Page 78 - 100 Great Business Ideas: From Leading Companies Around the World (100 Great Ideas)

Comparisons that obvious are not metaphors. In sav
that the noise of ► recrackers on the Fourth of July sounds
like gunfire, for e\ample, is not a metaphor. Metaphors oc-
cur when a surprisingly imaginative connection is made be-

tween two different ideas or images that are normally per-
ceived as dissimilar.

Think of five metaphors that describe the meaning of life,
such as "life is a maze."

1.

2.

3.
4.

5.

Now think of a problem. Write five metaphors that describe
your problem.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

For each of the metaphors you have listed, ask yourself what
insights it provides into how to solve your problem. What
solutions do your metaphors suggest?

Similes

Similes are specific types of metaphors that use the words
"like" and "as"—for example, the wind cut like a knife, his
hand was as quick as a frog's tongue. They too can be used
to suggest comparisons that offer solutions.

SUMMARY OF STEPS

1. Think of an analogy between your problem and something else.
2. Ask yourself what insights or potential solutions the analogy

suggests.

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