“Creativity & Innovation Project” launched at Coles College
The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is launching a unique new educational…
Georgia (May 5, 2005) — “Creativity & Innovation Project” launched at Coles College
Terri Thornton
Abstract
Contact: Terri Thornton‚ 404−932−4347 or territhornton@mindspring.com
The Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University is launching a unique
new educational outreach − The Creativity & Innovation Project. The project utilizes
a faculty of 12 experts in the field of applied creativity.
Its goals include offering graduate MBA courses and developing custom designed courses
to meet training needs using innovation relative to sales‚ marketing‚ new product
development‚ team work and other people− or product−related areas; to provide applied
creativity training for corporations and corporate universities; and to perform research
on how the tools of creativity make companies more productive. Harry Vardis‚ founder
of Creative Focus‚ Inc.‚ a market research firm in Atlanta‚ has been named director
of the project.
“Managers must constantly find creative solutions to complex problems‚” Vardis says.
“In the course of my work I have observed that once people learn how to expand their
comfort zone and take risks‚ not only do they become more innovative‚ but they also
make great contributions to the growth of their companies‚” Vardis explains.
“People might assume that creativity relates to specific fields such as marketing
and product development‚” says project co−founder Gary Selden‚ a Professor of Marketing
and Sales. “In reality‚ creativity and innovation are essential in every kind of business.”
Vardis has more than 30 years experience in marketing communications and new product
positioning with major advertising agencies in New York and Atlanta. He also created
the SynTactics and the PISCES processes‚ which are tools used in his consulting work
and are taught in the courses.
Using a proprietary inventory that helps people sort out the aspects of the creative
process for which they are best suited‚ Vardis and his faculty of 12 applied creativity
experts train participants in these courses to discover the answer to the question‚
“How are you creative?” rather than the more traditional ”How creative are you?” For
example‚ some people have great ideas‚ but have trouble implementing them. Others
may struggle for ideas‚ yet excel at leading or implementing creative projects.
This new group of faculty currently teach a five−day long MBA graduate level course
at KSU which is described as a “boot camp for creativity.” Its lessons include isolating
issues that block creativity; innovation on demand; cultivating and harvesting ideas
within a business plan; making effective presentations of ideas; using improvisational
skills to think on your feet; and architectural workspace design to induce or reduce
innovation in an organization.
Teams of participants use creativity tools to develop‚ reposition or extend a line
of products. On the final day of class‚ which in this case will be May 17‚ they present
their improved products to judges acting as investors.
The course has been described by The Financial Times and The Boston Globe as a place
where students are encouraged to take risks and learn leadership skills.
“It is an environment like no other in business courses‚” Vardis says. “Now‚ The Creativity
and Innovation Project is ready to take the course to the business world as a two−day
or four−day course.”
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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive‚ residential institution with a growing
student population of 18‚000 from 132 countries. The third largest university in the
state‚ and a member of the 34−institution University System of Georgia‚ KSU offers
more than 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers more than 150 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its approximately 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the third-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 92 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status, and one of the 50 largest public institutions in the country. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
