Tony V's Idea Garage

poptech: This crazy-looking thing is a new kind of wind turbine...

Fri, 17 May 2013 20:13:38 -0400

This crazy-looking thing is a new kind of wind turbine —which happens to produce 600 percent more power than a conventional windmill.

The Seven C’s of Creative Leadership You’ve built the...

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:00 -0400

The Seven C’s of Creative Leadership

You’ve built the innovation function, put a team in place, created the supporting processes and necessary governance to guide it all and now you’re wondering where all the game-changing ideas are. For many companies, this is an all-too-common result of their first foray into the world of innovation.

The problem? Most companies jump into innovation by doing what they do best: creating process and business systems that provide order and control. While these are essential, we cannot forget that innovation is a creative endeavor and most companies simply do not spend enough time considering the cultural impact unleashed creativity will have on their organization. Most company cultures favor and reward logic and analytical thinking and in such cultures it is extremely difficult for a truly novel idea to survive the weight of scrutiny.

Read the rest at Miles Finch Innovation

Wine terminology on cheese.

Wed, 15 May 2013 13:14:06 -0400

Wine terminology on cheese.

I had the pleasure of attending last week’s 99U Conference...

Fri, 10 May 2013 16:34:52 -0400

I had the pleasure of attending last week’s 99U Conference in New York City. I needed a jolt of inspiration and the event was just what the doctor ordered.

A full recap of my favorite moments can be read here.

"The real difficulty in changing the course of any enterprise lies not in developing new ideas, but..."

Fri, 10 May 2013 10:06:11 -0400

“The real difficulty in changing the course of any enterprise lies not in developing new ideas, but in escaping from the old ones.”

- John Maynard Keynes

"The more you contain your ego, the more realistic you are about your problems. You learn how to..."

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:58:15 -0400

“The more you contain your ego, the more realistic you are about your problems. You learn how to listen and admit that you don’t know all the answers. You exhibit the attitude that you can learn from anyone at any time. Your pride doesn’t get in the way of gathering the information you need to achieve the best results. It doesn’t keep you from sharing the credit that needs to be shared.”

- From: Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done (Bossidy & Charan, 2002)

Heineken Ignite: An interactive bottle that utilizes LED...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:59:00 -0400

Heineken Ignite: An interactive bottle that utilizes LED technology to synchronize with music and the actions of consumers.

Seems pretty cool, but is it just a novelty?

Learn more at PSFK.

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:20:32 -0400

“Mistakes are the portals of discovery.”

- James Joyce

Dove’s latest social experiment drives home a compelling...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 10:04:06 -0400

Dove’s latest social experiment drives home a compelling truth: that we’re our own worst critics.

You are more beautiful than you think. (Great tagline, no?)

This amazing artwork project is sure to restore your faith in...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:57:00 -0400

This amazing artwork project is sure to restore your faith in humanity. Must click link to get full impact and range of photographs.

laughingsquid:

Le Petit Prince, Photo Series Imagines an Ordinary Life for a Boy with Muscular Dystrophy

In contrast to my previous post, here’s a classic example...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:39:32 -0400

In contrast to my previous post, here’s a classic example of how the product demo was used in advertising way back when.

Bounty: It absorbs like magic.

I recently posted a blog on Idea Climatology titled: Big Brands...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 14:26:01 -0400

I recently posted a blog on Idea Climatology titled: Big Brands Innovate the Product Demo. One of the commercials featured in the post was Prudential’s latest TV Spot called Stickers.

This video is the extended version which you can find on their web site.

I like this campaign and web site as it demonstrates how you can take a mundane piece of data and bring it to life in a disruptive and engaging way. I find the spot not only makes you think about your savings strategy but begs the question about shifting the official retirement age.

"This world is but a canvas to our imagination."

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:00:35 -0400

“This world is but a canvas to our imagination.”

- Henry David Thoreau

I love my new clock: The Present. I posted on this new clock...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:32:57 -0400

I love my new clock: The Present.

I posted on this new clock concept back in December. Although it took a while to receive it (due to initial production challenges), it was worth the wait. (If you’re not familiar with The Present, you’ll understand the irony in that in a moment.)

The present is a new type of clock that takes a year to make a full rotation and uses color to signify the changing seasons. By conveying a sense of “real time” the clock’s attempted utility is to help people be more present and appreciate living in the moment.

So does it work? I’d say yes. I live a pretty hectic life and time always seems to be flying by. But when I look at The Present, I do feel that time moves slower — thanks to a “hand” that barely moves day-to-day. We love it and highly recommend one!

