Creativity is essential for getting outside your box. Usually there's problem solving or idea generation, sometimes both: some techniques are useful for both applications, some just for one or the other:

Problem solving - you have a specific situation that needs to be resolved (problem) and you need to find ideas to help you achieve this solution (for instance, resolving a design flaw in a product, reducing costs in line with market forces, finding a delivery method that fulfils your cost/quality/time criteria).

Idea generation - you have a broad question you'd like answered but the need to address it is not so specific (for instance, developing new products, finding new markets, looking for original ways to promote a product or service)

Two excellent books:
MegaCreativity by A G Aleinikov
Sticky Wisdom by Dave Allan

  To learn about the 12 types of intelligences, send an email to
     with  "free MWS 12 intelligence types" in the subject line and nothing in the body.