Pointing your way to success through metaphorming

Abstract

Purpose

Our innovation work involves unlocking the potential of individuals, teams, groups and organizations by tapping peoples' creativity and critical thinking powers through a process called Metaphorming. This paper describes how Metaphorming works to continually inspire innovative thinking. Facilitators guide participants in making and exploring symbolic models that show and describe their ideas, plans, and goals, while pointing out possibilities for achieving them.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on our work with businesses as diverse as building supplies, computers, consumer packaging goods, energy, environmental studies, finance, government, healthcare, insurance, lawyers & law enforcement, telecommunications, and technology‐oriented venture capital organizations, we've found that every business can benefit from all‐purpose creativity and communication tools. They help improve human communication by fostering understanding. The tools our company provides include facilitated, hands‐on workshops that incorporate arts‐based and science‐based innovation techniques to help organizations realize their goals as they “learn by doing.”

Findings

This article relates some of the tangible results our clients gained from using our tools and methods to catalyze innovations, generate new products, and develop new business solutions.

Originality/value

Metaphorming offers the next generation of brainstorming tools for all aspects of business development. It enables everyone to freely create and communicate ideas, utilizing the versatile, dynamic, symbolic models they make; essentially, they “show‐n‐tell‐n‐share” their stories in effective, memorable and productive ways.

Citation

Siler, T. (2010), "Pointing your way to success through metaphorming", Journal of Business Strategy, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 47-58. https://doi.org/10.1108/02756661011055186