Strategy

Strategy

Creative Genius

Toolkit

Spark brilliant new ideas.

This practical toolkit includes ten of my most effective tools to help you generate original ideas and solve problems.

Format

Digital download, instant access

DESIGNED FOR

Anyone who wants to generate better ideas and solve problems

Strategy · Toolkit
£ 95 

One-off. Choose the toolkit on its own, or add a coaching call with James.

Buy now

Yours to keep, organisation-wide

QUICK SUMMARY

In a nutshell.

INCLUDES
  • Ten of my most effective creative thinking tools
  • The Creative Genius Guide, with examples and real-world scenarios
  • A clear explanation of when and how to use each tool
  • Editable formats you can run on your own or with a team
  • A single downloadable zip, yours to keep
OUTCOMES
  • Generate more original ideas and break through mental blocks
  • Tackle problems with proven creative thinking techniques
  • Approach any challenge with a fresh, more inventive perspective
DEEP DIVE

The process, step by step.

Each tool has a specific job and a specific place in the running order. Run them like this and the outcome takes care of itself.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
Details
Pay close attention to the small elements of a problem.
30 minutes

Canvas

By focusing in on specific elements we can pick apart a problem or highlight a feature. We can use what we find to highlight the strengths of an idea, or identify possible areas for future development.
Read more about this tool →
First Principles
Break down problems into their most basic elements.
30 minutes

Canvas

Break down complex problems into their most basic elements to understand fundamental truths and build innovative solutions from the ground up.
Read more about this tool →
Half-Baked Ideas
Develop and share incomplete or rough ideas to refine and evolve them into fully formed concepts.
10 minutes

Canvas

Quickly develop a set of incomplete or rough ideas to later refine and evolve into fully formed concepts.
Read more about this tool →
Constraints
Tighten the limits to force better ideas.
30 minutes

Canvas

We could all use more budget and more time, right? Maybe not. Constraints are all around us, and they are often the source of the very best ideas. So, rather than seeking to remove constraints, try welcoming and embracing them.
Read more about this tool →
T-Shape
A simple worksheet to help participants map their knowledge and experience across multiple disciplines.
30 minutes

Canvas

This simple activity and following discussion helps participants map their deep expertise in one area while also highlighting broad knowledge across multiple disciplines to enhance creative problem-solving.
Read more about this tool →
Creative Genius Guide
Explains how to use a range of creative thinking tools, with a variety of examples and real-world scenarios.
30 minutes

Explainer

When we need to come up with ideas, one of the most effective things we can do is to use creative thinking tools and techniques to jump start the process. They provide a proactive approach to creative thinking because they force our thinking in unusual or unexpected directions. This collection of tools and techniques will help you generate brilliant ideas quickly, whether on your own or in a group.
Read more about this tool →
Beginner's Mind
Approach the problem as if it were day one.
30 minutes

Exercise

We can sometimes be weighed down by the "curse of knowledge", believing we know everything about a role or problem. Instead, tap into the beginner's mindset by imagining today is your first day in your current role. How would the new you approach things differently?
Read more about this tool →
Big Idea
Detail all the different elements of your idea.
30 minutes

Canvas

Think about the project you’re working on. What’s a really big idea that could help you achieve your objectives? Use our worksheet to detail all the different elements of your idea.
Read more about this tool →
Idea Collisions
Smash ideas together to create original concepts.
30 minutes

Exercise

Take some existing ideas that you’ve come up with for a project, and see if you can join them together to make something unique and original. How could the aspects of one idea merge with or be added to the aspects of another idea?
Read more about this tool →
DEEP DIVE

The agenda, step by step.

The session is made up of a series of explainers, scenarios and tools. Read more below to get a clear picture of what to expect.

CLICK EACH ITEM TO READ MORE
Details
Pay close attention to the small elements of a problem.
30 minutes

Canvas

By focusing in on specific elements we can pick apart a problem or highlight a feature. We can use what we find to highlight the strengths of an idea, or identify possible areas for future development.
Read more about this tool →
First Principles
Break down problems into their most basic elements.
30 minutes

Canvas

Break down complex problems into their most basic elements to understand fundamental truths and build innovative solutions from the ground up.
Read more about this tool →
Half-Baked Ideas
Develop and share incomplete or rough ideas to refine and evolve them into fully formed concepts.
10 minutes

Canvas

Quickly develop a set of incomplete or rough ideas to later refine and evolve into fully formed concepts.
Read more about this tool →
Constraints
Tighten the limits to force better ideas.
30 minutes

Canvas

We could all use more budget and more time, right? Maybe not. Constraints are all around us, and they are often the source of the very best ideas. So, rather than seeking to remove constraints, try welcoming and embracing them.
Read more about this tool →
T-Shape
A simple worksheet to help participants map their knowledge and experience across multiple disciplines.
30 minutes

