July 29, 2018
Einstein Speaks!

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E = MC Hammer

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:52 AM | Comments (0)

July 26, 2018
Why Jeff Bezos Has Replaced Powerpoint Presentations in His Meetings with Narrative Memos

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Here's something to consider. The richest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, has banned powerpoint in all Amazon meetings. In it's place? Narrative storytelling. Here's why. Big thanks to Doug Robinson for the heads up.

Learn how to be a better storyteller

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

July 25, 2018
STORYTELLING FOR THE REVOLUTION now a Book-of-the-Month Club Selection

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Good news travels fast! The Institute for Management Studies has just chosen my book, Storytelling for the Revolution, to be their Book-of-the-Month selection for July. Whoo hoo!

Here's how IMS describes itself:

"Since 1974, IMS has provided its members with the most innovative development series available. The membership approach allows organizations to bring in more distinguished faculty and more programs overall at an enormously reduced cost.

Participants interact with and learn from the world's leading management thinkers on an ongoing basis. Attendees become more effective and improve their decision-making skills.

Today, over 400 major organizations worldwide, including many from the Fortune 500 list, utilize IMS as a key component of their overall development strategy. Over 20,000 people attend IMS programs each year."

The book on Amazon

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:28 PM | Comments (0)

July 21, 2018
11 Amazon Reviews of My New Book

If you have been enjoying my blog, there is a good chance you will enjoy my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution. What follows are 11 Amazon reviews that will give you a good sense of the ground I cover and where I'm coming from...

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POSITIVE INSIGHTS TO TRANSFORM THESE TIMES

"Inspiring and provocative, this book reminds us all that we must act and tell our stories to the stir soul of possibility in others. What I love about Mitch's writing is that it always bends toward the positive and whispers, 'Come on. Join me in this journey'. If you are looking to transform your energy into action and use your voice to shape a positive future, you came to the right place!" -- Doug Stuke


LIKE SPARKLING LIGHT SHINING ON A LAKE

"Mitch Ditkoff's 40 stories are like sparkling light shining on a lake on a glorious summer day. You many think I'm exaggerating. I'm not. Mitch brings his characters to life with vivid detail -- they are altogether believable: his canasta playing mother, his entrepreneurial father, his congenial family rabbi. There is the ecstatic Shlomo Carlebach. But most intriguing is of his beloved teacher, Prem, who gives Mitch two words of advice: More spice. These two words, Mitch takes to heart in this, his newest collection -- it is indeed spicy! But it's not just the splashy moments that make it into this book -- the simple quiet moments are there as well, as in 'A Bag of Small Red Berries.' Reading these stories by Mitch Ditkoff made me want to dig and recover my own stories. I was enraptured." -- Jiya Kowarsky


INSPIRING, INFORMATIVE, VALUABLE and a COMPELLING READ

"After you read this book, you too will agree that we could create change in the world if we could all tell our stories. When we have the courage to tell our stories, we form a bond with each other that no one can defeat or overwhelm. The book is a compelling read because the stories are wonderful, and then, Mitch provides us with an extraordinary, step-by-step guide to using storytelling in your life: in schools, workplaces, organizations, families, among friends. His "Field Guide" is inspiring, accessible, and user-friendly! This book is original and a much-needed manual for healing our planet!" -- Susan Page

MITCH IS ON A MISSION

"Storytelling for the Revolution is my favorite of Mitch's books. Here we find Mitch on a mission to help unlock the tacit knowledge that we all possess in the form of remembered stories of the events of our lives. The first part of the book is a collection of some of Mitch's favorite life stories all told in that same enjoyable, but concise way we've gotten to know from Mitch's previous writings. The second part of the book, however, is a handbook for how to unlock your own innate wisdom via storytelling and how to help others do so as well. Whether Mitch is sharing a personal story that resonates with one's own life experience or is revealing the principles for discovering one's own stories and facilitating others to do so, the reader's experience is one of enjoyment. If you're interested in the art and craft of storytelling, this is the book for you. If you're not interested, it still is." -- Val Vadeboncoeur


PROFOUND GUIDE TO OUR COLLECTIVE STORYTELLING

"Mitch Ditkoff is not just a master-storyteller, he's driven to provide the rest of us with the 'how to' so we can all become master-storytellers. The reader is launched on a journey to foment their own personal revolution of the heart. It's a great guide to help us bond with each other by telling our stories and sharing our wisdom. It's a great read and it's a great guide!" -- Elizabeth Swan


