Creative Problem Solving - School Violence

Today is one of those days where I just don't feel like writing about creativity and innovation in the workplace. Today is one of those days where the trained social worker part of me becomes aware of everything. On Friday, a High School Principal here in Wisconsin died from gun wounds. It happened in a small, rural High School where everyone knows everyone. The alleged killer was a 15 year old freshman. This happens a day after the shootings at a school in Colorado...and a couple weeks since two teens and a young adult were arrested for planning to kill many students at yet another Wisconsin High School. It's time for creative thinking - for schools and parents to come together and find ways to end this. My prayers are for the families that were impacted by these actions. For now...I leave you with a couple resources:

Resources on Prevention of School Violence

How Parents Can Help Make Schools Safe

With Regards,

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

Examining Social Intelligence

Sharon Jayson of USA Today wrote an interesting article on social intelligence and sociability. The article was focused on a new book by Daniel Goleman titled "Social Intelligence." Daniel Goleman is also the author of "Emotional Intelligence." He suggests that our brains are wired for social interactions and connectedness. Here is a highlight of that interview:

SJ: If someone is socially intelligent, how can it improve his or her life?

DG: The more socially intelligent you are, the happier and more robust and more enjoyable your relationships will be. At work, social intelligence defines people with leadership skills and who make the best team members. IQ and academic skills predict what class of job you can get and hold, but once you're in that job, those capacities disappear as predictors for whether you will be a star performer or a leader."

So, how socially intelligent area you? Read the full interview and then let me know what you think. I look forward to hearing from you.

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

Creativity, Blogs, and Making Money

Blogging for Bucks is a facinating article about blogging and making money. It appears that some people are successful with it, but it does take focused effort, wise decisions, and a lot of creativity. Read this Business 2.0 article and decide for yourself.

Respectfully,

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

Keeping Innovation Alive In Larger Firms

I work with small to midsize businesses. Many of them have very entreprenurial attitudes. And I tend to find infomation that works well with the people and culture of those organizations. Today I want to highlight an article written by Jeffrey Phillips on his "Innovate on Purpose Blog." He hightlights five approaches that work best for larger organizations. One of the ideas that he descibes is having a Center of Excellence in Innovation. So, find some time today to read the article. I would love to hear what you think about it.

Respectfully,

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

All Great Ideas Start With A Cup Of Coffee

I just finished reviewing all of my blog feeds and discovered a list of ways to generate new ideas...with a twist. I read a recent posting from Scott Baradell on the Marketing Profs blog. He shared an experience where an ad agency sent him a coffee cup that listed 101 ways to come up with a great idea. The last idea was to contact the ad agency. And the rest...well humor is in full display here. Here are my favorite ideas from the list (with my commentary):

1. Call mom, she can fix anything.
Yes, call my mom and she will have more ideas for you than anyone else.

2. Call a psychic hotline, laugh at their predictions.
I and a group of friends once went to a tarot card reader in Houston Texas. She wasn't accurate in her predictions. Maybe the psychic hotline will work better.

3. Go for a walk in the rain.
I hiked in the rain during my 11 days in the mountains of New Mexico. I had time to think about many things...including how to stay warm and dry. But my preference is still to take a longer walk on a snowy evening. It's quiet, beautiful, and inspiring.

4. Take Spot for a walk.
No dogs here. And my cats don't like to walk. So, I'm thinking about getting some type of lizard to walk with me.

5. Find the solution in the clouds.
Imagination lives in those that find things in the puffy white clouds.

Have some fun and read the article...and then let me know what you really do to create new ideas.

Respectfuly....

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

Innovation and Web (word) Processing

Google continues to work its magic by creating new ways for users to interact and get business completed. They've just announced a method where you will be able to brand gmail and other google products to use with your own domain. Sounds interesting. I love that more applications are being developed to use over the web...makes life easier. I'm also reviewing another site...one that I think has lots of potential. You need to look at ZOHO...free web applications that cover a lot of ground. Microsoft is working on its web-based word processor and other applications...well I think that Zoho is a quiet challenger. Check it out when you have time. I love the word processor and the CRM.

Respectfully,

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.

Creativity, Music, and Treadmills!!!

I have to join the bandwagon (maybe even circle it) and suggest you look at the video produced by the band Ok Go. You probably heard about it...they sing their entire song while running on multiple treadmills...incredible to watch and it's been a PR success for this band. Just click above and enjoy.

...Michael

Michael T. Bauer, MSW is the President and Chief Creative Officer of Innovative Business Resources, LLC, a management consulting firm that focuses on helping organizations align their leadership and culture with their business strategy.

Michael is the publisher of the Creative Edge Newsletter.