainstorming can be very effective for bringing the full experience and creativity of all members of the group to bear on an issue. When individual group members get stuck with an idea, another member's creativity and experience can take the idea to the next stage. Group brainstorming can therefore develop ideas in more depth than individual brainstorming.
Another advantage of group brainstorming is that it helps everyone involved to feel that they’ve contributed to the end solution, and it reminds people that other people have creative ideas to offer. What’s more, brainstorming is fun, and it can be great for team-building!
Brainstorming in a group can be risky for individuals. Valuable but strange suggestions may appear stupid at first sight. Because of this, you need to chair sessions tightly so that ideas are not crushed, and so that the usual issues with group problem-solving don’t stifle creativity.
How to Use the Tool:
You can often get the best results by combining individual and group brainstorming, and by managing the process carefully and according to the "rules" below. That way, you get people to focus on the issue without interruption (this comes from having everyone in a dedicated group meeting), you maximize the number of ideas you can generate, and you get that great feeling of team bonding that comes with a well-run brainstorming session!
To run a group brainstorming session effectively, do the following:
• Find a comfortable meeting environment, and set it up ready for the session.
• Appoint one person to record the ideas that come from the session. These should be noted in a format than everyone can see and refer to. Depending on the approach you want to use, you may want to record ideas on flip charts, whiteboards, or computers with data projectors.
• If people aren’t already used to working together, consider using an appropriate warm-up exercise or ice-breaker.
• Define the problem you want solved clearly, and lay out any criteria to be met. Make it clear that that the objective of the meeting is to generate as many ideas as possible.
• Give people plenty of time on their own at the start of the session to generate as many ideas as possible.
• Ask people to give their ideas, making sure that you give everyone a fair opportunity to contribute.
• Encourage people to develop other people's ideas, or to use other ideas to create new ones.
• Encourage an enthusiastic, uncritical attitude among members of the group. Try to get everyone to contribute and develop ideas, including the quietest members of the group.
• Ensure that no one criticizes or evaluates ideas during the session. Criticism introduces an element of risk for group members when putting forward an idea. This stifles creativity and cripples the free running nature of a good brainstorming session.
• Let people have fun brainstorming. Encourage them to come up with as many ideas as possible, from solidly practical ones to wildly impractical ones. Welcome creativity!
• Ensure that no train of thought is followed for too long. Make sure that you generate a sufficient number of different ideas, as well as exploring individual ideas in detail.
• In a long session, take plenty of breaks so that people can continue to concentrate.
Taking Your Brainstorming Further...
If you're still not getting the ideas you want, try using these approaches to increase the number of ideas that you generate:
• The Stepladder Technique - This improves the contribution of quieter members of the group, by introducing ideas one person at a time.
• Brainwriting - Brainwriting uses a written approach to brainstorming to generate and develop ideas. This helps you get ideas from all individuals, and develop these ideas in depth.
• Brain-netting - This is similar to Brainwriting, but uses an electronic document stored on a central server.
• The Crawford's Slip Approach – The Crawford's Slip Approach helps you get plenty of ideas from all participants in your session, and gives you a view of the popularity of each idea.
The techniques below help you in specific brainstorming situations:
• Reverse Brainstorming – This is useful for improving a product or service.
• Starbursting – Starbursting helps you brainstorm the questions you need to ask to evaluate a proposal.
• Charette Procedure – This procedure helps you brainstorm effectively with large groups of people. (Conventional brainstorming is cumbersome and increasingly ineffective when more than 10 to 12 people are involved.)
Where possible, participants in the brainstorming process should come from as wide a range of disciplines as possible. This brings a broad range of experience to the session and helps to make it more creative. However, don’t make the group too big – as with other types of teamwork, groups of 5 to 7 people are often most effective.
Key Points:
Brainstorming is a useful way of generating radical solutions to problems, just as long as it's managed well. During the brainstorming process there is no criticism of ideas, and free rein is given to people's creativity (criticism and judgment cramp creativity.)
This tends to make group brainstorming sessions enjoyable experiences, which are great for bringing team members together. Using brainstorming also helps people commit to solutions, because they have participated in the development of these solutions.
The best approach to brainstorming combines individual and group brainstorming. Group brainstorming needs formal rules for it to work smooth
How to Brainstorm
Brilliant Ideas for Your Blog
by Dean Rieck • 53 Comments
Brainstorming is one of the most powerful creative techniques ever devised. When used properly, it can produce more and better ideas than any other process. It’s based on the concept that two heads (or three, or four, or more) are better than one.
Many would argue that you can’t create by committee. I agree. Writing and other creative acts are best performed by individuals. Creating by committee, well . . . sucks.
But brainstorming is not about executing ideas. It’s simply about coming up with ideas. And it is almost always more productive as a group activity. The result of a brainstorming session should be a long list of potential ideas which you can evaluate at a later time, acting only on the best.
Sure, you’ll come up with a ton of dumb ideas, but so what? Once you get the ideas flowing, the great ideas will float to the top. And some of those ideas that seem dumb end up being pretty smart — once you try them.
It’s like panning for gold. You have to sift through a lot of sludge to get to the shiny nuggets.
How to brainstorm with other bloggers
If you interact with other bloggers frequently, you probably do a little informal brainstorming already. It’s not just a good way to solve problems, it’s a great way to keep your blog fresh and interesting.
In fact, I’m thinking about brainstorming for bloggers specifically because more and more bloggers are beginning to work together to write blogs, create products, promote each other’s content, and feed off of each other’s energy and ideas.
If you’ve had bad luck with brainstorming, it’s probably because you did it in a stuffy corporate environment where no one feels free to really open up. But if you can assemble the right group of people who feel comfortable with each other, a brainstorming session can be like throwing a match into a room full of firecrackers. There’s a sudden and powerful chain reaction.
What can you brainstorm?
Anything that will benefit from sharper ideas is good fodder for a brainstorming session. Try brainstorming ideas for post topics (or perhaps a series of posts), product ideas, marketing angles, positioning for your business, contests, link building strategies . . . the sky’s the limit.
Here are a few suggestions for creating some fireworks of your own. These guidelines are intended for in-person sessions, so if you plan to brainstorm by Skype, chat, or other means, you may want to adapt the rules a little.
Before your session . . .
