Archive for the ‘Generating Ideas’ Category

Top 5 Creativity “Rut Busters”

Posted by Julie | May 19th, 2010

What do you do when the well runs dry?

I mean the creativity spring, the idea river, the fountain of wit…

Maybe you are one of the few lucky ones and this never happens to you (liar!).

Fortunately, this doesn’t happen too often to me…but it does happen.

And it’s often when I am physically tired or mentally pre-occupied (usually with kids, home, etc.).

I know it will pass, after all, it always does.

But even though I know it’s temporary, when it does happen, I seem to lose sight of this right away and I go right to…I WILL NEVER HAVE ANOTHER CREATIVE IDEA AS LONG AS I LIVE.

And naturally this makes me panic, and of course this panic blocks my creativity even more and so on, and so on…

So what’s a girl (of guy) to do?

Well once you climb down from the ledge, you might want to try one of these tips…none of them are ground-breaking, but maybe they are worth remembering. And of course, what I really loved to hear is your ideas.

Keep reading »

Category: Creativity, Generating Ideas, Inspiration, Overcoming Obstacles, Problem Solving

Keep Your Ideas in a Drawer

Posted by Julie | June 26th, 2009


Not forever, but at least for a day or two.

Sometimes we get so caught up in a new idea that we want to shout it from the rooftops or share it with the world…right away.

But my experience is that most ideas actually benefit from a little marination.

I always try to adhere to the 24 hour rule.

I’ll work feverishly on something, then put it away in a drawer for a day. Then when I take it out, if I am still as passionate about it as I was 24 hours before I will share it as is.

But most often what happens, is when I read it a day later, there are a lot of things I’d like to keep the same. But also a few tweaks I’d like to make.

This doesn’t mean watering it down.

It just means taking a second look to see if it makes as much sense as I thought it did during my burst of creative energy.

And often it means showing it to someone else for a second opinion.

However, I’ve found if I do show it to someone else, it’s really important to be clear what kind of input I’m looking for.

The smart folks at ?WhatIf! call this “signalling”. In other words, inviting commentary in a positive way.

For example, “I’m excited about this idea, I am still working on it and was wondering if you could help me build it?” or “I am looking for input in this specific area…”

This will avoid some of the well-intentioned but often soul-crushing input we often get when opening our ideas up to others.

In either case, letting a idea breathe for a day or so often helps it to become stronger.

And by the way, this 24 hour rule applies nicely to those impassioned late night emails we all write, usually when we’re fed up about something. Put the email in your drafts folder and see if you feel the same way in the morning.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?
Do you give your ideas some breathing room?

Category: Generating Ideas

Ready, Set, No!

Posted by Julie | June 3rd, 2009


What’s the right timing for innovation?

I’m not talking about developing ideas and getting to market.

I’m talking about thinking something through, making a decision, and if it’s not meant to be moving on to the next thing.

Lots of energy is spent about getting ideas to market faster. But I think we should pay more attention to the time lines for killing ideas that just aren’t going to make it.

Too often we let ideas linger. Either through indecision, inertia, or sometimes just the lack of courage to take action.

What’s the harm? Well, the problem is that most of us has limited creative and literal resources. So if we spend time on dead-ends, it may be keeping us from applying energy to other ideas.

Recently I met with the guys from Ozo Labs and they were very upfront about some mistakes and lessons they’ve learned in this area. They’ve spent too much time lingering in the zone of “going nowhere”.

So now they either do one of two things: 1) set a finite limit on the exploration of any one idea (ex. 3 months) or 2) give the idea to someone out side of the core group to explore. That way they have a fresh set of ideas looking at the opportunity, and the core group is freed up to move onto something else.

Last month I was on a panel with a terrific woman from Hasbro who is in charge of consumer insights. Given the nature of the toy business, they are coming out with 1,000’s of new SKU’s every year. They can’t afford to waste any time. So they’ve gotten really good at saying no …definitively – and early on.

Rather than quash innovation, this actually helps encourage it. It keeps the passion and energy level high instead of letting it get wasted on ideas that don’t have a real chance.

