Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques

Abstract

Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques by Michael Michalko 2006. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press 394 pages, Softcover, $19.95 Intended Audience: B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I Major Headings from Table of Contents: Initiation, Linear Thinkertoys, Intuitive Thinkertoys, The Spirit of Koinonia, Endtoys How is the book most useful for its intended audience? Helps to develop new products/services and improve distribution/ marketing The top five things you learned from reading this book: Left-brain, analytical thinkers can be creative. Creativity is innovative problem solving. Narrowly defining the challenge is the first step in overcoming an obstacle. The unconscious mind can be tapped for innovative idea and insights. Consulting people from other fields is a valuable method of generating and evaluating ideas. Why didn't I think of that? is a question you may stop asking after you've read Michael Michalko's Book, Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques. Bursting with tactics that can get your gray matter wrinkling with ideas, Michalko provides step-by-step instructions that tap into the potential of the left and right hemispheres of your brain. You can benefit from this book if you have problem to solve, a desire to become more productive, or an interest in increasing profits. Even those prolific idea-producers can try out new ways for bringing freshness to a challenge, become more articulate in presenting methods of arriving at a solution, and offer stronger, focused leadership of groups charged with bringing forth innovation. Michalko begins by helping you overcome obstacles to creative thinking. Changing perspective and affirming creativity help you start your journey. Nearly every chapter begins with a visual illusion that defies traditional or common viewpoints. Perspective, rather than raw information, shapes your thought processes and leads to transformation. That is, if you think differently, you will see differently; if you see differently, you will think differently. Most idea-generators are segmented into linear (left-brain dominant) and intuitive (right-brain dominant) stratagems. Chapters contain blueprints or guides for each technique, beginning always with the command to formulate a statement about the challenge to be tackled. Brief, but numerous, case studies on business leaders or renowned creative thinkers (e.g., Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci) who used similar methods are presented. There is thorough discussion of familiar problems that demonstrate practical applications of the solution-finding, innovative-thinking methods. Many chapters end with a memorable anecdote or parable that reinforces each creativity concept. Linear techniques include False Faces, which involves stating and then reversing common assumptions, often about standard industry practices or buying motivations of consumers. Michalko suggests that Alfred Sloan of General Motors reversed the assumption that one must buy a car before driving it, leading to the idea that dealerships could take possession before payment through dealer floor plans. Since then, car-buying services have reversed the idea that one must drive a car before buying it; these companies locate cars based on consumer specifications and deliver them to consumers who pay for cars prior to driving them. …

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