Select a leader. When I conduct a session, I often serve as both leader and participant. It works for me, but you may want to select a leader who will remain fairly quiet while the others let their imagination go wild. The leader also needs to keep the group on track and on a time schedule, stifle negative statements, help the group develop ideas fully, and assure that each member contributes.
Define your problem. The leader should write a clear definition for the problem the group will address. All you need is a sentence or two that clearly outlines the situation.
Create an agenda. Outline what topics you want to cover. Prepare a few ideas in advance to get things started, and be prepared to suggest questions to keep the ideas flowing.
Set time limits. How much time you spend depends on the group’s endurance and everyone’s schedule, but it’s usually best to keep it short — 15 to 45 minutes. If you go longer, take frequent breaks to keep people fresh.
Set quotas. The idea is to work fast and produce lots of ideas, which will be evaluated at another time. So decide on a quota, such as a minimum of 100 ideas. This isn’t as hard as it sounds. If you come up with just two ideas a minute, you’ll have 120 in an hour. You can set an overall quota or individual quotas for each topic.
Select your group and announce a session. Choose a mixed group whose blogs are at about the same level to participate. Avoid control freaks and people who need to monopolize the conversation. When you set things up, don’t call it a “meeting.” That conjures images of big oak tables and idiots in neckties. Call it a “session.”
Circulate background information. Prime session participants with a simple statement of the problem, background information, and examples of the kind of ideas you’re looking for.
During your session . . .
Review the problem and background information. Don’t put people to sleep, just quickly go over the problem, background data, and what you hope to accomplish. If there are questions, answer them before you get started.
Establish the ground rules.
1. Each session participant must contribute ideas or add to another’s ideas.
2. No one may criticize or evaluate any idea. Alex F. Osborn in Applied Imagination said it best: “Think up or shut up.”
3. No one will hold back ideas. When something comes to mind, say it.
4. The group will encourage wild, out-of-the box thinking.
5. The goal of the session is quantity, not quality. Quality will be evaluated later.
6. Develop ideas fully. Participants should hitchhike ideas on the ideas of others to produce more and better ideas.
7. Once an idea is developed, the group will move on.
Take detailed notes. Whether written or typed, someone needs to rapidly capture the flow of ideas as they occur. One option is to record the session and transcribe the recording. I’ve found that a combination of note taking and recording works best. The notes serve as an outline of the major topics covered and the recording fills in the details.
After your session . . .
Allow for the incubation of further ideas. If you’ve had a productive session, ideas will continue to occur to people for hours or days after the session. Ask everyone to write down these ideas and submit them later to record along with the main session notes.
Type up and circulate all the ideas generated. The final product of a session will be a multi-page document that lists every single idea created. Nothing should be edited. Organize or classify these ideas for later evaluation. Don’t be surprised if you have literally hundreds of ideas.
Evaluate your ideas and choose the best. The same group can evaluate the ideas or another group can. It’s often best for those responsible for the problem to evaluate the ideas, but you can run into “idea ownership” problems. On the other hand, another group may not be able to grasp the significance of many of the ideas generated. You’ll have to experiment.
When the dust settles, you should find yourself with some surprisingly good ideas. And the whole process often energizes all the participants.
Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t work perfectly the first time. It usually doesn’t. Assembling the right group, creating an open atmosphere, and producing the best results often takes time. As with so many other things in life, practice makes perfect.
For more tips on being creative, read 10 easy ways to instantly energize your creative powers at my Pro Copy Tips blog.
About the Author: Dean Rieck is one of America’s top freelance copywriters and publisher of the Direct Creative Blog and Pro Copy Tips, a blog that provides copywriting tips for smart copywriters.
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Comments
1. Raul Sim says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:09 am
I agree! Most of us think that our ideas are bad, or unsuccessful. But if we challenge ideas to flow, we will get to the good ones, even great ones, even best ones!
Reply
2. Todd says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:11 am
“It’s like panning for gold”
That sums it up very nicely. I’ve thought that before. Throw out as many ideas as possible, and hold nothing back. You just never know what will surface.
“2. No one may criticize or evaluate any idea.”
This is , IMO, THE most important rule. It should be number 1. Much like the 2nd Amendment, without it, the rest would be for naught.
Reply
3. Oleg Mokhov says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:15 am
Hey Dean,
The best ideas often come from those fresh to the industry they’re working in, coming from another one. They’re not yet limited to the rules and can see things from an outside perspective.
What a great idea to take a method–brainstorming–that is constantly used in other fields of work and applying it to blogging.
Interesting you mention that bloggers already brainstorm ideas through networking and communication.
I’ve found that mini-brainstorms sometimes happen when leaving high-quality comments on articles.
Not just a comment agreeing, but further discussing by adding an additional point, constructively criticizing something, bringing up a question, and so forth.
The author of the article replies with further discussion. Sometimes they mention getting an idea from the comment, or not seeing a certain side of the topic, and I get ideas while participating in a discussion on a topic I might’ve not otherwise thought about.
I’ll have to try a formal blogging brainstorming session now.
Here’s to effective idea generation, the sifting of the crap to get to the gold nuggets,
Oleg
Reply
4. Jonathan Frei says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:25 am
this is good stuff. I often have trouble coming up with ideas to write about on my own, but far more trouble colaborating on the end product.
You have it right: come up with ideas as a group, execute as an individual.
Reply
5. Nick@Subject2.com says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:38 am
A lot of great information here. I recently started brainstorming with a few other bloggers in my industry. We’ve started appearing on each others blog as guest writers. It’s been great so far.
If you’re a big dummy like me, brainstorming with other bloggers is a great idea.
Reply
6. Henri @ Wake Up Cloud says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:42 am
Nice! This is like a mini-guide to brainstorming. I never knew there were so many rules. I’ve had excellent results with brainstorming with others when I run into trouble.
Often my problems are solved within 10 minutes. Amazing how effectively it works sometimes. I’ve also found it effective to just write everything out on paper if I’m alone and can’t get ahold of anyone.
Reply
7. Sean Platt says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:46 am
I love collaboration. It’s hands down one of my favorite things about working online. I’m no longer limited by proximity, something that makes more difference than I ever imagined.
However, I’ve never thought to bat 100 ideas back and forth in a single session. I usually like to keep it at about a dozen and explore each a bit deeper. I love the idea of machine gun brainstorming, though.
