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How to Get to Great Ideas: A system for smart, extraordinary thinking
The highly practical lessons in How to Get to Great Ideas are based on neuroscience, psychology and sociology. Written by former advertising creative director Dave Birss, this book offers a brilliant new system for conceiving original and valuable ideas. It looks at how to frame a problem, how to push your thinking, how to sell the idea, how to build support for it and how to inspire others to have great ideas. It proves that any organization - and any individual or department within an organization - can create a fertile environment for ideas. Combining a practical research-based system with fascinating insights and inspiring and humorous writing, the book also includes the problem-solving system RIGHT Thinking. This is a tool which enables a more effective way to generate more effective ideas, and is one that anyone can use to transform themselves or their business. Training on this system is also available in person from the author. And will be released soon as an online course.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2018
117 people are currently reading
680 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 10, 2019
This book wasn’t so easy to read, I think that the process the author wanted to streamline wasn’t clear to me right away. Having said that, towards the middle of the book things started to make more sense to me and I found so many gold nuggets that changed the way I see things I got used to, without second thought. This is a great book that should be kept in a handy place for future reference.
December 18, 2020
I had high expectations for this book based on its title and claim, but it didn’t quite do what it promised.
On the plus side, it has a fantastic opening section about why creativity is a much misunderstood term, and it was bang on. I found myself nodding along in recognition. And he shares his own innovation process framework called RIGHT that you can follow as a process to get to great ideas. So far, so good.
Except, process is only one part of getting to great ideas. And this book kind of lost its way around the sections on how you as an individual or as a business can become more creative.
A few random bit of neuroscience, and a number of bland and generic throwaway suggestions that were of little to no practical use. Nothing that would especially get you to great ideas. And the tone sometimes drifted into being a bit smug and patronising at times.
At one point, he suggests reading a book about psychology or physics to get ideas. But with no actual suggestions of which books might be worth reading. And there weren’t really a lot of examples or suggestions from the author’s own work or how he does things, more references to other material that you can find elsewhere.
The author does throw in a few surprising examples like improvisational comedy that you wouldn’t have seen elsewhere, but for the most part, I felt like I’d heard a lot of the references and stories before. Maybe, I’ve sat through too many presentations by advertising agency creatives?
For a book, that’s really written about being creative, parts of it didn’t feel creative at all. And I found myself a bit bored and skim-reading some of the more lightweight sections. That’s why I was a little disappointed overall.
By no means a wasted read, but only a good, not a great idea to read.
On the plus side, it has a fantastic opening section about why creativity is a much misunderstood term, and it was bang on. I found myself nodding along in recognition. And he shares his own innovation process framework called RIGHT that you can follow as a process to get to great ideas. So far, so good.
Except, process is only one part of getting to great ideas. And this book kind of lost its way around the sections on how you as an individual or as a business can become more creative.
A few random bit of neuroscience, and a number of bland and generic throwaway suggestions that were of little to no practical use. Nothing that would especially get you to great ideas. And the tone sometimes drifted into being a bit smug and patronising at times.
At one point, he suggests reading a book about psychology or physics to get ideas. But with no actual suggestions of which books might be worth reading. And there weren’t really a lot of examples or suggestions from the author’s own work or how he does things, more references to other material that you can find elsewhere.
The author does throw in a few surprising examples like improvisational comedy that you wouldn’t have seen elsewhere, but for the most part, I felt like I’d heard a lot of the references and stories before. Maybe, I’ve sat through too many presentations by advertising agency creatives?
For a book, that’s really written about being creative, parts of it didn’t feel creative at all. And I found myself a bit bored and skim-reading some of the more lightweight sections. That’s why I was a little disappointed overall.
By no means a wasted read, but only a good, not a great idea to read.
November 2, 2020
An interesting concept and I like his approach.
This is an easy to read guide with plenty of stimulating triggers and thought provoking ideas - as I suppose it should be, being a book on the subject.
An easy to read and engaging book, this has plenty for anyone looking to turbo-charge their own inventive styles.
This is an easy to read guide with plenty of stimulating triggers and thought provoking ideas - as I suppose it should be, being a book on the subject.
An easy to read and engaging book, this has plenty for anyone looking to turbo-charge their own inventive styles.
