When selecting a service, service provider, new hire or really anything involving people you should select the one seeking to grow and become better. Established players that are “safe choices” are safe because they will do things the way everyone else does. They won’t cost you money and they won’t save you money. They’ll do…
#CYA is the worst reason to do something.
Over the past month I’ve been asking the question “Why would we do that?” to most typical tasks that I’m involved in. The number of times the answer has been to CYA has surprised me. There is a lot of communication, documentation and conference calls setup for the sole purpose of ensuring that the butt…
Art in problem solving involves #simplicity
Art is a great word. It conveys so much meaning when it is thrown out there. There is an implication of a way of thinking. It calls for challenge to thoughts. Art makes people think about what they are experiencing. Problem solving (also known as Account Management, consulting, engineering or “work”) has its own art…
I’ve been awake for 28 hours with 6 more to go….
…and I’m feeling great still. Pushing yourself physically can sometimes be the catalyst for crazy ideas that can turn out to be game changers.
In the quiet is where you will find ideas. In the dark will the details strike you.
How do you get new ideas? Brainstorming is certainly one way. I would argue the best way is to actually stop working completely and go somewhere quiet and peaceful. In that time of peace and quiet I’ll wager that your subconscious will push through nearly completely drafted concepts that you can act on. It’s the…
Expect balance in everything.
It’s going to be a fairly big travel week so I will likely not hit the usual number of posts (although I’ll try). Travel is one of those events that demands long days to maximize the use of travel. It’s not unusual to have an 18 hour day when travelling – Work on the plane…
Emotions are why we do what we do. Apple owns emotions.
If you haven’t seen it, Apple’s new iPad commercial proves why they are the kings of brand, the rulers of marketing and so important to so many consumers: emotion. Not everyone loves Dead Poets Society, but everyone appreciates the sentiments it plays to. Hearing Robin Williams reading over the imagery that Apple shows….it’s a kind…
Bitcoin and the power of ideas.
Bitcoin is a phenomenon that engages, enrages, passions and inspires curiosity in many. As a digital crypto currency it may or may not actually take off and change the world. But as an idea it sets new boundaries for the power of ideas. I say this because bitcoin has inspired a discussion in ways that…
Neutrality will be the web’s Outsourcing moment.
Over the past more than a decade, there has been a debate over whether outsourcing of jobs overseas is a good or bad economic move. The debate rages from both a macro economic perspective and from the way decisions should be made within a business. Crucially, does outsourcing drive economic value. Neutrality will be the…
Disruption is not simply differentiation.
Yesterday the topic was differentiation – creating a unique brand in your market/industry. Today we turn to differentiation’s twin – disruption. Often people confuse the two terms as being synonymous. They are not. You can be unique and stand out while supporting every traditional pillar of the old guard. Being different simply means you are…