everyone in an organisation can be more creative and innovative. People like Edward de Bono and others have developed tools which enable anyone to produce ideas on demand – not have to depend on natural ability. It is incredible that in something organisations say is vital, innovation, it seems to be enough to depend on natural ability. In what other area of a business would this be considered acceptable? Research by a respected University came to the conclusion that the single best thing you could do to encourage creativity was to install beds in the workplace! Tom Peters said that at Glaxo Smith Kline’s new research headquarters the most important place was the canteen where people could exchange ideas over lunch. Serendipity seems to be totally acceptable. When will we understand that innovation is a science not an art? That ideas can be generated consciously and deliberately whenever you need them. That organisations don’t need to be trying to find and manage naturally creative people who of course can also be very disruptive. What is so difficult about understanding that creativity is actually a skill which can be taught, learned and developed like any other skill? Or is it that the creative industries and consultants want us to believe it is more difficult than it actually is? The article on the research can be found at http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/2008/01/14/43848/trade-secrets-managing-the-innovators.html]]>