Working in B2B and tech PR, we need to be creative with our client’s stories on a daily basis. Now I don’t know about you, but some days it’s harder than others to get those creative juices flowing. I was therefore curious to read to this article on the tips for driving creativity in the workplace.
Research has shown that creativity can be learned, just like any other skill. Here are just some of the top tips from Mashable which might just be the tonic we all need to keep our creative sparks alight:
- Set aside time to find inspiration – It’s easy to get caught up in the same daily routine so exposing yourself to outside experiences for inspiration is critical for forming new ideas.
- Be ok with failure – Cultivate an office culture that rewards creative risk-taking. Human nature often balks at the most innovative ideas, but it’s essential that brainstorms and discussions take place in an atmosphere of confidence, not fear of ridicule or rejection.
- Keep a running idea file – As you find interesting ideas – store them! Review your file every few weeks to see if anything catches your eye.
- Brainstorm the smart way – Team brainstorms don’t have to take place in the office. Go to the park, a café or other inspiring environment to help creativity flow. Also, don’t get bogged down with detail – just get the big ideas out.
- Foster interdepartmental interaction – Give everyone the chance to contribute and come up with ideas.
The article considers these ideas and others in more depth and it’s certainly worth a read, especially on those days (Monday mornings anyone?) when creativity needs a wee boost.