Reply
8. Eric says:
December 21, 2009 at 10:57 am
This all ties into the general trend of open sourcing and mass collaboration. I am big on making people realize that there is always something to learn from any successful endeavor that can apply to and benefit your own. Mass collaboration is successful, so why not apply it to your own projects? Blogging is still in its early forms as a source of information and knowledge. Collaboration will surely be one of the trends that defines the future of blogging.
Reply
9. Phil says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:17 am
My problem is that I have too many ideas, and not enough judgment about which of these ideas should be acted on, and which discarded. Also, it’s of course easier to have an idea than to implement it, so the pile of competing ideas grows ever larger. Sigh… The end result of this process can be rather confusing.
For my Christmas gift wish, I dream this blog might have a forum where each of us could start a thread listing the project ideas we’re considering, and others could compassionately jump in could help kill some of the ideas off.
Reverse-Brainstorming.com: A forum where bad ideas go to die (thus saving the idea owner a lot of work!).
No kidding, I have lots of bad ideas to contribute to the cause, and would donate hosting, software and tech support for such a forum, should the leaders of this blog ever find that helpful.
Reply
10. Michael Deutch says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:21 am
Dean,
One of my favorite brainstorming techniques is the reverse brainstorm. It helps people warm up and get out of an idea rut.
The method is simple. Take any problem and reverse it. Then, brainstorm. You’ll be amazed at how easy it is to start the ideas flowing. Once you’ve hit your idea quota, reverse the ideas again.
For instance…start with something like “how can we improve customer support in 2010″ and make it “how can we have horrible customer support in 2010″. From there, brainstorm ways to deliver awful service. When you hit your idea quota, reverse the ideas back and you’ll have ways to ensure quality customer service. Prioritize them and either develop plans for action or brainstorm some more.
Reply
11. Sean Platt says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:26 am
@Phil – to blend last week’s conversation with this one, a forum like that is one of the benefits of paid content. Both Teaching Sells and Sonia’s Remarkable Marketing Blueprint have forums where members who don’t necessarily know one another outside of the forum are able to collaborate on ideas, ask for help with ideas, or engage in general brainstorming with other creatives and business people.
Reply
12. Sonia Simone says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:39 am
@Michael, that is a cool technique and one I hadn’t thought of in awhile, thanks!
@Phil, what Sean said. And it’s just possible we may have something along those lines coming up for you soon.
Reply
13. Phil says:
December 21, 2009 at 11:52 am
Thanks Sean and Sonia. Just entered the world of Sonia via her newsletter course signup form, looking forward to the series and learning more.
Reply
14. Tyler says:
December 21, 2009 at 12:27 pm
Dean, great post, I’ve used brainstorming in the “corporate environment” many times with mixed results. My experience is that a concise definition of the problem is key, along with a skilled leader/moderator to keep things flowing and on track.
I would love to see a follow-up post on conducting brain-storming sessions online so that I can have brain-storming sessions with my fellow bloggers without having to leave my computer.
Reply
15. JudyAnn Lorenz says:
December 21, 2009 at 1:06 pm
Echoing Sonia! Michael, that is an idea I’m going to apply — the reverse bit.
Phil, YES to a lively forum. I’m remote; communication with other bloggers will be mostly in the blog-i-sphere.
I’m ready to move my blogging up a notch.
Reply
16. Annie says:
December 21, 2009 at 1:11 pm
This is an absolute necessity for businesses and it does not happen nearly enough!! Thanks for the guidelines. They are a great help especially to those companies that feel like a fish out of water of where to even start brainstorming.
I liked the comment about reverse brainstorming! Great idea!
Reply
17. Erin says:
December 21, 2009 at 2:24 pm
Hey Dean,
It’s been getting a lot of press lately, but have you heard about skribit (http://skribit.com/)? It’s a really great community for bloggers to bounce ideas off of each other- to put it simply.
It might be a bit of a brainstorming shortcut in that you’re not generating the ideas with a team at a table in a conference room, but I think it’s a really great way to utilize the internet for this sort of thing.
It’s also a nice home for all those fantastic ideas that you come up with that have absolutely nothing to do with what you write about.
Reply
18. Nick@Subject2.com says:
December 21, 2009 at 2:31 pm
@Michael, great idea! I never thought of it in that way. That can completely open the flood gates for brainstorming. Thanks a lot for that.
Reply
19. Harry Waisbren says:
December 21, 2009 at 3:01 pm
One part of this (excellent) post that might warrant further discussion is a contrast you make early:
“Many would argue that you can’t create by committee. I agree. Writing and other creative acts are best performed by individuals. Creating by committee, well . . . sucks.”
I’m not sure if this is entirely true, although undoubtedly there is a massive uphill struggle to create by committee. Even when done successfully the process might suck, but the result certainly wouldn’t.
For example, this begs the question of whether a transcendent rock group is a group of individuals reaching inspiration on their own, or whether they inspire each other through their team chemistry to something much greater than the sum of its parts.
The creative process is a deeply personal experience, and I consider blogging to entail this process considering the transparent and open nature of the writing. Yet, could bloggers do more than brainstorm together, and collaborate as a team of play-writes would through their deep chemistry?
I’m unsure, but as blogging becomes increasingly ubiquitous and collaboration is made easier by new technologies and practices, I am sure that this form of the creative process will be increasingly tested.
Reply
20. Laura Belgray says:
December 21, 2009 at 3:07 pm
@michael, I LOVE the reverse brainstorm strategy. Going to use that from now on.
My other go-to, similar but not exactly the same, is “stupidest ideas you can think of.”
I even use this when I brainstorm by myself. Because even with no one else in the room, I’m ashamed to write down stupid ideas. I always hit “delete.”
Unless, of course, stupid ideas are the point.
Reply
21. Matt says:
December 21, 2009 at 4:06 pm
This is a great piece. To continue to increase the quality of content, bloggers and I believe freelancers in general will need to lean on the strengths of others to achieve brilliance.
You might want to see that idea in practice. Our local projects Madison Ave. Collective and Matchbook focus on bringing together freelance creatives to do good work.
Reply
22. Garry says:
December 21, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Dean – EXCELLENT article! I just forwarded this to my Mastermind team that meets every week. This could spice up the group for sure!!
