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The Search for Great Ideas

Harnessing creativity to empower innovation.

Ken Szymusiak, Forrest S. Carter, and David Wheeler

Where do great business ideas come from? We all have compelling business concepts that we've been thinking about for years. In this course we will explore how to use observational tools and other techniques for idea generation and we will talk about how to evaluate the good ideas from the bad. The goal is to settle on a business idea that you are not only passionate about but also has real market application.

At the end of this course learners will be able to:

-build a resource inventory from which they can assess and create market opportunities;

At the end of this course learners will be able to:

-build a resource inventory from which they can assess and create market opportunities;

-pursue market opportunities consistent with personal passions and capabilities; and

-triage potential ideas in terms of which have the greatest potential for commercial and personal success.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Ideation: Tools for ideation.

How do entrepreneurs come up with great ideas? This is an age old question. Lets explore where great ideas and solutions come from and how to put yourself in a position to change the business world.

Ideation: Intro to Design Thinking Methodology

In this module we will explore the lessons of Design Thinking Methodology and how it can be used as a powerful tool for developing new and innovative solutions.

Ideation: Intro to Customer Discovery

More often than not the best solutions don't lie with you but rather they are with your customers. In this module we will talk about how to develop a customer discovery plan that can lead to powerful business innovation.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Ideation: Tools for ideation

Explores where great ideas and solutions come from

Utilizes Design Thinking Methodology and Customer Discovery

Helps learners develop a resource inventory for market opportunities

Supports learners in evaluating potential business ideas

Taught by instructors with experience in entrepreneurship and business innovation

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Reviews summary

Highly rated course on innovation

Learners say this highly rated course on innovation is well received by students. Many students like that the course is step-by-step and practical. They also say that the useful, engaging assignments help them to take action and develop their innovation skills.

Can be applied to real-world projects.

"Finding this course very useful and practical."

Step-by-step breakdown of concepts.

"Me gusta como enseñan paso a paso"

"EXCELENT!! IT'S SHORT, BUT WITH KEY INFORMATION"

Engaging and useful assignments.

"Gran experiencia! Las tareas realmente obligan a uno a pasar a la acción y eso es fantástico!"

"the experience was really awesome"

"its really awesome and useful one"

Well received with largely positive reviews.

"I like it"

"great"

"wonderful"

There is one negative review.

"The information was not horrible, but the course was terrible as designed. The assignments were a joke. Most people I reviewed just submitted blank answers or copy/pasted junk answers. The rubrics were there just to fulfill the criteria of having a rubric. 0 or 10 is not really a good rubric."

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 The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to empower innovation. with these activities:

Review statistics

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Solidify key foundational statistics concepts and skills to ensure they are fresh in your mind for this course.

Browse courses on Statistics

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Review descriptive statistics
Brush up on probability distributions
Practice hypothesis testing

Follow industry blogs

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Stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices.

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Identify relevant industry blogs
Subscribe to blogs
Read and engage with blog content

Find a mentor in the field

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Gain valuable insights and guidance from an experienced professional.

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Identify potential mentors
Reach out to mentors
Build a relationship with your mentor

Six other activities

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Read "The Lean Startup" by Eric Ries

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Learn about the principles of lean startup methodology.

View The Startup Way: How Modern Companies Use... on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book
Read the book
Take notes on key concepts

Identify industry market ideas

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Review market research techniques to identify potential business opportunities.

Browse courses on Target Market Analysis

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Create a customer profile
Identify potential customer needs
Analyze industry trends

Practice using design thinking tools

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Practice using design thinking techniques to generate innovative ideas.

Browse courses on Design Thinking

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Define the problem statement
Generate brainstorming ideas
Develop prototypes
Test and iterate on prototypes

Attend industry conferences

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Connect with other professionals in the field and learn about new trends.

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Identify relevant industry conferences
Register for conferences
Attend conference sessions
Network with other attendees

Develop a prototype for your business idea

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Create a tangible representation of your business idea to test its feasibility.

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Define the scope of the prototype
Gather necessary resources
Build the prototype
Test the prototype with potential customers
Refine the prototype based on feedback

Mentor other students in the course

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Help others understand the course material and develop their skills.

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Identify students who need help
Offer your assistance
Provide guidance and support

Career center

Learners who complete The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to empower innovation. will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Entrepreneur

The term Entrepreneur is often used to describe one who starts their own business. In this role, an individual is responsible for all aspects of their business, regardless of size. Skills in idea generation and market discovery taught in this course will be vital for the success of any entrepreneur, especially one who is just starting out.

