How To Think Like An Innovator (Reflection Quiz)

Now that you learned what it takes to become a great innovator, do you have any ideas for new products or solutions to existing problems that you might want to solve? (yes or no)

• Yes

• No

The 6 steps of innovation teaches us a method for solving problems.  They are: 1. Identify the problem, 2. Gather information, 3. Develop possible solutions, 4. Choose one solution, 5. Build it, 6. Test it. Explain below what an innovator needs to do (should do) if their solution fails when they test it.

What is the secret ingredient that every innovator needs to be successful?

In your own words, what does the word persistence mean?

In one of the lessons you learned that EVERY product in every store is really what? 

What was one of the accidental innovations you learned about?  (hint: one of them was the microwave oven)

In one of the lessons you learned that ideas are really the combining of existing things.  Remember what Henry Ford said, “I didn’t invent anything new I simply assembled the assemblies of other men”  Give me an example of a product that is the combining of existing things.

You learned a 3 stage process for coming up with ideas.  Stage 1 is called Preparation. Stage 2 is Incubation and Stage 3 is Inspiration. Describe what an innovator needs to do during the Preparation stage.

Stage 2 is called Incubation.  Describe what an innovator needs to do during this stage.

Stage 3 is called Inspiration.  Describe what happens during this stage.

Linus Pauling said, ““The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas, and throw the bad ones away.”  In one of the brain games you learned how to practice getting lots of ideas (Remember the paper clip)  Describe (in detail) this game and how it’s played.

You learned that many people can’t come up with many ideas because they are too critical of their own ideas…they think some of their ideas are dumb.  Why do you think some people think this way?

The 4 Poisons to Innovation are dangerous poisons that we all need to get rid of.Explain why Poison 1 (The poison of genius) is so dangerous.

Explain why Poison 2 (The poison of "Eureka") is so dangerous. 

Explain Why Poison 3 (The poison of Independence) is so dangerous.

Explain Why Poison 4 (The poison of approval) is so dangerous.

You were shown 2 websites that offer prize money challenges for innovators who can solve different problems.  You then searched through those web sites to see some of the different prizes challenges.  Describe one of these challenges.