From past experience Ground Rule #2 is key. “Think up or shut up!” …. brilliant! We used to have a rule in our management meetings – NO STUPID IDEAS. Every idea was valued, accepted, given true and honest consideration. Absolutely essential.
Thanks again for the article!
Garry
Reply
23. Garry says:
December 21, 2009 at 5:45 pm
We currently have a guy working with us on staff that starts out a wild and crazy idea with, “I’m not even sure I think this is a good idea – but, it’s in my head so I’m going to share it!”
We encourage that sentiment during all brainstorming sessions. I am amazed at the ideas that seemed crazy the first time I heard them……..
Garry
Reply
24. Linda Faulkner says:
December 21, 2009 at 8:10 pm
Great ideas for brainstorming for ANYTHING!
Reply
25. Aglo@Travel Guide says:
December 21, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Agreed with your brainstorm idea, like 7 points of ground rules would more helpfull in session. Some time we are forgotten in time limits and don’t know what’s the right topic!
Reply
26. Eric C says:
December 22, 2009 at 1:30 am
I would recommend going no longer than 15 minutes, it is just too hard and unproductive after that.
Reply
27. Jenny Pilley says:
December 22, 2009 at 3:16 am
Great post! We often use this method in our office in smaller groups and proves to be effective. If there is someone with more knowledge about a topic it’s a great way to understand more than just reading about it. It also provides the opportunity to pose questions and get a better understanding yourself without feeling conscious that you’re going off on the wrong track.
Reply
28. Mikkel "DaneBlogger" Juhl says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:29 am
I have never been good at brainstorming to be honest. When I lie in bed, I often come with ideas there.
But I’ll definitely try brainstorming again. Definitely an awesome idea, brainstorm session for the win!
Reply
29. Jose Anajero says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:37 am
In the office where I used to work, we would also brainstorm for ideas from time to time. But Dean’s post reminds me of guidelines how to do it more effectively. And of course, it’s nice to see how brainstorming can be applied in generating ideas for blogging too.
I wonder if you can brainstorm alone. Is that technically possible too?
Thanks once again Brian.
Jose
Reply
30. Andrew @ WeBuildYourBlog.com says:
December 22, 2009 at 5:48 am
This is really a great post! I agree with your description of a leader. A leader should really have more time to listen and to encourage others to participate. It doesn’t mean that if you’re the leader, your ideas are always true and correct.
Reply
31. Heather Villa says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:20 am
A good brainstorming session will just feed off itself. I have found that getting started is the hardest part, but once the process starts, it’s like a ball rolling down hill, the ideas just keep coming and sometimes they come very fast. Great post with lots of useful tips!
Reply
32. Cecilia @ CeciliaEdwards.com says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:51 am
A great tool to use to capture thoughts during a brainstorming session is a mind map. There are software versions (e.g. Mindjet, my favorite MindGenius, and free version like Free Mind) that allow you to rapidly capture thoughts and link them together.
Using the software allows you to re-organize everything when you are done without a lot of hassle.
I am very much in favor of capturing the thoughts and making them available visibly during the session versus only recording. It seems to help keep people engaged.
With the ability to share screens, this can still be done with remote participants.
Reply
33. Darni says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:57 am
I like brainstorming.I usually use it to find the topic of my article.Even dumb ideas can give me some inspiration.
Reply
34. internet marketing specialist says:
December 22, 2009 at 7:39 am
That’s really brilliant. Getting ideas by talking to other bloggers is a great way to come up with creative ideas. There are days when you feel totally drained and your brain is not working right. By the help of others, you get to have that light bulb switch on instantly.
Reply
35. Joshua Black- Underdog Millionaire says:
December 22, 2009 at 9:44 am
Good work Dean. Another brainstorming trick that I like to use is that every member of the team can write their ideas down and introduce them altogether, maybe a non-biased thrid party can type them all up. This way no one can get a brilliant idea shot down, and the importance of coming up with an idea as a team shows more than the importance of the individual trying to push for their idea to go through.
Reply
36. The IMC Team says:
December 22, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Love this — it brings some structure to a creative process where so many of us don’t know where to begin.
Reply
37. Andee Sellman, One Sherpa says:
December 22, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Great thought Dean.
One area where we ‘brainstorm’ is with the use of a keyword research tool. It’s one thing to come up with a great idea but a completely different matter to get a post discovered by the search engines.
So we use a tool called Market Samurai http://www.marketsamurai.com
What I do is think of a topic and then use the tool to expand that idea and find different ways of thinking about that topic.
The net result is always something different but within certain parameters where we’re trying to increase our depth of content in a particular area and keyword intensity
Reply
38. Rupert Alistair says:
December 22, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Dean, I agree with you completely on this one.
I use brainstorming to develop ideas for my blog every day. It keeps my content fresh, quality and interesting (at least that’s what my readers say).
Reply
39. Ralph Leon says:
December 22, 2009 at 6:14 pm
I like the bit on not holding back on ideas. I think this is a big problem for a lot of people, especially when they are with a new group of people. I have found that my best ideas come from the most odd and fun comments and concepts.
@Micheal Haven’t heard of that yet and it sounds brilliant. Next time I am in a brain storming session I am going to have to try that one. Sounds like a good way to start thinking out of the box.
Reply
40. Codrut @ Blog Post Ideas says:
December 23, 2009 at 8:52 am
For # Andee Sellman, One Sherpa
I’ve used marketsamurai, and that’s one of the best tools out there, not to mention the free tutorials they have on their site.
I think this is a great starting point to get new and fresh blog ideas, that you can expand later on, and you get ranked in Google for your posts too, as an added bonus
Reply
41. Deborah says:
December 27, 2009 at 9:41 am
Great post. I’ll add this link to my Facebook Redwood Writers (California Writers Club). I think this would be a great workshop for writers who are developing their book platforms. Thanks!
Reply
42. zhaoyizhan says:
December 28, 2009 at 10:05 pm
Great post. I’ll add this link to my Facebook Redwood Writers (California Writers Club). I think this would be a great workshop for writers who are developing their book platforms. Thanks!
Reply
43. Kian Ann says:
January 2, 2010 at 1:49 pm
I like to keep an “idea bank” for blog posts – and then let it sink in there for a while, and slowly but surely, the ideas on how to craft the post (perspectives to take etc) will come out!
