http://thinkinghow.com a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation Sun, 03 Mar 2013 08:01:47 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=263 2006-2007 steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) steve@thinkinghow.com (thinkinghow.com) http://thinkinghow.com/wp-content/plugins/podpress/images/powered_by_podpress.jpghttp://thinkinghow.com 144 144 a journey into thinking, ideas, creativity and innovation thinkinghow.com thinkinghow.com steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/the-innovation-paradox/ http://thinkinghow.com/the-innovation-paradox/#comments Mon, 27 Dec 2010 04:03:43 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=342 http://thinkinghow.com/the-innovation-paradox/feed/ 2 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/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 0:01:47 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 those who are creative at this time are building innovative businesses for the future. But w[...] 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, Solutions, Thinking steve@thinkinghow.com no no 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/ 1 http://thinkinghow.com/two-words-to-boost-creativity/ http://thinkinghow.com/two-words-to-boost-creativity/#comments Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:40:30 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=235 http://thinkinghow.com/two-words-to-boost-creativity/feed/ 2 0:01:26 There are two words that can help us achieve more creative and innovative thinking. Those two words are “What if”. “What if” takes us from our current state directly to an imagined future state. It is an instant leap across a[...] There are two words that can help us achieve more creative and innovative thinking. Those two words are “What if”. “What if” takes us from our current state directly to an imagined future state. It is an instant leap across a creative chasm. The chasm could be narrow and shallow, wide and deep, or any combination in between. “What if” immediately suspends all and any constraints (real or imagined) and allows us to visualise the finished state. What  if … was bigger / smaller? What if … went this way instead of that way? What if … we do it / don’t do it on a Saturday? What if we added / left out …? What if… What if… The hard part of course is getting from the here and now to the imagined “What if”. It does need receptive and open minds ready to consider the imagined state. Every “What if” won’t be a winner, infact very few will have any “legs” at all. But, to get to that gem of an idea, that break-through thought, that innovative seed - start with “What if”. I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment or contact me directly through the “Contact Me” button under my photo. Ideas, Innovation, Solutions steve@thinkinghow.com no no http://thinkinghow.com/more-than-one-solution/ http://thinkinghow.com/more-than-one-solution/#comments Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:54:49 +0000 Steve Swann http://thinkinghow.com/?p=100 http://thinkinghow.com/more-than-one-solution/feed/ 1 0:01:23 Have you ever needed a quick and tangible way to illustrate that there may be more than one solution to a problem? This might just be the example you need. Start with three squares of paper. The Problem: each square of paper needs to be divided int[...] Have you ever needed a quick and tangible way to illustrate that there may be more than one solution to a problem? This might just be the example you need. Start with three squares of paper. The Problem: each square of paper needs to be divided into 4 parts. The goal is for each part to be equal. So, after you have folded the paper each section of the paper will be the same size, same shape, and same volume as the other 3 parts. The illustration above shows 3 solutions, each following the rules but each having a very different outcome. One is a square, another a triangle, the third a rectangle. This excercise is useful for two reasons. First, it helps an individual or a group physically experience an abstract concept; the concept being that there can be more than one acceptable solution to a problem. Secondly, This example has a very good problem statement so it’s a great way to set up people’s thinking about defining problems before they tackle solutions. I’ll cover problem statements in a the next post. Doing, Solutions steve@thinkinghow.com no no