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