September 26, 2021
You are reading the same words/terms/methods in different flavor.
There is nothing astonishing or mind-blowing waiting you.
If you've gone through same topic books before, you consider it as reminders and a lot of flashes.
It is nice to have practical exercises at end of each chapter.
Fast food book :)
There is nothing astonishing or mind-blowing waiting you.
If you've gone through same topic books before, you consider it as reminders and a lot of flashes.
It is nice to have practical exercises at end of each chapter.
Fast food book :)
October 11, 2020
A handbook on creativity every director should have in a drawer
I am a bit biased here, since I was mentioned in the book, but I have to say Dave did a good job by making a handbook that every person involved in the creative business should take a look at and every (creative) director should keep in their drawer. It’s not revolutionary and doesn’t say much new stuff, apart from the interesting “RIGHT” concept of getting the new ideas, created by Mr. Birss himself. However it does say a lot on human psychology and the processes of letting people get to new ideas, why some usual approaches don’t work, as well as to turn those ideas into concepts and products, which is something that should be taught on every business school.
Take a look at this book, it’s not that hard to read and there’s a lot of space to write down some doodles of your own (if you own a Kindle, you’ll take a lot of notes). You might become a better manager or at least you can understand better why you are (not) such a creative person.
I am a bit biased here, since I was mentioned in the book, but I have to say Dave did a good job by making a handbook that every person involved in the creative business should take a look at and every (creative) director should keep in their drawer. It’s not revolutionary and doesn’t say much new stuff, apart from the interesting “RIGHT” concept of getting the new ideas, created by Mr. Birss himself. However it does say a lot on human psychology and the processes of letting people get to new ideas, why some usual approaches don’t work, as well as to turn those ideas into concepts and products, which is something that should be taught on every business school.
Take a look at this book, it’s not that hard to read and there’s a lot of space to write down some doodles of your own (if you own a Kindle, you’ll take a lot of notes). You might become a better manager or at least you can understand better why you are (not) such a creative person.
October 2, 2020
He didn't add anything new
January 8, 2023
How to get to great ideas is not just a book, it is a guide to get away from the norms. It is a guide that tells you, creativity can be built, and we can act differently from people by voluntarily choosing the divergence.
The book gave a working concept RIGHT which basically means to Research, insight, generate, hone and test any idea that you come across to make sure you are building it in the right direction and giving a back to your idea with confidence.
This book gives leadership principles to welcome ideas at any workplace, making it a practice to appreciate the ideas, and giving people the right resources and time to think critically.
This can be a handy guide for everyone if they want to change the norms and want to do something with their stacked ideas. I recommend to every working professional to read this book once :)
The book gave a working concept RIGHT which basically means to Research, insight, generate, hone and test any idea that you come across to make sure you are building it in the right direction and giving a back to your idea with confidence.
This book gives leadership principles to welcome ideas at any workplace, making it a practice to appreciate the ideas, and giving people the right resources and time to think critically.
This can be a handy guide for everyone if they want to change the norms and want to do something with their stacked ideas. I recommend to every working professional to read this book once :)
October 31, 2024
Dave Birss has a knack for stating the obvious in an obvious way. Also for trotting out inspirational references you've heard a bunch of times already - Toyota worker involvement, Fleming and pennicillin, that kind of thing. Einstein. And he likes to take his (and your) time about it.
He gave at talk about AI where I work. I learned that I know as much about AI as Dave Birss (and I have a pretty casual interest in it).
On the positive side, it doesn't always hurt to see things spelled out in black and white by someone else, so this could be useful at some stage or another of a 'creative' work project. And iirc it was pretty cheap. You have little to lose but what folk like Dave enjoy calling - accurately, but wearyingly - the most precious resource of all.
No hard feelings, Dave.
He gave at talk about AI where I work. I learned that I know as much about AI as Dave Birss (and I have a pretty casual interest in it).
On the positive side, it doesn't always hurt to see things spelled out in black and white by someone else, so this could be useful at some stage or another of a 'creative' work project. And iirc it was pretty cheap. You have little to lose but what folk like Dave enjoy calling - accurately, but wearyingly - the most precious resource of all.
No hard feelings, Dave.
