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Haider Ali

This course will help you to discover how to flip your logical thinking and reasoning mind to enable you to generate a wide range of innovative ideas. Using techniques such as the SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put, Eliminate, Reverse) method to assist in generating ideas, you will assess when to apply the different thinking modes appropriately in the ideation process.

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This course will help you to discover how to flip your logical thinking and reasoning mind to enable you to generate a wide range of innovative ideas. Using techniques such as the SCAMPER (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put, Eliminate, Reverse) method to assist in generating ideas, you will assess when to apply the different thinking modes appropriately in the ideation process.

You’ll apply critical reflective thinking to avoid personal biases and unintended consequences when you develop potential solutions. You will also analyse proto-concepts critically to ensure their suitability and the likelihood of positive impact.

Via text-based resources and task books, you’ll gain comprehensive understanding and benefit from in-depth reference points as you formulate your ideas and plans.

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Syllabus

Welcome to the course
This week, you will dive into the process of creative thinking to solve systemic challenges. You will learn how to generate a broad range of ideas to address your defined sustainability issues.
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Developing sustainable business ecosystem concepts
This week, you will learn how to converge your ideas into concrete concepts to take forward and test throughout the rest of the course.
Converging on sustainability concepts
This week, you will converge your thinking to make decisions about which ideas to take forward or to leave behind.
Refining sustainability concepts
This week, you will refine the ideas you are considering taking forward and reflect on how this will affect your draft systems map from course 2 in the Coursera Specialization 'Sustainability for business success'.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Develops creative and critical thinking skills, which are essential for problem-solving and innovation
Provides a structured approach to idea generation and evaluation, making it applicable in various settings
Builds upon foundational concepts in sustainability, making it suitable for learners with some prior knowledge
Emphasizes practical application, ensuring that learners can use the concepts in real-world scenarios
Requires active participation and engagement throughout the course, which may not suit all learners
Taught by Haider Ali, who is recognized for his expertise in sustainability and innovation

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions with these activities:
Review the basics of creative thinking
Review fundamental principles of divergent and convergent thinking to strengthen your foundation for the course.
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  • Read the course syllabus and introduction materials.
  • Review online resources and articles on creative thinking.
  • Engage in brainstorming exercises to stimulate your creative mindset.
Gather and organize resources on sustainability
Compiling resources on sustainability will help you build your knowledge base and stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
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  • Search for and collect articles, websites, and videos on sustainability.
  • Organize the resources into categories or topics.
  • Create a reference list or bibliography.
Review key concepts of critical thinking and reasoning
Refreshing your knowledge of critical thinking and reasoning will help you engage more effectively with the course materials and apply them to your own projects.
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  • Read through your notes or textbooks from previous courses on critical thinking and reasoning.
  • Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding of the key concepts.
12 other activities
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Explore online resources on creative problem solving
Exploring online resources on creative problem solving will provide you with additional insights and perspectives on the topic.
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  • Search for online articles, videos, or courses on creative problem solving.
  • Review the resources and take notes on the key concepts and techniques.
Apply SCAMPER techniques to generate ideas
Strengthen your idea generation skills by practicing the SCAMPER method repeatedly.
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  • Select a problem or challenge to focus on.
  • Apply each step of the SCAMPER technique systematically.
  • Record and evaluate the ideas generated.
Apply the SCAMPER method to generate ideas
By practicing the SCAMPER method, you will develop your ability to think creatively and generate a wider range of ideas.
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  • Choose a problem or challenge that you are interested in.
  • Apply the SCAMPER method to generate a list of ideas.
  • Evaluate and select the most promising ideas.
Discuss and share ideas with classmates
Exchanging ideas with classmates can help you generate new perspectives and identify potential solutions.
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  • Form a study group with classmates.
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course materials and share ideas.
  • Provide feedback and support to each other.
Follow online tutorials on developing business ecosystem concepts
Gain practical insights by following expert tutorials on designing sustainable business ecosystem concepts.
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  • Identify reputable online platforms offering tutorials.
  • Select tutorials that align with the course content.
  • Follow the instructions and complete the exercises provided.
Attend a workshop on sustainable business practices
Attending a workshop will provide you with the opportunity to learn from experts and network with other professionals in the field.
Browse courses on Sustainability
Show steps
  • Research and identify relevant workshops.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop and actively participate in the activities.
  • Follow up with the workshop organizers and participants after the event.
Attend a workshop on critical reflective thinking
Enhance your ability to critically assess and develop sustainable solutions by participating in a workshop.
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  • Research and identify relevant workshops.
  • Register and attend the workshop.
  • Actively participate in discussions and exercises.
Contribute to an open-source project related to sustainability
Contributing to an open-source project will allow you to gain practical experience in sustainability and collaborate with other developers.
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  • Identify an open-source project related to sustainability.
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase.
  • Identify a way to contribute to the project.
  • Make your contributions to the project.
  • Collaborate with other developers on the project.
Develop a sustainability concept based on your ideas
Creating a sustainability concept will allow you to apply the knowledge and skills you have gained in the course to a real-world problem.
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  • Choose a specific sustainability issue that you want to address.
  • Develop a clear and concise statement of the problem.
  • Generate a range of ideas for addressing the problem.
  • Evaluate and select the most promising ideas.
  • Develop a detailed plan for implementing your chosen solution.
Develop a prototype of a sustainable solution
Apply your learning by creating a tangible representation of a solution that addresses sustainability challenges.
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  • Identify a specific sustainability issue to focus on.
  • Brainstorm and develop potential solutions.
  • Select a solution and create a prototype.
Develop a prototype or pilot project based on your sustainability concept
Developing a prototype or pilot project will allow you to test your ideas and gain valuable feedback.
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  • Refine your sustainability concept.
  • Develop a plan for implementing your project.
  • Execute your plan and collect data.
  • Analyze the results of your project.
  • Make adjustments and improvements to your project based on your findings.
Participate in a sustainability hackathon
Challenge yourself and collaborate with others to develop innovative sustainability solutions in a competitive setting.
Browse courses on Sustainability
Show steps
  • Find and register for a relevant hackathon.
  • Form a team or join an existing one.
  • Develop and present your solution.

