Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use 'divergence-convergence' thinking to improve workplace innovation
If you want to be successful, you should go on a new path, not follow the trampled path of success - John Rockefeller
To improve workplace innovation, you must learn to use "divergence-convergence" thinking
Innovation is a topic that must be discussed in every era. Innovation can improve work efficiency and enable rapid development of careers. People who don't know how to innovate always linger in the space of old things.
In the workplace, if you don't know how to keep pace with the times, don't know how to innovate, and you don't have any special talent and background, the chances of getting the attention of leaders in the highly competitive workplace are delicate.
Everyone in the workplace has found problems, many of which may not be as good as themselves in appearance and educational background, but they always have their own unique ways of doing things, so that they get the attention of leaders.
This unique approach is the ability to innovate.
So, how do we improve our workplace innovation capabilities?
Today, I will provide you with a way of thinking - "divergence-convergence" thinking!
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
What is "divergence-convergence" thinking? What principles should be followed in the use of "divergence-convergence" in the workplace?
The "divergence-convergence" thinking was put forward by Japanese management scientist Katsumi Nishimura in the book "McKinsey Problem Thinking", which means: when dealing with problems, adopt "collect information", "propose ideas" and "think about alternatives" ”, etc. to expand the range of solution candidates, group them, and then evaluate and process them according to their importance.
In the workplace, we must start from two aspects in the process of dealing with things and enhancing our own innovation.
One is to take a divergent approach to expand the scope of information sources and options;
The second is to adopt a convergent method, group the collected information and solutions, and perform sublimation and screening according to their own needs.
Mike Figriolo proposed the concept of the "divergence-convergence" mental model in his book "Minimal Thinking":
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
At the same time, Mike Figriolo also gave the basic principles of using "divergence-convergence" thinking:
① Overcome the limitations of thinking and collect as much information as possible;
② After collecting information, effectively classify the information and extract innovative points;
③ There must be a plan in the process of using thinking, and it cannot be used for the sake of application.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
So, in the workplace, how can we use the "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve our workplace innovation?
Here, give you 3 methods:
First: Make good use of "zero-based thinking", break the limitations of existing methods, and creatively find solutions to problems
Zero-based thinking, also known as "zero-based thinking", was proposed by British management scientist Jeremy Lazarus, which means: zero-based thinking is not limited by past achievements or habits, and starts from scratch. For example, compiling a new annual budget based on this year's needs and goals without referring to last year's performance is called zero-based budgeting.
In the workplace, we are often unconsciously bound by common sense or pre-existing concepts. Most of these common sense or pre-existing concepts prevent us from thinking flexibly. Therefore, it is recommended that you try to use the zero-based thinking method when your thinking is exhausted.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
The Matsumoto Kiyoshi Pharmacy in Japan is a typical example:
Matsumoto Kiyoshi Pharmacy, which has opened about 1,500 chain stores centered on Tokyo, once had zero-based thinking on pharmacies.
Regarding pharmacies, common sense in the past was used to "treat diseases". However, if it is only for medical treatment, the customers will be mainly concentrated in the elderly.
Therefore, Matsumoto Kiyoshi redefines the common sense of drugstores as "health promotion industry". Since it is "health promotion", women's beauty, grooming, mental health, cleaning and other aspects are also included.
So Matsumoto Kiyoshi also began to sell cosmetics, aromatherapy (aromatherapy) products, and successfully introduced young women into the ranks of customers.
products, and successfully introduced young women into the ranks of customers.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
When no matter how hard you try, there is no result, when you are on the verge of despair, when you repeatedly hit a wall, and when you have nowhere to go, it is recommended that you do zero-based thinking.
Temporarily throw away your old working methods and common sense, leave your brain blank, and try to ask yourself what exactly to do and what went wrong.
Don't be confused by the narrow vision of the past, and be comfortable with your own feelings and intuitions.
In this way, the limitations of the methods that have been used may be discovered. In addition, after zero-based thinking, it is necessary to think about the investment effect, and at the same time, to determine the priority (priority order) is also an indispensable step.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
Second: Through the five rules of "brainstorming", stimulate subordinates' desire for innovation and collect as many new ideas as possible
Separating idea generation (divergence) from evaluation (convergence) is the basis for finding better solutions. In the process of divergent thinking, criticism is strictly prohibited, groundless accusations are prohibited, grudges are prohibited afterwards, and the proposer is prohibited from serving as the person in charge.
