A good logo should only have one gimmick. A gimmick can be: different colours , changing colours with a simple motif , a single styled letter amongst “plain” letters , a unique typeface used for the whole name , a graphical treatment of the name , or a strong symbol .

Amateur looking logos are often …

Do you often feel overwhelmed at work? Are you straining under the weight of your responsibilities? Are you a perfectionist constantly agonising over all the details you need to manage? We cannot possible control everything! And the resultant stress of trying to do so is not nice to live with.

Faith is the answer. I am not talking religion here. Faith means doing the best we can (without killing …

I spotted a Deloitte ad at the airport recently. The headline said “steward AND strategist.” It immediately begged the question: Is this possible for a person to be both a steward (someone who runs the day-to-day of a company) and an innovative strategist (someone who envisages ground-breaking future directions for a company)?

I don’t believe so. The two roles demand two incompatible modes of thinking.

A steward is essentially there …

It was a dour, wet, gray and thoroughly miserable rush-hour in a packed city train station. The platform was packed with annoyed and damp commuters. The train was late. And more commuters were flooding in from the rain outside.

The train finally arrived, just in time to avoid a damp riot. The doors creaked open. The crowd jostled forward expectantly; those in front wary of those behind trying to …

You are reading a book, an article, or a blog post. The piece spoke to you. It resonated with something inside you. You thought “Wow! This is great. I must contact the author!” You get on to email… Then you stop.

“Why would they want to hear from me? They don’t know me! They probably have loads of more important people writing to them. I don’t have much to …

An egg is a versatile thing indeed. It can be used in an amazing variety of ways. Similarly, you too have egg-like versatile skills if you look deep enough.

We often lump our skills with our jobs or training – accountant, ballet teacher, homemaker.

Dig deeper and a ballet teacher’s skill set can encompass counselling, physiotherapy, personal training, nutrition advisor, organising people and venues, and bookkeeping. By recombining these skills …

Look beyond the social responsibility and feel-good of doing work for charities; they are actually great opportunities to seriously exercise your creative problem-solving skills.

Relative to most businesses and corporations, charities have huge limitations placed upon them. Funds and resources are obvious ones. There is also the established mentality and attitude – one of scarcity, limitations, and stifling compliance.

Working with a charity is the ultimate place to learn to …

I discovered how difficult it is to buy a simple room air freshener today.

I am thinking something plonko simple – a bottle of liquid or gel, and an opening to let the smell out. What I was faced with was a plethora of unnecessarily complicated, bitsy, and shamefully wasteful “innovative” air fresheners. Wind tunnel streamlined objects with multi-speed fans, batteries, springs, gears, electronics, timers, sensors, microchips, optional accessories, …

The two largest department stores in Australia are engaging in a “fashion war” at the moment. They are spending big bucks hiring famous faces and snuggling up to fashion designers. Will this help them stand apart from each other? I think not.

Both stores have had, and currently continue to have similar colour schemes, store layouts, range of goods, locations, and services. Their advertising is indistinguishable from each other. …

As I was wandering up and down the aisles between the numerous stalls at Paddy’s Market on the weekend, I noticed the market seem to be largely made up of multiple look-alike stalls. There were multiple stalls selling the same selection of wigs, toys, lingerie, and nuts. They were all set out alike; creating a somewhat surreal disorientation as I weaved around the market.

The handful of stand-out stalls …