getFreshMinds.com | Ideas so fresh--they should be slapped!

Do you need to learn Problem Solving 101?

Recently, I was asked to review Problem Solving 101, a book by management consultant Ken Watabee that was written for children--but became the bestselling business book in Japan that year.

The thing I really like about this book is how it urges readers to go beyond their first assumptions.  

A really good example in the book showed how a young soccer player realized that choosing to go to the 2nd best soccer school would actually benefit her much more than going to the best soccer school.

This wasn't a conclusion that was obvious from the beginning--as the best soccer school was in a "better" location and seemed to have more benefits.  But, when the young girl thought more about the decision, she realized that she would actually have more opportunities to do what she really wanted (play elite soccer and learn Spanish) if she went to the 2nd best school instead.

With the same example, I also liked how the young girl realized that she had overlooked a lot of possibilities when she had first thought about funding her tuition for the school.  Originally, she had thought that she had to pay it all herself... which turned out not to be true (she was able to get scholarships and a sponsor).

That to me was a really powerful example of how people can make things happen even if it seems impossible at first.  One of my deepest beliefs is that is everything is possible... if you only look hard enough for a way to make it happen.

Problem Solving 101's biggest strengths come from the well thought-out examples and demonstrations of problem solving.  The diagrams do an excellent job showing how to shape your thought process!

What didn't really impress me about the book is actually what made is so successful in Japan: that this book is written in such a simple fashion.

This isn't necessarily a bad thing.  I've enjoyed other books of this sort, like Jack's Notebook and The Alchemist.  And it makes the book very approachable for any type of audience.

But I think it is a little too simple for a business audience in the US.  Most Americans learn problem-solving in school or in college... and this isn't anything mind-bogglingly new.  Plus, the examples and illustrations are a little too childish and cute.  They convey the point well, but are more suited to a younger audience.

This doesn't mean the book is bad.  In fact, I think it's quite charming.  It's just not what I personally would look for in a business book.

The good thing about the simplicity of Problem Solving 101 is that the book is very upfront that it was originally written for children.  As such, I have a lot of respect for how well it's done and how it's managed to charm business people of all ages.

I'm just not sure it will take off so wildly here in the US because we've seen this sort of thing before.  However, I think it will resonate with people who are just learning about problem solving.

My evaluation: A cute book that has some charming examples--but a little elementary for anyone who has done work with problem solving before.  Get it as an intro for yourself, or for a younger person who needs to learn how to improve their thinking.  They'll definitely like it.

Want the book? I have one to give away!  Comment below with a sticky problem you need to solve!

Jobs seekers... please restrain your creativity!

It's no secret that finding a job right now is tough. And when times get tough, the tough get creative!  Right?

Today I ran across the results of a survey from CareerBuilder that says 20% of hiring managers are seeing more people try to get their attention in unusual ways.

Some of the things people are trying?

• Sending in a shoe with a resume to "get my foot in the door."


• Staging a sit-in in the lobby to get a meeting with a director.

• Washing cars in the parking lot. (No reason given for this.)


• Sending a resume wrapped as a present and a message that said his skills were a "gift to the company."


• Handing out resumes at stoplights.


• Delivering a cake designed as a business card with the candidate’s picture.


• Going to the same barber as the Chairman of the Board and asking the barber speak on his behalf.


• Arriving at an interview dressed in a bunny suit because it was near Easter.

Some of those ideas are cute... but I wonder if they're actually effective.  And I wonder how many of them actually turned the hiring manager off of the candidate.

Using "creative" tactics in your job search is risky (in my opinion). Unless you're applying for a really innovative company with a reputation for loving those tactics, it could easily tell the interviewer that you're either (a) crazy, (b) not a serious candidate, or (c) desperate.  None of those sound like a good option to me.

Plus, even if you're trying to show that you're extremely creative, it might not work.  A creative job search tactic only works once.  Once people have heard of a tactic, it's no longer creative - and then you're just a copycat.

My advice to job seekers is to stop with the tricks and gimmicks and figure out ways to show your value.  That's not nearly as fun, but it is probably a lot more effective.

There is a time for blatant creativity and a time to tone it down.  If you're looking for a job, you should probably err on the side of not looking ridiculous.

