Marketing Bisnis

Most people think of creativity as something you're born with, like broad shoulders or curly hair. In reality, creativity is a gift to nurture and develop. Many of you were wildly imaginative as children but have become more conservative as adults. By keeping in touch with the child within, you can reawaken your sense of adventure and be more creative.

One of the most innovative people I know is a graphic artist named Brian Sasville. The secret of his success is that he's a big kid. Now don't get me wrong. I helped him blow out the 35 candles on his last birthday cake and I've seen him take meetings with CEOs. What sets Brian apart from the competition is his ability to keep the child in him alive and kicking. He takes the same joy in his new PalmPilot that he did 25 years ago in his Etch-A-Sketch.

There's a fine distinction between being childlike and being childish. Throwing tantrums certainly won't enhance your imagination. Here are some techniques that will unleash your creativity.

1. Relearn to Play

Did you ever takes scissors and markers and turn an empty appliance box into a house? Or maybe you used blankets to create a military base in your living room. Try to recall your childhood exploits and use them as inspiration to innovate.

2. Read Books

As a lifelong bookworm I can attest to the power of words to educate and inspire. In addition to igniting your creativity, reading has direct benefits like increasing your vocabulary, and improving your ability to reason and think logically.

3. Travel

Traveling is an excellent way to awaken your creative spirit. By leaving behind what is familiar, you'll experience new sights, sounds and smells. You'll challenge yourself to pick up a foreign language and adapt to new customs. Traveling can shake you out of your complacency.

4. Experience Arts and Culture

Music, theater, movies and art can all provide a temporary lift, allowing you to travel without a passport to other realms. If you can create your own art, crafts or music, even better. Music can soothe and calm. Crafts such as knitting and sewing involve setting goals, problem solving, dedication, determination and imagination.

5. Use Technology

Technology frees you up to be more creative. By automating many of your daily tasks, you'll have more time for developing marketing concepts. Information management software can help you collect and store data that can in turn stimulate your imagination. Software can assist you in creating a Worldwide Web page to present your products or services in an eye-catching and informative manner.

6. Take Risks

One of the biggest risks you can take is to break with your rituals. Do you have comfort food that you eat every day or a soap opera that you watch religiously? Try changing your ritual. You'll need to leave your comfort zone in order to take risks. Taking physical risks are one way to get your blood pumping. Risking your time and money by following a business hunch is another. Just by putting an unorthodox idea out into the market and risking derision is a way to take a creative risk.