Everyone is Creative in his or her own way

Submitted by Hanif Muljiani

I recently read a book by Daniel Pink called "A Whole New Mind" about the value of  "right brain" thinking.  In the book he talks about the loss of technical jobs to low-cost regions around the world.  It dawned on me that the greatest asset we have in Canada is our creativity.  Creativity is not designated simply to designers and artists, but to individuals from all walks of life, including sales/marketing individuals and tradeshow coordinators.  I also realized that our clients are extremely creative and should be included to a much larger extent in the design of their tradeshow exhibit.

Currently, our design approach is to gather a great deal of information from our clients, clarify the information, take this information, design a shape to the exhibit, work out the engineering specifications, render and price the project and then share this with our clients.  I would like to encourage all of our clients to get involved with the project as its inception stage and utilize the combined creativity of all parties involved with he project.  If anyone is interested in adding greater input into the creative process please inform the designer and they will facilitate all input into the overall process.

Daniel Pink has a number of recommendations on improving our creative minds as follows:

1. Practice drawing – classes are offered on "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" www.drawright.com

2. Visit a storytelling festival – largest one is at www.storytellingcenter.com

3. Listen to the Great Symphonies – Mozart's Symphony No. 35, Mahler's 4th Symphony in G Major, Haydn's Symphony No. 94 in G Major

4. Read – Beethoven's Anvil: Music in Mind and Culture by William Benzon, Powers of Ten by Charles and Ray Eames, Dialogue: The Art of Thinking Together by William Isaacs

5. Do some real brainstorming – abide by the rules in the Ten Faces of Innovation by Tom Kelley

6. Write your own greeting cards

7. Visit a Labyrinth – visit www.veriditas.labyrinthsociety.org

These are but a few of his recommendations on helping us think from the "Right Side" of our brain.  After all right brain thinking is what is going to maintain our standard of living in North America and help you stay ahead of your competition.