(Unless, of course, you want to send me a cake with your resume on it.  I won't guarantee I'll hire you, but I'll definitely scarf it down!)

POW! How much do you like surprises?

Pow! Right Between the Eyes! is a book about surprises.  Not surprisingly, the first time I heard about this book, I was surprised.  That's because the author, Andy Nulman, was giving away 200 copies of his book to bloggers - and all we needed to do to get one was write on our blogs that we wanted one.

So, being a bibliophile... I totally did!  (Who can resist a free book? Can you?)

The reason I'm telling you this is because this review might not be totally unbiased. I have been pleasantly (and effectively) surprised by Andy Nulman several times this year and I definitely believe he knows what he's doing.

But, I don't think you'll mind... because there's a chance for you to win your own free copy of POW! at the bottom of this post!  Keep reading if you want to know how.

When I was reading POW! I was struck several times between the parallels between surprise and innovation.  Midway through the book, Andy quoted a statement by Peter Georgescu (former CEO of Young & Rubicam) that nails why we need both surprise and fresh ideas:

Commoditization--what I see as the cancer of the 21st century commerce--has fueled ferocious price competition, leading to lower prices, margins and profits for businesses.  With price as the only real differentiator; producers are left with a challenge: They must find a way to stand out in the crowd.

And I think Andy is right when he says that surprise is the way to do that.

After all, when you go to an electronics store, what catches your eye... the dozens of marginally-better computers?  Or is it something out of the ordinary, like the iPhone or the Wii or the tiny netbooks that make frequent travelers drool.

Or, as Andy pointed out, when you're on the street, do you stop to look at the way-too-common Nisson Maximas... or are you irresistibly drawn to the 60s Corvette?

(Obviously, you don't need the book to answer that question!)

What I did find helpful about the book was Andy's descriptions of what effective surprises are... and what they're not.  That's great ammunition if you ever need to get someone to stretch their thinking beyond what's already been done.  

If you've ever been in that situation, you'll know that you need every bit of help you can get!  Some people are so doggone determine to do "new" and "creative" things that have already been done 100 times that I could just tear my hair out!

So, this book is a big help there.

The main thing I really like about this book is the sheer number of examples that Andy gives of great surprises.

In my opinion, a really vital part of coming up with fresh ideas is having a big database of ideas to draw from and build on.  POW! is filled to the brim with examples of effective surprise campaigns that marketers and businesses have done in the past - and I bet if you follow Andy online for a little while, you'll come across even more.

Because of all those ideas, I felt inspired just reading through POW! I was ready to start thinking of ideas all on my own.

I also think this is a good book to read because innovation is all about surprises.  If you've come up with a new idea that surprises no one... that's probably because it's WAY too close to what's already been done before.

If you really want to succeed, your idea needs to have POW!  It needs to surprise people and open up their way of thinking.  Otherwise, it's way too easy to get bogged down in a dehabilitating price war.

Check POW! out.  You'll enjoy it.

And now for the fun part...

I have one free POW! book to give away to a commentator! If I get a lot of really good responses, I'll make it two.*

All you have to do is write in the comments about some way a company surprised you. But hurry, the contest is closing in 24 hours!

Ready... go!

*If anyone wants to grump that giving away a book isn't totally new and surprising, I agree with you. It's not.  But it's a free book!  So stop grumbling and enter the contest!

Get Ready! I'm blogging at the World Innovation Forum

This week, I'm in New York City for the World Innovation Forum, which is the biggest innovation event this year. 

There will be a TON of great speakers:

• CLAYTON CHRISTENSEN will be talking about disruptive innovation.
• VIJAY GOVINDARAJAN will be covering how to innovate in a global world
• FRED KRUPP will be talking about eco-innovation (a definite hot topic)
• DAN ARIELY will be teaching us about the predictable ways people behave irrationally.
• CK PRAHALAD will tell us about the new age of innovation we're entering. 
• PAUL SAFFO will teach us about untangling the future.

Plus, we'll get plenty of examples of innovation in action... and a workshop by one of my favorite companies, !WhatIf? Innovation.

I'm getting really excited!  This conference is going to be absolutely full of great ideas!

