Culture Shock – How you get creative

When in Rome, do as the Romans do. If you do not know how to develop a new idea then try to have a view on your topic from the outside.

01 OBJECTIVES

Look at your idea through the eyes of another culture. This way you are taking a new perspective and gain insights that push you forward.

02 INGREDIENTS

• Your idea, an existing product or service that you want to develop further
• Your imagination

03 PROCEDURE

STEP 1: CHOOSE A CULTURE THAT YOU DO NOT BELONG TO

There are endless cultures in the world. Society is full of trends. Political or social convictions exist in numerous ways and personal lifestyles is individual with every single human being. So you’ve definitely got the choice!

STEP 2: LOOK AT YOUR IDEA THROUGH THE EYES OF ANOTHER CULTURE

Walk in the shoes of a representative of the culture that you selected in step 1. What would they say about your idea? What would the think about it? Or about your product or service? What would they do with it? Which aspect would the empathize? What would they want to have improved? Just start collecting!

SCHRITT 3: DEVELOP YOUR IDEA FURTHER

Now you have a collection of aspects that should inspire you in your idea development. Which elements of your idea, product or service can be improved now? What could you add? What should you take away? Or did you get to a completely new idea?

04 BOOSTER: CALL IT BY ITS NAME

This tool works best if you give the representative of your selected culture a real name. This makes them appear more familiar to you.

Examples: the sociable self-opinionated Bavarian “Alois” – or the health-concious vegetarian “Simone”