The Importance of Creativity in Business

Creativity allows us to view and solve problems more openly and with innovation. More specifically, creativity skills are a key factor in having a successful life as they foster self-esteem and self-worth, and contribute to self-efficacy. Creativity also draws on individual skills and resources such as motivation and drive. Additionally, with the uncertainty of COVID-19, as well as the future, creativity may be more important now than ever before. Having a creative mindset toward your business or the company for which you work may make the difference between success and failure in these volatile times. While typically practical people, business owners can survive this economic hardship — and those to come — with out-of-the-box thinking, and perhaps even discover ways to grow.

Why is being creative so important?

1. Fast Problem-Solving Skills

   For something to be innovative, there are two requirements: It must be novel and useful. Once an idea is possible, innovation tends to be an easier challenge for more players to achieve. Creativity is the novel step of being the first to identify that something might be possible in the first place. But innovation is the action of putting things into practical reality, despite challenges and resistance, rather than just contemplating. While creativity is crucial to generate ideas that are both unique and original, they’re not always inherently useful. Innovative solutions can’t exist, however, without a component of creativity.

2. Allows for Innovation

   For something to be innovative, there are two requirements: It must be novel and useful. Once an idea is possible, innovation tends to be an easier challenge for more players to achieve. Creativity is the novel step of being the first to identify that something might be possible in the first place. But innovation is the action of putting things into practical reality, despite challenges and resistance, rather than just contemplating. While creativity is crucial to generate ideas that are both unique and original, they’re not always inherently useful. Innovative solutions can’t exist, however, without a component of creativity.

3. Necessary for Growth

   One of the main hindrances to a business’s growth is cognitive fixedness, or the idea that there’s only one way to interpret or approach a situation or challenge. Building a creative workplace environment would be the first step to mitigate this issue. Business leaders must understand their workplace environment and company culture in order to foster a creative work environment. 

4. Boosts Productivity

   Another benefit of creativity and innovation in business is that it helps in boosting productivity. Through coming up with creative ideas, individuals get to work on new exciting projects, which can be an incentive towards doing their best and achieving great things. Business creativity encourages people to give healthy feedback and foster collaboration, it also helps workers feel more appreciated since they get to test their limits and come up with something new.

How to develop a creative mindset?

1. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Risks

   Taking risks within the workplace encourages innovation, learning opportunities and advantages. Innovation and development of a company cannot happen if you will not accept the risk that your undertaking might fail. The level of risk may be lessened, however, if you make all possible calculations and evaluate which option is best before proceeding to the next step.

2. Foster Collaboration

   With the onset of rapid growth in the corporate world, challenges have also increased. Tackling it is not an easy task, and in order to do that, you will need collaboration in the workplace. Collaboration allows quick adaptability and enhances performance. A diverse workforce will have individuals with varying thought processes and to promote collaboration, you need to respect everyone’s perspective. Another great way to enhance collaboration is to partner with a media production company who can give you a fresh perspective based on their experience, and help develop content that will allow for business growth!

3. Maintain an Open Mind

   Maintaining an open mind set goes hand in hand with taking risks. Having an open mindset means being objective when you approach new things, listening to other points of view, and being willing to admit what you don't know. Expand yourself to be more willing to accept new ideas and step outside of your comfort zone.

4. Encourage Failure

   Mistakes can be some of the most helpful catalysts for growth and learning, both in life and in the workplace. However, many people fear failure, which can hold them back from taking risks or trying new things. Employees are most productive and creative when they aren't afraid of failing or making mistakes at work.

5. Keep an Active Lifestyle

   Maintaining a healthy lifestyle helps make people happier, less anxious, more resilient and better equipped to problem-solve in the face of hardship. Imagining and creating give us a sense of purpose and allows for individuals to be more mentally and physically stimulated. This will all eventually result in a more productive and efficient workplace. 

Conclusion

Creativity and innovation are extremely important skills whether you’re a job seeker, employer, or aspiring entrepreneur. It is proven that maintaining a creative mindset can be of help in all aspects of life, not just the workplace. Creativity encourages mental and physical stimulation and allows for individuals to be more free with their decisions.

Written by: Rena Wu

Are you able to recall the last time that you were creative? Comment below, we want to hear your responses!

If you’re wanting to learn more about business, media, and music production, we are developing a course called Producer Launch that will take you from beginner, all the way to knowing how to become a successful producer for a living!

Sign up here to be notified when it launches for an exclusive 50% off!

How to Be More Creative

“Genius is 1% talent and 99% percent hard work.” - Albert Einstein.

Often what comes to mind when we think of creativity is making beautiful art, writing a compelling and moving story, coming out with a hit single, etc. However, natural talent is not the major component of creativity, it’s hard work and determination. 

There are many ways to help spark creativity, you just have to show time commitment, effort, and a willingness to learn. 

1. Ask Questions

What is the best way to come up with the perfect question? Write multiple variations of the same question (around 10 variations is a good start). Often, you’ll find that you come up with a better question than the original question you started with. 