If you're there, come over to say hi.  On Tuesday, I'll be the blonde in the purple jacket.  On Wednesday, I'll probably be wearing a blue jacket.  (Or find me in the Blogger's Hub from my photo.)

If you're not there, follow me and the other World Innovation Forum bloggers on Twitter, and on our blogs.  We'll be labeling all our posts with the tag #WIF09.

Plus, I'll be putting up posts here with the great things I'm learning throughout the next couple days.  Stay tuned for those!

And, if you're in New York City and want to meet-up for coffee, send me a message on Twitter or in the comments here.  I'd love to meet some readers and I'm here through Friday.

Garbage day gets more interesting.

While looking through my bookshelf this weekend for something fun to read, I came across a book by an Ideo employee called Thoughtless Acts.  It's full of photographs of all the interesting ways people adapt the world around them to meet their needs.

While looking through the book, I was reminded of my father on garbage day.  I know that's a strange association - but he has a really funny way of bringing the garbage can back up the driveway after it's been emptied.

So, for your enjoyment (and my father's embarrassment) I taped his solution.  Take a look:

And, for those of you who are concerned, I did tell my father I would be posting this on my blog!  I didn't give him much of a choice though... ;-)

Oh, and he doesn't drive down the driveway just to get the garbage can. This is how he retrieves it when he's coming home from someplace already!

Ear Candy: An idea that is music to my ears!

A long time ago, in a place far, far away, I played the French Horn.  It's a tough instrument, and I wasn't very good at it for the first couple years.  In fact, I believe my loving mother said my playing sounded a lot like a "moose in mating season" during one of the many times she tried to convince me that I really didn't have to be in band if I didn't want to.

(If you want to hear how I sounded: )

Unfortunately for her and our neighbors, I was dead set on playing the French Horn and I continued blasting away all the way from sixth grade until I graduated high school.

After high school though, I realized a very important thing: musical instruments (and French Horns in particular) are REALLY expensive!

At my high school, we were able to participate in a fantastic music rental program.  For $50 per year, we could take home one of the school's instruments.  The students who played larger instruments even got to keep one instrument at home, and another at school so they didn't have to cart their tuba on the bus everyday.

Now, my high school didn't have a lot of money and the band program was continuously in danger of being cut.  We were lucky though that we had more than enough instruments for every student who wanted to play. If we didn't have those instruments, however, I can tell you with absolute certainty that our band program would not have survived!

That's why I'm really impressed with Ear Candy, a nonprofit in Arizona I learned about last week.

This nonprofit is cool because it collects unused and forgotten instruments and gives them to struggling school music programs. 

What I really like about Ear Candy is how they made a connection between two common music problems:

Problem 1: Many music students purchase their own instruments, and then abandon playing when they go to college or enter the workforce.  Most of the time, they have no idea what to do with their instrument, and hope one of their relatives will take up playing the trumpet (or whatever) so they can pass it along. Meanwhile, it just sits there with an accusing look - reminding them that they stopped playing.  

Problem 2: Many schools are cutting music programs because they do not have enough money to run them. One of their biggest expenses... take a wild guess... musical instruments!  Needing to buy new or used instruments can often be the straw that breaks the camel's back and dooms the band.

So Ear Candy collects these abandoned instruments and gives them to programs who would not otherwise have them. Over 85% of the instruments given to Ear Candy were in someone’s closet collecting dust! That's a lot of instruments that were given a second life.

To make it even better, Ear Candy even tracks where the instruments go - so donors know exactly who they're helping.  Pretty cool, huh?

Here's the innovation lesson from this: Sometimes, a fantastic solution to your problem could just be sitting in someone's basement.

A lot of people think they need to fix a problem from scratch. Many times though, a good solution to a problem is already out there - it just needs to be found.

So, if you're facing an innovative challenge, stop trying to reinvent the wheel and start looking around you. 

If you're lacking something... think about who might have a surplus.  If you need to get rid of something, think about who might benefit from it.  Figure out a way to create a symbiotic relationship with someone who has the opposite problem from you.

And, if you're looking to get rid of that trumpet you bought years ago when you were still convinced you were going to be the next Louis Armstrong... Ear Candy could be a great solution for you!

Why I agree that "All you need is a good idea."

