Combining Right Brain and Left Brain Thinking as Inventors, Entrepreneurs and Intrapreneurs

Inventions can make day-to-day life easier or revolutionize industries. However, most novel ideas wither on the vine. In this episode of the Cornell Keynotes podcast from eCornell (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset) , professor Richard Cahoon from the global development department at the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences joins host Chris Wofford to discuss how creativity can shift a good idea that might be a flash in the pan to a great idea that stands the test of time.

Key Timestamps

• 03:45 – Cahoon’s background and international work in technology transfer
• 07:33 – Creativity’s role in invention as a catalyst to validation and longevity
• 11:10 – Right brain/left brain dichotomy and metacognition (thinking about your own thinking)
• 14:52 – “Inventiveness analysis” and “failed” inventions—like Post-it® Notes
• 19:13 – Blending analytical and creative thinking as entrepreneurs or intrapreneurs
• 20:55 – Jumping to conclusions
• 21:40 – Intellectual lenses and value proposition
• 24:05 – Entrepreneurial mindset in team dynamics
• 26:40 – Getting support for entrepreneurial endeavors through angel investors and networking
• 28:15 – Impact of AI on inventiveness and innovation
• 30:23 – Collecting the dots (data) and connecting the dots by looking for patterns
• 36:20 – Finding the target audience for your invention
• 39:04 – Maintaining momentum with your invention and knowing when to set things aside
• 42:35 – Common mental blocks that can inhibit the creative process

Relevant eCornell Programs

Learn more in Cahoon’s Invention and IP Management (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/financial-management/invention-and-ip-management/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset) online certificate program and these technology, leadership and business programs from eCornell:

• Innovation Strategy (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/technology/innovation-strategy/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset)
• Intrapreneurship (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/leadership-and-strategic-management/intrapreneurship/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset)
• Startup Funding and Finance (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/financial-management/startup-funding-and-finance/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset)
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Emerging Markets (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/courses/financial-management/innovation-and-entrepreneurship-in-emerging-markets/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset)

Reading List and Resources

• “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future” (https://www.amazon.com/Whole-New-Mind-Right-Brainers-Future/dp/1594481717) by Daniel H. Pink
• “Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” (https://www.amazon.com/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322) by Carol Dweck
• “The Power of Mindfulness” (https://www.amazon.com/Power-Mindfulness-3/dp/0913300020) by Nyanaponika Thera
• Google Patents (https://patents.google.com/)
• United States Patent and Trademark Office – Prior Art Search (https://www.uspto.gov/patents/initiatives/prior-art-search)

Did you enjoy this episode of the Cornell Keynotes podcast? Watch the Keynote (https://ecornell.cornell.edu/keynotes/overview/K062524/?utm_source=keynotespodcast&utm_medium=notes&utm_campaign=entrepreneurial-mindset) .

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