THIS IS MY FAVORITE MITCH DITKOFF BOOK

"I love short stories with a message and Mitch Ditkoff is an expert at that. He has a gift. I had read two previous books by him and truly enjoyed them both. For me, this latest book is his best. I'm finding it very special because several of the stories have struck chords that not only have revived memories but have allowed me to see my present relationships much clearer. One of my favorite stories, so far, is My Father's Last Breath. The author's capacity to use the right words, in such a stunning and descriptive way, took me back in time, to my father's bedside, 33 years ago... reviving some of those emotional last moments. Fortunately, I still have a bunch of stories yet to read." -- Michael Dorfman


A MUST READ FOR ANYONE SEEKING TO TAP INTO HUMANITY'S COLLECTIVE WISDOM

"Mitch taps into the deep well of our collective wisdom and reclaims the collective narrative for the greater good. Storytelling for the Revolution is a rallying cry for people to recognize their deep meaningful connections with others and reminds us that we are not alone. It is a groundbreaking work in its simplicity and profundity. An important, seminal work for our age." -- Mike Frick


FUNNY, TOUCHING, PROFOUND and ENTERTAINING STORIES WITH a MORAL

"Mitch is a very old soul. A joker, a heart thinker, a midnight talker, a classic illuminated, opinionated jester. His stories run the gamut from the mystical rabbis from the shtetl, to a dissertation on Camembert, to the truly profound. Some are traditional, some autobiographical, some probably entirely fabricated. He awakens my own stories, the ones I always promise myself I will write someday. Except he does write his, and many others. I am so glad he does. Because his stories touch me, entertain me and make me think. They also awaken my humanity. Like any good story should, each one has a moral, something juicy to absorb or ponder." -- Jean Paul Peretz


HITTING A HOME RUN EVERY TIME

"Mitch is a great storyteller, and his stories are always filled with meaning, words that inspire and transform us as we read. With a combination of spice and humor, his words give me an insight into my own life experiences. This is a great book. You can open to any one of the many stories and find a surprise that hits you right at home in yourself." -- Sharon Jeffers


I LOVE A GOOD STORY

"I love a good story and Mitch tells and writes the best. I was laughing out loud for some and moved to tears from others. It's a book you don't want to put down. The stories and their insightful messages linger and made me contemplate my life. I highly recommend Storytelling for the Revolution as a must read and a great gift." -- Claudia Hirsch


BRILLIANT HUMOR AND INSIGHT

"This book is a reflection of the vast knowledge of Mitch Ditkoff. He is a prolific writer/storyteller and, in this book, he shares this wisdom, humor and insight so brilliantly. I loved it! Thanks for reminding me how important storytelling really is in all of our lives!" -- Dr. Beverly Nelson

StorytellingForTheRevolution.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:52 PM | Comments (0)

July 09, 2018
The Only Risk is Not to Risk

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50 quotes on risktaking
Idea Champions
MitchDitkoff.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:16 PM | Comments (0)

July 05, 2018
My New Book Now On Amazon

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I am thrilled to announce that my new book, Storytelling for the Revolution, is now available on Amazon. If you are a fan of storytelling, insight, wisdom, love, choice, humor, learning, breathing, the human condition, or this blog, there is a good chance you will enjoy my book. Right now, only the paperback version is available. In a few days, the Kindle version will also be available. Click below for testimonials...

MitchDitkoff.com
Idea Champions
The book on Amazon

"Mitch Ditkoff knows that the real revolution comes from within and then extends outward to action. He writes with rare wisdom, depth, humor, and insight. Each story he shares has the capacity to inspire the rest of us to action that matters." -- Gail Larsen, Author Transformational Speaking: If You Want to Change the World, Tell a Better Story

"This is a powerful and important book. When we have the courage to tell our stories, we form a bond with each other that no one can defeat or overwhelm. Mitch Ditkoff makes an indisputable case for the essential role of storytelling to create change." -- Susan Page, Director, San Miguel Writers Conference and Literary Festival

"What I love about Storytelling for the Revolution is the compelling way it liberates humanity's biggest untapped resource -- our collective wisdom lurking just beneath the surface of our lives." -- Marshall Goldsmith, New York Times #1 best selling author of Triggers

"Mitch taps into the deep well of our collective wisdom and reclaims the collective narrative for the greater good. Storytelling for the Revolution is a rallying cry for people to recognize their deep meaningful connections with others and reminds us that we are not alone. It is a groundbreaking work in its simplicity and profundity. An important, seminal work for our age." -- Michael Frick, CEO, Speaking.com

"Mitch Ditkoff's stories are beautiful and a huge encouragement for the rest of us to share our own stories with each other. This is what's needed these days -- the authentic sharing of what we know to be true, based on our own life experiences and inner wisdom. Not fake news. Real news -- the news of the heart." -- Cassandra Wilson, Grammy Award Winning Jazz and Blues Singer

