http://thinkinghow.com a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation Sat, 24 Jul 2010 02:52:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 2006-2007 steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) posts http://thinkinghow.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpg http://thinkinghow.com 144 144 a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation thinkinghow.com thinkinghow.com steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/vision-of-the-future/ http://thinkinghow.com/vision-of-the-future/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 08:54:42 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=329 http://thinkinghow.com/vision-of-the-future/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/ten-books-to-start-generating-original-ideas/ http://thinkinghow.com/ten-books-to-start-generating-original-ideas/#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:13:28 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=300 http://thinkinghow.com/ten-books-to-start-generating-original-ideas/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/caught-killing-an-idea/ http://thinkinghow.com/caught-killing-an-idea/#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:10:35 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=276 http://thinkinghow.com/caught-killing-an-idea/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/i-dont-know-what-to-make-of-this/ http://thinkinghow.com/i-dont-know-what-to-make-of-this/#comments Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:28:10 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=280 http://thinkinghow.com/i-dont-know-what-to-make-of-this/feed/ 1 http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/ http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:56:04 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=271 http://thinkinghow.com/is-the-boss-always-the-problem/feed/ 1 1:47 I've commented recently on the need to retain an innovative mindset to make the best of the current economic situation. In fact I'm certain that ... I've commented recently on the need to retain an innovative mindset to make the best of the current economic situation. In fact I'm certain that those who are creative at this time are building innovative businesses for the future. But what about everyone else? I'm not really a TV watcher but One Reality TV genre has me facinated and is providing some insights. It's the "business makeover" show. You know the type - Gordon Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, Ruth Watson as The Hotel Inspector, and Tabatha Coffey's Salon Makeovers. I'm sure there's others. I know that these are highly produced and edited for dramatic effect - BUT - they all have a common thread. The Boss is always the problem. So this made me think. If these programs highlight bad operators, what are the characteristics of a good operator? Here's a list that I've put together (in no particular order). What would you add or take off this list? Leave me a comment and let me know. Understand why customers choose you and make that experience better. Value every customer and put a value on every customer. Provides value to the customers (note: this does not mean cheap!) Builds good people and trusts them to deliver. Invests in quality infrastructure, systems and processes. Looks for ways to maximize revenue. Watches the pennies. Builds trusted relationships with experts and advisors. Doesn't do things just because everyone else does. Doesn't over complicate things (keeps it simple). All these characteristics create an environment where the objectives of the business are clear, risks are managed, and opportunities for creative thought are encouraged, welcomed, and actioned. So, if you're the Boss get your head around this list. And you can't don't blame the troops, they're doing the best they can in environment you've created for them. Go set the example and they will follow. Business, Doing, Inspiration, Problem Solving, Solutions, Thinking, Tools & Resources steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-fails-to-deliver-in-the-us/ http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-fails-to-deliver-in-the-us/#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:20:57 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=254 http://thinkinghow.com/innovation-fails-to-deliver-in-the-us/feed/ 1 http://thinkinghow.com/share-your-creativity/ http://thinkinghow.com/share-your-creativity/#comments Mon, 02 Feb 2009 10:23:40 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=237 http://thinkinghow.com/share-your-creativity/feed/ 0 http://thinkinghow.com/a-parable-for-modern-times/ http://thinkinghow.com/a-parable-for-modern-times/#comments Thu, 18 Dec 2008 01:32:10 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=232 http://thinkinghow.com/a-parable-for-modern-times/feed/ 2 00:01:01 I recently took part in a discussion which asked the question "are there any differences between Ideas and Suggestions?" My contribution was to propose this metaphor: ...that ... I recently took part in a discussion which asked the question "are there any differences between Ideas and Suggestions?" My contribution was to propose this metaphor: ...that suggestions are seeds, ideas are seeds that have sprouted, and innovations are plants in full bloom. Here is a short parable based on that metaphor. It has the current financial crisis in mind and I hope it prompts us to think about how we might respond.  Click here (for pdf): [download#2] The shory is in a pdf file. Click the link above and it will open in a browser window. Right click the link and "save target as" if you'd like a copy or wish to share it with others. I'd like to acknowledge contribution from the following people who each provided elements for this story in the original discussion:   Prakasan Kappoth, Senior Manager KM, Systematic Innovation Facilitator & Innovation Consultant at MindTree;   Kevin Paylow, Innovation, Knowledge Management & Strategy Activist;   Nigel Collin, Business Creativity Speaker & Consultant;    Grant Bosnick, Chief Executive Thinker at YES (Your Empowering Solution); and    Marian Thier, Owner, Expanding Thought, and Professional Training & Coaching Consultant. I'd love your feedback. Please leave a comment or contact me directly through the "Contact Me" button under my photo. Ideas, Inspiration, Problem Solving steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/where-do-innovations-come-from/ http://thinkinghow.com/where-do-innovations-come-from/#comments Sun, 10 Aug 2008 12:10:45 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=42 http://thinkinghow.com/where-do-innovations-come-from/feed/ 1 http://thinkinghow.com/a-simple-idea-a-powerful-message/ http://thinkinghow.com/a-simple-idea-a-powerful-message/#comments Sat, 02 Aug 2008 03:47:15 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=28 http://thinkinghow.com/a-simple-idea-a-powerful-message/feed/ 1