The easiest route to creative product innovation is to start with something we already have and ask some simple questions about it to suggest new ideas. For the sake of demonstrating how this can be done, we’ll suppose that we want to design a new kind of bicycle.

We start by asking a lot of questions about the existing product. Along with each of these questions, we ask “What new ideas or possibilities does this suggest?” The following are some of the questions you might start with.

What complaints do people have about this product?

Complaints or “problems” are a great place to start looking for innovation opportunities. In the case of a bicycle, people might complain about the uncomfortable seats, for example, which leads to all sorts of ideas about how to make them better. Maybe buyers could sit on a substance that takes an impression of their bottom, in order to build seats to fit the individual.

What else could be added to this?

What possibilities does this suggest? A “pet carrier” in front of the handle bars comes to mind, with a strap to hold in your cat or small dog. A GPS unit for bicycles is another possibility. A “roof” to keep the rain off of you might work.

Why do people buy this?

Product innovation often comes from asking why people use an existing product, and considering different and possibly better ways to meet that same need or desire. In this case we can guess that people buy bicycles for transportation, to get exercise and, in the case of mountain bikes, for adventure. We can consider each of these motivations in looking for new ideas.

“Transportation” make me think about other forms, like trains, and this immediately brings to mind the idea of a bicycle of sorts that travels on rails very fast from city to city by pedal power alone. “”Exercise” suggests looking beyond stationary bikes and regular bicycling that is limited by season. How about an indoor track that has turns and hills and is designed to make winter biking possible and interesting? Adventure biking suggests speed to me (among other things), and makes me wonder if a spring system, wound by the riders pedaling, could be used for a sudden burst of speed.

What are the various limits involved, and how can they be changed?

A bicycle typically is limited to one or sometimes two people, but what if it could hold twenty? This question suggests a pedal-powered bus that a group of people could travel in. Price is another limit if you want to sell bicycles. Weight is other limiting factor. There is definitely a market fore lightweight bicycles. At the moment light materials are the usual solution, but what about making everything smaller? This also makes the bike easier to store.

There are other questions you can ask to suggest new ideas. “How can I make this cheaper?” for example, is a question that could help almost any new product design be more marketable. “What else do buyers of this item want?” is another good one. And by the way, whether they are good or not, all the ideas above came to me from the questions asked and during the twenty minutes it took to write this. Generating ideas for product innovation is relatively easy once you practice with a few good techniques, like the questioning method outlined here.

In any company, it is a priority that workers will work with harmony and efficiency to produce a quality product. That is why it is important that they know and understand the needs of the workers. Maintaining the air conditioning unit all the time minimizes discomforts and minimizes any untoward reactions of the workers thus preventing any delays in the job and arguments between colleagues and bosses. That’s why there are big companies that are located in London that really allots time and focus on maintaining air conditioning units. Their specialty is all about maintaining your unit and giving you less worries and more productivity whenever and whatever you are doing.

Maintaining the air conditioning unit assures the owner that the life span of the unit will last longer if proper care is given. Rather than thinking that it will just always function like new, why not give it a cleaning service because it doesn’t include in the manual that air conditioning units has self cleaning characteristics with it. The owner should be responsible enough to check the unit once in a while for problems. One small problem might become big and may be unrepairable. Instead of just leaving the unit why not fix it before the problem becomes worst. There is a big difference if the unit is maintained or not. It cannot go unnoticed because it is ultimately very obvious. For those which are ill maintained, their function becomes weaker in almost all of its aspects. It gives lesser cold air, its not as strong, the air seems to be damped and dirty. Whereas a well maintained air conditioning unit will do the total opposite. All the bad things will turn into good. The air is going to be cooler. Because it is stronger, the cool air can also occupy all parts of the room. Clean air will also be inhaled. Positive benefits of the well maintained air condition will also affect the working environment. There are times that air pollution inside the offices are much worst than outside air. This will of course affect the workers and they might produce low quality work. It is very important that these threats be recognized to avoid the stale air in the circulation.

Being in a company, it is not far that communicable disease is just a door away. Because everybody are inhaling and exhaling in the same room, it is not impossible that the person next to you will not get contaminated by your sickness. Virus can easily spread. It is very important that the air conditioning unit be well maintained and checked regularly to avoid this epidemic of diseases.

When a homeowner makes a selection of a roofing material, they should, consider the roofing material’s lifespan because this dictates the overall lifespan of the roof, and that has an impact on long term cost.

Roofing style, materials, and the climate in the area where the home is located are amongst the factor that affect a roof’s lifespan. Selecting roofing products with nearly the same lifespans will avoid piece by piece repairs over a ten to fifteen year period. Generally, roofing materials last for about twenty years. That assumes proper maintenance and no significant weather damage. Some materials have a lifespan of up to 50 years while some others last only 10 years. Here are some of the common roofing materials and their lifespans.

