Briefly noted, a comment on the un-creativity on display related to the London Tube Strike. How uncreative can you get? I blame both the government AND the union. There was ample time to work this out. To quote Marlon Brando in the Godfather “how did it ever get this far?” Just like in the Mafia, sometimes people want a war. I can only assume that both sides did actually get what they wanted, a strike.  I’m sure both sides would disagree. Who pays? The British people in hardship and lost opportunity. In creative problem solving one thing must be in place before you begin: actually wanting to solve the problem. This is not the case here, both sides have something

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When did Entrepreneur become a bad word? We should all be bending over backwards to help Entrepreneurs in these troubled times.  Watch this video! and get a fresh perspective on what it means to be an Entrepreneur. Send the video link  to every young person you can think of — today!  Let’s kick-start a new generation of  courageous, job making, world changing, “E people.” There’s no better time then now to fulfill a dream and start a business. The amazing video was written & produced by Sonja Jacob, designed by Ben White, and the compelling music is the work of Carly Commando (of NBA playoff theme fame).  I love the straight forward inspirational simplicity of the copy and the elegance

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The final show for Britain’s Got Talent was this evening — the voting has just started. While watching, it occurred to me that there is nothing new at all about the concept of the show.  There have been talent shows since time immemorial. Why is this talent show so compelling?  Why has it captured the attention of this entire island nation? The short answer is they’ve done it better. This is not earth-shattering innovation.  This is good old fashioned, do it better innovation. Innovation does not always mean something completely new and different. Sometimes a “better” implementation of an old idea can make all the difference between a yawn and something that is inspiring. Disruptive innovation is marvelous, and, incremental

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I am a huge fan of TED. I’ve never been in person but have watched countless inspirational video’s.  TED is amazing, and, TED is a puppy, a youngster, compared to CPSI.  CPSI is the Creative Problem Solving Institute and it’s the longest running creativity conference in the world, 55 years. If you think you know creativity, think again, and get your…self…to CPSI. It’s coming up in June (21st – 24th in Boston) so still time to register and attend. They have featured keynote speakers like Dean Kamen (inventor) and Sarah Miller Caldicott (author and grand daughter of Thomas Edison),  but the real power of CPSI is in the cross-pollination that occurs between participants and leaders. It’s hard to say if

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I don’t watch The Apprentice often, although I will be from now on. (UK version) I watched last night and was astounded by the bad business practices that are rewarded — and the good ones that are not.  It’s a study in bad innovation practice watching these young candidates struggle. So much so that another show could be produced simply to show how it ought to be done! I’ve got an idea for you Sir Alan! The basic premise of the show seems to be about survival.  It makes for good entertainment, but I think Corporate Darwinism does not make for good innovation in the real world. I could write 5000 words on this, and maybe I will later, but

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Creative inspiration is everywhere you look. When I see something interesting I make an effort to connect it — use it — to help me with some challenge I’m processing. These five dresses were hung up at an open market in High Wycombe. I found them intriguing because of the color, and the diversity of looks (polka dots!), and it was a bit of a nice surprise to turn the corner and see them. The technique is called Forced Association and it forms the basis for many creative thinking tools. It’s not always easy — because you are creating a brand new connection in your mind — nothing may come to you immediately.  If you can’t seem to make a

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Another foray into London yesterday and happened upon the pub sign for The Old Red Cow. What lesson in creativity and innovation does this simple and creative sign provide us? Combination’s!  The simplest way forward to something new is to combine two or more old things. In this sign they’ve taken the image of the cow and combined it with human effects.  The bowler, the monocle, and the pipe.  Very English!  The contrast in the combinations is what makes this a successful sign. Of course it’s incongruous to see a cow smoking a pipe! That’s what gets our attention. So, if you want to create a new product or service, look around at the elements you have, or can get,

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Spotted an Amy Winehouse pretender on the train yesterday. She was a bit half-hearted though. Amy is nothing if not full-out creative.  She may be psycho, but she doesn’t pull any punches does she?  If you really want to create something…don’t hold back.

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It’s nice when people fall asleep on the train. When they hold still it makes it a bit easier to capture a sketch. This guy fell asleep with his mouth open. It was not pretty, but it occured to me he might not be sleeping at all but simply incubating some ideas. If nothing else, I can imagine he was. Sleep is a great time to solve problems. Go to sleep with something on your mind, a question, and inevitably you wake up with an answer. Try it.

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One Young World — it almost sounds like a Disney song, all sweetness, light, and hope. It’s not a Disney song — it’s an innovative new non-profit organization dedicated to giving young adults a voice. One Young World intends to allow, for the first time, future leaders to shape the agenda of the world they are stepping into. They’re doing this by setting up a global conference — of 25 year olds! Sounds pretty idealistic doesn’t it? Sir Bob Geldof, Kofi Annan, and Archbishop Desmond Tutu are among those who think so and are actively supporting the effort.  Professor Nick Haysom (United Nations Director of Political Affairs), Carole Stone (Managing Director of YouGovStone) and Elio Leoni Sceti (Chief Executive, EMI

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