2. Become an expert 

If you’ve ever tried to learn something new, you’ve likely heard at least one of the two phrases “practice, practice practice!” or “practice makes perfect.” Research suggests that to be an expert at anything, 10,000 hours of practice is required. However, the well-known musician Yo-Yo Ma seems to believe this isn’t enough practice time. He practices 3 to 6 hours a day and estimates that after practicing 10,000 hours every five years, he has spent at least 50,000 hours playing only his signature work, the Bach Cello Suites. Whether you choose to practice 10,000 hours - more or less - the most important thing is that you’re practicing. 

3. Be open-minded

People who are known to be creative, always look for solutions to problems. Creative people act in unexpected situations because they are curious and want to learn more. By being curious and open-minded, you may find that new opportunities come along. Having a positive attitude and being willing to participate in various projects may lead you to new projects or style choices that you may not have considered but discover you enjoy.  

4. Build a creative network

Creativity and inspiration can come from many different places. It is important to have a network of people that you can work with so you can better explore your ideas. This exchange of information and ideas will encourage you to take risks and try new things. Everyone has a different perspective; take advantage of this. If you want to work with an award-winning audio/video production company that can take your creative vision further faster, feel free to reach out here, and we would be happy to help!

5. When it comes to creativity, do not conform

Growing up, we are primarily taught to conform to the general rules.  While this is important in general, it is very important to make sure this doesn't stop you from branching out and exploring your individuality. Have balance. No two people are the same; your creativity should also be your own. Anthony Burill, author of “Make It Now!” says “as soon as you start doing as you are told and following the rules you stop being truly creative.” 

6. Generate lots of ideas and choose the best ones

Know what you’re looking for. Trust in your intuition and go with ideas that are simple. One thing you can try is to make your ideas compete against one another. Choose two ideas and identify how they are different. If you have several ideas (around 50+), a good idea is to write them on sticky notes and move the ones that are similar, close together. 

You may be struggling with deciphering if an idea is good or not. A good way to know if it is good or not is to take your idea and write pros and cons. Assign each one a number between one and ten to define the amount of importance. The pros should outweigh the cons. If this is the case, chances are your idea is good and strong. 

Set a time to do some free writing. Find a time when your brain is the sharpest, relaxed, and free from distractions. The author of the popular self-help book “The Artist’s Way”, Julie Cameron, recommends that we take half an hour each day to free write in a journal. As this process continues, new ideas will evolve.  

Need an idea for something to write about? Journals with writing prompts may be something you should invest in. You can get these at your local bookstore and they are generally located near the stationary section. Don’t have the money? No worries. Create a list of prompts to help start your writing process.  Here are some writing prompts I sometimes use. 

• Today, I’m grateful for…

• Your favorite vacation

• A favorite gift you have received

• The best thing you have gifted

• What’s the last thing that made you smile?

• What is/was your biggest accomplishment in life?

• What is your biggest fear?

• It’s your last day to live. Without a budget, what would you do? What would you eat?

7. Be resourceful! Come up with many different ideas and combine them 

Try combining things that don’t normally go together. British neuroscientist, Paul Howard-Jones, asked people to create stories. Some people were given three words that relate well to each other, while some were given three non-related words. Results found that the people who were given non-related words created stories that were more creative.  For example, the three words could be mystery, delivery, stalker.

Another fun idea is to make remote associations. Turn to a random page of a book you own (for example, page 56) and find the fifth line. Then, find another book and do the same. Now, write a story that is based on the relation between the two sentences. How are these two sentences connected? By using your imagination and ideas in this way, you can often form new, unique ideas. 

One of our greatest resources is other people.  We typically hang out with people who are similar to us as it brings us comfort.  However, it is important to engage with people who are different from you to help you learn to expand your outlook on life. These different perceptions, outlooks, and experiences can help you become a better-rounded person and help your creativity. 

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Breaks

While hard work is a very important factor in being creative, it is also important to take breaks to give your brain some time to rejuvenate. Oftentimes, the best ideas will come at the most random times when you aren’t trying to put your brain to work. This might happen when you’re in the shower, in the car, trying to fall asleep, etc. Have you ever had a dream but forgot what it was about shortly after waking up? What about having your answers to a problem solved for you while you are sleeping? sleep? Breaks allow you to come up with ideas without getting brain block and not being able to keep your thoughts organized. A journal may be useful so that you don’t forget important ideas or thoughts.

HubSpot's CEO and co-founder, Brian Halligan, advocates for naps at the workplace. He finds his best ideas come to him when he is just about to fall asleep or when waking up. In a New York Times interview, he says he wants to make the workplace an environment where employees can “work less and think more”. Now I bet you’re thinking, “I’d love a boss like him!” Make sure that you allow yourself some time to recoup from all the work you’ve done during the day so you aren’t overloaded. 

Conclusion

Everyone goes about being creative differently. Everyone finds inspiration differently.  By familiarizing yourself with the different ways to be creative, I’m sure you’ll find your creativity expands in no time. Where these tips helpful for you? Which techniques are you using? We’d love to hear your opinion in the comments below. Thanks for reading and don’t be afraid to let your creativity shine! 

