Did you know that Rego Consulting has been a virtual company since we were founded in 2007? Being successful as a remote organization involves many components, but one of the most important is a culture of creativity.
But what do we mean when we say “creative?” And how has Rego crafted a culture of creativity?
Creativity is the production of valuable, original ideas. At Rego, we nurture original ideas because they create effective solutions for our clients and our employees. Creativity is a different way of approaching an issue or problem to ensure we come up with the right solution–the first time.
Why Do We Care About Creativity?
We aren’t the only ones to see the value of creative thinking. In fact, creativity is rated #3 in the top jobs skills by the Future of Jobs World Economic Forum.
Split Up the Way You Think
The creative process involves two different kinds of thinking: divergent and convergent thinking.
Divergent thinking starts with seeking novel ideas. At this stage, you are going for quantity, not quality. Listen to all proposed solutions without judgment and don’t try to come up with the final solution.
The convergent thinking process is when you examine the possibilities created through divergent thinking. Use this phase to refine possibilities and choose the best ideas. While options may require further development, convergent thinking can help you and your teams begin to narrow the focus.
The Rego Creative Process
Rego uses creative thinking to ensure that we come up with the best solutions for both clients and employees. Our creative process involves the following:
- Holding brainstorming sessions with creativity-focused tools and approaches
- Creating a safe, judgment-free environment where everyone has an equal voice
- Utilizing strategies that help people think differently
- Solving problems using novel solutions instead of relying on obvious answers
- Using a variety of technology solutions designed to augment the creative process
Rego has always taken a creative approach, partly because all of our employees work remotely. We utilize various online meeting platforms to facilitate communication and a sense of community. Employees are encouraged to reach out to one another to resolve issues or discover solutions. To share knowledge and strengthen the Rego community, we hold regular “snack and learn” meetings. We use a variety of different tools for everything from time tracking to work management to New Product Development (NPD).
Most importantly, however, Rego utilizes our teams and their collective knowledge. We gather many ideas before deciding on the best one. This approach ensures that our clients receive the best service.
How Can Creativity Help You?
Your organization may be facing significant changes because of the current health crisis. This is a time when creative thinking is especially helpful.
Do you need a new way to communicate with your resources or co-workers? Try brainstorming ideas using the Microsoft Planner application. Are you having difficulties maintaining a sense of community? Explore ways resources can communicate and collaborate with a combination of tools and technologies. (We use Yammer, Teams, cell phones, and regular video conferencing.)
The key to successful creativity is keeping an open mind, reserving judgment during the initial phase, and trusting the collective knowledge of your teams. It’s also a skill that can grow and improve over time. The more you engage in creative thinking, the easier it gets.
Let Rego Be Your Guide
Rego offers free webinars and half-day training classes. For a full list of Rego services, please visit regoconsulting.com.
About the Author: Jacob Cancelliere