The average lifespan of asphalt roofing is from 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. Because of the low cost of the materials and the ease of repairs asphalt roofing materials are one of the most common types of roofing materials used throughout the nation.

The average lifespan of fiberglass roofing is from 15 to 20 years. Little maintenance is required for fiberglass roofs, and they come in many different styles and colors to match almost any desired look. Fiberglass roofs resist water and mold because they don’t have organic components.

Many homes in the northeastern portion of the nation use wooden shakes and shingles. These roofing materials will generally last between 15 and 20 years and can even last for as many as 30 years if the shakes and shingles are well maintained.

Slate roofing materials are some of the longest lasting roofing products on the market, with an average lifespan of 40 to 75 years.

Metal roofing can last nearly 50 years. Metal roofing products come in a wide variety of different colors, finishes, and styles to resemble other types of roofing materials such as tiles or wooden shingles. These roofing products are nearly impervious to weather and can be installed over the current roof.

Rubber roofing is a less known roofing material. It’s easy to install, to maintain, and it lasts a long time. It can be a single sheet cut to fit the roof or shingles. In 1980 the very first rubber roof was installed. It was in Wisconsin. It’s still going strong after nearly 30 years.

Roofing materials come in many varieties and styles. Pick the one that’s right for you.

No matter the size, if your home has a yard you are certain to get a lot more enjoyment from it if you undertake some interesting landscaping ideas. You can add a water feature or a rock garden, or create a secluded nook shaded by trees and shrubs. You can probably come up with even more own ideas of your to make your yard more pleasant and attractive.

One of the more popular landscape ideas these days is to create a walkthrough garden. Carefully select the perfect flowers to lend color and charm to your outdoor space. A mix of annuals and perennials is ideal because it reduces your labor and cost while still allowing for the more colorful show that annuals provide. Investigate various kinds of shrubs and trees to provide contrast and balance. And place some stepping stones throughout the garden to encourage easy enjoyment of the surroundings.

Another great landscaping idea is to create different sections in your yard, each with a distinct feature, then unify the entire space by repeating certain aspects of each section in other parts of the yard. You don’t have to have a large yard to pull this off, either.

If children will be making use of your yard, designate a section of it as a play area for them to enjoy. A wooden play set will look more natural and blend in with the surrounding landscaping features. Adding a tree house lends even more interest to your outdoor space.

A lawn is frequently a big part of any landscaping effort. Choose a variety of grass that’s appropriate for your soil conditions and climate so you’ll have a luxurious expanse of green to set off your other natural features. Surrounded by trees, shrubs and flowers, a lawn can be an attractive showpiece.

Many people like to include a water feature in their yard. Ponds and waterfalls add a dramatic touch to your outdoor decor, and the sound of water is considered very soothing by many people. There’s a huge variety of designs and products from which you can choose. Your only limits are your budget and available space.

A rock garden is a perfect solution for problem areas of your yard where it’s difficult for many plants to thrive. Maybe it’s a spot that’s too dry or the soil conditions won’t support plant growth. Or perhaps it’s an area that doesn’t drain well and is always wet and soggy. Putting in a rock garden that includes a few exceptionally hardy plants can be ideal for these problem areas. But it’s also an attractive and low maintenance feature for any area of your yard.

There’s no doubt that landscaping can provide you with great enjoyment, both in the process and the final result. Do your research, get some professional advice if necessary, make a plan, and get going! That’s all it takes to turn your landscaping ideas into reality.

We don’t have a precisely-numbered measure of your “creativity quotient,” yet, like we have for your intelligence quotient, or “IQ.” But tests which do try to measure your creative ability generally look at three criteria. These are the quantity of your ideas, their originality, and the possible usefulness or “quality” of those ideas. With that in mind, here are some techniques for doing better in all three areas.

Creativity Through Quantity

More ideas means a higher probability of a few good ideas. This has been shown in both research and most of personal experiences. How, then, do we generate more ideas?

Start by practicing. If you had to write down as many uses as you could in ten minutes for a piece of string (a common creativity exercise), you might get a dozen ideas the first time you try. Do it a few times, though (with different items), and you’ll soon find that you are coming up with twice as many ideas. This is especially true if you do this with others. Their ideas will get you thinking in new ways.

You can also learn one or more of the many specific techniques for generating ideas. They include mentally combining concepts to create new ones, tearing apart things and processes to change the components, challenging premises and more. If you want instructions in how to use these special methods, they can usually be found online by searching “problem solving techniques,” or “creativity techniques.”

A Higher Creativity Quotient Means More Original Ideas

Existing ideas have likely been tried. What is new, then, can more likely add value to what is already here. New to you may not be new to the world, of course. I am regularly dreaming up of new inventions which I later find already existed somewhere. But you have to start with what is original to you.

