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.