Are you spending too much time kicking the same tired ideas around? It may be keeping you from uncovering some better ideas. Next time, try setting a time limit on idea exploration. It might actually help you speed things up.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?

Do you have the discipline to move on quickly from dead-end ideas?

Category: Brand Strategy, Generating Ideas, Inspiration

Flat is the New Growth

Posted by Julie | June 1st, 2009


“Flat is the new growth”. I heard this expression the other day, and I thought it was witty.

And then I started to really think about it and I thought is was kind of depressing…and dangerous.

I’m a realist (mostly). Well at least I read the paper (when I’ve finished the crossword) and I know what’s going on. Times are tough. But I don’t think we can let that be an excuse for complacency.

Flat may be what the markets are aspiring to, but “Flat” should never become the accepted standard for innovation.

We need to keep pressing on and moving upward, even when it feels like an uphill battle. Actually, especially when it feels like an uphill battle.

These are time of great unrest, but from this turbulence can come some fantastic ideas. The trick is to embrace the uncertainty and use it as a force of liberation and not of stagnation.

After all, it won’t always be like this. But if for now expectations are low, think how incredibly easy it is to exceed them. It may just be the perfect time to take a risk.

Many categories have quieted down in terms of spending and activity. You can make a big bang for a little buck right now.

Not that long ago I was at the launch of Virgin America’s new service to Boston. Amid all the speeches from the celebrities and politicians that were at the launch, one statement really struck a chord.

The head of Massport thanked Virgin for opening a route to Boston in these rocky times. Not just because of the business and jobs it would bring to the city …but also for the signal it sent to the consumers that life and business were moving on.

He stressed how important it was for consumer confidence for companies to keep investing and innovating and that actions like the Boston launch send a powerful, tangible message.

Consider an action you’ve been hesitating about in your business. Why not go ahead and start the ball rolling? What have you got to lose?

I believe that negative thinking breeds negative actions and that positive momentum can be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?

How are you taking advantage of the current lull to shake things up?

Category: Generating Ideas, Inspiration, Overcoming Obstacles, Problem Solving

Got any Ideas?

Posted by Julie | May 22nd, 2009


When is the last time you had an original idea?

Not a “honey, let’s get Thai tonight instead of sushi” kind of idea.

A genuine, added value thought.

I have been in the ideas business all my life.

First in advertising, then at a branding agency, and now on the client side at Virgin.

I love new ideas, they’re are what get me out of bed in the morning and keep me going all day.

But lately, I feel like sometimes I get so caught up in the daily grind, that I forget that I am actually in the ideas business.

Sometimes I feel like I am in the “e-mail sending, project management, meeting organizer and meeting attendee business”.

And if I have a little extra time once that’s all taken care of – I create an idea.

I am working on turning this around. But it’s taking conscious effort.

I have to say to myself in the morning, that at the end of the day I will evaluate my day not on how many emails I got through- but on whether I actually came up with any original thoughts that added value.

This doesn’t have to be a new product or service idea. It could be an idea on how to solve the “never enough meeting room space” dilemma in my office.

But it has to be a solution, a new thought, something created and not just communicated or shuffled around.

You don’t have to be a marketing or creative type to hold this up as your standard. No matter what your job or industry, idea creation is what keeps things moving forward.

If this problem sounds familiar to you, here’s an idea …when you come back from the long (and hopefully restful weekend)- tax yourself and your team to get back into the ideas business.

If it helps, you could even set a side a day a week- let’s pick Wednesday- as idea day.

On that day, don’t schedule any meetings, try and establish a no-email for a day policy, and tell everyone to focus uniquely on creating new ideas.

You can try some of tricks in my older posts if that helps with stimulating ideas or you could just let people find their own way.

At the end of the day have a cocktail or an ice cream sundae party. Share your ideas. They don’t have to be perfect. But they should be celebrated.

Creating a culture of idea generation in today’s work environments is critically important to business success and to employee satisfaction.

But it takes work.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?

