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Archive for the ‘Solutions’ Category

caught killing an idea

June 30th, 2009 by Steve Swann | No Comments | Filed in Business, Ideas, Innovation, Inspiration, Problem Solving, Sharing, Solutions, Thinking

Last week I wrote about the idea killing phrase “Yes, But”. The following evening I joined so94px-senegallion1898bw1me colleagues to discuss an ecommerce project they’re working on.

And yes, you guessed it – I caught myself saying “Yes, but…” I was killing their ideas. The good news is that after the first occurrence I caught myself  and was far more supportive and constructive.

What struck me was how easy it was to be negative. Here’s why.

It appears that we are “hard wired” to be negative, or at least to be far more cognitive to the negative. It goes back to our our primitive beginnings when it was necessary for us, as a species, to be constantly on the look out for potential sources of danger.

According to Cognitive researcher Nancy Etcoff, in her Feb 2004 TED presentation

Our negative system is extremely sensitive. It is our sentinal. It is there to protect us from danger.

The following screen shot of one of Nancy’s slides points out the extent of our “natural” negative bias

negative-bias

What’s really interesting here is the (happy) Marriage Formula:

a ratio of 5 positive remarks or inter-actions to 1 negative remark or interaction.

If we extend this into our innovation and creative thinking environment we can see how damaging negative comments can be. We have to work 5 times as hard to overcome a single negative response.

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Is the Boss always the problem?

June 18th, 2009 by Steve Swann | 1 Comment | Filed in Business, Doing, Inspiration, Problem Solving, Solutions, Thinking, Tools & Resources

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 whagordon-ramseyt 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.

 
icon for podpress  Standard Podcast [1:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup

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.

  1. Understand why customers choose you and make that experience better.
  2. Value every customer and put a value on every customer.
  3. Provides value to the customers (note: this does not mean cheap!)
  4. Builds good people and trusts them to deliver.
  5. Invests in quality infrastructure, systems and processes.
  6. Looks for ways to maximize revenue.
  7. Watches the pennies.
  8. Builds trusted relationships with experts and advisors.
  9. Doesn’t do things just because everyone else does.
  10. 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.

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share your creativity

February 2nd, 2009 by Steve Swann | No Comments | Filed in Doing, Inspiration, Sharing, Solutions, Thinking, Tools & Resources

take a minute to watch this video and think about how much our world is enhanced by creative people sharing their ideas and work – freely….


For more information on Creative Commons visit their website at http://creativecommons.org/

I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment or contact me directly through the “Contact Me” button under my photo.



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