Looking back on my previous work with decision-makers in situations where we were coming up with possibilities to meet a challenge, I note that one of the most often asked questions was: “Are you saying we should do that?”

This question inevitably comes up when a promising idea surfaces during the course of our conversation. It is interesting that there such an immediate need for the simple, absolute, one, …

I just read this uplifting and thought-provoking article on ODE Magazine: Pulling themselves up by their keyboards by Lex Veldhoen.

I found the following bits particularly interesting and worthy of further meditation:

“…the World Bank had calculated … that every computer acquired by companies in developing countries creates more jobs and raises productivity…” — To all those companies who regularly upgrade their hardware, have you consider donating …

The Internet is a haven for self-expression. Anyone can put up whatever they want, as long as they have access to the technology of course. What we have now is a mass of information - some very useful, but mostly… um… poo.

And where there is lots of poo, there be services to help us good people filter the gemstones from the muck. One example is digg.com. …

This is a follow on post from A Technique for Producing Ideas.

Is the computer merely an execution tool? Is it a hindrance or a help in the idea generation process?

In my work, I use both a paper notepad and a laptop computer. Increasingly, more and more of my idea generation is done on my laptop. I estimate only 10-15% of my ideas now originate on paper. The …

An oldie but a goodie - written in 1965 by James Young. Read Kirby Ferguson’s summary: Book summary: A Technique for Producing Ideas

My paraphrasing:

Gather input
Let it stew
Walk away from it for a while
Listen for the “ding” that says the idea is ready
Serve it up, share it, make it real

The “collect words” advice is quite topical for me. I have always liked words (the latest addition being …

When you think design + computers, you may be forgiven for thinking only of Apple. Design is about thinking things through, and working in a disciplined, methodical manner with a clear and unabiguous focus in mind. The final stylistic outcome can vary dramatically.

A counterpoint to the Apple’s “look at me” style is IBM/Lenovo’s long-standing Thinkpad line of laptops.

Those who know me will know I have long been a …

My sister bought me the book (thanks Tein) and I visited the site: Stuff on my Cat.

Cute kitties aside, the story behind the phenomenon is interesting. Mario Garza started the site in July 2005 because he liked putting stuff on his cat and decided to share his photos online. It took off! Millions of visitors, with many of them submitting photos of their cats, and write-ups …

Here’s my first take after reading Good Business and Flow on how to design work to better facilitator flow.

Think back to when you were last in flow –when you were engaging in your favourite hobby, and time just flew and you felt like a new person after.

Set clear goals – from the objective (number of units inspected) to the emotive (feeling motivated and respected …

If you are interested in business, communications, people and the future, have a read of all the good stuff on The Cluetrain Manifesto.

I will be buying the book!

Flow. By Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. ISBN 0-7126-5759-2.

After reading Good Business by the same author, I just had to get this work. This book provided a lot more details on the author’s research into flow and happiness. He tackled the subject of consciousness, and our never-ending need to manage the chaos that is part of this consciousness, and to make meaning out of our existence …