Wells Fargo announces their “minibranch” retail...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:17:43 -0400

Wells Fargo announces their “minibranch” retail banking concept to be tested in Washington DC.

via WSJ:

The “minibranch,” which is set to open on Monday in Washington, is the bank’s first effort to create a floor plan that can serve most of a customer’s basic needs in less than half the space of a traditional setup.

As consumer needs/preferences shift, look out for a lot more innovation in this space. This is just the beginning.

unconsumption: Two Swedish designers are turning rejected and...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:06:33 -0400

unconsumption:

Two Swedish designers are turning rejected and recycled materials into beautiful, colorful rugs.

Katarina Brieditis and Katarina Evans of Stockholm have been repurposing old Salvation Army swag into stunning floor-coverings since August 2012, with the aim of producing one new piece on a monthly basis. They employ several methods to create their final products, from the more traditional knitting and sewing to more specific crocheting and plaiting.

(via Design Duo Turn Thrift Store Sweaters Into Rugs - PSFK)

This is a couple of years old, but I needed a good laugh today....

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 11:04:24 -0400

This is a couple of years old, but I needed a good laugh today. Never gets old!

Don McMillan does his “Life After Death by Powerpoint” schtick.

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:09:11 -0400

“One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.”

- Bob Marley

"People must get into some trouble before they do much thinking. As someone put it: ‘Man..."

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 09:31:00 -0400

“People must get into some trouble before they do much thinking. As someone put it: ‘Man seems to jump from a hitch to a hunch.’ If man tries out enough things, maybe he’ll learn something.”

- - John Dewey

Good advice for companies facing stagnation or competitive threats. Of course, you don’t always need an external problem to force you to innovate. Why not devote more time to thinking about new things and giving some a try?

Start. By Anthony Vengrove Dear Idea, I’m coming for you The...

Tue, 26 Mar 2013 21:53:00 -0400

Start. By Anthony Vengrove

Tony V's Idea Garage

poptech: This crazy-looking thing is a new kind of wind turbine...

The Seven C’s of Creative Leadership You’ve built the...

Wine terminology on cheese.

I had the pleasure of attending last week’s 99U Conference...

"The real difficulty in changing the course of any enterprise lies not in developing new ideas, but..."

"The more you contain your ego, the more realistic you are about your problems. You learn how to..."

Heineken Ignite: An interactive bottle that utilizes LED...

"Mistakes are the portals of discovery."

Dove’s latest social experiment drives home a compelling...

This amazing artwork project is sure to restore your faith in...

In contrast to my previous post, here’s a classic example...

I recently posted a blog on Idea Climatology titled: Big Brands...

"This world is but a canvas to our imagination."

I love my new clock: The Present. I posted on this new clock...

Wells Fargo announces their “minibranch” retail...

unconsumption: Two Swedish designers are turning rejected and...

This is a couple of years old, but I needed a good laugh today....

"One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain."

"People must get into some trouble before they do much thinking. As someone put it: ‘Man..."

Start. By Anthony Vengrove Dear Idea, I’m coming for you The...

Dear Idea,

I’m coming for you

The wait is over

This is a call-to-arms

Today you cease to be a story in my head

A mental concept

Today is the day you will be birthed into the world

No more hoping for a natural delivery, I’ve scheduled a c-section

A creativity-section, so to speak

Today I start

By starting I become stronger for trying

By trying I immediately separate myself from the masses

Who remain stuck in intention

Who unconsciously find comfort in the status quo

It is easier to dream than to start

Starting is only a beginning

A journey

But starting leads to learning

From learning to insight

To better ways

Starting is better than complaining

Or worrying

Starting is cathartic

For engagement fuels inspiration

No more excuses and why nots

Enough baby steps

And fear of imperfection

Of not being good enough

My good enough is better than most

I will silence my ego which describes you as both brilliant and far-fetched

I will become present

I will bask in the glory of creation

I will honor you by gifting my full attention

For you deserve mindfulness

I’m tired of seeing others recognized for ideas I had years ago

I’m tired of seeing others creep toward the fringes of my dreams

Back off

No more will I let my cans turn into should haves

Of course, I can

I can do anything once I believe

For we live in an age where nearly anything is possible

A dream only requires a computer connected to the world

So you see, Idea

There’s no security staying trapped in my head

Only to become a faded memory

Stagnation’s step

On the stairway of death

No longer will I dread other’s judgment and criticism

Fear shall transmogrify into treasure

So bring it

If this sounds like war

It is

I’m climbing to the top of the mountain

To stake the flag of achievement upon its peak

I may get lost on the way up

I may back track to find a better path forward

But I’m not coming down

I’d rather die trying than to retreat

I commit to you a spirit of desperation