Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

As long as the anticipation builds, Christmas seems to be gone in the blink of an eye.  I hope all went well and that your stockings were filled with your wishes.

 

One of the great challenges for a small company is the process of choosing the right projects.  We are blessed with a great relationship with our clients that generate a two way communication based exchange of project ideas.  We pitch and get pitched to.  Being small our resources are limited and we need to leverage our time and talent to maximize our effectiveness and profit.

 

Here is the deal, everyone has time:

 

• 86,400 seconds in a day.
• 525,600 minutes in a year
• 8,760 hours in a year

 

You have to choose how to spend these precious resources wisely. 

 

We already have a number of projects signed and a number of proposals on the table.

 

Everything is about choices, so choose your’s wisely.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

I am a constant student of simplicity.  I spend most of my professional time in “thoughtful reduction mode” and find my leisure time noticing elegantly simple things.

 

I recently ready an interesting article about Dan Hesse the Chief Executive of Sprint/Nextel who likes to keep things simple:

 

• He has no entourage.
• Very few meetings.
• No huge email exchanges.
• Requires one page summary reports.

 

The most interesting part of his input is to simplify the services and benefits to the end user.  He is the champion of flat rate cell phone billing.  He believed one of the axioms of the CREATIVE VENTURES mantra – SIMPLE, POWERFUL and ELEGANT – Customers will pay more for services and products easy to use with immediate benefits!

 

When reviewing your sales and product plans for 2008 (it’s not too late, since this should be a constant and flexible process) take a look at the customers perspective.  Can you improve the ease of use and immediate benefits?  It will play a huge role in your success!

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     The Bucket List   will get my money this weekend.  If you have not seen Charlie Wilson’s War, go NOW.  One of my favorite films of the year.  Yes, my Top 10 and Bottom 5 movies of 2007 will be ready next week.  You have to drop me a note to get it!

 

NetFlix Fans:  Chinatown.  During a recent conversation I was shocked at how many people had not seen this classic.  It is on my Top 10 list of all time greats!

 

TV:    Who cares about writers when the Bowl Games hit the screen?  Don’t forget we are only a week away from the NFL playoffs.

 

BOOKS:  Clapton  by Eric Clapton is the first autobiography I have read in memory.  A fascinating read by a rock legend, filled with creative power, drugs and self destruction sprinkled with a huge hunk of redemption.

 

 

MUSIC:  OK, OK, OK I know I don’t post many female singers so here is a great cover of the Greg Brown song, One Cool Remove by Shawn Colvin.

 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wIBynEROEw

 

 

WEB SITES:  Like to think?  Try this location.

 

http://www.thethinkingblog.com/

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

 

Time for a few facts to get your South of Normal brain some fun:

 

• In 2003 there were $424 million dollars worth of MP3 players sold compared with $6 billion in 2007.
• State with the lowest number of motor vehicle accidents is NY. Mississippi has the highest.
• 65 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home this holiday season with the vast majority doing it by car.
• 80% of the world’s toys are made in China.
• Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer is 68 years old (invented by a Montgomery Ward marketer in 1939).
• In 2006 Christmas tree farmers made $512 million.
• Apple traded at over $200 for the first time this week.  That is a 134% increase in 2007.

 

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.

Einstein

 

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

 

 

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

This was a week of design.   Sprinkled in with trying to find time to shop and all the other aspects of getting ready for the Holidays, I worked on three specific strategic platforms being ready to launch in 2008 for three different clients. 

 

It is critical to “see” during the design process.  We think of each platform as serving its strategic function as well as have communicative qualities.  It has to serve a function, sales, planning, organization, but it also has to have an attribute that is understandable to everyone.  You should intuitively know what to do, how part 1 fits part 2 and then slips neatly into part 3 (never more than three parts).

 

The art of design does not just apply to industrial work, architecture, interactions but also in strategy, thinking and communication.  Organizations need a simple process that works.  Simple, Powerful and Elegant, it makes everything work.

 

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

The impact of shared information and opinions on an organization is huge, yet few include this new barometer of ideas as a strategic player in their planning:

 

• During 2007, over 66 million adults will share their view and give advice about products and services.
• 27 million adults will be identified as exerting influence over a service or product on-line.
• Less than 12% of businesses give any strategic significance to “word of mouth” impact.

 

Here are a few things to think about regarding the various levels of communication at your disposal.   

