Medical Services @ The Mall

I was reading my local newspaper this morning and came across a facinating article about changes in the Health Care Industry. It seems that health care companies are now introducing "stripped-down" clinics inside malls and large retail stores. These new clinics provide affordable basic services provided by advanced practice nurses. Health care companies report that this trend is exploding across the nation as health insurance deductibles and co-pays increase. So, it may be easier to go to your favorite mall, do some shopping at your favorite bookstore, sit down and have mocha latte, and then visit the medical clinic kiosk to deal with your cold. This is very consumer focused and will change the way medical care is provided. Keep your eye on this trend.

Just For Fun

I feel like having fun today. Enjoy this post. It takes a minute or two to post depending upon your connection. Computer programers are so creative!!!

Enjoy a little blue ball fixation!!!

The Cat's Meow

The past two weeks have gone by soooo fast that I am amazed. I spent time correcting final exams and essays from all of my students. I spent time shopping for the the family dinners during Christmas. But nothing really caught my attention (for this blog) until I went to purchase another bag of cat food from my veteraniarian. My cat, Taz, is on a special prescription diet so once a month I have to go and buy a bag of food. But what caught my eye and ear was the greeting I received when I called and when I showed up for the food. I have to say that this clinic has great customer service. Wendy always seems to know who I am...the owner of Taz...and always seems so happy to talk with me. And I'm just a once-in-a-while customer. But every month it's the same.

There are so many business experts that talk about great customer service...and yet there are so many businesses that seem to miss the point...or don't go far enough to talk about it. Some companies can't see the importance of hiring people with important "people skills" but rather focus on the bottomline results...sales. Where would you rather shop...a place where you feel welcomed, or a place that only recognizes that you have a creditcard.

So, here is my holiday shout-out to Wendy and all the Staff at Animal Medical Center in Menomonee Falls, WI. Taz and I are both very happy.

A Facinating and Creative Website

I've been busy for the past week , catching up on all sorts of projects, and didn't have the time to post and anything interesting about creativity in the workplace. That was until yesterday when I came across an article about a website that is truly unique in its approach. Now, once in a while I love a little sarcasm, which is why two of my favorite shows on TV are Boston Legal and House. This site is exceptionally good at it. Their theme is clear and their products are funny. And they know it. Here is a brief clipping from their site answering the question why you want to join their newsletter:

"Be the first person in your miserable company, disaffected dormitory or dysfunctional relationship to:

• Know when new products are released that might further exacerbate your frustrations
• Be informed of upcoming pricing specials
• Learn when Despair makes news, and makes it up
• Provide thoughtful feedback to us and have it completely ignored"

Very creative site that is getting a lot of notice and making a profit too....so take a look at Dispair Inc for yourself.

Searching For A Red Cup

My friends know that I am constantly reading something, looking for new knowledge and wisdom, or just looking to read quietly and dream about far away places and events. It helps me to be more creative, to dream bigger, and to love life more. I also love to find people and businesses that are really creative and can develop something fun and "magical." I get up this morning, pour myself a cup of hot coffee and sit down to read my emails, newsletters, and blogs...and there I find something fun. It seems that Starbucks, the coffee people, have created a new website that focuses on the holiday season. My first thought was "what's the big deal." Starbucks is everywhere and I find it easy to get tired of seeing them. I have friends and business colleagues that also own coffeeshops...and I their shops are better designed and cater to a different group of coffee lovers -- Me!!! But this was THE STARBUCKS...so I clicked over to their new site, The Red Cup, and found a very fun, creative site. I enjoyed watching todays movie on men decorating the house. There were stories, and cooking ideas, and ...well why don't you check it out for yourself. As for me, it's time to grab another cup of my favorite (not starbucks) coffee and read the local newspapers.

A Great Idea Found In A Mailer

I just discovered a very "cool" website developed by the team at 800CEOread. The website provides an opportunity to receive free prizes each day (M-F). For example, today I entered into the drawing for a package of Tom Peter's products including a favorite book...Re-imagine. If I win...everything will be sent out to me in bubble wrap...which is also the name of the website. I registered on the site because I was facinated by it, but also because the team at 800ceoread is from Wisconsin. Sometimes, just sometimes cheeseheads need to stay together. Check out the site, but for my sake don't enter any drawings...until I win one.

Giving Thanks

Today was an interesting day...it started with 2 inches of snow and a driveway to shovel, delivery of 38 holiday wreaths, and getting ready for the 4 hour trek to my parent's home for Thanksgiving. So, while I would love to write something about creativity and innovation in the workplace, I am instead going to just leave it as this...take a few moments out of your Thursday and give thanks.

Did you see my black and white cat?

A few days ago I went to the store to get three of them. Each one is a different size, but all three have a top and a bottom. All three have beautiful colors, holiday patterns are on the top. They will do just fine. I come home and throw them gently to the floor and then I walk to the kitchen for my glass of coffee. When I return to them I find my large black and white cat is laying inside the bottom. He can barely fit, but he loves laying in that bottom. He stares at me for a second and then returns to his catnap. So, what is this really about...well it's about my cat and his box. This week the carboard box has been inducted into the National Toy Museum. It's about time something is done about the cardboard box...since it brings out the kid in everyone of us. Learn more at the Strong Museum.

