Creativity & Business Acumen Can Work Together

In this rapidly moving technological world, one of the most important skills to instill in young people is the ability to deal with the unexpected, and constant change. And this is where creativity comes in. A creative mindset involves being aware of technology as it reinvents itself, adapting to transformation easily and being able to solve problems as quickly as they surface. It means coming up with innovative processes and communicating and brainstorming with others to solve problems together. One needs to be flexible and formulate unique ways of tackling issues, be able to see matters from a different perspective and find new ways of doing things.

The business world needs people who are creative thinkers and problem solvers, those who can think and act differently from others to come up with innovative solutions to problems. As a result, education needs to change its focus so that people are equipped to solve problems creatively and be forward thinkers. This involves accepting and embracing changing technology, showing people how a more creative mindset can help them overcome difficulties easily and teach them the importance of being open to change.

 What does all this mean in a business sense? It involves showing people how to think out of the box so that they can gain a competitive advantage in business. Successful businesses stand out from the rest by embracing unorthodox solutions. They use creative methods to optimise processes, develop products and strengthen customer service. They learn to do this by being educated creatively; by thinking unconventionally and embracing further learning. They know that they need to keep ahead of the pack, and that the way to do this is by keeping up with ever-changing trends.

What is Creativity?

Creativity in the business sense involves critical thinking, problem-solving differently, and expressing ideas in unique ways. This is a world where learning is project-based, where students apply their knowledge to real-life scenarios, collaborate across disciplines to find novel solutions to complex problems, and encourage artistic expression in all its forms.

This means that teachers act as facilitators of learning rather than mere transmitters of knowledge. Teachers allow students to explore, inquire, and learn through doing. This approach not only enhances academic achievement but also prepares students for the challenges of the modern world, promoting adaptability, innovation, and a lifelong love of learning.

Here's an example: Students in architecture are often tasked with designing an outdoor classroom or a green space that promotes well-being and learning. They would start the project by researching architectural styles, sustainable building materials, and the psychological effects of different spaces on human behaviour. Through research and exploration of form and physical models they can explore more areas like light, engineering and many others. That is how creativity comes through in education. 

The Importance of Practical Experience in Learning

The importance of practical experience in learning cannot be emphasised enough. One example is the training our copywriter underwent as an intern newspaper journalist years back. The intern intake comprised 8 people, who were to undergo a 3-year internship. Four were assigned to work in newspapers from Day 1, and the other 4, who were considered more academic, had to attend a college for 6 months of the year, studying towards a Diploma in Journalism. They would then work in a newspaper for the other 6 months, before returning to study the following year.

After the 3 years, the publisher was able to see which method had worked best: practical experience only, or study combined with practical experience. They found that those who had acquired a Diploma in Journalism were not as qualified to operate in a newspaper environment. They may have had an extra academic achievement, but their practical skills were sorely missing.

This was the only intake of interns that ever studied towards a Diploma in Journalism. From then onwards, the publisher threw its interns into the deep end and made them work in newspapers for 3 years.

This type of environment encourages people to be more imaginative and to cope better. Learning ‘on the job’ involves learning how to tackle difficult issues as they arise, how to keep to deadlines, set goals and learn from others. It enables one to share ideas, to share the workload, to work as a team. This way, a person is not afraid to come up with new ideas and put them into action, to take chances and try new ways of doing things.

Why Self-Expression is Important

Creativity, beauty, and expression are essential in every aspect of education, transcending traditional subject boundaries to foster problem-solving skills and teach us lifelong lessons. These elements are vital for self-expression and identity discovery, enabling unique approaches to problem-solving. Our varied reactions to life, influenced by our emotions, cultural backgrounds, upbringing, and personal trials, highlight creativity as a crucial tool for unlocking potential. Let’s take writers as an example: they use writing as a therapeutic tool to uncover and heal from personal challenges.

Contrary to the narrow view that confines creativity and beauty to the arts and humanities, these elements hold profound significance in STEM subjects as well. Creativity in engineering or the beauty of mathematical patterns demonstrates how these elements enhance learning across different subjects. By including creativity in all subjects, learning becomes more fun and helps us think in new ways. This is why creativity is so important in school and in learning anything new.

Traditional Education Versus AI

Just as using smartphones made us forget phone numbers and ditch map reading, AI has changed how we handle tasks. However, losing these skills doesn't mean we should stop valuing them. While we're used to leveraging AI as a tool alongside our critical thinking, I worry about future generations missing out on developing this crucial skill. I think it is vital to emphasise the importance of critical thinking to ensure humanity continues to grow and excel.

I recently read an article in The Guardian that discussed how Sweden has decided that students should go back to basics in school work and return to writing on paper instead of using computers. To this end, the Swedes removed all digital devices. A crucial comment was that “they believe the focus should return to acquiring knowledge through printed textbooks and teacher expertise, rather than acquiring knowledge primarily from freely available digital sources that have not been vetted for accuracy”. And that’s where critical thinking will come from.

Creating a Positive Educational Journey 

A more hands-on approach will empower students in their educational journey, especially those dreaming of making it big in the fashion and design industries. The idea is to try and bring the real world right into the classroom. Think about the difference it would make if students, fresh out of university, didn't just have big dreams but also the practical skills to back them up—skills like sewing, pattern making, and a deep understanding of all the processes behind the fashion design industry.

What if we created an environment that encourages visits to, or partnerships with, minor factories? Or collaborative workshops? It's about giving students not just a taste, but a deep dive into the practical aspects of fashion design and production. Thus, equipping them with both theoretical knowledge and real, tangible skills.

This approach doesn't just benefit the students; it enriches the entire industry. When newcomers to the industry arrive with a solid foundation in both the creative and practical sides of fashion, they're ready to hit the ground running. It shortens the training period, bridges the gap between academic learning and practical application, and ultimately, accelerates their success in the entrepreneurial world. We don’t need to only prepare students for the fashion industry; we need to inspire them to redefine it.

In a Nutshell

By teaching future business employees creative skills, companies can reap numerous benefits. They can uncover and fine-tune every employee’s creative potential, and create an environment where like-minded people find it easy to collaborate, problem-solve and meet their particular industry’s ever-changing needs. By preparing young people entering an industry with the necessary abilities to thrive, we can make the future business world more forward-thinking, collaborative and more successful.