Write a discussion answering the questions below. Between 500-700 words with a references page.
- When you hear the terms “innovation” and “creativity,” what comes to mind? Do the terms mean the same thing? How would you define each?
- Discuss whether you think creativity is a natural ability that only some people possess or can it be taught to others.
- Forbes ranks the top 100 innovative companies each year. Research one of these companies and describe a product or process that would be considered innovative to support your research.
- Compare and contrast your answers with classmates.
The World’s Most Innovative Companies. Forbes. Retrieved from
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction
Innovation and creativity are often used interchangeably, but it is essential to understand that they have different meanings. Innovation refers to the process of creating something new and valuable, while creativity is the ability to come up with unique and original ideas. As a medical professor, I believe that it is crucial to foster innovation and creativity in medical college students because it will enable them to improve patient care by developing new treatments, procedures, and technologies.
Answer 1: The meaning of innovation and creativity
When I think of innovation, I think of groundbreaking ideas that have the potential to transform an industry or society. It involves taking a new approach to solving a problem or creating something new that meets a need. On the other hand, creativity is the ability to think outside the box and generate novel ideas. To me, creativity is the spark that ignites innovation. Without creativity, innovation cannot exist. Therefore, innovation is the outcome of creative thinking.
Answer 2: Can creativity be taught?
I believe that creativity can be taught. Although some people are naturally more creative than others, I think that creativity is a skill that can be developed through practice and perseverance. At the same time, creativity can be stifled if individuals are not given the freedom to think outside the box. As medical college students, it is essential to encourage creativity by providing opportunities to explore and experiment with new ideas. When students are given the freedom to experiment, they can identify new solutions to current problems.
Answer 3: Example of an innovative company
One of the top 100 innovative companies according to Forbes is Amazon. The company is known for its innovative ideas ranging from the Kindle e-reader to Amazon Prime. However, in this case, I will focus on the Amazon Web Services (AWS) product, which is a cloud computing platform that provides on-demand computing resources for individuals and businesses. AWS has been innovative in that it has revolutionized the way companies access computing resources. Before AWS, businesses had to invest in large data centers or rent servers from hosting companies. AWS has made it possible for companies to rent computing resources at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional methods. Additionally, AWS has developed services, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, which have made it easier for businesses to adopt and implement these technologies.
Answer 4: Compare and contrast
After reading my classmates’ responses, I noticed that we all concur that innovation and creativity are distinct concepts. Most of us also believe that creativity can be taught, given the right environment and support. While some of my classmates discussed Amazon, others chose to research other companies such as Tesla and Apple. Despite the differences in the companies chosen, the innovative products or processes identified by my classmates were all products that had changed the market and revolutionized the industry. Overall, it is clear that innovation and creativity are essential in creating products and services that make a difference in the world.
