Food for thought: creativity is an acquired taste, so start your company off with small bites.(Creative Zone; using creative practices to solve business problems)

You decided to build a creatively agile company based on a firm belief that creativity will help you and your company thrive ... or you're a skeptic who, nonetheless, is willing to give it a try. In either case, experience is the best teacher. Begin by experimenting.

Learning how to be more creative is like learning any skill: You gain expertise over time. Starting small can help deal with skepticism among the staff and your own uncertainty. Begin by trying some techniques by yourself or with a few colleagues. By practicing creative techniques and attitudes, you'll gain the confidence and skill to build a company that includes everyone in its creative practice. Remember the goal is always to find a way to tap the creativity of everyone in your company.

I've used the following exercise many times because it's simple yet evocative. Making a collage from magazine images is a great prompt for new ideas. It's non-threatening because everyone can tear pictures out of magazines and arrange them--and it's fun because you get to make a mess.

Decide on the issue or problem that needs some fresh thinking or new solutions. It should be clearly defined before beginning to let the ...