Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:44 PM | Comments (0)

See the picture to your left? Of course you do. That's Nancy Seroka, Idea Champions' Director of Operations, World Class Administrator, and Queen of Client Relations.

Without Nancy, there would be no Idea Champions. Nancy is the glue, the DNA of Details, the one who minds the store while the rest of us are on the road, in the clouds, or otherwise engaged.

For the past 13 years, Nancy has been juggling hundreds of Idea Champions projects with style, class, and heroic effort. The fact that she is still somewhat sane astounds me.

Sometimes, I regret to say, I am blind to how much value Nancy adds to our business. You see, she does what she does with so much precision and consistency that I often don't even notice it.

I am not alone in this regard. Indeed, I am betting that a lot of you reading this rant also have a Nancy in your business life -- someone who keep things together, supports you way beyond the call of duty, and makes magic happen while you're consumed with the details of your business life.

You have come to expect this kind of extraordinary contribution from others. You think it's "their job" -- and barely notice. Not a good idea.

Hey, you don't notice the air, either, but just imagine if it wasn't there.

And so, it is with great respect for Nancy -- and all that she is and all that she does -- that I implore you to pause for a moment and honor all of the Nancies in your life -- all of the people "behind the scenes" who are, day-by-day, minute-by-minute, helping you grow your business.

I'm not talking about the token giving of roses on "Secretary's Day". No.

I'm talking about being far more present and acknowledging of all the people who support you, without whom you would be howling at the moon, walking in circles, or looking for a job.

So, thank you Nancy. You are an inspiration and a life saver.

And should I forget, tomorrow... next week ... next month ... or next year to acknowledge you for all you are and all you do, I humbly ask your forgiveness.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 10:13 AM | Comments (2)

Here's a link to a cool new website devoted to crowdsourcing the ultimate list of life-changing books. You can add a book to the list or you can vote for books that have helped transform your life. Or both. Or neither. At the very least, it's a very good list of inspiring books you may want to consider reading.

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)

The 8 dimensions of a brainstorm session
What our clients say
Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 09:55 PM | Comments (0)

You may not know this, but our semi-fearless leader and Co-Founder of Idea Champions, Mitch Ditkoff, is now blogging for the Huffington Post on a variety of topics. Below is a sampling. If you like what you read, FAN him so you can receive email alerts whenever a new article of his is published.

1. 20 Reasons Why Creative People Like to Work in Cafes

2. The Syndrome Syndrome and the Rise of the New World Disorder

3. The Kindness at Work Manifesto

4. 27 Best Practices of High Performing Volunteer Organizations

5. Why You Need to Ask Why

6. Humanizing the Workplace

7. How to Go Beyond Self Improvement

8. The Afghani Cab Driver and the $250M Salty Snack Food

9. How 13-Year Old Girls Can Wipe Out Terrorism

10. 100 Awesome Quotes on What It Really Takes to Innovate

The complete archive
Idea Champions
Mitch Ditkoff keynotes

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 02:46 PM | Comments (0)

Dear Potential Clients:

With all due respect, please do not call us if your organization is addicted to the scenario being played out in the cartoon to your left. If this was 10 years ago, we may have said YES. But no longer.

We've been paid handsomely, in the past, for hitting our heads against the wall, but those days are over. We're not saying you have to be perfect for us to work with you -- just free enough of corporate crapola for us to make a difference.

We like the Bob Newhart approach.
Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 06:51 AM | Comments (0)

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:40 PM | Comments (0)

Thanks to my son, Jesse, for the timely heads up -- the first online resource he shared with me upon his return from his first year of college (Hampshire). Let's hear it for higher education!

Idea Champions

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 08:29 PM | Comments (0)

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:26 AM | Comments (0)

What do LSD, corn flakes, dynamite, saccharine, the microwave oven, viagra, the Pacemaker, velcro, penicillin, anaesthesia, the Slinky, Play Doh, Silly Putty, Post-its, and vulcanized rubber all have in common?

They were all discovered by accident.

Read more about this phenomenon here.

Idea Champions
The Innovation Kit
Photo
The Innovation Accelerator

Posted by Mitch Ditkoff at 11:37 PM | Comments (0)