Innovation isn't something you do; it is something that happens - a result. To be "innovative", you have to focus on the things that create that result, not the result itself. We can't directly control what is considered innovative no more [...]
I hope your week is off to a great start. I thought you might like to read two recent interviews featuring Idea Sandbox and our approach to creativity and problem solving. They were conducted just a few weeks ago. I hope [...]
The three secrets to being more innovative and hosting better meetings are to... involve the right PEOPLE, choose and use the right PROCESS, and hold your meeting in the right PLACE. 99% of the time, hosting your meeting at your offices [...]
Some years ago, I enthusiastically reported on the optical illusion coasters created by BBDO New York for Guinness brand beer. They were a low-tech way to create conversation and engagement with the product. Here we are again with a product-activated higher-tech [...]
Lewis, the child inventor, waited while his invention warmed up. It was a peanut butter and jelly dispenser, designed to portion evenly onto bread. The switch clicked ON, followed by a hiss of compressed air. At first, it didn't seem like [...]
Most brainstorm sessions start with the meeting lead proclaiming, “Okay guys… think out of the box and remember, there are no bad ideas!” We say “there are no bad ideas” before we brainstorm the same way we say “bless you” after someone [...]
How something is presented has an effect on how it is received. Rocket science!? No, it is common sense. Yet, we sometimes neglect the subtleties of presentation and persuasion... especially when we are excited about an idea or innovation. So many [...]
It is no surprise; there is more bad brainstorming than good. As someone who leads brainstorm sessions, you're going to face jaded audiences—folks with rock bottom expectations. In addition to the ideas and solutions generated during the meeting, the way you [...]
Shannon (my wife) and I are looking for an illustrator to create the drawings for a series of children's books we're writing. The series is called KeeKee's Big Adventures. It is about our cat, KeeKee, who travels the world - seeking [...]
A few months ago a friend had asked for some tips about creativity. I put together the diagram you see below. [click image for much larger view] It includes bits-and-pieces I've picked up over the years... Including stuff from the book [...]