October 11, 2020
Dave nije napisao pretjerano revolucionaran poslovni priručnik, iako bi svatko uključen u “kreativni proces” trebao proučiti njegovu RIGHT metodu, ali je posložio zgodan priručnik kojeg bi svaki (ne samo kreativni) direktor trebao imati u svom stolu. Pojašnjavajući kreativni proces, Dave Birss pojašnjava i ljudsko ponašanje koje dovodi do kreativnih ideja, a koje najčešće prođu nezapažene ili neizrečene baš zbog (nepoznavanja) ljudskog ponašanja. Nije komplicirano i lako se čita u pauzi za ručak, plus prored i prijelom knjige ostavljaju dovoljno mjesta za svoje zabilješke ili post-it papiriće s komentarima.
January 9, 2022
Good But not as I expected. These two books ( Blink and This one ) i got in return of a symbols book which as in german language.
I think this books is for those are working in a corporate world or who have a job of a creative director in any field specially in media industry.
This book consists of 4 parts.
1- Reimagining Creativity
2- Creative Structure
3- Individual Creativity
4- Corporate Creativity
Bit Dry if you ask to me select Creative Confidence or this book i will go for Creative Confidence. Mix Thoughts on Recommendation
Dil Nawaz
The Lion Studios
www.thelionstudios.com
www.Facebook.com/thelionstudios
I think this books is for those are working in a corporate world or who have a job of a creative director in any field specially in media industry.
This book consists of 4 parts.
1- Reimagining Creativity
2- Creative Structure
3- Individual Creativity
4- Corporate Creativity
Bit Dry if you ask to me select Creative Confidence or this book i will go for Creative Confidence. Mix Thoughts on Recommendation
Dil Nawaz
The Lion Studios
www.thelionstudios.com
www.Facebook.com/thelionstudios
March 5, 2022
This book feels like a lifetime mentor. I learnt a lot from it.
It doesn't give you definite steps for great ideas. Instead, it paves the way towards changing your perspective and life style so you would create better ideas by practicing and experimenting things around you.
This book is designed to live in your desk, hang out in your top drawer, or maybe linger in the basket of reading material in your bathroom.
You're always going to need ideas,and this book should be close at hand to help you have better ones!
I will post a brief about the book and share it with you soon :)
It doesn't give you definite steps for great ideas. Instead, it paves the way towards changing your perspective and life style so you would create better ideas by practicing and experimenting things around you.
This book is designed to live in your desk, hang out in your top drawer, or maybe linger in the basket of reading material in your bathroom.
You're always going to need ideas,and this book should be close at hand to help you have better ones!
I will post a brief about the book and share it with you soon :)
May 5, 2025
My mom gave me permission not to finish this book just because I started reading it. I think the author of the book would agree. Geared toward entrepreneurship and filled with cliché, this was not the book I thought it would be. I was going more for nuanced methods for rebooting my creative writing tendencies. Nothing new under the sun with this one. I stopped at page 134, so honest effort. If you want a generic book on coming up with an idea and creating a product that you market from it, this might be the book for you.
November 1, 2021
This book in general speaks about how one can get great thoughtful good ideas .The writer tells that not only happiness make us better at coming up with ideas, coming up with ideas also makes us happier which in-fact, is totally true.This lively and enlightening book, reveals the habits that will make one a great thinker and demonstrates how to push one’s innovative skills.
May 7, 2022
I read this book as research for my own book on creativity, and looked specially at diversity and playfulness sections. I had the privilege to interview Dave Birss as well, and can only recommend it as a practical read for people wanting to develop creativity in business settings. I recommend you watch some of his videos on youtube, before you read it, so you can hear his voice while you do.
May 25, 2020
Great stuff, picked it up to complement an innovation management course at uni, and the fresh spin on it all really makes you think about how to be creative, I think I've already managed to implement some of the methods in here!
June 8, 2021
really great book inspires u, should be used as a handbook keep at desk all times
January 7, 2023
Во время чтения появляются идеи, поэтому можно сказать, что книга реально работает. Да и читается легко
February 10, 2025
One of my favorite go-to books. It's fresh, vulnerable, and witty. Reading it felt like talking to my inner self.
November 12, 2025
I expected more. It was too repetitive
April 4, 2019
An easy read, with good ideas for generating simple but effective ideas.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews