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 22, 2012Quantum Curiosity Squared
It all depends on HOW you look at things and WHERE you're looking from. Step back for a minute and see the big picture.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:22 PM | Comments (2)
March 02, 2012A Crash Course On How to Be a Great Consultant
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:44 AM | Comments (2)
January 21, 2012PREMier 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, 2012Want 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, 2011Obvious 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...
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
November 08, 2011John Cleese on Creativity
Fabulous 10 minute video by John Cleese on the optimal conditions for creativity. Inspired. Lucid. Entertaining.
More about the subconscious
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October 26, 2011The Divided Brain
Excellent TED presentation by Iain McGilchrist on the two sides of the brain, beautifully animated by the wizards at RSA Animate.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:49 PM | Comments (0)
October 06, 2011Steve 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!
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:42 PM | Comments (2)
September 25, 2011More 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, 2011Humor 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
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July 18, 2011You 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, 2011Getting Out of the Organizational Box
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 17, 2011Here'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)
March 06, 2011The 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, 2011Music 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, 2011Creativity 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, 2011To 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, 2011The 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, 2010Helping 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.
Thanks to David Passes for the heads up.
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:55 AM | Comments (0)
September 23, 2010Where 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
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January 24, 2010Everything 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, 2009Invent, Iterate, Improve, and Innovate
What you can learn about innovation from the long and semi-glorious history of the zipper.
The X Factor
Innovate, Schminnovate
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:34 PM | Comments (0)
November 27, 2009Sand 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).
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 12:19 AM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2009Swish!
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, 2009BREAKTHROUGH 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...
Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 07:55 AM | Comments (0)
May 16, 2009TED 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, 2009Welcome 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, 2009It'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)