Thank You For Having Dinner

My wife and I were at one of our favorite Italian restaurants a few weeks ago. We love pasta, fine wine, romantic environments, and great service. We went to a restaurant that we've loved for years. Unfortunately, our waitress wasn't at her best and it may have cost the restaurant repeat business. That situation isn't too uncommon and it is tough for restaurants. Last week I learned about a very creative waiter and waitress. One of my business colleagues went to the restaurant, had a great meal, and was surprised when the waiter asked for his business card. Three days later he received a thank you card for having dinner at the restaurant. When's the last time you received a thank you card from your waiter. Never for me. Great idea...and people will remember him and come back again for dinner. Now it's your turn...how can you be creative at work too.

Can I Be Mayor For A Day?

Humor in the Workplace

Humor!!! Does your business culture allow people to express some humor. Does your boss have a sense of humor? That was the question posted on the Fast Company Blog. I read through this brief entry and started to review my life. I know that during my years in management roles I didn't do everything correctly. I made mistakes, but also found successes. I also know that I tried to keep up a good sense of humor...only because I believe in it too. I can remember coming back from a week long vacation to find my office rearranged and changed. It seems that my entire staff decided it was time to share the humor with me. And they were creative...they even covered the picture of my wife (it was a wedding picture) with a new one...that of RuPaul...and carefully taped it into place. It really looked like I was holding RuPaul's hand and staring into her eyes. If you don't know who RuPaul is...do a google search and then you will also see the humor in it. It was extremely humorous - even to my wife. So, I think really creative organizations are lead by individuals that see humor as an important ingredient to maintaining a healthy culture at work. What do you think? I'd love to know your opinion?

The Fast Company reference is at http://blog.fastcompany.com/archives/2005/11/08/does_your_boss_have_a_sense_of_humor.html

Dysfunctional Innovation

It seems that I mis-typed the address for Harvard Business School's Working Knowledge Ezine. Here is the correct one: http://hbswk.hbs.edu/

I recently read a very interesting blog posting by Jim Carroll. Carroll is a furturist and innovation expert. His post highlighted 10 indicators of innovation disfunction. I read through all of them, thought about them, and then picked my top five based on my experiences in different organizations and groups. Here are my five indicators of dysfunctional innovation:

1. People laugh at new ideas: I am always amazed at how often this really happens. Some people seem so tentative that any change scares them and they do anything to remain in their comfort zone.

2. Someone who identifies a problem is shunned: I've worked at a couple organizations that had bright, creative people at the forefront. Unfortunately, they never seemed interested in finding solutions to problems within the organization. Eventually no one would speak up because they knew nothing would happen.

3. Innovation is the privileged practice of a special group: It seems to me that only the leaders of the organization could have creative ideas. Everyone else had to listen.

4. The phrase, "you can't do that because we've always done it this way" is used for every new idea: This one phrase has slowed down many businesses. Change is usually difficult, but necessary.

5. No one can remember the last time anyone did anything really cool: I love the use of word cool...I love working with clients that are cool. In this case it means "creative" and has nothing to do with Happy Days!

You can read Jim's posting at http://www.jimcarroll.com/weblog/archives/000692.html

A Creative Idea To Teach Corporate Mission

The October 31 issues of HBS Working Knowledge had an outstanding article "Overcoming Barriers that Destroy Teams". The article highlighted some methods internal and external consultants are using to be creative and challenge and change attitudes. The article goes on to say that it is important to provide your teams with an irresistible challenge. It suggests five ways to overcoming barriers and motivate teams. These tactics include sharing as much information as possible, providing the appropriate amount of guidance, stretching your people beyond their comfort levels, making it fun, and helping your people feel the challenge. I especially loved the example of the Saturn team...Corporate management wanted the team to feel their mission (to surprise and delight customers) so they created a simulation with a special twist. Teams were asked to build bicycles...a way to build up teamwork, decision making, coping with conflict...and then develop a strategy to "surprise and delight" the new owners of the bikes. The special twist was that Saturn management brought in children from the local community and presented them as the new owners. The kids didn't know they were going to receive bikes and the team members didn't know that their bikes were actually going to someone. Brilliant way to show the mission and corporate values in action. If you don't get HBS Working Knowledge then I'd recommend that you do...at http://www.hbswk.hbs.edu.

How Creative Are You?

I found a very interesting questionaire today. It explores the issue of creativity from a variety of points of view such as boldness (defined as the ability to push boundaries), curiosity (defined as a desire to change/improve things), perspective (defined as the ability to shift ones perspective), and connection (defined as the ability to make connections with things that don't initially have a connection.) The questionaire also defines abstraction, persistance, complexity, and paradox. as important ingredients to creativity. You answer 40 questions and obtain your creativity index score. And if you want, you can send an email to find out how did compared to others in your same age bracket. It was very enlightening to say the least. Give it try for yourself. http://www.creax.com/csa/

The Passing Of A Leader

The primary reason I write this blog is to share new thoughts and ideas related to creative leaders and organizations. This week, however, I find myself admiring someone who was a leader, but not in the business world. This person was an innovator, but didn't create new products and services that took the world by storm. This person was a change agent before the word was even popular. It could be said that this person started a social transformation. I am speaking about Rosa Parks, who died this week. She was willing to push social boundaries and challenge the thinking of an entire nation. She was able to think "outside the box" and then act on it. And while she may not have directly contributed to the development of creative thinkers and leaders, her one act on a city bus had a domino effect. Rest in Peace Ms. Parks.

FINDING INNOVATION

It has been a very long time in coming, but starting next week you will find weekly posts about creativity and innovation taking place in organizations and with individuals. My plan is very simple...I will be posting new thoughts 1-2 times per week. You won't find long articles, but very concise notes about applying creativity and innovation. I hope you check in often because I anticipate having fun with this blog. If you want longer articles about leadership, teambuilding and such...please see my newsletter at http://www.creativeleading.com/newsletter.html