Creative writing in business: paper

MGT 573 Creativity in Business SP09 Problem ID & Creativity Application Simpson – 25% (250 points)

Paper 2: INDIVIDUAL Problem Identification and Creativity Applications.

 Part 1: Problem Identification: In Part 1 of this assignment, you will identify and discuss an on-going or recent challenge that you are facing. It might be an opportunity you wish to explore, or a dilemma or problem for which you are seeking solutions. For example, it might be a search for opportunities, such as identifying a (new) career path, discovering what to do with your MBA, what type of business you would like to launch, or how to obtain a promotion or other work assignment. It can be a search for solutions to a problem, such as motivating a team member(s), working with a challenging individual or team, changing your work environment, reducing conflict, or exploring a particular problem you are facing. This problem or op portunity can be related to your job, team, organization, or your life outside work. In Part 1, consider the following questions: What has led you to perceive the issue or problem as important, as needing to be solved? Who are the key players? What is the impact of the problem or opportunity on your work life, relationships with others, effectiveness of the organization, or reaching your goals?

 Part 2: Creativity Applications for Idea Generation and Solutions. In Part 2, you will apply two or more of the creativity methods and techniques learned in class to the problem or opportunity you proposed in Part 1. Choose creativity tools that are distinctive to draw out breakthrough ideas. Using these tools, you will generate ideas about how your challenge could be solved or opportunity captured. Consider solutions that may be unconventional or not previously tried. How could the solution(s) be implemented? Guidelines and helpful tips will be posted on Blackboard.

It is important to demonstrate your applications: the process (e.g. working through the tools) you use will be evaluated.

Due Date: see syllabus. Suggested length: 8-10 pages, double-spaced. Recommended breakdown is Part 1 (3-4 pages) and Part 2 (5-6 pages). This paper is worth 25% of your final course grade.

Your Points Earned

Total Points Possible

EVALUATION OF PAPER: Grading Requirements

62

C: Communicating your ideas in a logically-written, coherent style (25%) –

 Ideas are not able to become innovation without strong communication of those ideas.

 Practice communicating your far –reaching ideas and critical reflections succinctly but with hard-hitting messages.

 This paper is short, thus, each word and concept counts.

 Feel free to create charts, graphs and tables in an unlimited appendix to assist if you need.

63 EXS: Providing examples and supporting evidence to illustrate key issues and to justify conclusions (25%) –

 This technique assists your reader in understanding your points as well as strengthens your arguments for your point of view. This uses the story technique as a memory and learning mnemonic.

 Use examples from the text but you can also use sources from real life, outside research and the course material.

 Don’t forget to cite your sources.

62 EXPL: Exploring your ideas in a thoughtful, in-depth manner according to the requirements of the paper (25 %) –

 Constructive Criticism and Critical Reflection are key skills within the Creative Arena. This is your chance to practice those.

63 I: Integrating the key concepts of the course: experimentation, understanding, and application of the creative process (25%).

 Revisit readings and course materials to-date. Apply the creative process as we have discussed it to this reading.

 How does course content compare and contrast to this reading? Why?

 At a very minimum of 3-5 concepts introduced in class can be applied to the concepts in this reading.

250