Written by Amy Anstett

If you’re wanting to learn more about creativity, music production, and business, we are developing a course called Producer Launch that will take you from beginner, all the way to knowing how to become a successful producer for a living!

Sign up here to be notified when it launches for an exclusive 50% off!

7 Iconic Albums Made At Home

Throughout the last year, people have experienced much pain, loss and anxiety, as the dark shadow of a world-wide pandemic threatens to throw away anything normal. During this time, many individuals have turned to the arts as a form of escapism. Painting, music, poetry, any form of art, has now become more accessible than ever as people find themselves with more time on their hands. 

Before the pandemic happened, making music at home, while not widely popular, was still an effective way of recording and producing albums. 

Artists would isolate themselves from the rest of the world and create whatever they feltl like without being judged by the outside world.

Below are seven albums that were made outside of a typical recording studio, sometimes in a bedroom, garage, or even a manor in England. 

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago  

When Justin Vernon, the man behind the band Bon Iver, found himself with a lot of feelings to process about the breakup of his former band, the end of a relationship, and numerous other things, he escaped to his father’s hunting cabin. He hadn’t planned on recording an album, but luckily, he had packed enough equipment to make it work. 

The raw, unedited nature of the album helps create a feeling of intimacy with the listener, as they are transported to this cabin in the woods through the music. 

Listen to Flume, from For Emma, Forever Ago Below.

To read more about the making of For Emma, Forever Ago, click here. 

Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska

Bruce Springsteen’s sixth album had much darker themes then the ones that came before and after it. Influenced by the political and economic state of America at the time, Bruce wrote songs about, murder, hopelessness, and overall dark narratives. 

The songs for Nebraska were recorded primarily with a guitar, harmonica, and glockenspiel, on a Tascam Portastudio 144 tape recorder. 

The album was made at Bruce’s home in Colts Neck, New Jersey and it was originally meant to be demos to be recorded with the E street band. After rehearsing it however, Springsteen and his team decided that the lo-fi demos better suited the lyrical content of the album, so it was left the way it is. 

Listen to Nebraska below.

To read more about Nebraska, click here. 

Foo Fighters - Wasting Light

Wasting light is the seventh album from the Foo Fighters. It was recorded in front man David Grohl’s garage using only analog equipment. 

Despite being recorded in a garage with the goal that it would sound like that, the album is regarded as one of the Foo Fighters best, and went on to win 5 grammys.

Listen to Bridge Burning, from Wasting Light, below.

To learn more about Wasting Light, click here.

Nine Inch Nails - The Downward Spiral

Nine Inch Nails’ second album, the Downward Spiral, was recorded in the same place where actress Sharon Tate was brutally murdered by Charles Manson and more members of the Manson “family.” 

This album, as if being influenced by it’s shady location, has themes of man’s internal conflict, isolation, and helplessness. 

Despite being released nearly 30 years ago, the album and its thematic elements remain relevant to many fans today. 

Listen to Hurt, from The Downward Spiral, here. 

Read more about The Downward Spiral here.

Radiohead - Ok Computer

While discussing the recording process for their second album, Radiohead guitarist, Ed O’Brian said “We were very insecure. Studios aren’t great places necessarily for making you secure.” Perhaps this feeling had an influence where the band decided to record their third album, Ok Computer. 

Radiohead began the recording process in an apple storage shed in the british countryside, then moved to an Elizabethan manor in the town of Bath, owned by actress Jane Seymour. The ambiance of the manor helped contribute to the sound of the album

Listen to Exit Music (For a Film), From Ok Computer, here.

To read more about the creation of Ok Computer, click here.



The Rolling Stones - Exile on Main St. 

Exile on Main St. is widely regarded as the greatest rock and roll album ever recorded and it was filmed in guitarist Keith Richards’, rented house in the South of France. 

The recording process was determined by Richards and his irregular work habits. 

Listen to Shake Your Hips, from Exile on Main St, here. 

To learn more about Exile on Main St. click here.

Folklore - Taylor Swift

Folklore is a great example of an album created during isolation. During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Swift wrote and recorded her 8th album from the confines of her Los Angeles Home. 

Swift even collaborated with making music from home expert, Bon Iver, on the album's fourth track, Exile. Despite recording this song together, the pair has never met in real life.

Folklore was released the same day the album was announced shocking fans and critics alike. Despite the recording situation and the surprise release, Folklore won Album of the Year at the 2021 Grammys. 

Watch Taylor Swift and Bon Iver perform Exile below.

To learn more about the making of Folklore, click here.

Written By: Leah Gerber

Conclusion

These albums, all made by different artists, during different times, all seem to have one common theme. They were birthed from isolation. Whether it was forced because of a global pandemic, or welcomed to get away from the harsh eyes of critics, every artist mentioned worked with what they had and made masterpieces.

Do you have a favourite album that was recorded in an abnormal setting? Maybe it’s one that didn’t make the list. Let us know in the comments below.

Ready to release your music to the world? Check out this guide first!