Back when I was a freshman in high school, I decided I had found my calling.  My creative problem solving team was challenged that year to write a commercial as part of our performance - and our team got a chance to tour some of the best ad agencies in the Twin Cities as research.

I thought these ad agencies were the coolest places on earth because the entire companies were built around coming up with ideas!  (What more could you want?!!!)

Obviously, over the years my plans have changed somewhat and I've fallen more in love with the process of coming up with ideas.  But I still have quite a soft spot for the work that goes on in the ad agencies.

So, when I got asked to review All You Need is a Good Idea by Jay Heyman for the 2nd stop on its online tour, I jumped at the chance.  After all, I'd be stupid to throw away a chance to pick the brains of someone who thinks of ideas for a living.  

All You Need Is A Good Idea is a book about advertising and how to come up with copy that gets attention (and causes action.)  If you love to play with words as much as I do, you'll enjoy it just because Jay gives so much solid advice about how to write really good advertising copy.  He also has very good examples that will show you how to do things right... and avoid the mistakes he's made in the past.

But I also think All You Need Is A Good Idea has a lot to offer anyone who works with ideas. As I was reading through the book, I was struck by the number of insights that apply to all creativity.  For example, Jay writes about a great idea he had as a young creative that really impressed the top management of his agency. 

At least, it was a great idea... until people ranking higher than him all made their little tweaks to the concept.  The end result turned out to be as boring as any idea that was designed by committee - and the idea ended up in the trash bin.

That chapter really struct me because it's so easy to let an idea get corrupted beyond recognition... especially when people are just trying to help.

Because I was curious about how a seasoned creative deals with that situation, I asked Jay how he determines whether a helpful suggestion adds to an idea, or detracts from it.

His answer:

When a suggestion makes the idea more familiar, or the thought less surprising, it is a sure sign that it is detracting from whatever made you like it in the first place. One sure-fire test is that when you hear a suggestion, and your response to yourself is, “I

knew I should have gone into the wholesale produce business, like my dad,” well, it is probably not a suggestion you will be comfortable with.

And watch out for being pecked to death by ducks. That’s what I call it when each suggestion changes just one word in your headline. Initially, the new word can seem to add to the idea, not make it worse. But change enough words, though it is only one at a time, and your thought ends up dead just the same.

I'm sure most of you can relate to having your ideas weakened by helpful, well-meaning people.  (I know I can!)  Just like that example, a lot of the stories Jay tells can help creatives with their creativity/thinking challenges.  It's not just for writers.

Since I'm always curious about the process that people use to come up with ideas (so I can get new ways to think myself), I also asked Jay how he personally comes up with great ideas:

When possible, I try to see what the product’s marketing history has been, old advertising campaigns, ads created but never produced.. And of course what the strategy is (and why). Then I write down virtually every idea and thought that comes to mind, leaving the editing process for later. Two other things help the process. Looking at what similar categories, though different products, are doing. If creating ads, for instance, for an expensive timepiece, I would check out what high-end automobiles, premium alcoholic beverages, first class hotels are doing with their marketing. 

Not to steal—which is never a good idea—but rather to get a feel for their language, graphics, positioning and how they appeal to their audience. The other important part of the process is taking a break, walking away from the computer, sleeping on it. Let your subconscious work on it a little, you have other chores to do.

Finally, since ideas are useless unless you can successfully convince others of their value, I asked Jay about how he typically presents to a client, how many ideas he shares at once and what he has found to be most effective:

I try never to present more than three [ideas] to a client [at a time], with a recommendation as to the best one. Presenting too many choices to a client is a bad idea. It shows a lack of judgment, is confusing, and leads to the inevitable, “How about taking this part of this headline and adding that part of that headline?” 

I usually like to present what I call “copywriter’s roughs.” Each of these draft versions has a headline, suggested graphic, and occasionally some directional copy. They are rarely close to what an art director can do, but they present each concept in a form the client can understand. It is efficient because it is only after the client has settled on the creative direction that we go to the art director. Therefore the AD does not have to start from zero, since the page is no longer blank, which saves the client time and money.

What's really interesting to me is that while Jay presents ideas that are very well thought-out, he still presents an unfinished idea to his clients.  That gives them the ability to make minor changes and feel some ownership of the idea, while allowing Jay to come up with more ideas in less time (since they don't have to be completely polished for the presentation.)

