February 03, 2021
A Brilliant Spin on Scamming

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:11 PM | Comments (0)

January 26, 2021
The Battle of the Two Brains

Excellent TED presentation by Iain McGilchrist on the two sides of the brain, beautifully animated by the wizards at RSA Animate.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)

June 10, 2020
SIMON SINEK: Why Good Leaders Make You Feel Safe

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:01 AM | Comments (0)

January 07, 2020
GUY KAWASAKI on The Top Ten Mistakes of Entrepreneurs

This is absolutely brilliant! Fantastic content, authentic delivery, entertaining, and provocative. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur, this is required viewing. But even if you're not trying to raise venture capital, you can still learn a lot from Guy simply by tuning into the way he makes his pitch. And his Art of the Start is a treasure.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:26 PM | Comments (0)

November 26, 2018
How to Disagree Productively and Find Common Ground

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:19 AM | Comments (0)

December 11, 2016
100 Days of Rejection

Entertaining and inspiring 15 minute TED talk about a fascinating experiment launched by a young entrepreneur and what he learned about how to turn rejection into opportunities.

Idea Champions
Storytelling at Work

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:56 PM | Comments (0)

July 24, 2016
I'm From Woodstock, Yes I Am!

This story in the Huffington Post
The Munich workshop
Idea Champions
Excerpted from Storytelling at Work
What our clients say

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:07 PM | Comments (0)

May 05, 2016
BILLIONS IN CHANGE

An inspiring video about the Founder of Five Hour Energy and how he is using is wealth to invite new energy, health, and water technologies to make a major difference on the planet. Yes!

50 awesome quotes on vision
50 awesome quotes on possibility
Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:03 PM | Comments (0)

November 11, 2015
Lady Gaga Speaks!

Love this! Perfect timing for me to see, as I continually get hit on by companies wanting me to shill for them on this blog. Not gonna do it, folks. This is a commercial-free enterprise. No banner ads. No affiliate links. No hustling for the almighty dollar. Just innovation-sparking content and inspiration. Lady Gaga nails it. Her and Tony Bennett.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:44 AM | Comments (1)

March 27, 2015
SERVE A YEAR -- the PSA is AOK and LOL: Clinton & Kimmel

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:51 PM | Comments (1)

January 27, 2015
Why Videos Go Viral

This is a very useful 7-minute overview of why videos go viral by the TREND MANAGER at YouTube. Three main reasons: 1) Tastemakers; 2) Communities of Participation; 3) Unexpectedness.

PS: In the next few days, I will be launching my attempt at a viral YouTube video on this blog . HINT: It has something to do with Valentine's Day.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:28 AM | Comments (1)

January 19, 2015
Selma

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:45 PM | Comments (0)

December 26, 2014
Happy Morphing in 2015!

Idea Champions
Brainstorm Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:04 AM | Comments (2)

October 31, 2014
Sink Your Teeth Into This

Very well done promo video by one of our favorite clients, United Concordia. Inspiring, clear, compelling -- and all in 98 seconds. And a special shout out to John Glindeman for leading the charge on WELLNESS!

United Concordia

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 03:01 PM | Comments (0)

July 25, 2014
You Think YOU Have a Long Commute?

And now for a little perspective, just in case business is slow or you haven't gotten the promotion you think you deserved.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:22 PM | Comments (3)

July 24, 2014
My Doctor Right Kinetic Video

My Doctor Right by Sixty Second Stories from Laura Eisman on Vimeo.

Brilliant two-minute kinetic video from Fahey Design.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:52 PM | Comments (0)

May 03, 2014
Things Are Turning Around!

OK. The economy may be in the toilet, your job may be unstable, and your cash flow may not be, but better days are ahead! And it all begins with this video. Turn up the volume! Go full screen!

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:41 PM | Comments (0)

January 09, 2014
How Do You Define Yourself?

OK. Time to take a break from your business, your projects, and your fascination for innovation and watch this 13-minute TED video. It's a powerful message from a courageous young woman. A good link to send anyone you know who is struggling with the way they look or the way others treat them.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:19 PM | Comments (0)

October 31, 2013
What Is Innovation?

Inspiring 2-minute video for anyone interested in innovation. BTW, if you google "definitions of innovation," you will get more than 27 million references.

What is innovation? from Rafa Galeano on Vimeo.

One way we unleash it
Our Innovation Accelerator

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:25 PM | Comments (0)

September 16, 2013
The Upturn Is Upon Us!

If you are having one of those days where you are obsessing about the economy, your cash flow, and the general state of the world, take three minutes and watch this video. (HINT: It all depends what you focus on).

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:55 AM | Comments (1)

September 14, 2013
Here's to the Crazy Ones!

Find the "crazy ones" in your organization. The mavericks. The fools. The flakes. Start listening to them. Give them room to move. They are the future -- even if they make you feel uncomfortable.

Free the Genie
Idea Champions
Awake at the Wheel

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:02 AM | Comments (2)

September 13, 2013
True Grassroots Learning!