 

• Take a few moments just to list the type of communication you take advantage of so you can know your own playing field.
• In a multimedia channel world, you need to have some impact with something more than print.
• Do you have a method for your own team members to exchange information and ideas in a real time format?
• Take some planning time and include; BUZZ as a strategy.  What can you do to create content that the public would feel compelled to share with others?  Next year marks the first time in 3 years I will be releasing new, multimedia programs.  I have been “dripping” small bits of information about what can be expected to my clients and already have a list of those who want any info as soon as I have it ready.  I created a little “buzz” in the Creative Ventures world.

 

Everything leading to success will follow two and only two pathways; communication and thinking.  Maybe it’s time to think about your communication!

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     National Treasure II   looks like it will be the first of the holiday movie releases to get my money, but certainly not the last.  I plan on seeing lots of movies over the next four days.  I am hoping to hit 45 movies seen this year and will have my annual Top 10 and Bottom 5 list ready in early January.

 

NetFlix Fans:  Once.  A charming little musical that will become a small classic.

 

TV:    End the writers strike NOW!  My gosh, standard network television is already a wasteland.  The timing of the strike is unfortunate as regular TV has been pushing its creative barriers to make an impact on cable and now it’s a joke with such classics as the return of American Gladiators.  This does not even take into consideration that there will be a huge void of movies by the middle of next year. 

 

BOOKS:  Becoming an Extraordinary Manager  by Lee Sandler has some pretty good stuff in it, except for the section on Motivating Others.  You can not motivate anyone to do anything.  Motivation is a self driven psychological phenomenon. 

 

 

MUSIC:  I had my iTunes set to shuffle and this song came on and it make me remember how much I love Steve Forbert.  Give it a listen and I promise, you will spend a few $.99 on his music.

 

 

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ok8TjUU1ml8

 

 

WEB SITES:  Want to stay at the nicest place, but pay for a Marriott?  Try this site.

 

www.luxurylink.com

 

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

 

For many years I have used the Wing-Suit skydiving outfit as an example of borrowing creative ideas from nature.  Many of you have seen the video I use in my thinking classes, but lately the practitioners of this insanity have now taken it to a new level.  From adding small jet engines to their legs to trying to land without a parachute these thrill seekers are now about as South of Normal as you can get.  Just watch this stuff!  The NY Times piece has a great video embedded in the article.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eS2rjcVcaqQ

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/10/sports/othersports/10flying.html?ex=1213592400&en=bde797c2d885f22b&ei=5087&excamp=NYT-E-I-NYT-E-AT-1219-L2&WT.mc_ev=click&WT.mc_id=%20NYT-E-I-NYT-E-AT-1219-L2

 

 

I love the edge

Where risk and sense

Blend.

Its where the brain

Tends

To scream.

Steve Harvill – The Edge

 

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

 

 

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

Well, that’s it.  My fantastic trip to Atlanta this week was my last trip of the year!

 

Both the La Jolla and Atlanta trips set up wonderful projects for 2008 that will continue to challenge the value we bring to our clients.  Our tagline at Creative Ventures is Simple, Powerful, Elegant and the value found in those three simple words has lead our thinking and design since day one.  We look forward to our clients continuing to build on this rich legacy of success!

 

Next year we launch the first new programs since 2005.  The organizational and strategic projects of the past three years provided us the research needed to create cutting edge programs on the transformative process, branding and a new sales model based on high sales performers.  Exciting stuff around the Creative Ventures offices!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

Everyone talks about the impact of an organizations culture on its ability to attract and retain talent, on its products and services and on its place in a changing world.  We deal with culture as a core ingredient to many of our strategic platforms.  Here are three foundation points we look for in an organizations culture in order to gain an understanding of their current condition and future potential:

 

·        OBSERVABLE:  Look at the decorative aspects of the office, how the staff dresses, listen to their language, look at the artifacts they use to build their product or service.

·        ESPOUSED VALUES:  Listen to what they say they care about.  Check to see if behaviors follow what they talk about.

·        UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS:  What do people learn by working at this organization?  How do they treat their people’s skill sets (it allows them to build their future)?  This is a “bigger than you think” influence on their behavior.

 

Think of culture as home.  Culture builds your business home like a contractor builds your family’s home.  Spend a few minutes taking an inventory of the home you have built and are building for your staff.

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     I Am Legend   looks like another Will Smith box office hit.     I loved the weird and scary Omega Man movie and I will cut out time this weekend to see it.  Will Smith is one of the few actors who can really OPEN a movie.

 

NetFlix Fans:  The Last Man On Earth.  Before there was Omega Man, before I Am Legend was even thought of, there was Vincent Price as the last guy on the planet.  Pretty good stuff.

