Page 43 - Warwickers Ideas Book 2015
P. 43
THE BOX
We don’t promote thinking
outside the box as a tool on its
own. Most who think seriously
about creativity agree that it
entails not only novelty (that
outside the box stuff) but also
utility, and in order to be
useful, it has to go above-and-
beyond what is already known
(that inside the box stuff).
So understanding your challenge from inside the box lets you explore
knowing the opportunities and constraints at play is essential. It is also
about defining what is ‘In your Business Box’ to give your thinking some
useful focus – who you are serving (your niche), your objectives, current
goals and the plans already in place. We call this the Context. Knowing
this and understanding how it plays out isn’t about limiting creativity
such boundaries can increase your capacity to generate step change
ideas. It's also worth embracing what's been done before, because it's
practice that gives us the option to build on the old ideas to make the
new and to get creative with whatever we already have.
It also may be conversely about letting what has gone before go to
change perspective – which is what getting outside the box is really
about. It is about getting out of your comfort zone, challenging rules or
assumptions and removing perceived constraints. It means being open
so you can also see from a different vantage point whether that be
outside, on top, under the box or even being the box!
The box can also help identify if you are
working "in" the business opposed to
working "on" the business. Some people
are more creative in the box, or working
in the business. Some are more creative
and more passionate while thinking
outside the box, or on the business.
43
We don’t promote thinking
outside the box as a tool on its
own. Most who think seriously
about creativity agree that it
entails not only novelty (that
outside the box stuff) but also
utility, and in order to be
useful, it has to go above-and-
beyond what is already known
(that inside the box stuff).
So understanding your challenge from inside the box lets you explore
knowing the opportunities and constraints at play is essential. It is also
about defining what is ‘In your Business Box’ to give your thinking some
useful focus – who you are serving (your niche), your objectives, current
goals and the plans already in place. We call this the Context. Knowing
this and understanding how it plays out isn’t about limiting creativity
such boundaries can increase your capacity to generate step change
ideas. It's also worth embracing what's been done before, because it's
practice that gives us the option to build on the old ideas to make the
new and to get creative with whatever we already have.
It also may be conversely about letting what has gone before go to
change perspective – which is what getting outside the box is really
about. It is about getting out of your comfort zone, challenging rules or
assumptions and removing perceived constraints. It means being open
so you can also see from a different vantage point whether that be
outside, on top, under the box or even being the box!
The box can also help identify if you are
working "in" the business opposed to
working "on" the business. Some people
are more creative in the box, or working
in the business. Some are more creative
and more passionate while thinking
outside the box, or on the business.
43
