What a Great Idea! 2.0: Unlocking Your Creativity in Business and in Life (Paperback)

by Chic Thompson (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

It has sold more than 200,000 copies since 1992—and now the most imaginative guide to thinking creatively is back, in a new and improved version. Author Chic Thompson knows that everyone wants to be more creative—and he knows how to make it possible. That’s why the Harvard Business School released a case study on him. Thompson has had unparalleled success teaching readers how to harness their ingenuity to generate new product ideas, resolve difficulties in the workplace, and overcome bureaucratic language and “killer phrases” that stifle innovation. The good news is that this great-looking, thoroughly updated edition features even more brain-stimulating suggestions, exercises, action sheets, tips for using new technologies, and ideas for encouraging creativity at home, and much more.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; Revised edition (January 28, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140274188X
• ISBN-13: 978-1402741883
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #423,124 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kudos, April 21, 2007

By	Michael Michalko (Churchville, New York USA) - See all my reviews

I'm the author of Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques and other books on and about creative thinking and as such I pretty much read everything that is published these days. This book by Chic Thompson is truly an outstanding book. If you interested in becoming more creative in business, this book is your ticket.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love it, really gets you thinking. , March 4, 2008

By	M. E. Martin "Wendy" (Indialantic, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Really good book, easy read. You have to be somewhat brave to actually try the techniques in your office, but it can pay off. I find myself looking for innovation in my personal life too now.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars This book is substantially the same book as the earlier edition. There are no new insights!, May 22, 2007

By	Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY... (Singapore) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

What a Great Idea! 2.0: Unlocking Your Creativity in Business and in Life
by Chic Thompson

When the first edition of 'What a Great Idea' was released in the mid-nineties, I was actually overwhelmed by a few exciting stuff in the book:

- an exclusive & relatively exhaustive interview with Dr Yoshiro Nakamatsu, inventor extraordinaire from Japan, with more than 3,000 inventions to his credit; it was great fun to read about his creative antics & productive idiosyncracies; incidentally he also invented the Love Jet Spray, a no-side-effect alternative to Viagra!

- an exposition on 'Killer Phrases' & 'Fight Back Phrases' which eventually led me to procure the author's second book, 'Yes, But...The Top 40 Killer Phrases & How You Can Fight Them';

[For the uninitiated:

a Killer Phrase: n. 1. A knee-jerk response that squelches new ideas; most commonly said by bosses, parents, and government officials. 2. A threat to innovation.

Fight Back Phrase: n. 1. words that launch ideas into reality; usually said by achievers, leaders, and entrepreneurs. 2. the self talk of champions.]

- introduction of the idea mapping process, the author's unique variation of mind-mapping, which goes beyond the traditional Buzan routines;

I recently read his supposedly & newly revised & expanded edition & regret very much to report that the book is substantially the same book as the earlier edition. The same stuff are still there & there are no new insights or developments for readers.

What a disappointment!