 

TV:    The writers strike is making for repeats and reality show crap.  I hope these guys get it together soon.  One of my favorite shows, Boston Legal, has become such a political soap box for its creators that I am moving away from appreciating its entertainment impact.  I don’t care what you think, but don’t jam it down my throat in the guise of entertainment.

 

BOOKS:  Designing Interactions  by Bill Moggridge  is a fantastic book on the impact and the process of design.  You should pay attention to the core aspect of design and how it affects everything you do.  This book will help!

 

 

MUSIC:  This video starts out black because the stage lights have not been turned on.  A little patience and you will get to see Crosby, Stills and Nash perform at Woodstock.  Raw, beautiful harmonies and a peek at their potential.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVEUbIgJa9Q

 

WEB SITES:  Keep up with the cool stuff.

 

http://www.thecoolhunter.net/

 

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

 

Men’s Health magazine published a report on the absolute worst things to eat.  Here are a few of the winners:

 

·        Awesome Blossom Onion Rings – 2,710 Calories with a wonderful 203 g of fat.

·        Stacked Nacho’s – 2,740 Calories with 166 g of fat.

·        Starbucks venti strawberry and Crème Frappucino – 750 Calories with more sugar than 3 cans of standard soda.

·        Cinnabon Classic cinnamon Roll – 813 Calories with 32 g of fat.  Deadly airport snack.

·        Caramel Banana Pecan Cream Cheese Stuffed Hotcakes – Does that even sound like breakfast?  1,540 Calories with 77 g of fat.

·        The WINNER as the worst thing you can order at any eatery – - – - – -  Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing – 2,900 Calories with 182 g of fat.  Even split with three friends you will have downed a dinner worth of calories before your entrée arrives!

 

OK, here is the South of Normal perspective.  If you are not eating this stuff once a day, go ahead and indulge now and then, it’s good for the soul!

 

 

I have to live on things that excite me

Be they pastries, lobster or love

Jimmy Buffett

 

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.

 

 

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .

 

IN OUR WORLD

 

Coming to you from beautiful, but kind of chilly La Jolla, CA, where I just finished a two day workshop on THINKING.  Great class with great results and wonderful participants. 

 

Our December newsletter is going out.  If you are not on our mailing list send me a note and I will make sure you get our stuff.

 

We have finished our 4^th quarter program updates to keep them all on the cutting edge.  We have added ideas, examples and new media.  We are committed to updating all of our programs every quarter.

 

Hope all is well as winter weather begins its creep into our world!

 

 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

 

 The definition of great customer service is the subject  of countless books, articles, news show segments and platform speeches.  I know this, because I am a contributor to all of the above.  I write about it, speak about it and teach, so yeah, I consider myself as much an expert as the next guy. 

 

Laura and I had a fantastic dinner at Roy’s in La Jolla and one of the great service separators was presented to me.  It is sometimes as simple as this:

 

I asked a waiter where the restroom was and I expected a typical, but courteous response like “it’s by the front door, just left of the hostess stand”.  Instead the waiter responded with, “let me show you” and he walked me to the restroom door.  This small, somewhat simple step is the difference between good and great service.  It is the cornerstone of service legends such as Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

 

The little things make all the difference.

 

ENTERTAINMENT

 

 

MOVIES:     The Golden Compass   hit the theaters this weekend and critics are giving it a big thumbs up.  It should be a wonderful escape theater experience.

 

NetFlix Fans:  The Ninth Gate  is a weird little Johnny Depp movie that I really like.

 

TV:    The Sci-Fi network is replaying it’s weird but interesting take on the Wizard of Oz called Tin Man.  I thought it was worth the watch.

 

BOOKS:  The First Campaign  by Garrett Graff brings to light the impact of technology on elections and the process of key issues.  A great idea and spin on the impact of technology on leadership.

 

 

MUSIC:  I enjoy watching young musicians cover songs and this is a fantastic cover version of Joni Mitchells, A Case of You.

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OKcPDcsZ6k

 

 

WEB SITES:  Heloise-like hints for the wired generation.

 

www.lifehacker.com

 

SOUTH OF NORMAL

 

OK here is what every holiday shopper needs.  When you are looking for a public restroom,  simple text a pre-assigned number and the Mizpee will call you back and tell you the nearest public toilet.  Just in the nick of time.

Oh, I could drink a case of you

And still be on my feet

Joni Mitchell

 

 

Drop me a note with your comments at creativeventures@nova1.com.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.