Lateral Thinking
Systematic Creativity Tools

"We need fresh thinking. Our ideas are all predictable. There's nothing new here. We need different thinking. We don't have time to wait for ideas to surface in the shower." If you hear these comments at your company, it's a signal you're ready to learn Lateral Thinking tools to boost your ability to generate fresh new ideas exactly when you need them.

At DuPont lateral thinking tools led to an employee's suggestion that eliminated nine steps in the Kevlar manufacturing process. The savings--$30.0 million.

De Bono divides thinking into two methods:

Lateral Thinking: unconventional thinking techniques. Deliberately setting out to look at challenges from completely different angles to find great solutions that would otherwise remain hidden.
Vertical thinking: conventional, logical, critical and analytical thinking techniques.

Lateral Thinking is Powerful

"I have found there are 3 basic pillars supporting creativity and innovation: the Osborn/Parnes problem solving model, and Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats and Lateral Thinking tool kits. This is where you should start. Lynda Curtin is the right person to do this training."--Roland Boose, Nestle USA Prepared Foods Division

The Lateral Thinking Process and Tools

When teams engage in Lateral Thinking they are parallel thinking—everyone is thinking using the same tool at the same time on the same challenge. This approach saves time. Each person’s unique thinking on the challenge is included.

Lateral Thinking training will equip your teams with a process and proven tools to lead and participate in productive creative thinking sessions. You will see a measurable increase in practical ideas that can be implemented and supported.

Lateral Thinking Process Checklist:

Focus Tools: Planning tools to help prepare for creative and innovative thinking sessions.
	Current thinking checklist — screen for areas of opportunity.
	Creative hit list — work with one to make creativity an everyday activity.
	Multiple focus statements — generate from many different angles to uncover where to focus for ideas.
	Redefine the problem — identify many different problem definitions to help determine where to focus for ideas.
	Design the creative session agenda — select focus statement/s, decide which tools to use, plan for timing.
	Guidelines for a formal creative session.
Idea Generating Tools: A robust menu guaranteed to help you find new solutions that will set you apart.
	Alternatives: Top of the head, brain dump.
	Concept Triangle/Fan: How to extract concepts from ideas to then select powerful / fresh / new concepts to generate more new ideas.
	Random Entry: How to use unrelated input to open up new lines of thinking. Fresh ideas.
	Provocation: How to move from a provocative statement to practical new ideas.
	Challenge Why CBA?: How to constructively challenge the status quo to uncover practical new ideas.
Idea Sorting Tool: A tool that enables teams to quickly organize their idea output into a framework for action.
	Harvesting: How to manage your idea output for long term value. Select ideas to build on right away. Identify ideas to work on later. Expand your list of concepts for future consideration. Determine the nature of the ideas generated to help you move towards different kinds of ideas next time — break patterns.
Idea Building Tools: Now it's time to work with one idea at a time. Build on an idea to see if it can be made viable. Very often articulated ideas haven't been explored in any detail and they get killed too early in the process — at the idea-generating step. Tremendous potential is discarded.
	Treatment: Can the idea be made to work within real-life constraints? How can it be strengthened? Can it be tailored to work within resources available? What weaknesses need to be overcome?
	Assessment: Checklists and assessment questions that take into consideration corporate alignment, risk, fit, power, etc.
Implementation and Change Management Tools: Organizations have in place project management and change management methods that work very well. Our process likely overlaps with your internal assessment tools. You will want to incorporate your assessment tools and use your own project management method for implementation.

Lateral Thinking is Powerful

"By the end of this year we will have doubled our business since our creative thinking session with you, and we are 60% of the way to the goal. It's almost time to raise the bar!- Dan Weare, National Business Manager, Sears Canada

Lateral Thinking Tools are Perfect For

Constructively challenging the status quo.
Groups in need of fresh new thinking.
Solving problems in ways that don't initially come to mind.
Companies with an “innovation” initiative in need of tools that actually work.
Executives feeling the heat. Same old, same old just isn't working anymore.
Teams frustrated with old predicable ideas that keep surfacing in their creative thinking meetings.
Professionals in the new idea development business — R&D, PD, marketing, advertising.
Scientists and engineers who need systematic tools to break open their thinking.
HR/OD professionals needing tools to facilitate ideation meetings.
Proactive people that want to strengthen their Innovation Instinct™— their ability to generate, build on and implement valuable new ideas.

Lateral Thinking Workshop Options:

Three-day workshop which includes our two-day standard workshop and one additional day for real world job application and coaching.
Two-day standard workshop.
One-day short course focused on learning idea generating tools.
Half-day power session to learn the concept fan idea generating process.

Lateral Thinking Will Help Individuals Develop Skills To:

Increase productive idea output.
Design the future.
Find fresh new solutions to intractable problems.
Escape the constraints of routine thinking.
Appreciate the diversity of thinking among team members.
Plan and lead innovation meetings that deliver powerful results.
Secure your company’s leadership edge.
Find new areas of opportunity.

Lateral Thinking Application Support:

Our de Bono Thinking 24x7 software is available to support job application and skill development back on the job. It can also be used to facilitate ideation meetings. Click here to learn about our 24x7 software and how you can purchase it.

Lateral Thinking Seminar Pre-reading: Click here to download our free PDF booklet.

Four Ways You Can Learn de Bono Lateral Thinking™ Tools and Process:

Attend a Lateral Thinking™ Seminar

Have us lead a customized Lateral Thinking™ training event at your organization. Call 818-507-6055 for details.
Attend one of our public workshops. View our current dates, locations and registration details.

Become a Lateral Thinking™ Certified Trainer

Have us lead a Lateral Thinking™ instructor certification training event at your company. Develop a group of your own expert trainers that will train your internal clients. Call 818-507-6055 to discuss details.
Attend a public Lateral Thinking™ instructor certification training event. View our current dates, locations and registration details.

Lateral Thinking™ Materials: attendees will always receive the official de Bono Thinking Systems, Inc. materials. Some clients may choose to supplement their training with our Innovation Instinct™ Personal Assessments.

Our Instructors: de Bono for Business is different. Training is led by highly qualified business experts who understand the fast pace of work and rapid change driving business. Many are successful leaders of their own companies. This is what sets us apart from other training organizations—we live and breathe in the world of business—we understand it. We are results driven.

Book us to present or keynote at your conferences, team meetings and executive retreats.