Business Creativity Take Home Exam

Due SLATE Upload April 9th 2022

Value 20%

Late SLATE Upload = 50% reduction

Max 5 pages

3 Questions employing elements in Course LPs and Video materials in No response should be more than 1.5 pages in length

You as a mid- level business manager working in the parcel delivery business with many full and part-time workers.

Due to the Pandemic, you are presented with a significant employee salary problem that must be promptly solved or the company may suffer labour unrest.

Your mid-sized company has a union shop but works on a low- margins. Look at the various creative thinking approaches that we have touched upon in class, for a plan to address the issues.

1. What questions must you ask in order to identify and solve the problem or challenges? (6%)

2. Select a linear problem-solving approach you would employ to advise senior administration on how to address the problem and why? Provide the CPS steps in your thinking. (7%)

3. Select one of 3 lateral problem-solving approaches to solve the same problem: either the SCAMPER, 6 HATS or DESIGN THEORY approaches that we have discussed in class this term. (7%)

Walk through your process in detail, justifying your choices as well as your solutions from the approach and class materials.

Answers: 1. What is the problem?

· Pandemic

· Split Nature of the Workforce

· Why are you answering the problem

· Union

· Low wages

· Management Answers

Answers 2. Linear Problem Solving Approach

· Id the problem – the core issue

· Linear looks to logic and high probability thinking

· Values and Goals – keep operation working = happy work force

· Look at resources, organization

· What is your legal position

· Speak / negotiate with union

· Speak to other stakeholders

· Solution

· Change structure or workforce or management attitude

· Legal = negotiation

· Increase profit potential to allow for more resources

Answers 3. SCAMPER

Lateral Thinking – 6 Hats

Design Thinking