See salaries and explore the career path for Entrepreneur

Innovation Manager

An Innovation Manager can be seen as a project manager, with a specific focus on innovative ideas. They are responsible for everything from the initial idea generation phase to managing the implementation of the final product or idea. This course will help build a foundation for how to evaluate ideas and pick the very best one, which is a crucial skill for an Innovation Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Innovation Manager

Product Manager

A Product Manager is responsible for the management of a product, from its inception through its life cycle. They collaborate with many other teams within a business to ensure that the product is well-suited to the market and that customers receive the best possible solution. This course may be very helpful to a Product Manager, as it focuses on idea generation and evaluation, as well as customer discovery, all of which are crucial to their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Market Research Analyst

A Market Research Analyst works to gather and analyze data about market trends, consumer behavior, and other related issues. The course's focus on customer discovery, and the tools required to accomplish that, will be very useful to the Market Research Analyst who wishes to break into, or advance within, their chosen industry.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Research Analyst

Project Manager

A Project Manager is one who plans, organizes, and executes projects. They are responsible for project planning, managing budgets and schedules, and communicating with various stakeholders. This course's focus on idea generation and market discovery tools will be useful for a Project Manager seeking to improve their capabilities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Business Analyst

A Business Analyst works with an organization, or a part of one, to understand how it can improve its business processes. This can be through tools such as gathering data from various points, analyzing it, and designing a better process. In this role, students of The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to empower innovation can utilize their new skills in idea generation and market analysis to provide key insights to the organization for process improvement.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Sales and Marketing Manager

A Sales and Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing sales and marketing strategies. They oversee sales teams, marketing campaigns, and other related activities. This course can help a Sales and Marketing Manager develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which are essential for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sales and Marketing Manager

Consultant

A Consultant is one that is contracted by an organization for a specific period of time, generally with an end goal for the project. They can work as an external source of advice and expertise without requiring being hired as a permanent employee. Given that a large number of consultants are hired through their own individual business, this course's focus on idea generation and market discovery may be useful in developing a great business concept.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Strategic Planner

A Strategic Planner works to develop and implement long-term plans for an organization. They analyze data, identify trends, and make recommendations on how to achieve the organization's goals. This course may be helpful for a Strategic Planner, as it focuses on idea generation and market discovery, which can help to inform their planning process.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Planner

Systems Analyst

A Systems Analyst works to analyze and design computer systems. They work with users to understand their needs and then design systems that meet those needs. This course may be helpful for a Systems Analyst, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which can help them to better understand the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Analyst

Web Developer

A Web Developer works to design and develop websites. They work with clients to understand their needs and then design and develop websites that meet those needs. This course may be helpful for a Web Developer, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which can help them to better understand the needs of their clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

User Experience Designer

A User Experience Designer works to design and evaluate user interfaces. They work with users to understand their needs and then design interfaces that are easy to use and meet their needs. This course may be helpful for a User Experience Designer, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which can help them to better understand the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience Designer

Creative Director

The Creative Director is responsible for developing and overseeing the creative vision of a company or organization. They work with a team of creative professionals to develop and execute marketing campaigns, advertising campaigns, and other creative projects. This course may be helpful for a Creative Director, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which are essential for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Creative Director

Product Designer

A Product Designer works to design and develop products. They work with a team of engineers and other professionals to develop products that meet the needs of users. This course may be helpful for a Product Designer, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which can help them to better understand the needs of their users.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Designer

Marketing Manager

A Marketing Manager is responsible for developing and executing marketing strategies. They work with a team of marketing professionals to develop and execute marketing campaigns, advertising campaigns, and other marketing initiatives. This course may be helpful for a Marketing Manager, as it can help them to develop their skills in idea generation and market discovery, which are essential for success in their role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager

Reading list

We've selected 15 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 The Search for Great Ideas: Harnessing creativity to empower innovation. .

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword

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Explores the reasons why large, successful companies often fail to innovate and adapt to new technologies, and how they can avoid these pitfalls. It provides valuable insights into the challenges of innovation and the importance of understanding the needs of customers.

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Hardcover

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Audio CD

The Innovator's Dilemma, with a New Foreword: When...

Kindle Edition

Design Thinking

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Provides a comprehensive overview of design thinking, a human-centered approach to problem solving. It offers practical tools and techniques for generating ideas, prototyping, and testing solutions, making it a valuable resource for anyone looking to innovate.

The Search for Great Ideas

Harnessing creativity to empower innovation.

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Highly rated course on innovation

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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