December 23rd, 2009 § § permalink
What was the question asked that inspired the development of Anti Wi-Fi Paint to neutralize radio frequencies. Certainly it was not “Let’s make paint that will neutralize wave frequencies“. The question asked was, “How can we stop radio frequencies from traveling through unwanted spaces and environments?”
The end-results heavily depend on the coining and molding of the right question. Here’s a simple exercise to mold a great question:
- Begin with your initial question/statement – whether it’s a challenge, a problem or an opportunity at hand
- Write it down across the top of a page
- Identify key words in your statement
- Using a Thesaurus, begin to create variations of your statement by replacing the key words
- Statements and questions with fresh perspectives will begin to form. Pay close attention to the variations.
Below is a very basic example to illustrate the point. For a creative entrepreneur and an innovator, each statement opens very different possibilities and solutions:
- How can I travel to Miami more quickly (original statement)
- How can I drive to Miami more directly
- How can I fly to Miami instantly
- How can I connect with Miami more instantly
- How can Miami travel to me
December 1st, 2009 § § permalink
A key to generating creative ideas is to train your mind to think in a particular way. Naturally, we revert to safe thinking; our ideas need to make sense; we doubt in our ability; we wonder what others might think. In actuality, we limit the ideas and predetermine their failure.
If the mind is trained to think freely, without boundaries – you will be in the position to generate limitless ideas.
A simple technique:
For the next thirty days, force yourself to come up with outrageous ideas – ideas that may not necessarily make sense at all. The goal is to train to mind to break the boundaries that we naturally set up that confide our idea generation. Note each idea. Sketch it out.
Several pointed to keep in mind:
The journaling is only for you, no one else will see this.
Feel free to explore existing products & services, and look for ways to improve them.
Look at your everyday life, be sensitive to the things that you cannot find a feasible solution to.
July 31st, 2009 § § permalink
Personal interests and explorations are a key to new ideas, innovative approaches and fresh directions that we can take in life. In basic economics there’s a rule in play that states if one adds resources (people, technology, options, etc.) productivity will increase, and if the resources continue to multiply there will come a point when productivity will actually being to deteriorate.
It is absolutely critical to eliminate some of the personal projects laying around. Like in pruning, a gardener will always take away, that the plant might produce more fruit, not less.
When you’re exploring personal interests, always ask yourself , “what is the most important thing I can do at this very moment”? And learn to say no to yourself.
July 21st, 2009 § § permalink
A simple solution I’ve developed for keeping my inbox clean and free of clutter. The key is to take immediate action, whether you are constantly monitoring your emails or have designated times throughout the day to check your emails.
In this attachment, I’ve described in detail the different scenarios and actions to be taken as soon as your inbox is opened. These are not the only scenarios, but will serve as a solid starting point.
In general here are four scenarios of immediate action to take with an email:
A. Read the subject line or the from address of the email without opening the email. Based on this information, delete the email immediately.
B. Open the email, read it. If there’s no clear call-to-action or the information serves no purpose to you, delete it.
C. Open the email, read it. Respond to the email with the appropriate answer, information, etc. If no further action is needed, delete it.
D. Open the email, read it. Respond to the email with the appropriate answer, information, etc. If action is requited, either for you to do something (a task), or a follow up to the action (a reminder) – then convert it to an action with a specific deadline or reminder time. Then delete the email.
As always, there’s exceptions to the rules:
If the email is educational or informative in nature, create a “Reading” sub-folder in your inbox and store it until you have a scheduled time for reading and learning. Also, if the email contains a link of interest, launch the link in a web browser and bookmark it in a “Temporary” folder to return to it later.
Each scenario ends with the email finding it’s way into the trash bin.
April 27th, 2009 § § permalink
Ask more, then ask again. Once you’re finished asking questions, ask why.
April 1st, 2008 § § permalink
“But you’re not going to get to an idea thinking visually in most cases. You have to think in words, then add the visual. The you can make one plus one equal three.” George Lois
A great statement by the legendary George Lois. If you are looking to come up with a great idea, start talking to yourself. Turn the computer off and engage in a dialog with yourself or your creative group. Spend time with the idea, shaping it with words. The visual step will be much easier. And, you’ll have a powerful end-product.
Travel more. New BlueMotion technology. Big distances, little consumption.
Advertising Agency: DDB Milan, Italy
Executive Creative Director: Vicky Gitto
Art director: Aureliano Fontana
Copywriter: Bruno Vohwinkel
