Problem Solver
Perry Hambright
I don't have any degrees in physics, engineering, or economics. I do have a keen intellect, a nose for what's truly new and innovative (regardless of the industry), and a desire to sink my teeth into creative challenges of every kind.
Areas Perry Hambright is Knowledgeable in:
That I've covered in the above pretty much. But in general, any consumer products no matter how simple or complex. And any branding or marketing strategies for products or services of just about any kind.
Also, the above question as to how much pay I will minimally accept per problem solved; until I get a better understanding of how this all works, I'd like to keep that amount flexible. I might find doing quicker projects and more of them would warrant a lesser amount. Or if projects mostly turn out to be bigger in terms of time spent and potential profits to the seeker, I might feel the pay should be more in keeping with that. So let's see where it goes.
Also, the above question as to how much pay I will minimally accept per problem solved; until I get a better understanding of how this all works, I'd like to keep that amount flexible. I might find doing quicker projects and more of them would warrant a lesser amount. Or if projects mostly turn out to be bigger in terms of time spent and potential profits to the seeker, I might feel the pay should be more in keeping with that. So let's see where it goes.
Techniques Perry Hambright Uses:
I have studied and used most of the well-known ideation techniques (Brainstorming, Lateral Thinking, Forced Association, TRIZ, Free Association, you name it). At this point I use various techniques automatically, without specifically deciding to use one or another.
Actually, this would be a good place to tell you I'm writing a book on the subject of problem solving techniques which I feel will be more accessible and down-to-earth than most of the ones I've read. Tentatively titled, Finding Ideas – How to Capture Killer Creativity, it's my description and usage of various ideation methods (from classic ones to techniques of my own design) using the crime detective as a metaphor for idea detective. It's as if the ideas and solutions you seek already exist, like the killer exists for the crime investigator. Your job is to investigate it. Seek out creative clues. Make unlikely connections. And collar your killer ideas using these methods, which are likened to well-known police investigative tools.
Actually, this would be a good place to tell you I'm writing a book on the subject of problem solving techniques which I feel will be more accessible and down-to-earth than most of the ones I've read. Tentatively titled, Finding Ideas – How to Capture Killer Creativity, it's my description and usage of various ideation methods (from classic ones to techniques of my own design) using the crime detective as a metaphor for idea detective. It's as if the ideas and solutions you seek already exist, like the killer exists for the crime investigator. Your job is to investigate it. Seek out creative clues. Make unlikely connections. And collar your killer ideas using these methods, which are likened to well-known police investigative tools.
Perry Hambright's Problem Solving Skills:
- Ideation: Able to find and recognize previously unidentified connections between disparate concepts and realize new ones.
- Wide Interests: Know a good bit about a lot of subjects and continually build knowledge base as a result of a curious mind.
- Tenacious: Dogged pursuer of answers once put to a task. Automatically keep looking for even better ideas if time allows.
- Fun-minded: Liken problem solving to playing. Usually bring a child's sense of wonder to the work... er, play.
- Glass Half Full: See challenges as opportunities. Problem Solving = Answer Finding
- Communication: Highly developed skills in visual, verbal, and written forms of information conveyance.
- Design: Full visualize ideas and put them into 2-D or 3-D form with aesthetic appeal while demonstrating workability.
- Materials/Processes: Know most all manufacturing means, components and mediums, especially in consumer goods.
- Branding/Marketing: Creator of many successful brands, logos, slogans, and marketing/advertising campaigns.
- Team vs Solo: Enjoy working within project groups and do so harmoniously. Also can work as an "outside scout" for groups.
Perry Hambright's Problem Solving Experience:
- Problem: In-car Cell phone holders are too bulky and don't match the sleekness of the products they hold.
Working on this I saw that both side grips on holders do not need to expand and contract, as all do, to hold the phone. One side can be fixed while the other side can be adjusted to the phone width. Then one or the other side can be hinged to open slightly and then closed onto the phone with a bit of spring pressure. This allows the holder to be designed and made so that it is very sleek and yet strong and reliable. This product currently about to go into production. - Problem: Dripping/dropping/spilling while eating in the car.