All You Need Is A Good Idea is a very interesting book and will give you a fascinating insight into how people who think of ideas for a living come up with their best ideas.  (And, will also show you some mistakes that are easy to make.)  

Be sure to check it out... and take a look at Jay's blog while you're at it!

Change your perspective.

As a blogger and a freelance writer, I spend a lot of time at the computer.  Lucky, I don't suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, but I've had some stress issues with my wrists. Especially when I was trying to crank out my 130 page dissertation for my masters degree.

When I talked to the doctor about it, she told me that I should get some braces to wear at night.  She explained that they would prevent me from holding my hands in a stressful position, and allow my arms to heal overnight.  Then, during the day, I'd be able to type away.

I thought about what she said for a moment, then asked, "Could I wear the braces when I work instead, and prevent the damage in the first place?"

She gave me a surprised look, and then agreed that it would work.

And that's exactly what I've done.  Every time my wrists start to bother me, I slip on my braces and type away.  Since I can't hold my hands in a stressful position with the braces on, I can't hurt them.  It's a perfect solution!  (I even have cute wrist warmers to put over the braces so I can type in public without looking like an invalid.)

What was really interesting to me about this whole experience was that we had such completely different thought processes:

My doctor focused on how to cure my injury.

I focused on how to prevent it so I didn't get hurt in the first place.

Of course, it makes sense about why we looked at the problem from different angles.  Doctors generally deal with people who are already hurt, and so their focus is on curing.  Whereas, as the person with the injury, I not only wanted to fix it, I wanted to make sure it didn't happen again!

Now, everytime I wear my wrist braces, I'm reminded of that conversation - and I'm actually happy that I keep thinking about it.  

Why?  

Because it reminds me of a really nifty tool for creative thinking: changing perspectives.

Generally, when we think of ideas, we think of ideas as ourselves:

• "What would make something better for me?"  
• "What in my usual sphere of knowledge would work with what we're trying to accomplish?"
• "What do I think would be an interesting change?"

It works great, until we get stuck in rut and the ideas dry up.

To break out of that rut, all we need to do is to deliberately shift our thinking to look at the challenge from someone else's perspective.

Then, it's not just about what we know.  It's about what would make an experience better for a patient. Or how a interior designer would improve a car.  Or even (if we really want to stretch) what changes a toothfairy would make to a bed!

That moves our thinking away from our normal thought processes and towards possible better solutions.  Not all are winners, but it's always better to have a large pool of possibilities to choose from.

And, it's good not to get stuck in one way of thinking.  I definitely appreciate it when I can walk away from my computer after a long day of typing and have pain-free arms!

Finding a solution in what's already there.

As I'm sure many of you already know, I live in Minnesota most of the time.  And, as anyone who watches the weather on TV know... Minnesota gets REALLY COLD at times!  Below zero (Fahrenheit/-17°C) is pretty common here in the winter, and it can get worse.

Luckily, we Minnesotans know how to make the best of it.  We insulate our houses and our bodies, and have perfected the mad dash from our door to the car.  And we come up with creative ways to do our favorite activities when the weather doesn't permit.

In the 1980s, in one of the most famous examples of Minnesotan inventiveness, two local hockey players invented Rollerblades so they could practice hockey in the summer.  The skates quickly grew in popularity all over the US, and developed their own following.  Soon, many Minnesotans (not just hockey players) were rollerblading all over the state during the warm season.

But then (ironically) inline skaters in Minnesota ran into a problem: how to keep practicing their favorite sport in the winter!

Finding a solution for the inline skaters, however, didn't require creating anything new.  Actually, the answer was found by looking at an existing facility in a new way.

In the picture below, you can see the solution to all the MN inline skaters' problems:

At the beginning of the 1990s, someone noticed that the Metrodome - a heated indoor sports facility in downtown Minneapolis home to Vikings football (and previously Twins baseball and Gopher football) - was surrounded by two levels of very smooth concrete.  And although the playing fields were frequently in use for team practices and exhibitions, the hallways of the 'Dome were empty on non-game-days.

And so the "Rollerdome" was born! 

