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Prof. (Emeritus) Shlomo Maital

Skill at discovering new ideas, and delivering them, may be one of the most important practical job skills, in today’s and tomorrow’s job market. Creativity is an acquired skill, one that improves with practice. This course aims to empower individuals who believe they have lost their innate creativity, because they, their employers or teachers prefer the three R's: replication, repetition and rote, to innovation. We show how to re-ignite rusty creative powers.

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Skill at discovering new ideas, and delivering them, may be one of the most important practical job skills, in today’s and tomorrow’s job market. Creativity is an acquired skill, one that improves with practice. This course aims to empower individuals who believe they have lost their innate creativity, because they, their employers or teachers prefer the three R's: replication, repetition and rote, to innovation. We show how to re-ignite rusty creative powers.

During this course, you will learn proven tools, frameworks and concepts useful for discovery– generating an endless stream of new ideas implementing at least some of those ideas with skill and persistence, based on books and articles written by the instructors.

In the first part of the course, you will learn a proven structured method for generating and implementing world-changing ideas known as ‘Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom in’ that makes creativity more accessible to everyone. In the following weeks, you will learn practical proven tools useful for delivering ideas by employing the basic principles of business and management. You will practice the method, use it to tackle challenging real-world needs and produce a 2-3 minutes video presenting your idea.

Course Learning Outcomes

On successfully completing this four-week course, you will be able to:

- Manage a process to generate an unending stream of creative ideas

- Lead a process of innovation and implement ideas through all phases from discovery to delivery.

- Apply creativity to a wide range of strategic management issues.

- Solve problems with a high degree of innovation, creative thinking and risk taking.

- Use and apply proven structured method for generating and implementing world-changing ideas known as ‘Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom in’.

- Develop and implement an innovation in your own practice.

- Identify new and unfamiliar challenges and reflect on these challenges from a creative point of view, action they require and service they provide.

- Demonstrate creative problem solving skills for defining, structuring and solving real world operations management problems.

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What's inside

Syllabus

What is Creativity?
Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom in
Creativity in practice
Read more
Reinventing yourself
Bonus material (ungraded module)
In this module, Shlomo Maital Interviews Arie Ruttenberg. Most of the interview is in Hebrew, yet, subtitles are available for non-Hebrew speakers.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Covers a proven structured method for generating and implementing world-changing ideas, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to drive innovation
Provides proven tools for delivering ideas using business and management principles, enhancing its practicality for those seeking to implement creative solutions
Empowers individuals who believe they have lost their innate creativity, addressing a common concern and fostering self-belief in learners
Taught by Prof. (Emeritus) Shlomo Maital, an established figure in the field, adding credibility to the course content and delivery
Focuses on developing both creative and strategic management skills, providing a well-rounded approach to innovation

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Reviews summary

A mixed bag: introductory look at fostering creativity

Learners say that this course was simple, straightforward, and provided an introductory look at creativity. However, some learners expected more details on a particular perspective and 'secret sauce' of Shlomo Maital.
This course was easy to comprehend.
"simple and straughtforward to understand."
This course did not provide as much detail as expected.
"I had hoped to learn more about the particular perspective and 'secret sauce' of Shlomo Maital."