Do a creativity exercise like the one mentioned above, where you try to find as many uses as you can for some common object. Then show your ideas to someone else. If they don’t laugh at some of them, or if you are not embarrassed by a few of them, they are not crazy enough. To have more original ideas you need to lower your inhibitions and let the thoughts flow.

It isn’t that a silly or outrageous idea is inherently useful. In fact, most of them will not be of any direct value. For example, who would really want to use chewing gum as a defensive weapon, as one gentleman wrote down during a brainstorming exercise? The image of him throwing a sticky wad of gum at an attacker is just ridiculous. But upon reflection, it occurred to me that gooey balls with transponders in them could be thrown at fleeing suspects or their vehicles. These would stick to anything and be trackable with a device the police would have. This is where the primary value of crazy and original ideas is - they lead to better ideas.

Again, the first thing to do to improve the originality of your ideas, is to practice. Write down all the craziest uses you can think of for a dollar bill or a tree branch. Then see if by working with the associations created, you can work with one of these ideas until it is something possibly useful. Try asking crazy questions too. The more you let yourself be original, the easier it gets.

Having More Useful Ideas

Of course, one of the biggest reasons to boost your creativity quotient is to have more useful, perhaps even profitable ideas. Concentrating on the first two components above will help get you there. To really boost the quality of your ideas, though, work in areas that actually mean something to you, and where you can actually apply what you think of. It may be fun to think of new flying machines or ways to cure world hunger, and it’s good mental exercise, but if you are not in a position to do something with those ideas, you will not be as good at testing them or refining them into something truly useful. Start closer to home.

For example, look at the problems you actually can do something about around the house or in your life, and exercise your creativity on these. Think of a new way to organize the garage, for example, or find a new and creative way to get the kids to clean their rooms. By actually putting your ideas into action you tell your mind that this is more than just mental exercise, that it is important to real life. This gets your unconscious mind working overtime on new ideas. It is a sure way to boost your creativity quotient.

Nothing can ruin a hike or backpacking trip as quickly as foot blisters. The pain can be intense, and walking further on blistered feet can cause them to get worse, or to break and get infected. So how do you just avoid them altogether? Here are ten things that have worked for others.

1. Wear running shoes instead of hiking boots. Not everyone will agree with this, nor can everyone forgo the extra support that a boot offers, but this is a big part of what stopped me from getting blisters. I also enjoy hiking much more without heavy weights on my feet.

2. Try different socks. Wearing light nylon dress socks was another of the best changes I made. Blisters are caused in part by heat, so heavy boots and socks add to the problem. Try a couple different kinds, to see what works best for you.

3. Be sure your shoes or hiking boots fit properly, with no spots that will be rubbing on your toes, the back of your heel or the side of your foot. Not sure how to fit your shoes? Go to a footwear store where serious runners go.

4. Treat “hot spots” early. If you feel an irritation or hot spot on your foot, stop and apply some moleskin before it becomes a blister. Duct tape may work as well, if that is all you have (but it can be messy to remove later, and if a blister develops it may tear it open when you try to remove the tape). Small bandages can be used too.

5. Lace up your shoes well. When shoes are loose your foot can slide around inside, and the resulting friction can lead to foot blisters, so lace up well. Tighten the laces evenly along the shoe, not just at the top.

6. Keep your shoes clean and comfortable. Shake them out before putting them on. Stop to remove sticks, stones or other objects promptly. Adjust your socks if there are wrinkles or seams against the bottom of your feet.

7. Try insoles. Some people swear by their “gel” insoles. Even cheap foam ones may help keep your feet more comfortable. Also, if foot movement inside the shoes is causing blisters, an insole may make your foot more snug, preventing this. Experiment.

8. Bring extra socks, and change them often. If you use light socks as suggested above, this is easy to do, even on a lightweight backpacking trip (my socks are one-ounce per pair). Changing into clean cool socks is a pleasure, and it also helps prevent foot blisters. You can rinse out the dirty socks in a stream and hang them on your pack to dry, so you will be ready for the next switch.

9. Take care of your feet at home. Prior to any hike, deal with athlete’s foot or other skin conditions that can soften or weaken the skin. Healthy feet are less likely to develop blisters on the trail.

10. Remove shoes and socks during breaks. When I reach the top of a mountain, I try to go barefoot for a while. I recommend taking your shoes and socks off several times during a day of hiking. This allows your feet to cool, and your socks and shoes to air out and dry. Keeping your feet cool and dry is a sure way to prevent foot blisters when hiking.

Follow the foot care tips here for healthier, happier feet. But if you do get foot blisters, here is the treatment routine: Apply a piece of moleskin with a hole cut out for the blister to rest in. This keeps pressure off the spot, so it won’t get worse. You generally shouldn’t pop blisters, but if you do, sterilize a pin with alcohol or a flame and insert it from the skin along the bottom of one edge. Push out the fluid gently, cover the blister and keep it clean.