Career center

Learners who complete Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Managers are responsible for developing and implementing CSR programs for their organizations. They work with all levels of management to identify and reduce environmental and social impacts. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful CSR Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about CSR issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Social Impact Analyst
Social Impact Analysts assess the social and economic impact of businesses and organizations. They use this information to develop social impact reports and make recommendations for improvement. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Social Impact Analyst. The course will teach you how to think critically about social issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Sustainability Analyst
Sustainability Analysts analyze the environmental and social impacts of businesses and organizations. They use this information to develop sustainability reports and make recommendations for improvement. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sustainability Analyst. The course will teach you how to think critically about sustainability issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Sustainability Manager
Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability programs for their organizations. They work with all levels of management to identify and reduce environmental and social impacts. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sustainability Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about sustainability issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts analyze data to identify trends and patterns. They use this information to make recommendations for business decisions. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Data Analyst. The course will teach you how to think critically about data, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts analyze the financial performance of businesses and organizations. They use this information to make recommendations for investment and other financial decisions. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Financial Analyst. The course will teach you how to think critically about financial issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for developing and launching new products. They work with all levels of management to identify customer needs, develop product specifications, and manage the product development process. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Product Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about product development challenges, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Operations Manager
Operations Managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a business. They work with all levels of management to ensure that the business runs smoothly and efficiently. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Operations Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about operational challenges, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Business Consultant
Business Consultants advise companies on how to improve their performance. They may work on a variety of projects, such as developing new strategies, improving operations, or launching new products. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Business Consultant. The course will teach you how to analyze business problems, generate creative solutions, and make decisions based on evidence. You will also learn how to communicate your ideas effectively to clients.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultants help businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. They also work with clients to develop sustainable practices that reduce their environmental impact. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Environmental Consultant. The course will teach you how to think critically about environmental issues, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to clients.
Human Resources Manager
Human Resources Managers are responsible for the management of human resources within an organization. They work with all levels of management to recruit, train, and develop employees. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Human Resources Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about human resources challenges, develop innovative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Innovation Manager
Innovation Managers are responsible for developing and implementing new products, services, and processes. They work with all levels of management to identify and develop new opportunities for growth. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Innovation Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about innovation challenges, develop creative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants advise businesses and organizations on how to improve their performance. They may work on a variety of projects, such as developing new strategies, improving operations, or launching new products. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Management Consultant. The course will teach you how to analyze business problems, generate creative solutions, and make decisions based on evidence. You will also learn how to communicate your ideas effectively to clients.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers are responsible for developing and implementing marketing campaigns. They work with all levels of management to identify target markets, develop marketing messages, and manage marketing budgets. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Marketing Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about marketing challenges, develop creative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.
Sales Manager
Sales Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sales strategies. They work with all levels of management to identify target markets, develop sales messages, and manage sales teams. The course 'Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions' can help you develop the skills you need to be a successful Sales Manager. The course will teach you how to think critically about sales challenges, develop creative solutions, and communicate your ideas effectively to stakeholders.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Critical thinking for sustainable business solutions.
Provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking and its application to sustainability challenges. It valuable resource for anyone looking to develop innovative and sustainable business solutions.
Explores the challenges faced by established companies when trying to innovate. It provides insights into how to overcome these challenges and create disruptive innovations.
Provides a practical guide to building and validating new businesses. It valuable resource for anyone looking to develop and launch sustainable business ventures.
Introduces the concept of blue ocean strategy, which focuses on creating new market space rather than competing in existing markets. It valuable resource for anyone looking to develop innovative and sustainable business models.
Provides a vision for a sustainable future in which all products are designed to be cradle-to-cradle, meaning they are made from safe and renewable materials and can be recycled or composted at the end of their useful life.
Argues that it is possible to create a sustainable economy that is both profitable and environmentally friendly. It provides a roadmap for businesses to transition to a more sustainable future.
Introduces the concept of the triple bottom line, which measures a company's performance in terms of its financial, social, and environmental impact. It valuable resource for businesses looking to develop a more sustainable approach to their operations.
Explores the importance of purpose in business. It argues that businesses that have a clear purpose are more likely to be successful and sustainable.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the green economy, which is an economy that is based on sustainable principles. It explores the challenges and opportunities that businesses face as they transition to a greener future.
Provides a practical guide to zero waste living. It offers tips and advice on how to reduce waste in all aspects of life, including at home, at work, and when traveling.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the climate crisis and its potential solutions. It explores the challenges and opportunities that businesses face as they transition to a low-carbon future.

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