Are you creating enough new ideas?

Category: Generating Ideas, Inspiration

The Magic Ingredient

Posted by Julie | May 15th, 2009


In honor of the World Innovation Forum in NYC last week I was poking around on YouTube and came across this clip from a 2006 Forum session. I hadn’t seen it before, and I think it’s worth watching.

Andy Cohen, an inspirational speaker, taught the audience a coin trick and gave an important lesson in what we each bring to innovation.

He believes the real magic of innovation, lies not in the ability to master the trick. But rather in what each of us brings to the table. Our uniqueness, makes the solutions unique. It creates the sparkle and the “ahh”.

I believe this. I’ve seen alot of innovation companies who claim to have “proprietary” methodology. But in the end, I think a lot of it (on paper) is the same.

What I think makes the difference between an OK innovation experience or outcome and a truly inspired one…is the people.

It’s the brains using the tools. Not the tools themselves.

Maybe that’s obvious. But I think it’s worth repeating. Watch the video, at the very least it will give you a new way to impress your friends this weekend.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?

What tricks do you have up your sleeve?

Category: Generating Ideas, Inspiration

Eat with your Left Hand

Posted by Julie | April 29th, 2009


Last night I was taking a late train home from the city, reading the May issue of Women’s Health Magazine to unwind. I had just finished a really stimulating Expert Panel at ?WhatIf! on Skinny Innovation so my brain was still a bit in overdrive.

In between the articles on flatter abs and firmer buns, I came across an article about will power that really struck a chord.

The secret it seems to mastering the previously insurmountable task of controlling mind and body is ….drum roll please…eating with your left hand.

The article said if you are normally right-handed, but make an effort to break out of this pattern and eat with your left hand you will have more control over what you eat. After repeated forced use of your “less dominant” side, not only does will power improve but overall complex task mastery as well.

I found this really thought provoking with a potentially interesting twist for innovation.

I started to think about activities I take for granted and wondered if a little conscious detour could actually help me become more aware, more focused and perhaps more creative.

Here’s a few “left-handed” ideas:

Re-arrange the furniture in your office, cube, or just the layout of the stuff on your desk. (At ?WhatIf! they have open seating and everyone chooses a different location every day depending on their mood).

Take a different route to work. If you take the subway try the bus, if you walk try a different street, if you drive take a detour (or better yet…ride your bike!).

Switch from coffee to tea for the day.

Let someone else lead the meeting you usually chair.

Boxers to briefs?

You get the idea. Go out of your way to change a “second nature” behavior and see what develops.

That’s my point of View. What’s your twist?

What’s your “left-handed” trick?

Category: Generating Ideas, Inspiration, Risk Taking

“What Else?”

Posted by Julie | April 27th, 2009


“What else?”. Two simple words that are a powerful weapon against mediocrity.

I learned them from a friend of mine who works in magazine marketing. She’s been in her job a while, so she confesses a need to constantly challenge herself to keep things fresh.

She asks “what else?” in every meeting, on every project and in every review with her staff.

These words help remind her that there is always a way to push things further.

Could it work for you?

Here’s a simple check list to apply the “what else” principle:

• What else can we do with this idea that no one else could?
If you’re going to do it…own it!

• What else can we do to activate this idea on more levels?
Make the most of every precious dollar.

• What else do our consumers really want?
Make sure you’re meeting genuine target needs and not just talking to yourself.

• What else can we do to surprise and delight them?
Go beyond satisfaction, offer some magic.

• What else can we put in place to measure effectiveness? .
Quantify results to demonstrate success and support for more budget.

And the two that I think are the most important:

• Ask your juniors…what else would you do?
Use every moment as a training opportunity.

• What else are we scared to try but should consider?
Go on, be bolder!

So on this Monday morning, as you shake off the weekend cobwebs and get back into the work day swing, try asking yourself “what else” and see what develops.

That’s my point of view. What’s your twist?

What other “what else” principles do you use to keep things fresh?

Category: Brand Strategy, Generating Ideas, QuickTips

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