thinkinghow.com

Here’s a real world example of a major corporate re-thinking and re-inventing how they engage with others – and have others engage with them.

Time will tell if the model works. I really hope it does. The key benefit, as articulated in the interview, is that the relationship is outcome focused. The objective is finding a solution and making it work, instead of how much revenue can we generate or how much cost can we save.

I disagree in part with Amy Schulman’s assertion that the partners will have to  get used to making less money. Those Partners that really understand this new model and adjust their own structure, practices and process to make it work could end up making more money. In the end it’s the value that you can provide.

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Last week I posted about a great idea that just fell short. In the interests of balance here’s what a really great well thought out and well delivered idea looks like. Again, this is a very simple idea.

More than 510,000 tons of milk and juice cartons are generated every year in the United States, but sadly, less than .05% ever get recycled according to an EPA report of (MSW) Municipal Solid Waste). That’s what got us thinking and how Milkmuny.com was created. Milkmuny is reaching out to schools and non-profits, desperately in need of funding, paying them for the collected ‘empties’, then making clever origami-esque wallets and other products and selling them on this site and at specialty retailers. We are on mission, join us! Read the blog, learn more, and please recycle.

This great video explains it all:

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I spotted this design for a combination door handle and lock from a Yanko design feed. What I really like about it is that it does two things really well.

Firstly, I solves a problem that I didn’t know existed. And, secondly it does more with less.

Let me explain.

1. Solves a problem the doesn’t really exist: With so much turmoil in the world with financial meltdowns, energy and climate crisises, and war and famine; does re-designing an door hand and a lock really make a difference? I mean is it really a problem that we have a handle and a lock, and have to manually reshuffle the combination. I don’t have an answer other than I don’t think it matters anyway. The fact that designers can see ways to improve everyday things is good enough for me.
2. Do more with less: Combining objects and functions into a new design is a great pathway to innovation. This design does it well. There is physically less hardware (less cost?), setting the combination can be done while your hand is on the handle (less effort), and you don’t even have to reshuffle the combination when finished (less thinking!).

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