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:55 PM | Comments (0)

March 16, 2013
Why Videos Go Viral

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:37 AM | Comments (0)

February 05, 2013
What Matters Now

I haven't read Gary Hamel's new book yet, but will. Gary is, in my estimation, one of the most lucid, authentic, refreshing voices of sanity I've heard in the often weird world of business. Give a listen.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:45 PM | Comments (0)

November 19, 2012
Layne Redmond's Kickstarter Project

Here is a link
to a very inspired Kickstarter project
originated by my good friend,
Layne Redmond,
author of
When the Women Were Drummers
and all around renaissance women.
Layne and her team
of talented musicians
and film makers
are making a documentary
celebrating the dance,
drumming, and chants
of traditional and sacred
Brazilian culture.
Click here to donate.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:19 AM | Comments (0)

October 25, 2012
Super Cool TED Remix

Edutainment to the max! Go full screen. Turn up the volume.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:23 PM | Comments (0)

August 29, 2012
Ode to Rachel Maddow

Whatever your politics, take a minute check out this soulfully hip song of praise to Rachel Maddow by one of Woodstock's own, Marc Black. Marc is a treasure in my home town, but too few people know of him. Now you do.

MarcBlack.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:42 PM | Comments (2)

August 16, 2012
The One Voice for Laos Documentary

Here is a remarkable 8-minute video produced by Garland Berenzy (16!), documenting the One Voice for Laos project -- an inspired humanitarian effort spearheaded by Hudson Valley teens, committed adults, and my amazing wife, Evelyne Pouget, to support 600 orphans in Luang Prabang, Laos. If you want to donate to the orphanage, send a check to the Windhorse Foundation (P.O. Box 26582, San Francisco, CA 94126) and write "Deak Kum Pa Orphanage" in the memo line.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:44 PM | Comments (0)

July 13, 2012
What a Wonderful World!

Time for a break from the following concerns: cash flow, next quarter results, your benefits package, boss, weight, innovation process, or summer vacation plans. Here's a fabulous two-minute BBC video narrated by David Attenborough. NOTE: The business of life isn't necessarily a life of business...

Here's how we can help your organization become wonderful.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:28 PM | Comments (0)

April 18, 2012
First WHY, Then HOW, Then WHAT

For decades, people have wondered how Apple has reached such heightened levels of success. But it only took Simon Sinek 18 minutes to explain it. According to him, it's all about the why, not the how, or what. Most computer companies start with claims that they make great products. Apple, on the other hand, tells you why they build computers.

Innovation from the inside out

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:37 AM | Comments (1)

March 02, 2012
A Crash Course On How to Be a Great Consultant

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:44 AM | Comments (2)

January 21, 2012
PREMier PREMotion Beach Boy Style

Turn up the volume! Go full screen! Here is a fun way that three inspired students of Prem Rawat are getting the word out about his upcoming presentation in Long Beach, CA on 1/29.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:14 AM | Comments (0)

January 14, 2012
Want to Innovate? Start Here!

Failure is not what you think it is
Idea Champions
Thanks to Sarah Jacob for the heads up!

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:52 PM | Comments (0)

November 13, 2011
Obvious to You, Amazing to Others

Derek Sivers, Founder of CD Baby, used to live one street away from me in Woodstock, NY. I saw him only once, walking on the road. Now here he is on YouTube. Yo, Derek! Thanks for this! So true...

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)

October 06, 2011
Steve Jobs on Life, Death, and Love

All of us at Idea Champions are deeply saddened by the passing of Steve Jobs, a man who has made an extraordinary contribution to planet Earth. Here's one of his pearls of wisdom: "Your time is limited, do don't waste it living someone else's life... Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." Thank you, Steve. God bless!

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:42 PM | Comments (2)

September 25, 2011
More to Live For

More to Live For is a wonderfully inspiring new documentary, just shown at the Woodstock Film Festival, on a topic that is too little understood: bone marrow donation. Directed by Noah Hutton, a brilliant 24-year old filmmaker, More to Live For is more than a movie -- it's a project dedicated to saving lives. See it. The life you save may be your own -- or someone very close to you.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:32 PM | Comments (0)

September 21, 2011
Humor in the Workplace

Wonderful video about the power of humor in the workplace, featuring a (possible) new client of ours, Peppercom.

What's in a name?
Consultant outsources sleep
Quotes on play, humor, and creativity
Our clients speak

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:51 PM | Comments (1)

July 18, 2011
You May Know Where Good Ideas Come From, But Do You Know Where Babies Come From?

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:10 AM | Comments (1)

April 04, 2011
Getting Out of the Organizational Box

Snapshot_2011-02-07_16-23-13.jpg

Last Thursday, I had an opportunity to be the keynote speaker at the Ethical Sourcing Forum, in NYC, a conference sponsored by Intertek, a world class organization dedicated to "helping customers improve performance, gain efficiencies in manufacturing and logistics, overcome market constraints, and reduce risk."

