Indians are argumentative: Edward de Bono

Indians are argumentative: Edward de Bono
18 Sep, 2007, 0037 hrs IST,Harsimran Singh, TNN

NEW DELHI: Ever thought of a restaurant which serves no food but still makes money? Or about a restaurant with no lights or a chef or even a menu? Or a restaurant which charges not for food but time spent? Hundreds of such creative business ideas flowed when lateral thinking Guru and inventor of Six Hats Theory, Dr Edward De Bono, arrived in the capital to provoke corporate honchos to 'think out of the box'. ET caught up with the septagenuarian author of 74 books to understand whether Indians are creative enough?

"From the limited interactions I've had, I find Indians very argumentative," says Dr Edward De Bono. "Argument is a very primitive way of discussion. In contrast, Americans are creative and have a 'go getter' attitude. The Chinese have not started thinking creatively but the Japanese are slowly shifting from logic based thinking to creative thinking. French think they are the most creative. But in fact, they are not!," he told ET on the sidelines of an Indiatimes seminar.

The Malta born psychologist and pyshician has advised hundreds of top companies like Coca Cola, Siemens, Boeing, 3M, Goldman Sachs, Nokia, Rolex, BT, Nestle, Ericsson.(the list is endless) to think out of the box and improve profitability. Dr De Bono also advises many governments on policy isasues related to economy, unemployment, education and conflict resolution. The creative Guru has an instant answer for everything - from how to solve economic problems to how to get rich to how to propose to your girlfriend (or boyfriend)! But we'll come to the last one in a while.

"How can India become a superpower?" we ask first. "If India can partner China, the two can become a superpower in a short time. Alternately, if India and China can form a coalition bringing other developing nations under its fold, it can beat all other superpowers," he adds.

And how can we solve the SEZ's land acquisition problem? "Rather than forcefully acquiring land, if the SEZ owners partner with landowners/farmers, giving them part ownership, they will be happy to give their land."


Dr Bono has lots more up his sleeve and some creative advise for companies. "A company should appoint a CIO - Chief Ideas Officer. He should be responsible for ideation, collection and implementation of ideas. Ideation should be made more cumpolsory," says the man who advises the who's and who of the corporate world.

He gives the example of a bank in England which allows half an hour daily for employees to just think. Bank employees have to report at 9 am and think till 9.30 am.

What are three factors which prevent us from thinking creatively? We ask while he has a glass of water. "Lack of confidence, lack of knowledge of adequate creative thinking tools, fear of taking risks," comes the stacatto reply.

For those wanting to become rich quickly here's some Bonospeak: "If you are a professional, sell not an idea but its benefits to your boss. If you are an entrepreneur, identify unsaturated markets and try marketing your products in a way different from your competition."

Now for those trying to find a match but never knew how to propose, the doctor helps: "Most women find either sensitive or dominant men attractive" Proceed like this, he says with a wink: "Since you are the most beautiful and sensitive girl, I have ever met. And I am one of the most understanding men you will ever meet. Will you like to to settle down?"

And if a woman wants to propose a man? Dr De Bono has an answer for that too. She should say: "Though there are much better looking men around. And I am sure, if I wait, I will surely get one. But since I am getting older, and so are you, why don't we settle down?"

In case you were still thinking about the no food restarant, it just offers place to eat where people can warm their frozen food in dozens of microwave ovens. Just an idea.