beyond the obvious
I Have a Question…
“Dad – what’s that?” My daughter, 4 or 5, was in her car seat as we were running errands. She grew impatient with my delay in answering her question. “That!” she said as she pointed out her window at the curb. “It’s called a curb,” I explained. “What’s it made of?” “Cement.” “What’s cement?” I […]
A Job Worth Doing…
I looked up and saw that look of disappointment. My 8-year-old self was staring into the face of my father. I had badgered him for weeks to let me cut the grass to earn the same allowance my older brother got for the same chore. My early activism in equal pay for equal work. His […]
Innovation Requires Getting The Facts Right
There is an old saying that goes something like this, “Speaking with passion but without the facts is like making a beautiful dive into an empty pool.” As John Adam’s famously said, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they
Inspiring Innovation: A 5 Minute Challenge
Inspiring innovation seems more like an art than any kind of skill or science. The sudden spark that results in an exciting new idea seems random – like it came out of the blue. Studies have shown what seems random was actually inspired by something your did, read or saw in the past. Inspiring Innov
Beyond the Killer Idea
I’ve been able to succeed because I’ve generated a system that guides me past the obvious ideas and straight toward the killer idea. I also have the confidence to push for my ideas and make sure they get a chance to prove themselves. So, if you find yourself with a killer idea, but are lacking […]
Customizing Beyond The Obvious
I don’t know what your needs are. I don’t know what drove you to pick up Beyond The Obvious, read it, and (hopefully) work through the exercises. It’s possible you weren’t completely sure of your needs at the beginning of the book either. However, you should now have a sense of how you can use […]
The Final Key to Innovation: Understanding the Law of Execution
Innovation can sometimes seem totally intangible. It’s easy enough to come up with an idea that you believe will change the world, or at least your industry. It is putting that idea into action that becomes another ballgame. Developing an actual product or service that can be sold or put into practi
The unintended consequence of a headache cure invented one of the most popular products in the world
Coca Cola is the most famous soft drink in existence and has penetrated almost every corner of the globe. Many do not know that Coca-Cola started as an unintended consequence when someone was attempting to invent a headache cure. Back in the 1880s John Pemberton, a struggling pharmacist, was attempt
Beyond The Obvious Translations Available in English, Japanese, Korean and Chinese
When I signed my book deal with Hyperion to publish my book, Beyond The Obvious, it also included global rights. What this meant was that Hyperion purchased the right to have Beyond The Obvious translations in any language they choose. As an update, Beyond The Obvious has now been translated and rel
How to Regain Your Childhood Imagination
Innovation is what keeps the world moving, growing and adapting to all the changes that occur along the way. They usually do not just happen. It takes individuals with a bit of creativity and imagination, as well as not being afraid to try new things. Shel Silverstein usually considered a children’s
