Creative Thinking and Business Problem Solving Skill

January 26 – 27, 2018

Program Overview

Creative Thinking and Problem Solving is a professional training course designed for people at  managerial and leadership levels, for those preparing to enter management positions, and for any working professional who would like to develop their skills in defining, working through, and solving problems both effectively and efficiently.

“You will never ever get stuck in what you are doing! You will think logically, reasonably, and creatively before you act! There are always better solutions and opportunities if you can better develop your thinking!”

This program also provides an understanding of the process of prioritization in problem solving: gathering relevant information, recognizing assumptions and values, interpreting information, and evaluating evidence and arguments in order to make decision and implement solutions.

By the end of the training program, you will be able to:

• Make quality decisions faster
• Identify problems related to key issues
• Propose and choose the best solutions to problems
• Use tools and techniques for creative thinking
• Prepare to meet difficult problems with sound decisions
• Practice solving problems, plan and implement projects
• Define and critique the ‘rational choice decision process’
• Identify ways to reduce and manage stress effectively
• Discuss ways to increase productivity

Who should attend this program?

Executives, managers, and workplace professionals who want to be practical in critical and creative thinking, and problem solving, and would like to develop tools and techniques for solving problems in their personal, career or business lives.

Program Outline

Module 1: Participant Introductions, Needs Assessment

Module 2: Critical Thinking

• What is It? Why is It Important?
• The Elements of Thought and Reasoning
• What Critical Thinkers Do
• Formulating Critical Questions

Module 3: Creative Thinking

• What is Creative Thinking?
• Characteristics of Creative Thinkers?
• Thinking Inside and Outside the Box
• Information Reception (Building a Creative Advantage)
• The Creative Process
• Opening Our Brains
• Brainstorming and Affinity Diagrams
• Analogy/Bisociation, Reversal
• Building Potential for Creativity

Module 4: Problem Identification and Decision Making

• Rational Choice Decision Process
• Problem Identification Process and Challenges
• Making Choices (Rational vs. OB Inputs)
• Evaluating Opportunities and Decision Outcomes
• Escalation of Commitment
• Involving Others
• Defining Problems
• The 5 Whys
• Root Cause Analysis: Fishbone Diagram

Module 5: Techniques and Tools

• Risk and Forces of Change: SWOT and PEST
• Opportunities: Appreciate Inquiry
• McKinsey 7S Matrix
• 6 Thinking Hats
• SCAMPER
• Grid Analysis and Voting

Module 6: Implementation

• What? So What? What’s Next?
• Force Field Analysis
• PDCA Cycle
• Cultural Considerations Throughout the Process

Module 7: Case Study Work: Putting Critical and Creative Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making into Practice

Schedule: January 26-27, 2018

Program fee: USD250 (Lunch, coffee, snacks, learning materials are included. Tax is exclusive. No tax for individual participants who pay their own fee. 15% withholding tax will be grossed up to invoice for those participants registered by their companies.)

Venue: Ochidee Pasteur Restaurant (Phnom Penh)

Time: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Language of instruction: English

Deadline of Enrollment
Please, submit your enrollment latest by January 24th, 2018.

Fees, Payment and Cancellation
After enrollment notification, we will send you an invoice via email. Payment of the program fees is required to be made prior to the start of the program. Participants can request to make the payment after completion of the program within 15 days of the invoice date. We accept payments by bank wire transfer, company checks and cash.

Participants are required to notice us about their cancellation at least 7 days prior to the training and the fees will be fully refunded. Notice of cancellation less than 7 days will be fully charged. Notice of cancellation shall be notified via written email.

Phnom Penh Business School reserves the rights to change the program content, dates, fees, and trainers to ensure quality, effectiveness and standard preparation.