Every year, the Metrodome opens its doors several days a week from November to April to inline skaters.  Over 50,000 Minnesotans visit every year - from beginners to speed skaters.  There are lessons, a live DJ playing music, concessions, and even the world's only Inline Marathon held indoors.

The Rollerdome is a great example of how someone came up with an excellent solution to challenge of enjoying inline skating in a state with uncooperative weather simply by looking at what's already around them in a different way!

A lot of times, we think of innovation only as creating something new.  But that's not always necessary.  Sometimes though, the best solution comes from looking around to see what's out there, and figuring out how existing resources can be used to solve a problem.

Rollerdome Photo Credit: Darlene Prois

Disclaimer: I have a season pass to the Rollerdome, so I'm obviously in favor of it. But I've not been paid in any way to write this post. However, if anyone from the Rollerdome reads this and wants to discount my skating...  I wouldn't be opposed! ;-)

Have more ideas to get less attached.

When you have one big idea, it's really easy to fall in love with it. And that's where most people stop.  They get one really good idea, and are so excited about it that they start plowing ahead imagining all the possibilities.

That's risky though, because what if that one idea turns out to be not so good after all? 

What if you go forward with it, only to find that it is a total flop?  Or what if you tell it to a friend - and the look on their face makes you wish you'd never spoken up?  Or what if you try to develop it, and run into a brick wall?

It only takes one amazing idea to make all your dreams come true... but that doesn't mean you should have only one idea. 

Instead, you should focus on getting lots of ideas.  The more the better, in fact!  That way, you exponentially increase the potential of hitting a home run.

About a year ago, I challenged readers to think of 100 ideas for their next creative challenge.  It's a mean exercise that drains your brain totally dry, but it's completely possible.  In fact, getting the first 50 ideas is usually the hardest - after 75, it's practically easy!

But I bet no one did it.  Forcing yourself to think of 100 ideas sounds like torture, doesn't it?

Last week though, Seth Godin's group of Alternative MBA students challenged themselves to come up with 111 ideas each.  And they did it!  And to prove they did it, they posted the entire list of 999 ideas on their blog.

Here are 20 of their ideas:

• Local fresh restaurant that opens off-peak hours to hold cooking classes to locals.
• A party planner for kids birthday parties, but with educational and fun activities.
• Retractable spikes for boots to walk on the ice on sidewalks
• Chewing gum that is good for braces and dentures.
• Make your own batch of whiskey - takes 12 years, you pick flavors and types of oak barrels at the distillery, pickup in 12 years
• A half refrigerator/freezer/microwave in the trunk of a car. That way, wherever you go in the car, you can always have food handy.  How great for road trips.
• EZPass for humans on public transportation (key fob?)
• Roomba type toy for dog to chase around house. Should move faster, be fairly indestructible and make appropriate noises.
• Fish Burial Kit.
• Executive Power nap business - Locations where executives can take a 20 minute energizer nap during the day
• Pay at the pump carbon offsets
• Unique Bachelor & Bachelorette Parties - we work with you to design a fun, unique bachelor or bachelorette party experience
• A service where people are employed to talk specifically to antisocial or shy people at a party (they’ll feel better about themselves and will be more likely to open up next time with their new confidence.)
• Restaurant where you cook alongside the chef , choose your ingredients and learn a new technique.
• A personal education coach-they pick blogs, books, resources for you to learn based on your personal interests and career goals.  They gather all the materials and for you and make recommendations on the best way for learning the material.
• Build Your own Mardi Gras mask site.
• Create your own ice cream flavors
• Be a sports team mascot for day
• Netflix for home exercise equipment. Swap out your ergometer for an elliptical and then swap that for a treadmill.
• A perfect crayon box. com where customer is invited to create their own crayon box, picking his/her favorite colors.

As you can see, they're all over the map!  Some are good and have a lot of potential... and some are just silly.

But the best part about having so many ideas is that it's hard to get too attached to any of them.

That's good, because it allows you to pick out the best ideas.  And it also helps you push your creativity further - because letting yourself come up with "bad" or "silly" ideas is a good way to open up new possibilities.   Then, a stupid idea might lead to a great one.

So, whenever you start falling in love with an idea, take a step back and start thinking of more ideas.  You'll have much better results that way!