Conceptualisation is an individual’s basic ability to invent or formulate an idea or concept. The conceptualisation phase of a project generally lies in the inaugural phases of a project involving design activity when the magnitude of the project is outlined and a list of required design features and essentials are created. There are a set of certain skills that help us foray into conceptualisation. These skills are called ‘Conceptualisation Skills’.

The capacity of an individual to think creatively, evaluate and understand complicated and abstract ideas all fall under the set of ‘Conceptualisation Skills’.

Why are Conceptualisation Skills important?

Using a well-defined skillset, prominent business managers and entrepreneurs are able to look at their companies as holistic entities, see the interrelationships between the various divisions of the company, and understand how the company fits in and affects the environment.

Few illustrations of ‘Conceptualisation Skills’

·        It is the ability to analyse situations and evaluating them clearly to go ahead and make proper decisions.

·        Strong communication skills are necessary for an individual to communicate his or her ideas and solutions.

·        Creative or ‘out of the box’ thinking enables an individual to stand out and think of solutions to abstract problems.

·        Strong leadership skills are important, as the individual needs to be able to convince his or her peers of their visions and also provide inspiration.

·        Critical thinking and decision making are absolutely necessary for well-rounded conceptualization skill set.

·        Commitment to achieving predefined goals is a requisite as this commitment is what drives an individual and enables them to stick to the right path.

·        Strategic planning is necessary for an organization to smoothen out every wrinkle that may occur in the future in the operation of the organization.

·        Team building is a core skill that helps an organization to undergo obstacles together and thereby induces strength into each activity of the organization.

How to develop ‘Conceptualisation Skills’?

1.      Developing conceptualization skills takes time. The primary strategy is to observe leaders/ thinkers/ strategists/ academicians and influential people to see how they make certain decisions and analyse situations.

2.      Identify problems within your organisation/ institution and try to come up with solutions and recommendations on your own.

3.      Discuss your ideas with the people around you and gather their perspectives and opinions. These opinions will help you gain further perspective on your part.

4.      Venture into other departments of your organisation to gain as much exposure as possible.

All of these skills are necessary for someone to inculcate conceptualisation and any person, no matter what designation, needs to understand the utter significance of conceptualisation in the business world. ‘Conceptualisation Skills’ help us see the bigger picture clearly and see how our own little contributions fit into the big picture, thereby making sure we work on the right path with utmost clarity.

Published in the monthly bulletin November 2019 issue of The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI)