21 Quotes on Creativity
February 14, 2011
This week, I decided to share the wisdom of others. Here are 21 hand-picked quotes on creativity.
Read MoreThink like a Startup
February 7, 2011
I’m often surprised that the most innovative breakthroughs come from startups with almost no money, experience, or resources.
Read MoreGreenhouse vs. Prison
January 31, 2011
A friend of mine’s passion is growing orchids. We’re talking perfect, exotic, contest-winning orchids.
Read More“I have an IDEA” vs. “I have a CONCERN”
January 17, 2011
In meetings, what do you suppose the ratio is at your company between these two phrases? What do you think the ratio was five years ago? What is the ratio at Google?
Read More2011: The Year of Creativity
January 3, 2011
Most of us set bold resolutions at this time each year. Unfortunately, most of us will fall short. Losing those pesky ten pounds, landing your dream relationship or getting that raise are too often based on wishful thinking instead of actually being resolved. We don’t miss the mark due to lack of good intentions… we […]
Read MoreThree Magic Questions
December 27, 2010
In an era where creativity and original thought are the currency of success, three simple questions will lead you to more (and more astounding) breakthroughs. Tape these to the walls, make them into a screensaver, and tattoo them on your teammates: 1. Why? 2. What if? 3. Why not? Most of us have become trained […]
Read More11 Thoughts for My New Nephew
December 20, 2010
My sister Sarah had a baby on Saturday morning – a big beautiful boy named Lane. It got me thinking about what advice I’d give to someone who will graduate high school in 2029, have kids of his own around 2040 and, with advances in healthcare and a little luck, should ring in the year […]
Read MoreDeer in Headlights Die
December 13, 2010
We can all picture that hapless deer. Frozen with fear and awaiting the inevitable, the immobilized soul locks up instead of leaping to safety. As decent people, we just wish that sorry creature would get moving and avoid the Mack truck, racing 70 miles per hour to put an end to this innocent being. With […]
Read More“My Hands Are Tied”
December 6, 2010
I’m sorry sir, my hands are tied.” These were the appalling words I heard twice in the last week – one from a large mobile phone network, and one from a health insurance carrier. Both were from customer service reps that were clearly un-empowered, bitter, and really didn’t care much about helping me (so much […]
Read MoreMe Too No More
November 15, 2010
There’s a pattern in business in which an original, breakthrough idea is launched to great fanfare success; then it’s copied repeatedly by the pack of followers. As a result of copy-cat innovation, many industries are swimming in a sea of sameness. The airline industry, for example, is full of me-too players whose offerings are virtually […]
Read MoreThe Long List
October 4, 2010
When developing ideas, we’re always told to shoot for quality over quantity. Here’s a powerful technique that flips the model, and drives higher quality by way of quantity… In my undergraduate work at the University of Florida, I was an Advertising major. One time, I was in a course about creating magazine and newspaper ads. […]
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