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 Cracking the Creativity Code: Discovering Ideas with these activities:
Review the basics of creativity and brainstorming techniques
Reviewing the fundamentals of creativity and brainstorming will provide a solid foundation for the course content on discovering and delivering new ideas.
Browse courses on Creativity
Show steps
  • Read Chapter 1 of "The Creative Problem Solver's Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Creative Thinking" by Scott Isaksen and Brian Laufer
  • Create a mind map of key concepts related to creativity
  • Practice brainstorming techniques such as freewriting, mind mapping, and SCAMPER
Solve Creative Problem-Solving Exercises
Enhance your problem-solving skills by engaging in exercises that challenge you to think creatively and find innovative solutions.
Browse courses on Problem-Solving
Show steps
  • Find a problem-solving exercise
  • Read the instructions carefully
  • Generate as many solutions as possible
  • Evaluate your solutions
  • Select the best solution
Complete the "How to Develop Creative Thinking" tutorial on LinkedIn Learning
This tutorial provides practical guidance on developing creative thinking skills, which will be essential for success in the course.
Browse courses on Creative Thinking
Show steps
  • Watch the video modules on the creative thinking process and techniques
  • Complete the exercises and quizzes to reinforce learning
  • Apply the techniques learned in the tutorial to a personal project or challenge
Two other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all five activities
Create a Mind Map of Creative Ideas
Generate and organize your creative ideas by creating a visual representation of your thoughts using a mind map.
Show steps
  • Choose a topic or problem that you want to explore
  • Write down your main topic in the center of a piece of paper
  • Draw branches off of the main topic and write down related ideas
  • Continue adding branches and ideas until you have exhausted your thoughts
Develop a creative solution to a real-world problem
Applying creativity to solve a real-world problem will demonstrate the practical application of course concepts and foster problem-solving abilities.
Browse courses on Problem Solving
Show steps
  • Identify a specific problem or challenge to address
  • Brainstorm and generate multiple creative solutions
  • Evaluate and select the most promising solution
  • Develop and implement the solution
  • Monitor the results and make adjustments as needed

Career center

Learners who complete Cracking the Creativity Code: Discovering Ideas will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Innovation Manager
Innovation Managers lead the innovation process within an organization, identifying and developing new ideas and technologies. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of business and technology, and be able to manage a team of professionals. This course may be particularly useful for those aspiring to be Innovation Managers, as it offers a structured method for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on leadership and management.
Designer
Designers create physical or digital products, user interfaces, and other visual solutions to meet the needs of users and clients. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of visual principles, and be able to work collaboratively with engineers and other professionals. This course may be useful for those pursuing a career in design, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs start and manage their own businesses, often based on unique ideas and innovations. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of business principles, and be able to take risks. This course may be useful for those pursuing an entrepreneurial career, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on leadership and management.
Consultant
Consultants generally build their careers upon their expertise in a particular field and advise individuals and organizations on how to solve complex problems. Those specializing in organizational strategy and development may benefit from taking this course, which offers modules on both innovation and leadership. Learning "proven structured method[s] for generating and implementing world-changing ideas" will be particularly relevant for the problem-solving duties of a consultant seeking to make valuable recommendations.
Marketing Manager
Marketing Managers develop and oversee brand strategy, marketing campaigns, and customer service initiatives. Their work relies heavily on creativity, problem solving, and an understanding of business trends. This course may help build a foundation for these skills. In particular, learning a structured process for "generating and implementing world-changing ideas" may enhance the candidate's ability to develop effective marketing strategies.
Product Manager
Product Managers are responsible for the development and management of new or existing products. They work closely with a wide range of teams, including engineers, marketing, and sales, and must be able to balance the needs of the customer, the business, and the technology to launch successful products. This course may be useful for those pursuing this career path, as it offers a practical approach to idea generation and implementation that can be applied to product development.
Researcher
Researchers conduct original research in a variety of fields, including science, engineering, and social sciences. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of research methods, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be useful for those pursuing a career in research, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Artist
Artists use their creativity to express themselves and communicate ideas through various mediums such as painting, sculpture, music, and film. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of visual or auditory principles, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be useful for those pursuing a career in the arts, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Writer
Writers create written content such as articles, books, and scripts. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of language and storytelling, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be useful for those pursuing a career in writing, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Professor
Professors teach and conduct research at universities and colleges. They must be experts in their field, have a strong understanding of pedagogy, and be able to communicate effectively with students. This course may be useful for those pursuing a career in academia, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on leadership and management.
Data Scientist
Data Scientists use data to solve business problems and make predictions. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of math and statistics, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in data science, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Software Developer
Software Developers design, develop, and maintain software applications. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of computer science, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in software development, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Engineer
Engineers design, build, and maintain structures, machines, and systems. They must be creative, have a strong understanding of math and science, and be able to work independently or collaboratively. This course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in engineering, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on creativity and problem-solving.
Project Manager
Project Managers plan and execute projects to achieve specific goals. They must be creative in their thinking, have a strong understanding of project management principles, and be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. This course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in project management, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on leadership and management.
Business Analyst
Business Analysts analyze business needs and develop solutions to improve efficiency and effectiveness. They must be creative in their thinking, have a strong understanding of business principles, and be able to communicate effectively with stakeholders. This course may be helpful for those pursuing a career in business analysis, as it offers a structured process for generating and implementing ideas, as well as modules on leadership and management.