Reply
44. Jack Kinsella says:
January 2, 2010 at 2:33 pm
A great tip for getting really creative ideas in the initial brainstorming stage is to think about something completely unrelated, then try and connect that unrelated item back to the original problem.
Say, for example, you were brainstorming ideas to market your blog. Then you thought about a dog. Now you must find a way to connect the unrelated idea (the dog) with the target problem (marketing a blog). Here goes…..
A dog’s bark can be annoying, but does get attention – perhaps by making a loud annoying noise (or post) you could get your blog attention too.
Not too bad.
Reply
45. Daniel Johnston says:
January 6, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Sadly, because there are very few bloggers who are in my particular niche, I largely miss out on the brainstorming part. of course, that is also a HUGE advantage to have virtually no competition.
Reply
46. Learn Dropshipping says:
August 20, 2010 at 1:36 pm
This is an absolute necessity for businesses and it does not happen nearly enough!! Thanks for the guidelines. They are a great help especially to those companies that feel like a fish out of water of where to even start brainstorming.
I liked the comment about reverse brainstorming! Great idea!
Reply
Reverse Brainstorming – half as popular, twice as fun – I
Posted on March 15, 2010 by Adrian Dobre| Leave a comment
I recently prepared a training on a more peculiar creative problem-solving technique: Reverse Brainstorming. How does it work?
The groups work on the solutions.
The first important step is to come up with an explicit challenge or objective that the group can work upon. From my experience I observed people over discussing the challenge if they have to start the process at the beginning of the session. So, in order to save time, I prefer to ask the person in charge of the group – the responsible within the organization – to come up with a statement that is explicit and denotes a something that the organizations faces with. This should be done by him after he agrees with other participants. Agreement is a key word in this process.
Our particular example of a challenge was: How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT?
The second step is optional. After talking to people about the brainstorming technique I understood how little known are the steps and conventions of this process. Actually, many involved in informal education activities can’t distinguish the differences between a regular discussion and a brainstorming session. I prefer making a short, regular, brainstorming session in order to get people accustomed with the rules. I also choose a subject that is fun and can benefit from crazy, creative ideas that have sometimes little sense. This is used to relax and place the participants in a creative and fun mood.
Third step. The original challenge is reversed and this is where the actual fun starts. The name Reverse Brainstorming comes from the fact that you reverse the challenge and seek solutions for the reverse statement. Doesn’t make sense? It may not just yet, but remember to trust the process and it will all be revealed in the next steps.
Original challenge: How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT?
Reverse 1: How not to recruit the most suitable members for GLT? – Group 1.
Reverse 2: How to recruit the most unsuitable members for GLT? – Group 2.
Having fun is important
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Reverse Brainstorming – half as popular, twice as fun – II
Posted on March 22, 2010 by Adrian Dobre| Leave a comment
This is the second and last part of our Reverse Brainstorming series. Previously we went through the initial preparation, getting the participants accustomed with the process, contributing to the atmosphere and actually doing some work. The fun part. Now, we have to make something out of all these ideas. Buckle up, we go!
Step four. All the statements that the groups have written on their flip-charts are filtered. The first thing to do is to reverse the statements so as to be a solution for the original challenge. After reversing all the statement we can keep only the ones that are feasible. I recommend keeping the ones that did not make the cut in an archive. Who knows with what occasion they will be the next best thing in solving your problems?
A solution to Reverse 2 – How to recruit the most unsuitable members for GLT? – might be: We favour applicants who cheat, steal and lye. If they do heavy drugs, bring’ em on board.
Reversing so as to fit our initial challenge – How to recruit the most suitable members for GLT? – We favour applicants that prove to value integrity, honesty and have a constructive social conduct. We understand how the image of our members if closely connected with the one of the organization. If applicants are related to any illegalities, we will address this issue.
Sharing the solutions.
Step five. Again, an optional one. Technically, we completed the Reverse Brainstorming session. In our training we chose to wrap things more tightly so we included a “Make an Action Plan” stage. The objective: everything has a time-line, a responsible and some evaluation criteria.
In our example, the majority of the solutions people came up with were mostly related to the profile of the desired candidate. But people were proactive and went further. For some of the characteristics, they designed games and special moments in the selection process. All these were placed in the recruitment time-line.
Sixth step. The debriefing. Crucial for every training session, it comprises some sort of assessment – both for the participants and for the trainer. We went through brainstorming stages, rules and important things to remember.
This being said, I strongly encourage using this technique whenever finding solutions comes to a standstill. It is fun, dynamic and useful especially for coming up with flexible solutions to challenges.
Brainstorming is fun!
Brainstorming
What is Brainstorming?
Brainstorming is simply a means of getting a large number of ideas from a group of people in a short time. Brainstorming is great for marketers! Marketers can generate new creative ideas for products, services, solutions or concepts. Not only is brainstorming useful for creative thinking, but is can also be used for marketing problem solving and marketing decision making.
Successful brainstorming depends upon four key rules:
1. Suspend judgement.
2. Let yourself go and freewheel.
3. Go for quantity - quality implies evaluation (which means that you have not suspended judgement).
4. Cross-fertilize - pick up someone else's ideas and suggest others leading from it.
Steps in Brainstorming.
A. State the problem.
B. Restate the problem.
C. Select restatement.
D. Warm-up.
E. Brainstorm.
Oiling the Wheels
If brainstorming group dries up the leader can get the ideas flowing again by using any one of the following approaches:
1. Silent review - let the group review silently the ideas already generated in order to stimulate their thinking.
2. Quantity targets - encourage the group to go for 10, 50 or 100 ideas!
3. The one idea - get the group to focus on one idea and use that as a stimulus.
4. Select a restatement from the list the group produced earlier and brainstorm it.
5. Wildest idea - let the group silently review the ideas already generated in order to use the wildest idea as a stimulus for more productive ideas.
Evaluating ideas
1. Scrutinise all the ideas and pick out any that instantly jump out at you.
2. Sort the remaining ideas into groups of a manageable size and examine using some predefined criteria e.g. profitability or relative competitive advantage.
3. Subject ideas to reverse brainstorming. Ask the question 'In how many ways can this idea fail?'
Creative Thinking Techniques - Enhance Your Creativity
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Powerful Creative Thinking Techniques
If you're looking for creative thinking techniques to jump start your creativity, you've come to the right place.
