Materials

Lateral Thinking: The Video Series An Outline of the Contents

The series is composed of seven VHS-format video cassettes. Each runs for about one hour. The cassettes comprise:

1. Alternatives

Why few of us make enough effort to look for alternatives. How one firm lost $800 million by failing to seek alternatives. How the 1984 Olympics organiser acknowledged his use of lateral thinking as key to new, profitable approaches. Why designing new alternatives is just as important as deciding between the obvious ones. The powerful tool of the 'concept fan.'

2. The Stepping Stone Technique

This is the most provocative of all techniques and can lead to spectacular new ideas and approaches to problems. The two phases involved must be kept quite separate. First is the deliberate setting up of the provocation or 'stepping stone.' There are four mechanical ways of doing this, which will lead to surprising the thinker tackling the problem. The second phase is how to use that provocation effectively to create valuable new solutions.

3. The New Entry Technique

Many advertising agencies now use this technique routinely. based on the logic of patterning systems, it is especially useful in over-worked areas where fresh ideas seem impossible. The dangers and pitfalls of this powerful technique are also evaluated.

4. The Escape Technique

The technique is direct, simple and practical. It can be employed equally well by individuals and groups. Highly structured, this technique can be used by people trying to generate new ideas within their own fields.

5. The Logic of Creativity

Without the logic of creativity, techniques are merely gimmicks. Understanding the logic of creativity is especially helpful in developing creative skills in engineers, financial people and technical experts. For those who consider themselves already creative, the logic involved helps enhance and focus their creativity in a more deliberate manner.

6. Movement and Provocation

These two basic operations of Lateral Thinking are used in a perfectly logical way to get people off traditional tracks. Once thinkers are able to use movement effectively they can use deliberate provocation in order to step outside traditional patterns. The combination of movement and provocation is the basis of deliberate lateral thinking.

7. Six Thinking Hats

This tape can be used either as part of the package or can stand alone. The Six Hats method is a convenient and practical way to get the best out of individual and group thinking. It is a non-ego-threatening way to escape thinking ruts. It leads people away from considering only why things can not work and guides them toward positive creative thinking. The thinker can focus on one mode of thinking (wear one Hat) at a time. Experience has shown that, once introduced, the Six Hats method has instant appeal and quickly becomes part of the corporate culture.