Shipping Marketplace, Ship Freight, Container Store

Much of the literature on creativity is about various tools, both simple and complex, for guiding the mental process of coming up with new ideas. Brainstorming, deBono´s Six Thinking Hats, and TRIZ are three examples. Each provides some sort of structure for maximizing creative thoughts.

What is often missed are some simple logistical issues that can either support or retard creativity. These include both time and location for the creative process.
When are you at your mental peak? Some people are wake up in the morning ready to go, and but run down in the afternoon. Others start slowly in the morning, peak in the afternoon, and only slow down when they realize the need to go to bed to get enough sleep for the next day.

There are no doubt other patterns. However, the point is that asking people to be creative at a time when their brains are not near their peaks is not going to yield the best ideas. For another example of the importance of timing, just think of how (un)creative people are likely to be if it is a Friday afternoon.

It´s likely to be thoughts about the weekend that fills their minds, leaving little space and energy for creativity.
Location can also have an impact. Imagine a small, dimly lit, beige room with only a single flip chart, versus a large, brightly colored room with the walls covered with butcher´s paper. Add to the latter a few toys and you´re going to have a lively crowd.
In effect, what we really need to do is recreate and combine kindergarten and recess. We need to take people outside the usual staid, stressed environments in which they often work. Not only are they likely to be more creative, but they may also find themselves a bit refreshed!