Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . .
IN OUR WORLD
Coming to you live from sunny Orlando FL, where I am moving my Repeatable Successful Acts sales platform through an organization. This is round two and it has been unbelievably successful! The impact of doing a few simple things can be staggering. The success of this platform evolves around choice, simplicity and proven effectiveness.
- There are over 20 Repeatable Successful Acts in the program. They are the power behaviors of million dollar producers. You can pick and choose the RSA’s that make the most sense to your existing sales platform, to your sales training or to your personal style.
- Each RSA is elegantly simple. They don’t take huge leaps in behavior or large hunks of time to implement.
- RSA’s are not theoretical. They are “in-play” with over 125 top producers from 5 different industries!
I also received one of my favorite types of projects. A client sent me the results of an internal project and wants me to simplify the report and create a visual journey that can be taken on an extensive road show by the company. FANTASTIC opportunity for a client to see the process of “thoughtful reduction” in action.
This is also a chance for me to introduce “FRAMING” – the ability to expand your reference points to create a new perspective.
The new web site is now in the design phase and I am jazzed about John’s new ideas and can’t wait for the prototyping process to begin.
I have just created three new exercises that will become part of a number of my educational programs. Each one teaches an aspect of thinking, collaboration and creativity. There is no reason that learn should be devoid of fun.
Next week off to Houston!
HEY, YOU CAN FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER –CREATIVEVENTURE
AND ON FACEBOOK – STEPHEN HARVILL!
THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW
Above I told you about a new project of simplification and visual connection. I apply a discipline of thinking called; thoughtful reduction. This form of thinking is all about a few principles that need to be followed with a rugged determination. These principles might shift and change with the project, but their core impact always remains the same:
- ABSOLUTE NEED: What content can be defined as absolute to the project? This is an acquired way of thinking and usually involves a couple of session of storyboarding, separated by some time and then a final shot at the goal.
- PRIORITY: From the absolute need comes the structure of the story. Think about beginning, middle and end.
- PROTOTYPE: This is the process of creation. It involves more than one solution and the ability to weigh ideas and take the perspective of the recipient.
Those are the three ways thoughtful reduction will be applied to the new project.
At the end of the process, you will have a startlingly simple, powerful and elegant journey that will take the idea to the highest level of engagement.
For more information on thoughtful reduction or if you are interested in learning this thinking discipline drop me a note at steve@creativeventures.com
Next to our communication classes, our thinking programs are the most popular.
ENTERTAINMENT
MOVIES: Nothing to on the release calendar to draw me to the movies.
NetFlix Fans: Encounters at the End of the World: Great documentary on Antarctica.
TV: NBA Playoffs make the sport finally interesting. Also, make sure you are watching JUSTIFIED on the FX Network. It’s my favorite new show.
BOOKS: The Reactor Factor – Sue: A really good read about the simple premise – you own your job and your actions dictate your future. Don’t give into a total emotional response to something. THINK!
MUSIC: Bruce Cockburn has been one of my favorite singer/songwriters since I first heard him 20 years ago. The first video is only 2 minutes and shows why many consider him one of the greatest guitarists of our time. The second is a great song – The Last Night of the World. Who would you want to be sipping Champagne with?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK64qc-Mbts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02TUsZzF6es&feature=related
WEB SITES: This web site is a MUST BOOKMARK!
www.tonic.com
SOUTH OF NORMAL
I am often asked; what are some things I can do to learn how to restructure my way of thinking about things?” I am in a thinking rut.
Here is a little South of Normal exercise to get you to think about simplification:
Think about the “theme” of something. This is the general meaning of anything. A theme defines a direction.
Take your 5 all time favorite movies. The goal is for you to define the theme of each movie in ONE SINGLE SENTENCE. Create a clear, coherent sentence that expresses the story’s true meaning.
This simple exercise is a foundation for understanding the idea of thoughtful reduction. Those of you have taken my class, will recognize the exercise.
Give it a try. Its way more difficult than it sounds!
Drop me a note with your comments at steve@creativeventures.com
Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.
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