Interview with
world's most
prolific inventor Yoshiro Nakamatsu

HBS Case Study
based on
What a Great Idea!

What a Great Idea! is now in its nineteenth printing and also available in Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese.

In this exciting workbook, Chic Thompson will teach you how to challenge the assumptions you hold that stifle your creativity, freeing you to discover your innate innovative abilities. You'll learn how to recognize and reject "Killer Phrases" that destroy creativity.

You'll learn the Four Key Steps creative people take to get from brainstorming to finished product.

1. Freedom
2. Expression
3. Creation
4. Action

Creativity is not a trait monopolized by a few fortunate souls. Every individual is creative, and all organizations need a variety of creative types, who are: idea generators, promoters, designers, implementers and evaluators.

Included is an interview with the world's greatest inventor, Dr. Yoshiro Nakamatsu who explains how he comes up with his amazing ideas. He is the inventor of the floppy disk, the digital watch, and the compact disc and holder of more than 3000 patents.

You'll also find:

• Great Idea Action Sheets for use in meetings, on airplanes, and even at home to help your kids with their schoolwork.
• Idea Maps to help you free-associate and problem-solve.
• Smart questions that will help you evaluate new ideas.
• Dumb questions that lead to smart answers.
• Techniques to get you beyond creative blocks.

Testimonials for "What A Great Idea!"

"Chic Thompson is a genius. I am very impressed with his idea generation techniques and What a Great Idea! has already become a big seller in Japan."

Dr. Yoshiro Nakamatsu
Inventor of floppy disk, CD and digital watch

"What a Great Idea! can be a dangerous book in your competitors' hands. Read it before they do."

David Hefter
Chairman, Rapp Collins Marcoa

"What a Great Idea! is an extremely valuable contribution to executive development. The applications of Chic's ideas go a long way in compensating for the reduction in resources experienced by private and public sector organizations. What a Great Idea! is a must read for all who have management responsibilities."

Chong M. Pak, D.P.A.
Director, Virginia Executive Institute

"Chic has given us a workbook that makes the process of continuous improvement fun and understandable from the shop floor to the board room."

Donald C. Borwhat, Jr.
Senior Vice President, GE Fanuc Automation

"Chic Thompson is exciting! He brings out the creativity in all of us, but further, he shows how an organization's creativity can be multiplied beyond all expectations. Every ambitious team should use this book."

Professor Thomas C. MacAvoy
President, Corning

"Coach Thompson has a delightful way of getting inside your head and playing handball with your creative juices. Heed his advice in What a Great Idea!"

Marsh Fisher
Cofounder, Century 21 Real Estate