The Creative Edge: Fostering Innovation Where You Work [Paperback]

William C. Miller (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 21, 1989

Markets are changing, Values and behavior are changing. The way we do business is changing. Today’s most successful people and organizations are responding creatively to these changes. The Creative Edge will help you meet the challenge. Both a practical handbook of techniques and an inspirational work, this book can help you develop your creative skills and promote creativity within your organization.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

William C. Miller is President of Global Creativity Corporation in Austin, Texas. Formerly a senior consultant at SRI International, he has taught at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business, and is the author of The Creative Edge.

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books (January 21, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201524015
• ISBN-13: 978-0201524017
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,199,416 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Contains Some Useful Material, March 28, 2008

By 

Dr. W. G. Covington, Jr. (Edinboro, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Creative Edge: Fostering Innovation Where You Work (Paperback)

It appears Miller's book is based on seminar material he's presented to corporations. The information is practical and he relies heavily on acronyms (sometimes with slightly altered spelling) and other memory devices to help retention. One of the key issues he addresses is that organizational structures become dysfunctional when the goal and measure of worklife consists of things like meeting budgets and fitting in instead of making a contribution of significance. People in such organizations are headed for burnout he predicts.

While acknowledging that there's inertia in maintaining the status quo, he writes that ..."change is not the real threat to survival: the lack of change is!" He describes a healthy organization as one that allows individuals to express their creativity in such a way that all the stakeholders benefit. "As the people prosper by effective channeling of creative talent, so does the organization," he writes.

Miller makes a solid case for consulting style leadership and contrasts it with the sell and tell style, which is more authoritative. Such issues as intuitive skills and passion for the work are covered as well.

Anyone who has been a patient or family member of a patient realizes his example of a hospital rewarding employees for finding ways to save money is WAY off base. It costs money to run a hospital. Sure you can cut back financially, but in doing so QUALITY SUFFERS SEVERLY! Such an example is not appropriate. It results in inadequate health care and sometimes even death. Miller is also weak in the spiritual area, afraid to use the word "God", being "politically correct" in talking about a "higher power" and quoting a wide range of sources, but when it comes to quoting the words of Jesus he refers to them as some vague religious expression.

Overall Miller has some insight on cultivating creativity within an organization.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensably practical, April 29, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Creative Edge: Fostering Innovation Where You Work (Paperback)

A book written with the engaging simplicity of a master of the field; you'll learn a lot from it how ever great your previous knowledge of creativity. Do you feel passionately about "Organising Creativity", if so our worldwide e-mail network would be delighted to connect with you.................................................................................... Chris Macrae, editor of Brand Chartering Handbook & MELNET www.brad.ac.uk/branding/ E-mail me at [e-mail]