Lateral thinking in management

Lateral thinking is an approach to management that values visionary goals and unconventional thinking over conventional strategies and rule-following. Vertical thinking managers approach product development through surveys and tests, while lateral thinking managers turn rules upside down to achieve the unusual. Companies can encourage lateral thinking through the use of tools such as Open Innovation and Co-creation, which integrate customers and external experts into the development process. Innolytics® Idea Management Software and Innovation Management Software support both the development of an Open Innovation Community and internal innovation networks. Companies should reward innovative thinking and create spaces for lateral thinking to flourish.