Critical, Analytical + Creative Thinking and Reasoning: Differences between Conventional and Creative Problem Solving

29-30 Oct, 2026, Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur City Centre

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Mr. Andrew Cheah has been a trainer and management consultant since 1991, specializing in the areas of Strategic Thinking, Leadership Transformation, Lean, QC Tools, VSM, Procurement & Inventory Management, negotiation, 8D Problem Solving, performance management, productivity improvement, behavioral change, and Critical & Creative Thinking. Andrew has trained clients from such diverse industries (see list below) as banking, insurance, hospitality, sales and distribution, manufacturing, food, property development, government/public services, and higher education. Being tri-lingual (English, Mandarin, and Malay Languages), and has extensive regional exposure in Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam. In addition to training, Andrew has guided and provided consulting services to clients, leading to one of them winning the prestigious Malaysian National Productivity Award (1999) presented by the 2-time Malaysian Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir. The award is for productivity enhancement through many areas such as continuous improvement, cost and waste reduction.

 

In addition to writing articles for the premier English newspaper in Singapore (the Straits Times), Andrew has been invited to speak at events such as International Conference on Best Practices, which was graced by senior officials from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), sharing the stage with Professor Michael Gregory of the University of Cambridge, Mr. Dieter Heyl (2007 Vice President of Mercedes Benz Malaysia), and Dr Marcus Chao, President of Lean China Enterprise Inc.

 

Andrew has an MBA degree qualification from the University of Portsmouth, UK. At the professional level, Andrew has certifications in: Blue Ocean Leadership Masterclass, Leading Dimensions Profiling (LDP), REACH Profiling, and ISO9000 assessor. His experience in international consultancy has also earned him a membership with the Association of Productivity Specialist (New York).

A few Sample List of Andrew’s Clients by Industries/Sectors

Government/Agencies of Government/Public Concessionaires /Non-Profit

  • Abu Dhabi Interior Ministry, United Arab Emirates
  • Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) Singapore
  • Agricultural Credit Policy Council (Philippines)
  • Air Selangor
  • Alam Flora
  • Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC Singapore)
  • Felda
  • Housing Development Board (Maldives)
  • Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore
  • Institute of Public Administration (Saudi Arabia)

     

    Hotel/Restaurants/Clubs/Leisure

  • Club Med
  • Fraser Hospitality Management
  • Hard Rock Café Singapore
  • Holiday Inn

     

    Banking/Financial Institutions/Insurance

  • AIA Singapore
  • Alliance Bank
  • AmBank Malaysia
  • Assicurazioni Generali S.P.A. (Hong Kong & China)
  • Aviva Singapore
  • Bangkok Bank
  • Bank Negara Malaysia

     

  • Venue Details

    Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur City Centre
    Corner of Jalan Sultan Ismail, and Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50450

    https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kulfk-four-points- kuala-lumpur-city-centre/overview/?msockid= 27c4b915ef7e65bb0da3affaeedb6438



    Fax : 0 3-2706 9090

    Contact us

    Juliany,

    Office: 03 2283 6109

    Mobile: +60 122281247

    juliany@ipa.com.my

    Phoebe,

    Office: 03 2283 6100

    Mobile: +60 193637822

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    Bee Teng,

    Office: 03 2282 6112

    Mobile: +60 172566121

    beeteng@ipa.com.my

    FOR CUSTOMISED IN-HOUSE TRAINING

    Jane,

    Office: 03 2283 6101

    Mobile: +60 129418251

    Jane@ipa.com.my

    ADDRESS
    A-28-5, 28th Floor, Menara UOA Bangsar,
    No.5, Jalan Bangsar Utama 1,
    59000 Kuala Lumpur
    www.ipa.com.my

    FOCUSING ON
    • What Is Analytical, Critical And Creative Thinking
    • Why Don’t All Organizations Have Critical/Analytical
    • Thinking And Creative People
    • The Six Techniques In Thinking (Each With
    • Definition, Examples, And Cases)
    • Conditions For Us To Think Critically And Creatively
    • The Power/Political Environment
    • Workplace Culture
    • Attitude Formation & Impact
    • Psychological Contrac
    OVERVIEW

    Success of an organization and its leaders typically rest upon how managers and staff understand the psychological influences and process of thinking, an “out of the box” kind of thinking that they make.

    Since it is crucially evident that the employees are a very important dimension in the success of an organization, the challenge is to turn them from “clock watchers” to critical and creative workforce which can give the organization a competitive edge.

    AFTER ATTENDING THIS COURSE YOU WILL RETURN TO YOUR JOB…
    1. Understanding critical, analytical and creative thinking.
    2. Learning techniques on becoming more critical, analytical & creative & apply these to help self and organization improve.
    3. Understanding how we think.
    4. Examining the obstacles towards organization greatness.
    5. Picking up hints on the psychology behind employee hesitation.
    6. Learning to empower.
    WHO SHOULD ATTEND
    This course is designed for all staff of ANY industry, including Officers, Engineers, Supervisors, Educators, Executives And Managers. Others who are keen to learn more about critical thinking and creativity are encouraged to attend.
    METHODOLOGY

    The Active Learning Activities May Include:

    • Hands-On Exercises
    • Group Discussions
    • Case Studies
    • Workshops
    • Interactive Storytelling
    • Commentary On Other Companies / Industries
    DAY 1
    9:00

    WHAT IS ANALYTICAL, CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING

    • Case Exercise
    • Discussion On Thinking Out Of The Box
    10.45

    WHY DON’T ALL ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CRITICAL/ANALYTICAL THINKING AND CREATIVE PEOPLE

    1:00 Lunch
    2:00

    THE SIX TECHNIQUES IN THINKING (EACH WITH DEFINITION, EXAMPLES, AND CASES)

    • Reversal
    • Brain Streaming
    • Reframing Matrix
    • Concept Fan
    • Random
    • Provocation
    3:45

    CONDITIONS FOR US TO THINK CRITICALLY AND CREATIVELY

    • Empowerment And Ownership
    • Ownership Case Discussion
    5:00 End of Day 1
    DAY 2
    9:00

    THE POWER/POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT

    • The 5 Points Of Political Power
    • Politics And Power Applications
    • Relationship With Creativity?

    10.45

    WORKPLACE CULTURE

    • Culture And Roles Of Leadership
    • The Leadership Approaches Which Support Creative Environment
    1:00 Lunch
    2:00

    ATTITUDE FORMATION & IMPACT

    • Performance Management: Ability And Attitude
    3:45

    PSYCHOLOGICAL CONTRACT

    • Expectation Exercise
     

    SUMMARY AND KEY TAKE AWAYS

    • What’s next?
    5:00 End of Course