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Summary: This is a treasure chest of business and creative ideas.
Review: A hundred or so ways to some up with more, and thus better, ideas. The creative methods detailed in this book are new and excellent tools for any business or creative person. Michael goes through ways to change your view of a problem, dozens of idea generating methods, sorting and weeding techniques, and group and individual methods. The number and quality of surprising, startling, practical, usable, and results-generating ideas was a shock. And despite the 335 pages, it is not over written, as many large books are. This is a tight, easy reading, tool chest for innovation. And this collection of "Thinkertoys" will be part of your intellectual and problem-solving arsenal for years. As long as there are problems to solve, fun to have, and profits to make (through customers to serve) this book will be a heavenly gift and asset to anyone who reads and uses it
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Summary: The closest thing to a cookbook for creative thinking
Review: As a learning solutions designer and trainer and as a targeted innovation facilitator, I have found this book of immense value for almost a decade. It provides step-by-step instructions for linear, lateral, and more intuitive thinking techniques--the closest thing to a step-by-step no-fail cookbook approach. The techniques are even organized (transparent to the non-professional user) to correspond with the KAI style-of-creativity scale. In other words, if you are left-brained OR if creativity means "make the thing BETTER", you will like the techniques at the front of the book. The more naturally "right-brained" you are (i.e. Improve = make it DIFFERENT), the farther toward the back of the book you might want to go. There are also great business examples in this book--they illustrate applied creativity to create value in business...no taint of tutus and crayons and "far out" ideas here...the stuff that alienates some business folk from valuing the relevance of creativity in the workplace.
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Summary: In what ways might I write this review?
Review: Cracking Creativity was the first book I read, and reviewed from Michael Michalko, and what a book! Thinkertoys is Michael's first book and my second read. I also own Thinkpack, a creative card deck. All spectacular!In general, I would say that Thinkertoys is similar to Cracking Creativity, but Thinkertoys offers varied and many different creative techniques, "business creativity for the 90's." Michael explores artists, scientists, and numerous other creative thinkers to which seems the basis of his work. It's amazing the amount of material that was put into this book. Numerous quotes by Sun Tzu, there are also numerous diagrams and puzzles throughout this book. These mindbenders always seem to be related to the chapter, or the discussion at the time. These drawings, puzzles, and brainteasers really convey the message of what this whole book is about. That is what I like about this book is because it shows you, and you have to figure some things out. The book is set up into 4 different parts. Part One: Linear Thinkertoys, Part Two: Intuitive Thinkertoys, Part three: Group Thinkertoys, Part Four: Endtoys. And in these areas there are numerous techniques, storylines, brainteasers, and flaming hot ideas. It's not hard to try most of the techniques. Most of them merely require a pencil, a piece of paper, a problem or an idea. Michael gives a "Blueprint" (i.e. summary) of every major technique that he covers in the chapters. I have read other creativity books but Thinkertoys is very exceptional because it seems to me to be more proactive, I see the techniques and I immediately want to try them for myself. Thinkertoys is not just some dry language with endless paragraphs of explanation, as with some creativity books I have read. None of these other books will be mentioned here. As I have used many of the techniques, I personally like SCAMPER. In addition, I also use "6 Questions" with SCAMPER, and I also use "In what ways might I?" I have set it up and I use like this: For example, I use SCAMPER first on a problem. If I'm stuck on SCAMPER, or the problem, I move to the "6 Questions." If I am still stuck, I then move and use "In what ways might I?" They are all interchangeable, and can be moved or reversed. See, SCAMPER > 6 Questions > "In what ways might I?" A powerful combination: SCAMPER
S = Substitute?
C = Create?
A = Add?
M = Modify
P = Put to other uses?
E = Eliminate?
R = Rearrange or Reverse? 6 Questions
Who? What? Where? When? Why? How? In what ways might I? This is my own little way to use some of the techniques. There is a large amount of techniques in Thinkertoys and some critical analysis may be in order when reading this book for deciding on which techniques to use. Simply, I use what I like most. Michael Michalko was interviewed one time and asked about the vast amount of techniques available, his response was: "What's important, I feel, is that readers and clients should not try to memorize specific techniques; rather, they should try to remember the basic principles around which my work in creativity is structured." He also responded, and in essence, I think this comment covers Thinkertoys in general, Michael also said: "Once the basic principles are understood, I always encourage my clients to invent their own creative-thinking techniques." After using quite a few of the techniques in Michael's two books, I have found some of the techniques becoming easier and reflexive. I have found myself seeing ideas and problems very differently without even concentrating on them; also, I have come up with my own ways to use some of techniques. This book is a special find. Period.
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Summary: The Best Book on Creativity Ever Written!
Review: Do yourself a favor: buy this book for yourself, your friends, and your family. Then if you get the chance, go to one of Mr. Michalko's speaking engagements! You will be miles ahead of the pack in your creative thinking skills! Then go buy a puzzle book by Terry Stickels called "Mind-Bending Puzzles - Volume 2 [ with a forward by Michalko}... then you'll be on your way to being a guru in both creative and critical thinking skills!!!!
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Summary: A MUST HAVE for anyone interested in business creativity
Review: Here it is ... the bible of business creativity techniques. The author has throughly researched what's worked in the past and added many new exercises of his own to generate ideas in groups and individually. The content is very well organized, and each exercise is simply and completely communicated so you can put it to work immediately. If I were starting my creativity consultancy from scratch, this is one of the three books that I would use. Everything I would need to be successful from day one is right here. Thank you, Michael Michalko, for your contribution to the exciting new field of business innovation
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Summary: Cute, but can't you think?
Review: Here's a nice bag of tricks for folks with thick heads. It reminds me of those late-1990s computer magazines, full of tips that aren't sophisticated enough for folks who know something about computers, but aren't likely to be employed by folks who are computer phobic. Michalko's offerings might help you think things through. But if you're a deep thinker, you won't need it. And if you aren't, you may miss some of the subtle import. Still, if you're stuck, y'gotta start somewhere...
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Summary: Stimulating
Review: I can't say enough positive things about this book. I purchased the book to get ideas for fostering creative thinking in groups that I work with. It has been a great tool for them and ME. I've recommend this book to almost everyone I know.
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Summary: Perfect
Review: I coach an innovation workshop and provide each participant a copy of this book. The chapter on SCAMPER is worth the price alone. You will find each tool well explained with examples. The "Ideabox" is one of the best tools you can use which also has a section with good examples. The author's second book Cracking Creativity repeats most of the tools with less examples and more theory. I highly recommend this book as a reference for innovation tools.
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Summary: Lots of tools
Review: I coach an innovation workshop and provide each participant a copy of this book. The chapter on SCAMPER is worth the price alone. You will find each tool well explained with examples. The "Ideabox" is one of the best tools you can use which also has a section with good examples. The author's second book Cracking Creativity repeats most of the tools with less examples and more theory. I highly recommend this book as a reference for innovation tools.
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Summary: Good book to get out of the creative doldrums
Review: I find myself picking up this book when I need a creative kick start -- as a small business owner, it helps me shake things up and think outside the ordinary. It's not magic, as some of the reviews seem to imply. But if you read it with an open mind, it will definitely help you develop a better sense of business creativity.
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