In a world of fast change and fierce competition, the ability to find new and innovative solutions is necessary for your survival. Thinking power and creativity are your primary competitive advantages. Unlocking new ideas and multiple possibilities begin with a "Round Process". Research - Originate- Unite-Nurture -Do It!

Research
To produce creative output, you need creative input! Collecting a variety of information, without worrying how it fits, is the foundation of the research phase.

-Look for new ideas in your environment
-Seek inspiration in all things, including nature
-Commit to continuous learning, developing abilities and talents, enhance your education
-Analyzing data and historical trends

Originate
The second step is the most fun, because in this phase, everything is possible. Bring together team members and peers for a short, but lively session of Originating. This process works well with a diverse group, people with very different skills, personality styles and experience

- Brainstorm and "what-if."
- Generate many, many ideas
- Use your imagination, think, ponder, daydream

Unite
As you review the ideas you have generated, you select a few to explore in greater detail. As you embrace these ideas, you unite related concepts; look for connections and ways to build on the ideas of others.
- Borrow ideas from others
- Invent and innovate
- Make decisions

Nurture
In the next phase, you refine and improve your ideas. By identifying and eliminating obstacles you nurture the best ideas, giving them the chance to blossom and grow.

- Objectively evaluate an idea
- Reject what doesn't work
- Simplify the over-complicated

Do-It
Finally you must commit to a course of action. In the Do-It phase you make the decision to go forward, and never give up.

- Market your idea
- Deal with critics
- Survive success
- And Begin Again!

One additional idea I got from Dr. James Watson who, along with Francis Crick, is credited with the discovery of the structure of DNA in 1955. This discovery eventually earned them the Nobel Prize.

Dr. Watson suggested if you need to solve really important problems, surround yourself with people who are smarter, more successful, and more knowledgeable. This is tough for many small business owners. It is not that we don't know smart people, but admitting we don't know something is scary. Will our customers and employees lose faith in us?

My advice, get over the belief you have to know everything or you will never get any smarter. Ask questions, lots of questions, watch others, and learn.

It is much easier to watch someone else run into a wall and learn as they pick up the pieces, then to do it yourself.

Bring these people to your brainstorm and planning sessions and watch the quality of the conversation, and ideas generated improve dramatically!

(Source: Articlesbase)

* Lorraine Ball is a freelance writer
* The views expressed by the author in this feature are entirely the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of SME Times.