About a month ago, I gave a workshop in a Systems Engineering course at a large hi-tech company. The topic was:
creativity in problem solving. I started the class with an exercise. I presented a tender issued by the Ministry of Transport for the development of a portable instrument for measuring drivers’ response time. A strong correlation has been found between slow response time and presence of alcohol/drugs in the blood system. The instrument would be used when a police officer pulls over a driver suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Continue reading ‘Simple but not simpler’
Monthly Archive for September, 2008
September 29, 2008
Simple but not simpler
September 23, 2008
Innovate like a chameleon
Last semester I assigned my class at university the following project: to develop “virtual products” around the concept of
the gym. Applying some of SIT’s tools, my students came up with some very interesting ideas, including a room-less gym, where all the equipment was portable, and could be set up where needed, for instance, in an office or at the beach; a gym with themed rooms, where each theme is expressed visually and in music, based on the physical exercise involved; and a bus that had a gym built in it, instead of seats, and which serves both for transportation and as a fitness centre (so over worked employees can get some exercise on their daily commute).
September 16, 2008
I think, therefore I am fixated
“Cogito ergo sum” or “I think, therefore I am” is a famous philosophical quote from René Descartes. 
I have my own version of this statement:
“I think, therefore I am fixated”.
What I mean is that it’s almost impossible for the human brain to produce a really fresh and unique thought. Every thought, opinion or idea is somehow connected to previous concepts stored in the brain.
There are many definitions for fixedness, but I like this one: “The inability to see the solution to a problem although it stares us in the face.”
When we decide or when we are asked to think uniquely or creatively, the fixation intensifies. (So if you want to kill someone’s creativity, just ask him/her to think creatively. I can guarantee you that it works every time!)
So how can we fight fixedness?
September 11, 2008
Making the creative effective
First, take a look at this commercial, it’s very sweet!
Now, let me ask you: what brand was advertised?
Vodafone?
Stratos?
Nike?
Find it hard to recall? So does the consumer!
September 2, 2008
Viral surprise
Today I was looking for a parking lot and was very happy to find one that displayed a large sign offering one hour free parking with every carwash.
My car certainly needed washing, so I took up the offer and parked my car there. Three hours later I came to get the car and was prepared to pay for two hours parking. To my surprise, the cashier at the booth told me to pay for one hour only.
I couldn’t hide my surprise, and so the cashier explained why.
