by Michael Michalko
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Product Description
Looking for a unique invention, an untapped market for an existing product, or a new solution? Stretch your imagination with Thinkpak, a creative-thinking tool designed by Michael Michalko, author of the groundbreaking book Thinkertoys. This deck of illustrated idea-stimulating cards distills one of Michalko’s proven methods, allowing you to view challenges in a new light. Shuffle, mix, and match the cards to spark fresh insights, then use the critical evaluation techniques to test, shape, and refine your ideas into realistic creations. Filled with thought-provoking questions and examples of the techniques put to use, Thinkpak provides endless creative fuel to fire up the imagination.
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Review Vendor Only, 2008-08-25
I have not had the opportunity to read purchase but product condition and mailing process were perfect.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Take this along on your next business trip!, 2007-06-19
Michael Michalko's "Thinkpak" cards are a handy little adjunct to his book, Thinkertoys. While the book provides you with in-depth instructions and sample anecdotes, however, the cards act as a quick, portable, self-contained brain-stimulator.
The deck includes an introductory card, a card of instructions, an explanatory booklet, 45 "idea stimulator" cards, and 9 evaluation technique cards. The introductory card and the booklet delve into something originally explored in "Thinkertoys"-a method represented by the mnemonic SCAMPER. The idea stimulator cards are similarly divided into these nine types of questions-with the backs of the cards color-coded by category-so that you can pick a card at random, pick a card from each category, or pick a card from a specific category.
The book includes a couple of games for group brainstorming, as well as examples of the SCAMPER ideals in general use and the specific prompts from the cards in use.
I believe the deck is best used after reading the book. The prompts on the cards are quick, simple keys to help you brainstorm, and I think these will work best once you've gotten a bit of a handle on how to brainstorm in general. Also, there are many in-depth exercises in the book that of course wouldn't fit onto cards.
The cards, however, have some wonderful applications apart from the book. They're portable and self-contained, making them easy to take along in your luggage, briefcase or purse. They're easy to distribute among the members of a class or team. They lend themselves well to randomness, which can help to spark ideas when you truly have no idea where to start. They're also fun to play with, which can help to loosen people up and get them into a more playful and creative mood.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
 The book was better, 2007-01-10
I purchased both the Think Pak cards and the book Thinkertoys. The cards are a good adjunct to the book if the group is familiar with the various techniques the author espouses. As a stand alone, the cards are only as good as the person who is faciltating the group. The cards do offer good ideas for taking brainstoriming to the next level or opening up your mind to new ways of viewing an old situation.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
A delight, 2006-11-04
Fresh from reading 'Thinkertoys' and 'Cracking Creativity,' and without any foreknowledge of what lay in store, I purchased Thinkpac. I am thrilled. Based on the author's SCAMPER technique in Thinkertoys, Thinkpac is presented as a creative approach to brainstorming. The result is a valuable tool that is a delight to manipulate and amazingly effective. Thanks to Mr. Michalko's contributions to creativity, I have experienced a remarkable odyssey.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
Review by Lee Say Keng "Knowledge Adventurer", 2006-10-19
Reviewer: Lee Say Keng "KNOWLEDGE ADVENTURER/TECHNOLOGY EXPLORER" (Singapore) - See all my reviews
Thinkpak is just an extension of one of the creativity tools (SCAMPER) outlined in 'Thinkertoys'. It's just a pack of cards, but they are very powerful idea triggers.
The first time I encountered 'Thinkertoys' it was actually the first edition released during the early 90's, when it was also about the time I began to explore the various options with regard to my mid-life transition. In fact, I had initially spotted an interesting review in the Entrepreneur magazine.
I managed to trace the publisher & had immediately ordered the first 100 copies for my debut bookstore. It became the best seller in my store for many years. Then came 'Cracking Creativity' a few years later as well as the accompanying brainstorming card deck, Thinkpak, to 'Thinkertoys'.
What impressed me most is not so much the creativity tools outlined in both books. In fact, the most productive learning experiences I got out of both books are a few very important things, which I would like to share with readers.
Let's take a look at Thinkertoys. In the Introduction, the author started off with a visual puzzle: 'Can you identify the figure below?'
Only by shifting your focus, you can then see the hidden word within the figure.
In the author's own words, "...by changing your perspectives, you can expand your possibilities..."
Let's move to 'Cracking Creativity'. In the Introduction, the author introduced a simple arithmetic equation: What is half of thirteen?
The subsequent passages as outlined in Part I: Seeing What No One else in Seeing, & Strategy I: Knowing How to See, by the author revealed the secrets to getting many possible answers (or perspectives) to the above equation.
No creativity tool outlined in the above two books (or elsewhere in the world, for that matter) can help you to become more creative until you fully understand - & appreciate - what the author is trying to drive home in his two books.
In a nut shell, it basically boils down to one important thing: Use - & enhance - your power of vision! or power of observation!
The author may not be the first person to postulate this crucial aspect of creativity.
I would consider Leonardo da Vinci to be the first person to have understood & practised it religiously. He said, among a few other things, LEARN TO SEE THE WORLD. In fact, he put a lot of emphasis on using your senses, especially your sense of sight.
Edward de Bono had also broached this valuable concept in his groundbreaking series of lateral thinking books, starting with 'Mechanism of Mind' in the 70's.
I have always believed that you can't do things differently until you can see things differently.
Learning to see the world anew & from different perspectives is imperative if one wants to be more creative.
According to de Bono, creativity starts at the perceptual stage of thinking. He terms it, First Order Thinking. He added very beautifully: "This is where our perceptions & concepts are formed, & this is where they have to be changed. Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic."
The creativity tools, whether they are from the author's books or elsewhere, will then automaticlaly fall into place & make more sense when you have first exercised your power of vision or observation.
Using any tool is a piece of cake, but changing one's perception - & maintaining fluidity of perception as well as having multiple perceptions - takes concerted efforts.
It is also important to take note that when things (or tactics) don't seem to work out as planned, always remember to check out your observations of the world first. Simply ask:
- what do you CHOOSE to see?
- where do you DIRECT your attention?
The second most productive learning experience I got from the above two books is realising that all thoughts are simply feats of association &/or juxtapositions - & the crux of creativity (in fact, also learning) are making associations &/or juxtapositions. [Tom Peters, in his wonderful book, Liberation Management, drives home with this insightful nugget: "The essence of creation - in all endeavours - is chance connections between ideas and facts that are previously segregated. Entrepreneurship is the direct by-product of chance, of convoluted connections among ideas, needs and people." According to Leonardo da vinci, everything is connected to everything else. My question: CAN YOU SEE IT?] The creativity tools outlined by the author are specifically designed for this purpose.
The third most productive learning experience for me is understanding the differential between productive & reproductive thinking. To paraphrase the author: "...in productive thinking, one generates as many alternative approaches as one can, considering the least as well as the most likely approaches...in contrast, reproductive thinking fosters rigidity of thought..." More relevant aspects about the significance of & more specific strategies to develop productive thinking are excellently covered by the author in 'Cracking Creativity'.
To end this review, & in the light of what I have written, I would consider the author's two books as the dynamic duo...to be among the best in the genre! It will be really worth your while to get & carry the Thinkpak in your pocket at all times.
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