Blog
In these posts I try and challenge, stretch and inspire new ideas & conversations.
Building a business – one win at a time
The story of Zendesk I have often wondered if the leaders of a successful company always knew they would make it. I have also wondered if a seemingly big idea for a business was always obvious or only in retrospect? This is the story of a fabulously successful...
Can group creativity be learned?
Can creativity be learned? In a recent fascinating article in The Atlantic the question was posed can creativity be taught? In this article various theories and research seem to suggest that yes it can be taught -- up to a point. To be sure, actually practicing one's...
Is Disruptive Innovation the only game in town?
Disruptive Innovation is everywhere Articles and case studies on disruptive innovation seem to be everywhere. Every second consultant seems to be advocating the idea of disrupt or else. Disruptive Innovation was made popular by Clayton Christensen and since then it...
The lean startup vs small wins innovation
The Lean Startup The Lean Startup by Eric Ries has been a major step forward for entrepreneurs everywhere. It provides as the book cover suggests: "A new approach to business that's being adopted around the world. It is changing the way companies are built and new...
How leaders can utilise the butterfly effect
What is the butterfly effect? The term butterfly effect was first coined by Edward Norton Lorenz (23 May 1917 – 16 April 2008). Lorenz was an American mathematician and meteorologist and a pioneer of chaos theory. The butterfly effect, according to Wikepedia is: In...
How to make innovation training really stick
Most innovation training does not work Innovation is often cited as one of the top 3 priorities for leaders and managers worldwide. As a result many leaders offer innovation training to their employees and team members. But too often, even a great innovation session...
A small wins innovation case study
The Change for Good Program Anyone that has travelled with Qantas would have noticed or (hopefully) contributed to their Change for Good program. This is a joint initiative between Qantas and UNICEF whereby passengers donate any spare change or dollars in an envelope...
How a small change can have a big impact
One lesson for leaders from the First World War This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of the first world war. This horrific war claimed millions of lives and countless others were injured or damaged (including my grandfather. There are many lessons...
How to innovate — one win at a time
Why the great promise of innovation is not being delivered I have spent the past 10 years researching, working or collaborating with leaders around innovation. It is a great space to work in as everything is new and different. Yet I feel that the great promise of...