Monthly Archives: December 2009
Still Struggling To Make Them Scam Proofby Idris Mootee It is all about the human factors.I find that people are over-concerned with online security every time there is a piece of news about identity theft on TV. It is really not that bad and we need to accept the fact that it will not go away. Whatever security mechanism being put can fix one hole but usually create another hole. Let me take the example of the ATM, it is a very mature technology (probably about 30 years). Not many people know the first mechanical cash dispenser was developed and built by Luther George Simjian and installed in 1939 in New York City by the City Bank of New York, but removed after 6 months due to the lack of customer acceptance. No customer wanted to get money from a machine. It was a failed innovation.I remember the one ATM … Continue reading
It is simply not possible to have a well received message that is not relevant. Think about it for a moment… when was the last time you bothered to read, watch or listen to a message that wasn’t relevant to your needs? Great leaders understand the power, influence, and leverage created by relevant messaging. Do you ever find yourself sitting back and marveling at those leaders who always seem to have the right thing to say? Contrast this with the feelings you have when you hear an awful sound-bite that makes a leader look either uninformed or unintelligent. The difference between the two aforementioned examples is that great leaders have mastered the art of finding the right message (the relevant message) regardless of the medium, market, or constituency being addressed. In today’s post I’ll share some of the messaging secrets used by the best leaders to keep their message relevant…So … Continue reading
At the TEDx NASA conference, I had some amazing conversations with people in the “green room” while preparing to take the stage.One individual had spent his entire career with NASA focused on travel to Mars. This was his life’s passion. But now that he has moved out of the space program into the private sector, he wonders if the money spent on space travel should be re-focused. He wonders if we should spend the money fixing problems here on earth.We had a lively debate. One thing I suggested was that shooting for Mars MIGHT be the way to fix some of our issues here on earth.From my experience, when trying to solve problems, we attempt to move from point A (where we are today) to point B (where we want to go). But often we fall short and end up at A’ (as depicted in the graphic on the left).However, … Continue reading
This is the eighth of several ‘Innovation Perspectives’ articles we will publish this week from multiple authors to get different perspectives on ‘What is the most dangerous current misconception in innovation?’. Now, here is Drew Boyd’s perspective:by Drew Boyd”It’s not what you don’t know that will get you. It’s what you know that ain’t so.” – Will RogersThe most dangerous misconception about innovation today is not about innovation at all. It is about everything surrounding our innovation efforts that gives us trouble. It is rooted in a concept called fixedness. Fixedness is the inability to realize that something known to have a particular use may also be used to perform other functions. When one is faced with a new problem, fixedness blocks one’s ability to use old tools in novel ways. Psychologist Karl Duncker coined the term functional fixedness for describing the difficulties in visual perception and problem solving that … Continue reading
I can’t believe it’s already December, and 2009 is almost gone. That means it won’t be long before the holidays are over, and we’re staring at a brand new month, quarter and year. Before January hits you unprepared, spend time in December both catching up and getting ready. Here are five specific things to get you started: 1. ReadThat backlog of blog posts sitting in your RSS Reader? The stack of magazines on your desk? Dig into them. You don’t need to read every single article, but take time this month to catch up a bit on the reading you’ve wanted to do. I guarantee you’ll find inspiration many times over.2. LearnWhat skill have you wanted to learn? What new sales or marketing strategy have you wanted to get smarter about before testing for your organization? There’s something youve been putting off, because you simply don’t have time. What if … Continue reading