As I explain in my lens "How to Be More Creative", creativity is a skill that can be learned. In the words of Edward de Bono, one of the giants in the field of creativity: "Creative thinking . . . empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and where appropriate profits."
In addition, an important step of the creativity process is applying creative thinking techniques to help nudge your thinking and get your creative juices flowing.
There are literally hundreds of ingenious creative thinking techniques for approaching problems in unconventional ways. In this lens you'll find ten powerful creative thinking techniques you can begin to apply right away to start generating ideas.
photo credit: neilbetter
Contents at a Glance
1. Assumption-Busting Techniques
4. Brainstorming at IDEO
5. Brainstorming
6. Brainstorming Links
more...
Ten Creativity Techniques
Here are the ten creativity techniques which are explained in this lens:
• Assumption-Busting Techniques
• Brainstorming
• Edison's Idea File
• Koinonia - Generate Ideas by Brainstorming With Others in Your Field
• Lateral Thinking
• The Lotus Blossom Approach
• Mind Maps
• More Creative Links
• Creativity Technique - Introduce a Random Element
• Reverse Brainstorming
• SCAMPER
• The Ten Most Popular Posts on My Blog
Assumption-Busting Techniques
Assumption-Busting Techniques
Assumptions are mental shortcuts: we assume that a situation we're facing is like other situations we've encountered before, and that what worked then will work once again. In fact, the more experienced we are in a particular area, the more likely we are to bring lots of baggage to the problem, which can inhibit us from finding novel and creative solutions.
In order to challenge your assumptions, write down all of the dominant ideas that apply to a particular situation and then deliberately challenge them. List all of the assumptions that you're making and next to each one write a counter-assumption - not necessarily its negation, but its opposite.
Once you drop preconceived notions you're more likely to find better solutions. One approach-suggested by Jurgen Wolff on his blog "Time to Write"-is to pretend that you're a Martian that has just landed on earth and is seeing things on this planet for the first time. This would put you in a position of questioning everything, seeing your problem or situation with completely fresh eyes, and taking nothing for granted.
photo credit: h.koppdelaney
Brainstorming
Brainstorming at IDEO
"Brainstorming is practically a religion at IDEO, one we practice nearly every day. Though brainstorms themselves are often playful, brainstorming as a tool - as a skill - is taken quite seriously. And in a company without many rules, we have a very firm idea about what constitutes a brainstorm and how it should be organised."
(Tom Kelly, The Art of Innovation)
Brainstorming
Brainstorming is a process for generating new ideas in which specific rules and techniques are applied which encourage and spark off new ideas which would not have happened under normal circumstances.
The brainstorming rules are basically the following:
• Withhold judgment and criticism. During the first stage of a brainstorming session ideas are not evaluated in any way.
• Wild, seemingly wacky ideas are welcome.
• Go for quantity, not quality.
• Build off the ideas put forth by others.
• Mutate and Combine, that is, deliberately distort and modify existing ideas and deliberately try to build new ideas from combinations of existing ones.
photo credit: roland
Brainstorming Links
Is Brainstorming a Waste of Time?
Participate in the debate.
Brainstorming: Pros and Cons
Bob Sutton's take on brainstorming.
Perfect Brainstorming
The best-known and widely used team-based creative problem solving and creative thinking technique is brainstorming. One major reason why brainstorming is useful is that it helps to free us from 'fixed ideas'.
COCD Box: Improve Your Brainstorming Sessions
The COCD (Center for Development of Creative Thinking) developed a handy tool for creative thinking: the COCD Box. The purpose of the box is to further encourage outlandish thinking during brainstorming sessions. The process works as follows:
1. Ideas are generated during a brainstorming session and each one is given a number.
2. Each participant is given red, yellow, and blue sticking dots. The blue dots represent the plain, but realizable ideas. That is, those ideas that are closest to what is already being done. The red dots represent original, but realizable ideas (the "Wow" ideas). The yellow dots are attached to those ideas that are very original but are not realizable at the present moment.
3. Discuss which ideas should be assigned which dots.
The unique feature of this technique is that it encourages you to consider the yellow ideas, the dreams, the ideas of the future.
Edison's Idea File
Edison's Idea File
Edison's Idea File consists of keeping track of any good ideas that you come across by writing them down and storing them someplace where you'll easily find them when you need them.
As Mark Twain once said: "All ideas are second hand, consciously or unconsciously drawn from a million outside sources and used by the creative person with pride and satisfaction."
Koinonia
Koinonia - Generate Ideas by Brainstorming With Others in Your Field
Koinonia is a creativity technique explained by Michael Michalko's in his book "Thinkertoys":
To generate ideas, brainstorm with others in your field. Einstein, for instance, would freely exchange ideas and opinions with his colleagues. Michalko explains that Einstein would use a technique originated by Socrates in which the principles of Koinonia were applied. Koinonia means "spirit of fellowship."
photo credit: pvera
Koinonia Links
How to Encourage Collaboration on Your Team
The physicist David Bohm researched the lives of Einstein and his colleagues-Heisenberg, Pauli and Bohr-and discovered that they spent years openly bouncing ideas off each other. They exchanged concepts without trying to change the others' minds and without bitter argument. They felt free to propose whatever idea they conceived, establishing an extraordinary professional fellowship. This risk-free collaboration led to breakthroughs and discoveries that later became the foundations of modern physics.
An Interview with Thinkertoys & Cracking Creativity Author Michael Michalko
Koinonia Principles:
ESTABLISH DIALOGUE. In Greek, the word dialogue means "talking through." The Greeks believed that the key to establishing dialogue is to exchange ideas without trying to change the other person's mind.
CLARIFY YOUR THINKING. To clarify your thinking, you must suspend all untested assumptions. Being aware of your assumptions and suspending them allows thought to flow freely.
BE HONEST. Say what you think, even if your thoughts are controversial.
Lateral Thinking
"Seeking to solve problems by unorthodox or apparently illogical methods." Concise Oxford Dictionary"
Lateral Thinking
"Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way." - Edward de Bono
British physician, author, inventor, and consultant Edward de Bono has had a major impact on the way we think and particularly in the field of creativity. He coined the phrase "lateral thinking" which involves approaching problems from diverse, unexpected angles and from different perspectives. Dr. de Bono meant to differentiate lateral thinking-in which you nudge the mind to make sudden turns- from vertical thinking, which is logical and sequential thinking.
