Thinking Outside of the Box Part I of II

August 9th, 2021

 

Do you think outside the box?

Today’s blog is by Margaret Stewart, Director of Administration and HR at SafeSourcing.

The statement “Think outside the box” has become a highly used business term, cliché even, but do you know what it means, where it came from, and how you can obtain this skill?

The origin of the common phrase has been debated, but popular beliefs narrow its origin down to two possibilities. The first origin is that all of us are metaphorically in a box; we are closed off from new possibilities and use only what we know (what is inside the box) to solve our everyday problems. Thus, thinking outside the box is to find solutions that wouldn’t normally be thought of. A second theory of the phrase’s origin stems from a puzzle. In this puzzle there are nine dots in three rows of three, making a square. The object of the puzzle is to connect all the dots using only four straight lines without lifting your pen or tracing over a line. To answer this puzzle you must think outside the box, and the answer requires the lines be drawn outside of the square box shape.

So, what constitutes thinking outside the box in a real world situation? General definitions use the phrase for someone who thinks creatively, in a new way, or brings fresh ideas into play. A person who can do this can bring new perspective to problems, new and existing. The idea is that when most others fail to solve a problem, an out of the box thinker can provide ideas outside the realm of what was previously thought, shedding light on a solution that may have otherwise been left in the dark.

If you have a problem in your business and seek out-of-the-box thinking, SafeSourcing may be able to shed new light on your problem. As procurement partners, we strive to find the best solution to fit your needs.

For more information on how SafeSourcing can help you think outside of the box, or on our Risk Free trial program, please contact a SafeSourcing Customer Service representative. We have an entire team ready to assist you today.

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