LEVERAGING TECHNOLOGY TO EXPAND CREATIVITY

Creativity is the thinking that fuels innovation and is therefore being recognized as a highly valuable skill in the workplace. According to the World Economic Forum, creativity will become one of the top three skills that employers will be looking for in 2020.

So, what can you do to boost your creativity? Use technology to your advantage!

Although in the past technology has been viewed as an unwelcome distraction in the workplace and in education, it has now shifted to be viewed as a helpful tool to generate ideas and learn to solve problems in new ways. If you are struggling to find inspiration, here are a few tips for using technology to foster creativity. 

Use Technology to Ask Questions

You’ve probably heard the saying that there is no such thing as a stupid question, and when it comes creativity this may be true. Questioning leads to learning, which then allows us to gain deeper insights and begin to develop innovative solutions. So, if there is something that you are unsure of, ask the internet! There are so many question and answer sites such as Quora that allow users to ask specific questions, then get responses from other users in the form of facts or opinions. This type of online resource can be a helpful tool to retrieve information you haven’t thought of before and can help to spark ideas and ultimately boost creativity.  

Allow Everyone to Speak at Once

Imagine sitting in a meeting with 10-15 individuals who are all discussing a strategy for a large project. Typically, meetings of this nature are restricted by time and are often dominated by a handful of speakers while the rest of the group simply observes. While a face-to-face interaction can be beneficial, it does put a cap on creativity. Supplementing such discussions with an online messaging board allows individuals to provide input simultaneously while creating a thread of ideas to look back on, which facilitates increased participation over time. This electronic format of group brainstorming and strategizing helps to lift the cap on creative thoughts. 

Have Fun

When it comes to creativity, sitting at a desk waiting for the answers to come to you is not always the most effective strategy. Sometimes, blurring the lines between work and play can be helpful for generating new ideas and boosting creativity. Rather than approaching types of technology with a “this is for work and this is for fun” attitude, look for ways to use it in all areas of your life, creatively. Spend some time watching funny videos or playing games and see how that affects your thinking. Creativity can’t be forced, so allowing yourself to have some fun may help you to stumble upon some great ideas. 

Being creative is a useful skill for any business or individual. Having the ability to exercise your creativity is important and knowing effective ways to foster creative thinking will allow you to succeed in the workplace. 

Need help getting started on your creative journey? Feel free to reach out to Haneke Design. We are a firm that specializes in engaging users through the Internet of Things, whether through social media or a mobile app!