Is Your Idea Really A Business?
- See PPT

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Begin a journal of ideas for potential products or services.  Carry it with you, and jot these ideas at least 5 times a week, preferably once a day.
2. Using one of your ideas, explore websites to research other products or services similar to your idea.  Write a 2 page paper about what you found.
3. Using one of your ideas, write a 2-page thought paper about the variations you might make in your product or service that would enhance it.
4. Using the keyword, “creativity” on a search engine, explore websites that offer mechanical methods for producing ideas.  Write a 3-page paper, identifying 5 of these methods.  In the paper, explain the methodology, and use the method to produce a new product or service.  (You will have 5 new products or services.)


ACTIVITIES:

1. Discuss your new idea(s) with 5 other people.  Ask them if they might use your product or service, or how it could be improved.  Write up your findings.
2. Visit a local business that seems particularly creative or innovative.  Ask them the following questions:
3. a.    How do they develop creative new products or services?
4. b.    Why do they think they are “creative”?
5. c.    How do they implement a creative idea?

Write up the results of your interview and share with your fellow students.


RESOURCES AVAILABLE:

1. Drawing on the Artist Within:  An Inspirational and Practical Guide to Increasing Your Creative Powers.
2. Betty Edwards.  Simon & Schuster, Inc.
3. A Whack on the Side of the Head:  How You Can Be More Creative – 3rd ed.   Roger Von Oech.  Time Warner.  1998.
4. Thinkertoys.  Michael Michalko.  Ten Speed Press.  1991.
5. Lateral Thinking:  Creativity Step by Step.  Edward De Bono.  Harper & Row.  1973.
6. Six Thinking Hats.  Edward De Bono.  Little Brown.  1999.
7. Conceptual Blockbusting:  A Guide to Better Ideas, 4th ed.  James L. Adams.  Perseus Books Group.  2001.