New School is Old School

I just finished reading a mindless crime novel* – my favorite genre of book. The victim was the producer of an old television series who recently sold the rights to do a remake of the show. Fans were outraged. Most were purists who liked the original version and would do anything to prevent the new […]

Should You Catch or Fish for Innovations?

On talk radio the other day, they were discussing the fishing industry. The conversation centered on how certain types of much more popular than others. I not sure of the specifics, but I think salmon, tuna, and sea bass are the hot fish. Most consumers, when they go to the supermarket, ask for those specific […]

Microwork Sourced Innovation Article

In my blog entry yesterday, I posted an interview with a woman who does “microwork” on the fiverr site. Be sure to read that interview first as context.  Now, as promised, here is the article on innovation she wrote for $5.  Not bad, if you want my two cents… 5 Ways To Make Your Company […]

Stop Asking For Ideas

I recently gave a presentation on innovation for a company that sells travel packages online. The presenter who preceded me was the executive in charge of creating the technology that automatically sends follow-up e-mails to prospects who visited the site. A few minutes into his presentation, he displayed a slide that showed the typical e-mail […]

How Focusing On The Big Picture Can Help Grow Your Bottom Line

  This article was published on the American Express OPEN Forum.  When I sent in the article, I called it “If you focus on the hot dog, you might go hungry.”  Clearly they didn’t like that title 🙂 Regardless of how you feel about Trump’s now aborted run for President, you have to give him […]

Tactics For Captivating Your Audience

I just returned from a fantastic weeklong cruise to the Southern Caribbean and noticed that it was structured similarly to others that I have enjoyed in the past. Immediately upon arrival, there is much fanfare: champagne as you board; a band rocking out tunes on the pool deck; the captain and crew shaking hands and […]

Why Edison Was Wrong

Researchers often throw around the Edison quote, “I have not failed 700 times. I have not failed once. I have succeeded in proving that those 700 ways will not work. When I have eliminated the ways that will not work, I will find the way that will work.” Researchers use this quote because it “validates” […]

How To Create Luck In Business And In Life

I know St. Patrick’s Day has passed, but it got me thinking about the concept of luck. Have you ever met people who are consistently lucky? It is as if they are always in the right place at the right time. Meanwhile, you feel as though the cards of fate have dealt you a bum […]

15 Minute Speech in Spain

Last week I spoke at the launch of the Navarra Factori, an innovation center near Pamplona, Spain. This government backed initiative is designed to help stimulate creativity and innovation in the region.  I was the keynote for the opening. They asked me to speak about how creative ideas don’t necessarily come from within the four walls […]

The Key to Overcoming Roadblocks: Innovation

In Wisconsin, the Republicans wanted to eliminate the collective bargaining rights of most public employees as a way of cutting the budget. This was hotly contested by the Democrats to the point where all 14 Democratic senators left the state, refusing to vote. They did this knowing that at least 20 senators needed to be […]