The topic? Sustainable Innovation. Or, more specifically, how people who work in large organizations can get out of the so-called "box".

After the keynote, I was approached by two very animated people from 3BL, a savvy media company specializing in corporate social responsibility, sustainability and cause marketing communications. Apparently, they liked what they heard and wanted to dig deeper -- on camera.

So, it was off to their make shift media center down the hall for an impromptu interview. Click here to watch the 7-minute video.

My innovation keynotes

My speaker's bureau

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 03:40 PM | Comments (1)

March 06, 2011
The World's Most Typical Person

Before you watch this, pause a few seconds and see if you can guess what the world's most typical person looks like...

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:45 AM | Comments (0)

February 02, 2011
Music Is the Universal Language

Some people say that laughter is the universal language. Others say love. Still others say stock options. The producers of the video below say music. Whatever language you speak, one thing is clear: at the core of who we are, beyond our differences, titles, and strategic plans, we all speak the same language.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:36 AM | Comments (1)

January 19, 2011
Creativity as Applied Imagination

Lucid exposition on creativity by Sir Kenneth Robinson. (Hint: it's not just about thinking stuff up. It's about DOING things...)



My kick asss on creativity

Close the gap between thought and action

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 01:07 AM | Comments (1)

January 13, 2011
To VLOG or not to VLOG

I'm thinking of starting a VLOG and want your input. Instead of just writing a bunch of stuff, what about me delivering the message, on camera? Here's how the Geico caveman does it.

PS: My award winning book, features the most innovative caveman of all time -- Og, the inventor of the wheel. Buy it on Amazon

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:38 PM | Comments (7)

January 06, 2011
The Homeless Man with the Golden Pipes

If you're one of the 12 people left on planet Earth who hasn't seen this video, here ya go -- the story of a homeless man who went from the streets to the airwaves overnight, reconnecting with his gift, his dream, and his faith. Never give up! Anything is possible!

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:32 PM | Comments (0)

October 18, 2010
Helping Our Kids Be More Creative

This is fabulous 11-minute presentation, by Sir Kenneth Robinson, on the need for our educational system to change its paradigm. Ken notes some great research, towards the end of the video, about the difference between divergent thinking and creativity.

Idea Champions
Free the Genie

Thanks to David Passes for the heads up.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:55 AM | Comments (0)

September 23, 2010
Where Good Ideas Come From

Wonderful TED video of Steven Johnson waxing poetic on where good ideas come from. I especially like his take on "the liquid network" and "the slow hunch." 18 minutes worth.


14 Ways to Get Breakthrough Ideas

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:31 AM | Comments (0)

January 24, 2010
Everything Comes Full Circle

Out of work? Looking for a job? Enjoy a few chuckles before you pound the pavement today.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:59 AM | Comments (0)

December 15, 2009
Invent, Iterate, Improve, and Innovate

What you can learn about innovation from the long and semi-glorious history of the zipper.

We can help

The X Factor

Innovate, Schminnovate

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:34 PM | Comments (0)

November 27, 2009
Sand Animation from the Ukraine

This is a mind blower -- the winner of Ukraine's "You Got Talent" award expressing the history of her country via sand animation. (Thanks to my son, Jesse, for the heads up).



Kseniya Simonova

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)

October 04, 2009
Swish!

Think you're in the "4th quarter" of your life? Getting down to the wire? Feeling like you'll never get your big break (or your big breakthrough)? If so, have heart... and take a cue from an autistic basketball player named Jason McElwain.

PS: You can do it! All you need to do is take your best shot!

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 03:42 PM | Comments (0)

July 17, 2009
BREAKTHROUGH COLLABORATION: The Rise of Looser Networks

Ummm... it only took me four years to discover Clay Shirkey's TED lecture about how closed groups and companies will give way to looser networks where small contributors have a much bigger role to play. Fascinating. Well worth the 20 minutes of viewing time...

www.TED.com

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)

May 16, 2009
TED VIDEO: Seth Godin on Tribes

Lucid, entertaining, informative 17-minute video on the power of tribes -- the most ancient and organic way to get a message out to the world. Want to make a difference? Got something to say? Looking for a simple way to connect with those who want to go beyond the status quo? Listen to the bald-headed wonder, Seth Godin, introduce you to what's already happening...

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 04:47 AM | Comments (0)

April 10, 2009
Welcome to Mississauga!

Please, whatever you're doing now, STOP, and watch this fabulous six- minute video about the mayor of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). Hazel has her act together -- and some major clues for the rest of us.

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:18 AM | Comments (1)

April 09, 2009
It's a Wonderful World Puppet Show

Louis Armstrong...shadow puppets...and a question to contemplate: How can YOU or your COMPANY deliver a powerful message to the world in just two minutes -- at almost no cost?

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 05:45 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.

"In tune with corporate America." — CNN
© IDEA CHAMPIONS