Einstein challenged and broke the scientific paradigms of the day. Always a rule breaker, Einstein questioned the mentality behind, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," "Everyone knows that!" and "But that's the way we've always done it."
The problem with most corporate thinking is that when we accept a rule, we don't even bother to look past it. We become so narrow focussed we're like a horse, half-blinded by blinders. We can't see the world of opportunity beyond our narrowed vision.
Remember the oft-told story of the salespeople who believed that you couldn't sell radio ads in a certain month. "Gee, no one buys ads in this month!" Then a new employee who didn't know that sold more ads in that one month that all the other salespeople put together!
Then there's the story of the 3M employee with glue that wouldn't stick. Of course, his bosses all thought he was crazy and it took years and years before someone truly listened to him. That glue that wouldn't stick was the reason why post-it notes became an office staple.
And what about the engineers who always gave the new employee an impossible task - just to keep him out of their hair. "That will keep him busy for the next year - the guy's too stupid to realize no one can frost a light bulb." The strategy worked for a while. Until one of those "dumb" employees actually did frost the light bulb.
Go ahead, break the rules.... But how to do it?
One way to break the rules when problem-solving is to list your assumptions and then systematically break them.
1) List all the assumptions or 'rules' associated with the problem.
2) Break each assumption.
3) Use the broken assumptions to come up with new ideas.
For example, let's look at bookmarks. The assumptions may be:
1) They are made of paper.
2) They are approximately 1.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
3) They fit into a book lengthwise.
4) They should be used as a marketing tool.
5) They have words printed on them.
The last assumption is that bookmarks have words printed on them. So instead of having words printed on a bookmark, a bookmark could have images only, a puzzle or crossword, or one of those computer chips that talks or makes a sound ....
Another assumption is that bookmarks are made of paper. But what about making a bookmark out of paper, you could make one of fabric, or metal, or plastic, or a picture frame, or a paper clip, or wood?
Sound too unbelievable? At some of the Shaker Villages, one of the best sellers are wooden bookmarks!
Get the idea?
So, get ahead by breaking the rules. Your business (and your banker) will be glad you did.
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