Reading list

We've selected 36 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 Cracking the Creativity Code: Discovering Ideas.
Provides a comprehensive overview of creativity, including techniques for generating and implementing new ideas. It would be particularly useful for students who want to develop their creative thinking skills.
Provides insights into why successful companies often fail to innovate and adapt to new technologies, and how they can overcome these challenges. It offers a framework for understanding the innovation process and the role of disruption in shaping markets.
Provides a structured approach to generating creative ideas, which can be useful for the "Zoom in, Zoom out, Zoom in" method taught in the course.
Introduces the principles of lean startup methodology, which emphasizes rapid prototyping, customer feedback, and iterative development. It provides practical tools and techniques for testing and validating ideas and building successful businesses.
Encourages readers to embrace their creativity and develop a mindset that fosters innovation. It provides practical exercises and strategies for overcoming creative blocks and generating new ideas.
Provides practical advice on how to start and grow a business, and how to be more innovative.
Identifies the five key skills that successful innovators possess, including questioning, observing, networking, experimenting, and associating. It provides insights into the cognitive processes and behaviors that drive innovation.
Provides a practical guide to designing products and services that are user-friendly and intuitive. It would be particularly useful for students who want to learn how to apply creativity to real-world problems.
Tells the story of Bell Labs, a renowned research and development center that produced numerous groundbreaking innovations. It provides a glimpse into the culture and practices that fostered creativity and collaboration.
Explores the traits and behaviors of original thinkers and provides practical advice for fostering creativity.
Shares insights from Pixar Animation Studios on how to create a culture that encourages creativity and innovation. It discusses the importance of fostering diversity, embracing failure, and providing constructive criticism.
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Examines the factors that motivate people to be creative and productive.
Explores the concept of mindset and its impact on success. It discusses the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and provides strategies for developing a growth mindset.
Provides practical advice and exercises for developing creativity. It emphasizes the importance of daily practice, self-discipline, and collaboration.
Provides a step-by-step guide to lateral thinking, a technique for generating creative solutions to problems. It would be particularly useful for students who want to learn how to think outside the box.
Offers a motivational and inspirational guide to overcoming creative blocks and pursuing one's passions. It encourages readers to embrace their curiosity and take risks.
Introduces lateral thinking, a technique for generating creative ideas by breaking away from conventional patterns of thought. It provides exercises and strategies for developing lateral thinking skills.
Provides a practical guide to developing creative confidence. It would be particularly useful for students who want to overcome their fear of failure and start taking creative risks.
Argues that the future belongs to those who possess right-brain skills, such as creativity, empathy, and pattern recognition. It explores the implications of this shift for education and the workplace.
Explores the psychology of creativity and the concept of flow, a state of optimal experience characterized by intense focus and enjoyment. It provides insights into the factors that contribute to creativity and the conditions that foster it.
Explores the importance of having a clear purpose. It would be particularly useful for students who want to learn how to motivate others and create a sense of purpose in their own work.
Provides a contrarian perspective on innovation and entrepreneurship. It would be particularly useful for students who want to learn how to build truly innovative companies.
Provides a practical guide to developing and executing good strategy. It would be particularly useful for students who want to learn how to make better decisions and achieve their goals.

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