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

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

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.

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 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.

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 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)

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)