Canvas

This simple activity and following discussion helps participants map their deep expertise in one area while also highlighting broad knowledge across multiple disciplines to enhance creative problem-solving.
Read more about this tool →
Creative Genius Guide
Explains how to use a range of creative thinking tools, with a variety of examples and real-world scenarios.
30 minutes

Explainer

When we need to come up with ideas, one of the most effective things we can do is to use creative thinking tools and techniques to jump start the process. They provide a proactive approach to creative thinking because they force our thinking in unusual or unexpected directions. This collection of tools and techniques will help you generate brilliant ideas quickly, whether on your own or in a group.
Read more about this tool →
Beginner's Mind
Approach the problem as if it were day one.
30 minutes

Exercise

We can sometimes be weighed down by the "curse of knowledge", believing we know everything about a role or problem. Instead, tap into the beginner's mindset by imagining today is your first day in your current role. How would the new you approach things differently?
Read more about this tool →
Big Idea
Detail all the different elements of your idea.
30 minutes

Canvas

Think about the project you’re working on. What’s a really big idea that could help you achieve your objectives? Use our worksheet to detail all the different elements of your idea.
Read more about this tool →
Idea Collisions
Smash ideas together to create original concepts.
30 minutes

Exercise

Take some existing ideas that you’ve come up with for a project, and see if you can join them together to make something unique and original. How could the aspects of one idea merge with or be added to the aspects of another idea?
Read more about this tool →
What you leave with

Three things you walk away with.

Stuck for ideas? This toolkit gives you a wide range of proven creative thinking tools and a guide full of examples, so you can break through mental blocks, generate original ideas and solve problems with confidence. Download it once and use it again and again, on your own or with your team.

More original ideas

Generate fresh ideas and break through creative blocks.

A way through any problem

Apply proven techniques to your toughest challenges.

Tools you will reuse

Ten tools and a guide to come back to again and again.

How it works

From booking to the room.

one

Book your seat

Choose a date and book online. You get instant confirmation, and an invoice if you need one.

two

Get your details

We send joining instructions, the location or link, and anything to prepare beforehand.

three

Come along

Join a small cohort of peers from other organisations for the session.

four

Take it back

Leave with practical tools and a clear next step to put to work with your own team.

How it works

From purchase to running it.

one

Buy the kit

A one-off purchase, with instant access to every file and a licence for your whole organisation.

two

Download everything

Get the full toolkit as a single download: guides, tools, workbook and slides.

three

Make it yours

Read the facilitator's guide and tailor the deck and materials to your team.

four

Run it

Use the kit as designed and lead your team through the process from start to finish.

In the kit

Everything you need, from start to finish.

The kit is built to be opened and used. No theory to interpret, no convoluted instructions or setup. Everything is ready.

Ten creative tools

The full set of techniques, each explained with when and how to use it.

The Creative Genius Guide

How to use the tools, with examples and real-world scenarios.

Real-world examples

Each technique shown applied to real problems across different fields.

Yours to keep

A downloadable zip you own and can use across your organisation.

In the SESSION

Time well spent, from start to finish.

I've been delivering open workshops for years. They're different beasts to in-person sessions, and I use a considered mix of technology and facilitation techniques to make them effective and engaging experiences. Here's what you can expect when you attend this one.

Placeholder illustration

Ten creative tools

The full set of techniques, each explained with when and how to use it.

The Creative Genius Guide

How to use the tools, with examples and real-world scenarios.

Real-world examples

Each technique shown applied to real problems across different fields.

Yours to keep

A downloadable zip you own and can use across your organisation.

Is it right for you?

An honest read on fit.

A good fit if
  • You want practical tools to generate better ideas, not theory
  • You are happy to run the tools yourself, on your own or with a team
  • You want a proven process rather than a blank page
  • You face problems that need fresh, creative thinking
Probably not for you if
  • You want someone to generate the ideas for you
  • You are looking for a lecture rather than a practical, run-it-yourself toolkit
  • You need a fully facilitated session, where a workshop with James is the better fit
  • You are not ready to try new techniques
After the session, my colleague and I couldn't stop talking about the new ideas we had generated, all of which happened in such a short period of time. I would recommend James to any company who have reached a creative stalemate.

Common questions.

What's included in the toolkit?

You get ten of my most effective creative thinking tools, plus the Creative Genius Guide, which explains how to use each one with examples and real-world scenarios. It all comes in a single downloadable zip.

How do I receive the toolkit files?

As soon as you buy, you get instant access to a downloadable zip containing everything in the toolkit.

How do I use the toolkit?

Each tool comes with a clear explanation of when and how to use it, along with worked examples. Use them on your own or run them with your team.

Do I need any prior experience in creativity or problem-solving?

No. The tools are designed for everyone, from beginners to experienced facilitators, and each one is explained from scratch.

Can I use this toolkit with my team?

Yes. The tools work just as well with a group as on your own, and your licence covers your whole organisation.

Need a hand?

Talk to James first.

If you are not sure whether this is right for your team, a short call is the fastest way to find out. No pressure, no pitch.