I have this theory that the three things most people would like to avoid (at all costs) are dying, speaking publicly and thinking creatively. Well, the first option is unavoidable, you might be able to dodge the second, but you’re really shooting yourself in the foot if you try and avoid creative thinking.
Here’s the problem: it’s just a whole lot easier to maintain the status quo and keep doing things the same way you’ve always done them. Most people just don’t see the value of figuring out new or better ways of doing things. Remember the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I have a different take: “If it ain’t broke, break it and make a better one.”
Let me share with you a time-tested technique that uses a series of seven questions to get you to think differently about, well, just about anything. But in this particular instance, let’s try and think differently about the product, service or process you currently use to serve your clients or your boss.
Here are the seven questions that might just stimulate a little innovation and creativity:
S – SUBSTITUTE: Can I substitute part of the product, service or process for something else? By looking for something to substitute, you can often come up with new ideas or methodology. Chefs do this all the time!
C – COMBINE: Can I combine two or more parts of the product, service or process to achieve the desired results? What features could I combine to make something new or radically different?
A – ADAPT: Is there a component of my product, service or process I could change? And if I did, what would happen?
M – MODIFY: Can I change part or all of the current product, service or process, or distort it in an unusual way? By forcing yourself to come up with new ways of working, you could easily be prompted to think of a new way to do things.
P – PUT TO OTHER PURPOSES: Is there something I could reuse from someone or somewhere else, that might improve our product, service or process? Is someone else doing it better or differently?
E – ELIMINATE: What might happen if I eliminated various parts of our current product, service or process? What would the upside, or downside, be?
R – REARRANGE OR REVERSE: What would happen if part of our product or service worked in reverse or in a different order? Use this question to look at what you do and how you do it from a different perspective – in order to come up with new ideas or new ways of thinking.
See, now that wasn’t too bad, was it? Just saying to someone “go figure out a better way to do this” doesn’t usually work out too well. Using the S.C.A.M.P.E.R. technique can often jump-start the process. Give it a try!