Problem Solving & Creative Thinking

Introduction

This problem solving and creative thinking training course begins with the following:

• What exactly is ‘creative thinking’?
• When is it appropriate?
• What are the typical problems faced in a work environment?
• Defining the problem fully
• Problem definition tools
• Applying ‘5 Whys’
• The value of the process
• Using data effectively
• Example business issues
• Exercise: What are the problems?

Creativity: What it is and How to get it

• From here we will define creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills
• Enable the development of creative thinking ability and the right time to do so
• As an example, we will use the ‘ Disney Creative Strategy'
• Our second example for this creative thinking course is the ‘Toyota Approach’
• Exercise: Team creativity – the process: taking an actual problem from definition to solution

Identifying Multiple Solutions

• Often there is always more than one way and we will investigate these
• We’ll evaluate multiple approaches
• Discuss various solution tools
• Exercise: Which solution – and why?

Innovative Problem-Solving in Practice

• Don’t try to solve problems that are irrelevant or immaterial
• Some things can’t be ‘fixed’ but they can always be improved
• Problem solving skills training allows participants to connect to the big picture
• Gaining buy-in to your ideas
• Always use ‘even better if’
• Putting your ideas across
• Defining the benefits
• Exercise: “Here’s an idea…”

The Way Ahead

• Recognise when “mission accomplished” has been achieved
• Keep an open mind
• Identifying further development areas
• Immediate goals
• Exercise – My action plan

Concluding the session, our specialist trainer will answer any questions relating directly to this problem solving and creative thinking training course.

At Redcliffe, our problem solving and creative thinking training course is delivered by a highly successful individual. Over four decades his career was fast-tracked to senior management with Lloyds Bank at an early age. Head hunted to join a merchant bank at the main board director level it becomes clear why we’ve chosen this specialist. With over 40 years of experience in the UK banking and financial services sector, there’s nobody better suited for presenting this session.

As a freelance soft skills training consultant since retirement, our creative thinking course specialist is currently an external Master Trainer at both HSBC and Bank of China. At HSBC he helped screen and assess both prospective and existing trainers for soft skills capabilities and has delivered ‘train-the-trainer’ programmes. At the Bank of China, he has designed and successfully delivered a comprehensive presentation skills programme to members across the company.

Overall, this expert has an excellent background and reputation for the delivery of soft skills training. He has presented in the UK, Europe and across the world, always receiving excellent feedback on problem solving training and similar sessions.

Well-structured problem solving training ensures participants take the time to think critically and creatively. Above all, sessions encourage the use of common sense and sound judgment when empowered to do so. We also look at when it’s applicable to apply such common sense and how this can be used to your advantage.

This highly interactive session is suitable for professionals working in both finance and industries requiring similar skills for progression. In addition, we will assess any potential issues and determine how to handle these productively and with creativity.

This creative thinking course covers the following throughout:

• Essential skills to facilitate effective problem-solving and thinking
• How to think creatively and productively whilst remaining strictly between a firm's guidelines
• How to build and expand decision-making & creative problem-solving skills
• The use of traditional and creative tools for identifying causes & generating creative solutions to problems
• How to employ and utilise creativity and techniques of lateral thinking as business tools
• Analysis and the solving of actual work problems
• Logical application and timely creative approaches
• Integration into strategic approaches and overall business objectives is also covered throughout problem solving skills training

• At Redcliffe, we have identified a lack of ‘real life’ examples in problem solving training as a whole. Our sessions are created directly for you, the professional and we focus on actual ‘real work’ issues before defining the best way forward.
• Our course covers the ‘toolbox approach’, allowing participants to adapt content based on any given situation.
• A similar creative thinking course will only cover the basics. At Redcliffe Training, ours combines the application of basic methods (ensuring everything is covered), with more advanced techniques to really ‘get the job done’.
• Delivered by a specialist with industry, training and consultancy experience, creative thinking skills training is accompanied by a wealth of knowledge like no other.

At Redcliffe, our problem solving skills training course helps participants recognise and develop personal creativity whilst gaining the confidence to use new-found, trusted techniques. This session also teaches how to recognise personal capacity and its further development. In the application of a structured process to identify problems and potential issues, course participants will generate a wide range of solution-based ideas. From here, one (or more) issue(s) are assessed for communication and implementation and through this technique attendees find many benefits.

Our creative thinking course at Redcliffe Training is highly interactive. Participants are encouraged through individual and collaborative work, to apply and manage a selection of evidence-based creative approaches.