The brainstorming method, also known as the intellectual stimulation method, the BS method, and the free thinking method, is a method of stimulating thinking first proposed by the American creative scientist A.F. Osborn in 1939 and officially published in 1953. : At work, let everyone speak freely, carry out unrestricted free association and discussion, the purpose is to generate new ideas or stimulate innovative ideas.
"Brainstorming" is one way to generate ideas.
Brainstorming can be used to solve problems as well as generate ideas and countermeasures. In advertising agencies, this type of brainstorming is called "creative flash."
In an advertising agency where creativity is the competitive point, once a goal has been determined, all staff will participate in brainstorming. After all the ideas have been generated, the most promising solutions will be determined.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
Why can't you criticize when you're coming up with ideas under divergent thinking? Creative thinking is the main work of the right brain. And the right brain hates criticism. Once criticized, the right brain loses its energy. So in order to activate the right brain, it must be praised.
There is a saying in Japan: if you boast, a pig can climb a tree. The same is true for the right brain. With encouragement, it can think creatively.
The trick to brainstorming is free imagination. If you think about it like this, "Will it make people angry?" "Will I be embarrassed?" If you think about it like this, you will forget the idea that you have come up with after a long time. When free imagination, the potential ideas that are in the sleep state will suddenly flash in the mind.
Brainstorming has the following five rules. Every rule contributes to the free imagination.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
Taking cooking as an example, brainstorming is like preparing ingredients. Without ingredients, you cannot cook. Giving a radish to someone to cook will undoubtedly make it difficult. To cook, you must have ingredients. Similarly, to find excellent solutions, it is also necessary to use brainstorming to continuously diverge thinking and collect a large number of ideas.
In addition to obtaining ideas, the use of brainstorming is also effective in situations such as asking each other questions, countermeasures or topics.
As for the number of people participating in the brainstorming, it is recommended to have 5 to 8 people. This enables smooth communication with each other.
Taking cooking as an example, brainstorming is equivalent to the preparation of ingredients.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
Third: Abandon the complexity, adopt a simple and bright way of thinking, make a "result list" in advance, avoid detours, and finally achieve the goal
Although we are constantly promoting business improvement work, it is difficult to achieve results. The reason is that we have been working hard on solutions (issues, themes) that have little effect. With a highly effective program, you can use less labor and achieve good results.
In continuous improvement activities, if the research on the cause of the problem is insufficient, countermeasures that are inconsistent with the problem will be formulated, so the problem cannot be solved fundamentally.
For example, in the countermeasure of "elimination of substandard products" for the problem of "there are many products with substandard quality", people cannot see specific measures such as how to do it.
If there is a problem of unqualified quality due to a problem with the raw material formula, it is necessary to adjust the raw material formula to solve the problem of unqualified quality. Among them, identifying the cause is the top priority.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
The "list of results" is mentioned in the "McKinsey Work Law", which means: it is a list that should be made in the planning stage of a certain work, and it is a sub-item list of predetermined results to be completed at the end.
There are roughly two advantages to this.
① The ultimate goal can be shared among team members. If the vision is clear, it is possible to determine what should be done;
② Unnecessary results can be identified, so redundant work can be removed.
A good list of results is one that roughly determines the amount of work it does. For example, if the "how many pages to write the report into" are determined in advance, then the specific workload can be predicted.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
Once the list of achievements is prepared, the next step is to develop a work plan and schedule. As for how to advance to achieve results, we need to start working on the specific implementation of the work plan.
No matter what, the planning phase is very important. In order for more than two people to accomplish a goal, a list of outcomes needs to be developed during the planning phase. Then, by formulating work plans and schedules, avoid detours, increase results, and finally complete the goals. Using the method of result list, the goal prospect after the problem is solved can be defined in advance, which will achieve obvious effect. A clear goal vision will also reduce losses due to mistakes during the trial process. Further enhance the execution of innovation.
Innovation is the driving force of success, how to use "divergence-convergence" thinking to improve workplace innovation
To sum up, today we mainly talked about how to use "divergence-convergence thinking" to improve workplace innovation. First, we talked about what "divergence-convergence thinking" is, and then pointed out the application principles of "divergence-convergence thinking". Finally, It focuses on explaining how to use "divergence-convergence thinking" in the workplace, and gives 3 methods:
First: Make good use of "zero-based thinking" to break the limitations of existing methods and creatively find solutions to problems;
Second: Through the five rules of "brainstorming", stimulate subordinates' desire for innovation and collect as many new ideas as possible;
Third: Abandon the complicated, adopt a simple and bright way of thinking, make a "result list" in advance, avoid detours, and finally achieve the goal.