Our brains are "pattern recognition systems", which helps us to quickly evaluate our surroundings and respond accordingly. However, we can get stuck with patterns, which hinders our ability to generate new ideas. Lateral thinking seeks to provide techniques to nudge the brain out of its patterns.
Lateral thinking can be learned, and Dr. de Bono has created several techniques to help you apply lateral thinking to problem solving and idea generation. Some of these are the following: think of as many different alternatives for solving a problem as you possibly can; challenge any assumptions you may have about your problem; and insert random elements which will encourage you to look at the problem from a different and unexpected perspective.
photo credit: laffy4k
Lateral Thinking on Wikipedia
Lateral thinking is a term coined by Edward de Bono in the book New Think: The Use of Lateral Thinking published in 1967; it refers to solving problems through an indirect and creative approach. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.
read the rest of the Wikipedia article
Creativity Quote
"There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all."
-- Edward de Bono
Lateral Thinking
Indigo - Dr. Edward de Bono discusses Lateral Thinking™
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Lateral Thinking - An Example
Ford Motor Company
Here's a great example of lateral thinking which I found on the blog Stepcase Lifehack:
Ford Motor Corporation asked Edward de Bono for advice on how they could clearly differentiate themselves from their many competitors in car manufacturing.
Ford had approached the problem of competing from the point of view of a car manufacturer and asked the question, "How can we make our cars more attractive to consumers?"
Dr. de Bono approached the problem from a completely different angle and asked the following question, "How can we make the whole driving experience better for Ford customers?"
The new entry point that was created by looking at a problem from a different perspective allowed Dr. de Bono to come up with the following idea: Ford should buy up parking lots in all the major city centers and make them available for Ford cars only.
Unfortunately, Dr. De Bono's innovative idea was too radical for Ford; they saw themselves as an automobile manufacturer with no interest in the parking lot business.
photo credit: kevindooley
Books by Edward de Bono
Lateral Thinking: Creativ...
Serious Creativity: Using...
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Creativity Workout: 62 Ex...
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Three Lateral Thinking Puzzles
Here are three lateral thinking puzzles for you to try and resolve (the answers are provided below, but make an effort to resolve the problems before looking at the answer):
1. Acting on an anonymous phone call, the police raid a house to arrest a suspected murderer. They don't know what he looks like, but they know his name is John. Inside they find a carpenter, a taxi driver, a car mechanic and a fireman playing cards. Without even asking his name, they immediately arrest the fireman. How do they know they've got their man? (Source).
2. A murderer is condemned to death. He has to choose between three rooms. The first is full of raging fires, the second is full of assassins with loaded guns, and the third is full of lions that haven't eaten in 3 years. Which room is safest for him? (Source).
3. Look at the picture below with the nine dots. Can you connect the nine dots using 4 straight lines, without lifting your pencil from the paper and without retracing any lines?
Solutions to the Three Lateral Thinking Puzzles
The solution to the first problem above is that there was only one man sitting at the table; the other three, the carpenter, the taxi driver, and the mechanic were women.
As for the second problem, the safest room is the third. Lions that haven't eaten in three years are dead.
For the third problem, the solution is to extend the lines beyond the square-frame created by the dots, as shown in the picture below:
Psychologists have speculated that the nine-dot problem is difficult because people are so dominated by the perception of a square that they don't "see" the possibility of extending lines outside the square formed by the dots.
Lateral Thinking Puzzles on Amazon
Outstanding Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
Cunning Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
Colorful Lateral Thinking Puzzles
by: Paul Sloane, Des MacHale
Amazon Price: $6.95 (as of 08/26/2010)
The Lotus Blossom Approach
The Lotus Blossom Approach
The lotus blossom approach works as follows: Describe the problem that you're facing and write it down on a card or Post-it Note and place it in the middle of a large working area. Use other tools for creating ideas to generate a set of ideas on how to solve the problem. Write each idea on a card or Post-it Note of its own and place it around the problem description. This is the first layer of the lotus blossom.
Make a copy of each of the idea cards and place them further out from the first layer. Now surround each of the copied idea cards with secondary ideas, using only the copied idea cards as stimuli. This should result in ideas which are further removed from the original problem. Look around the many ideas you now have and seek to link some of these back to the original problem.
photo credit: ellievanhoutte
Books on Creative Thinking Techniques
Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques (2nd Edition)
by: Michael Michalko
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 08/26/2010)
Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius
by: Michael Michalko
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 08/26/2010)
101 Creative Problem Solving Techniques: The Handbook of New Ideas for Business
by: James M. Higgins
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 08/26/2010)
How to Be More Creative
How to Be More Creative
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Mind Maps
Mind Maps
A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking. The concept was brought into the mainstream by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature and research on how humans think and how the brain works.
Mind maps can be used for all of the following:
- Personal goal setting
- Problem solving
- Writing a business plan
- Generating ideas
- Improving reading comprehension and retention
- Studying for exams
- Learning languages
Basically, you place an image at the center of a piece of paper which represents the subject matter of the mind map. Then you write down a key word that describes your topic. Next, you proceed to draw branches leading out from the central issue which represent the main associations that come from thinking of said issue. From each main association, you then branch out into sub-associations.
Make your branches organic and free flowing, instead of making them structured and rigid. Add just one word per branch. In addition, it's important to use color and images when creating your mind maps to further stimulate both memory and imagination.
photo credit: Philippe Boukobza
Tony Buzan on Mind Maps
"Mind Maps use letters and numbers and they also use color and image, which means that they engage the left and the right sides of the brain. This is why you can increase your thinking power synergistically when you use Mind Maps. Each side of the brain simultaneously feeds off and strengthens the other in a manner which provides limitless creative potential." (Mind Maps at Work, by Tony Buzan, pg. 9)
Maximise the Power of Your Brain - Tony Buzan MIND MAPPING
by iMindMap | video info
731 ratings | 758,009 views
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Books on Mind Mapping
The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential
by: Tony Buzan, Barry Buzan
Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 08/26/2010)
How to Mind Map: The Ultimate Thinking Tool That Will Change Your Life
by: Tony Buzan
Amazon Price: $11.09 (as of 08/26/2010)
Mind Mapping Step-by-Step
1. Get a plain sheet of paper and turn it so that it's on its landscape side. You're also going to need colored pens or pencils.