Looking into this I found many patented solutions but none were good enough to be viable for marketing. Designed a very low-cost disposable plastic bib that is long enough to cover chest and lap and unfolds to create a large receptacle area on the lap to catch even a whole spilled drink. Also features finger holes to lift soiled bib and throw away with no leakage or mess. Mass produced in roll form similar to trash bags. To be made of biodegradable plastic. Can be imprinted with sponsor's name or logo and given away at drive-thru eateries. Proven to make driving more safe due to less distraction if spillage occurs. - Problem: Industrial trash compactors for restaurants and other mid-sized businesses are expensive and take up too much space, yet frequent Dumpster pick-up is also very costly.
Thinking of how I compact trash in the cans outside my house (stomping on it with my feet), I came upon the idea of transferring body weight from outside the can to inside the can, so you don't have to actually step on the trash. Developed the G-Force Gravity Powered Trash Press with a partner who is now marketing it to food chains, schools, office buildings, etc., who are saving thousands by reducing Dumpster pick-ups while using a device that costs less than $1000 and fits into a corner with a footprint of less than 12 square feet. - Problem: Drawing or writing so that the line constantly changes colors as you go.
First came up with the thought that being able to do this would be cool and kids would love it. Then went to work figuring out how to do it. Had a vision of the sections of an orange being all different colors that would mark and the orange rotating as it is drawn across the marking surface. This let to Rainbow Writer, one of my many toy/creative activities inventions. Simply a marker cartridge with 4 separate chambers, with 4 different colored inks in each, and each leading to one of 4 porous marking nibs ending in that orange section shape, and which are separated by a thin divider. This cartridge fits into a cylindrical holder on top of which is a small motor, gear box, AA battery, and switch. You just turn it on and start writing rainbows. Licensed to a well-known toy company. - Problem: How to leave a mark to indicate where your toy foam dart (or arrow) hit it's target.
Devised a safe soft-tipped foam toy projectile that grips the non-sticky side of a small adhesive sticker, leaving the sticky side exposed at the tip. When the dart is shot from an air or spring-loaded toy gun, it impacts the target (perhaps a person) and the brightly colored sticker is then released and stuck to the target, indicating a hit and showing exactly where the dart struck. Licensed two versions of this invention. One as a pen/dart shooter that has sticky note papers that can be written on and then "delivered" via the dart. The other as a mess-free PaintBall shooter with paintball splat stickers. - Problem: Soap bar making for kids can be too dangerous because you need to melt and pour the soap into molds.
Realizing I often combine mostly used up soap bars together in the shower by wetting and squeezing them together to dry as one larger bar, I hit upon the solution to this. Becoming the craft kit product, Sprinkle Soap, via a toy company licensee, I started by researching and found a soap company who could provide bar-type soap in extruded particles, like the candy sprinkles for ice cream. Get some of this in various colors, I prototyped a clear, hand-press mold where you pour the soap sprinkles in with different colors making layers (like sand art in a bottle), then run some warm water through the sprinkles (there are tiny drain holes on the bottom of the mold), and then placing the plunger half of the mold into place and pressing the sprinkles tightly together. The mold is then opened, the solid bar is removed and allowed to full dry. - Problem: Regularly deposit overflow cash register cash into a lock-box at the counter but be able to count it out more easily once box is emptied.
Quick-drop cash boxes, usually installed with a lock into the retail counter by the cash register, are used extensively to help keep large amounts of cash from building up in the register. They keep the money more manageable and safer from robbers. I revised the single cash input slot to one that has multiple slots within the same space for inserting bills of different denominations into their own slots. Inside the box is chambered to receive the various bills and keep them separate. This makes sorting and counting the cash go much faster once the box is opened. This box is also designed to fit into the counter exactly where the old, single slot, box fit, yet allows 5 different denominations to be inserted just as easily but through the same size opening in the counter cabinet. - there are many, many more but I'm short on time right now and want to get this out to you ASAP