"Today, I read the first six of the 40 stories in Mitch Ditkoff's Storytelling for the Revolution. Immediately, I felt my heart replace my mind and called out to my new wife that we had something delightful to read together in bed tonight. Big thanks to Mitch for helping me shift gears in the 80th year of my life. Anyone who can quiet themselves enough to pay attention to their own inner wisdom will find great value in this groundbreaking book." -- Tim Gallwey, Author of Inner Game of Tennis and the Inner Game of Work

"Through Mitch Ditkoff's master storytelling we are welcomed under a big tent called humanity with stories that whisper truths, uniting and celebrating us all. His stories rumble deep from within, where cleverness meets humility and tragedy dances with angels. Mitch's stories inspire reflection while the field guide provides the step-by-step guidance needed for readers to mobilize the storyteller within and lead their own personal revolution." -- Doug Stuke, Director, Sales Excellence, The Hartford Insurance Group

"Mitch's stories have the power take us deeper into our own selves, encouraging us to pay closer attention to every aspect of our lives. Storytelling for the Revolution is an inspirational work to say the least. It is a book that has no timeline and will be here forever, changing lives, page by page." -- Sharon Jeffers, Author of Love and Destiny, Discover the Secret Language of Relationships

"Storytelling, like music, is a universal language that evokes shared emotions and connects us to each other. In Mitch Ditkoff's second book of stories, Storytelling for the Revolution, he deftly weaves tales that give vivid insight into our hearts and emotions, helping us interpret and understand our own lives in a very personal way. This book of stories, meditations of the human soul, will positively transform your life." -- Geri Presti, CEO and President, The Cleveland Music Settlement

"Stories are all about gathering personal and collective experience and knowledge. They gain meaning when the storyteller communicates with verve and creativity. In Storytelling for the Revolution, Mitch Ditkoff beautifully fulfills this promise and offers precise prompts for accessing the wisdom tucked inside the tale". -- David Gonzalez, Award winning storyteller, poet, and arts advocate

"I loved this book and will be sharing it with sacred activists around the world. I especially loved the way the author made the connection between revolution and revelation. Highly enjoyable." -- Kurt Krueger, President, Success Systems International

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:59 AM | Comments (0)

July 04, 2018
Storytelling that Creates Monumental Change

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Here's a refreshing, 36-minute podcast/interview on the power of storytelling to spark big, positive changes in organizations. Especially relevant to business people engaged in Six Sigma or Lean Six Sigma projects. The interviewers are Elisabeth Swan and Tracey Roarke -- two movers and shakers in the world of LeanSixSigma.

Idea Champions
MitchDitkoff.com
Storytelling for the Revolution

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:14 AM | Comments (0)

Who Are We?

Idea Champions is a consulting and training company dedicated to awakening and nurturing the spirit of innovation. We help individuals, teams and entire organizations tap into their innate ability to create, develop and implement ideas that make a difference.

MitchDitkoff.com
Click here for the simplest, most direct way, to learn more about Idea Champions' semi-fearless leader, Mitch Ditkoff. Info on his keynotes, workshops, conferences, and more.
Storytelling for the Revolution
Storytelling for the Revolution is Mitch Ditkoff's newly published book about the power of personal storytelling to elevate the conversation on planet Earth. Provocative. Evocative. And fun. YOU have stories to tell. This book will help you tell them.
Storytelling at Work
"The world is not made of atoms," wrote the poet, Muriel Rukeyser. "It's made of stories." Learn how to discover, honor, and unpack the stories of yours that show up "on the job" in Mitch Ditkoff's award-winning 2015 book, Storytelling at Work.
Top 5 Speaker
Mitch Ditkoff, the Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions, has recently been voted a top 5 speaker in the field of innovation and creativity by Speakers Platform, a leading speaker's bureau.
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Workshops & Trainings
Highly engaging learning experiences that increase each participant's ability to become a creative force for positive change
Brainstorm Facilitation
High impact certification training that teaches committed change agents how to lead groundbreaking ideation sessions
Cultivating Innovation
Your "best and brightest" are the future leaders of your company, but unless they know how to foster a culture of innovation, their impact will be limited. A one-day workshop with us is all they need to begin this journey.
Our Blog Cabin
Our Heart of Innovation blog is a daily destination for movers and shakers everywhere — gleefully produced by our President, Mitch Ditkoff, voted "best innovation blogger in the world" two years running.
Team Innovation
Innovation is a team sport. Brilliant ideas go nowhere unless your people are aligned, collaborative, and team-oriented. That doesn't happen automatically, however. It takes intention, clarity, selflessness, and a new way of operating.
Awake at the Wheel, Book about big ideas If you're looking for a powerful way to jump start innovation and get your creative juices flowing, Awake at the Wheel is for you. Written by Mitch Ditkoff, Co-Founder and President of Idea Champions.
Face the Music Blues Band The world's first interactive business blues band. A great way to help your workforce go beyond complaint.

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