2. Mind maps represent a task or idea in pictorial form with a minimum of words. They rely on key pictures and key words that act as triggers. In the center of the page, draw a picture or image that represents the central concept of your mind map.
3. Use colors throughout. Adding images and colors stimulates right-brain thinking; that is, it stimulates creativity and imagination.
4. Write down a key word which represents the central idea. Throughout the mind map you'll use just one key word per line. Keywords exercise your analytical "left brain" and help you find the essence of your subject. A phrase or sentence locks the meaning of a word into a very restricted area. Using just one key word per line gives you the freedom to discover the maximum amount of creative associations for your key word. When you first start mind mapping, the temptation to use complete phrases will be enormous, but you should always look for opportunities to shorten phrases to a single word.
5. What are the main concepts or ideas that can be derived from the image and key word you've placed in the middle of the page? Draw anywhere from five to nine thick branches leading out from your central image/key word. Each of these branches represents a Basic Ordering Idea (BOI), and you're going to find an image and a key word for each.
6. Look at your main branches--your BOIs--and begin making free associations. Draw smaller sub-branches that stem from each BOI to accommodate the new associations you're making. Then connect third-level branches from the ends of the sub-branches, and so on. Let your mind work freely by association and have fun.
7. Make the branches curve and flow.
8. Use images throughout. The images make the mind map more interesting and more memorable. In addition, pictures generate far more associations than words do.
How to Make a Mind Map
How To Make A Mind Map - Version 2
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Mind Mapping Software
Mind Mapping Lens
Creating Mind Maps: Everything You Need to Know
A mind map is a whole-brain method for generating and organizing ideas which is largely inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's approach to note-taking. The concept was brought into the mainstream by Tony Buzan and is based on patterns found in nature an...
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Random Element
Creativity Technique - Introduce a Random Element
A commonly used creativity technique is defining your problem and then introducing a random element--such as a word you pick randomly out of the dictionary or a magazine--and forcing an association between the word and the problem.
For example, suppose you can't fit your child's new mattress in your car. You look for a random object and the first thing you see is a dog. Dogs can often be seen in cars with their heads hanging out the window. This gives you the idea to open one of the back windows and let part of the mattress hang out the window. This way, you're able to get the mattress in the car.
Here are three random element techniques:
• Random Word: For more information on how to use the random word technique go here or here.
• Random Picture: For more information on how to use the random picture technique go here.
• False Rule: In addition, the random element that you introduce can be a "false rule". Basically, you take a rule, quote, idea or suggestion from somewhere else and apply it to your own situation. For example, apply the following rules to your problem: the shortest distance between two points is a straight line; if you hear hoofs think horses, not zebras; or, always disconnect the power supply before changing the light bulb. For more information on how to use the false rule technique go here.
Introducing random elements is an example of lateral thinking. For more information on lateral thinking, visit my post: Lateral Thinking - Think Out of the Box.
photo credit: emdot
Links on the False Rule Technique
False Rule Technique
To generate new ideas using this method you apply rules to your own probortunity which have already been applied to a different subject but which have not yet been applied to your own. You are taking a rule, quote, idea or suggestion from somewhere else and applying it to your own situation. For example: "Must be 18 or older"; "Refrigerate after opening"; and so on.
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Reverse Brainstoming
Reverse Brainstorming
Reverse Brainstorming is a technique in which you state your problem in reverse: change a positive statement into a negative one, try to define what something is not, and so on. Basically, it's a combination of the well-known brainstorming technique with the technique of changing your perspective so that you can look at the problem or situation from a completely different angle.
For example, if you want to increase sales, make a list of all the things you could possibly do to decrease sales. These could include the following:
• Not making any calls to prospects.
• Being rude to customers.
• Showing poor product knowledge.
Then reverse engineer: How can I make more sales by making more sales calls? How can I increase sales by giving better service to my customers? A portion of the book "Cracking Creativity"--including a discussion of the reverse brainstorming technique--is available for free here.
Some more examples of reverse bainstorming:
- A real estate agent might ask: What would make it almost impossible to sell this house?
- Someone starting a web site might ask: What would make people click away from this site as soon as they land on it?
- A contractor competing for a job might ask: What can we do not to win this contract?
photo credit: gustaf wallen
SCAMPER
SCAMPER
The SCAMPER technique was developed by Bob Eberle. SCAMPER is an acronym which stands for questions relating to the following:
S - Substitute/Simplify: Think about substituting part of your product/process for something else. Typical questions include: What can I substitute to make an improvement? What if I swap this for that and see what happens?
C - Combine: Think about combining two or more parts of your problem to achieve a different product/process or to enhance synergy. Typical questions are: What materials, features, processes, people, products or components can I combine? Where can I build synergy?
A - Adapt: Think about which parts of the product/process could be adapted to remove the problem or think how you could change the nature of the product/process. Some typical questions that can be asked are: What part of the product could I change? And in exchange for what? What if I were to change the characteristics of a component?
M - Modify/distort: Think about distorting the product or process in an unusual way. Typical questions can include: What happens if I warp or exaggerate a feature or component? What will happen if I modify the process in some way?
P - Put to other Purposes: Think of how you might be able to put your current solution/ product/process to other purposes, or think of what you could reuse from somewhere else in order to solve your own problem. Typical questions are: What other market could I use this product in? Who or what else might be able to use it?
E - Eliminate: Think of what might happen if you eliminated various parts of the product/process/problem and consider what you might do in that situation. You can ask the following questions: What would happen if I removed a component or part of it? How else would I achieve the solution without the normal way of doing it?
R - Rearrange: Think of what you would do if part of your problem/product/process worked in reverse or was done in a different order. You can use this to see your problem from different angles and come up with new ideas. A typical question would be: What if I did it the other way round?
SCAMPER
Scamper
The SCAMPER technique uses a set of directed questions which you answer about your problem in order to come up with new ideas. The stimulus comes from forcing yourself to answer questions which you would not normally pose. The questions direct you to thinking about a problemin ways which typically come up with new ideas.
Did you enjoy this lens?
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Reverse Brainstorming
Description: It is simlart to the antonym of brainstorming. It leads you to think and depict the problem in the reverse way. Therefore, changing positive statement to negative statements is the main concept of it. Mainaly, it can be regarded as the combination technique from the brainstorming and having ubnormal perspective.
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