by Annie Jackson | Jan 6, 2015 | General
Finding the courage to embrace change and take chances is the only way to succeed. We’ve asked some of our favorite industry power players and business innovators to share stories of how #MakingChange worked for them, as it relates to the ’10 Rules to Future-Proof yourself, Fearlessly Innovate, and Succeed Despite Uncertainty,’ rolling out one new rule each week. Rule #1 Be Courageous with Chris Brogan – CEO, Owner Media Group Question: Why is it more important today than ever before to stand out as a business, individual or organization? And is it really playing it safe not to do so given the rate of change and level of competition out there today? Chris Brogan: There’s just so much “me too” going on in business. I was speaking with Nolan Bushnell, co-founder of Atari and the guy who gave Steve Jobs his first (and only) job, and he said that the amount of “same as” thinking that he sees as an investor and advisor is just depressing. We’ve decided that creativity is too risky. If that’s the climate, and if the people trying to make their business stand out are doing that at the core of their business, then being seen will be harder than ever. Q: What does it mean to be brave in your opinion? And does it happen overnight or is it in fact a process of training and self-discipline that builds over time, i.e. through small simple action steps and habit-forming routines? CB: Bravery is a process, a muscle, a verb. It requires action. To be brave, one must work daily on their confidence, their self-acceptance, their ability...
by Scott Steinberg | Dec 17, 2014 | General
As both individuals and organizations, we all need a better way to solve business problems in an age of constant uncertainty and disruption. As we discovered while researching Make Change Work for You, just such a system exists – and, in fact, is already being used to devastating effect by the world’s most innovative companies, and business leaders. Better yet, you can use the same simple, four-part model that leading innovators use to succeed in highly unpredictable marketplaces to succeed more frequently in your life, your career, or your organization as well. Like we explain in the following video, the process of future-proofing oneself and successfully addressing any challenge or concern that the future brings becomes far simpler when you put the F.E.A.R. (Focus, Engage, Assess, React) framework to work for you. Just click the link below to quickly discover how to turbo-charge your business or career today by applying its simple shifts in...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 22, 2014 | General
Of all the buzzwords utilized in business today, innovation and disruption rank among the most popular. What you may be surprised to learn is that they also rank among the most widely misunderstood. Were you to look up either term’s definition, you may be surprised what you’d find – and just how simple and straightforward it is for anyone to disrupt and innovate. Case in point: Disruption is simply defined as a disturbance or problem which interrupts current events, or throws normal routines into chaos. In essence, when we speak of disruptions, we’re actually speaking about novel or unforeseen difficulties. Similarly, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, innovation is simply the introduction of something new, such as an original idea or way to reposition your business. So really, when we talk about innovation, we’re just discussing creative and resourceful approaches to productivity or problem solving – i.e. practical ways of dealing with all the disruption that confronts us. Moreover, innovation isn’t always about cutting-edge breakthroughs or game-changing technologies either. In fact, simple shifts in business strategy or outlook can be every bit as powerful as new technology and groundbreaking discoveries. But most importantly, as research shows, innovation is simply a matter of perspective, and process of constant reinvention. And organizations of every size and background have the ability to leverage its core principles to succeed more frequently going forward. Consider that every year, Booz & Company studies hundreds of the world’s top innovators—companies like Google, Amazon, and Samsung—to see what gives them a competitive edge. Shockingly, market leaders don’t have more time, more money or greater resources to throw at...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 22, 2014 | General
The most successful people share a striking number of similar habits. Regardless of whether they’re the CEO of a technology startup, or a passionate educator, their reoccurring patterns of behavior often pave the way to ongoing levels of achievement. Below are seven habits that hugely successful people use to maximize productivity, effectiveness and success – by following them, you can also catapult yourself further, faster towards achieving your own personal or professional goals. Minimize Distractions According to Basex, a management science company, it’s estimated that distractions cost U.S. businesses $588 billion per year, a number that continues to grow. Besides costing businesses billions in resources, these sneaky time consumers undermine concentration and can make it hard to stay focused on a task or consistently follow important train of thought. Learning to ignore these nuisances can help you create less stress, improve productivity, and enjoy a happier workday, so put your phone away, log out of your social media accounts, and close your office door during your most productive hours. If you’re not quite sure which distractions eating up your day, try tracking what you do each hour by creating a running diary for two to three weeks to find out. Get Enough Rest Productivity can suffer if you don’t feel your best, and one of the most important factors of feeling up to par is maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Getting enough rest is one of the easiest things you can do to revitalize your mental clarity, passion and energy. The National Sleep Foundation states that there’s no magic number when determining the right amount of sleep needed, but...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 20, 2014 | General
So much for the status quo… As we discovered by studying scores of leading experts and innovators, research confirms what most already suspect: Continuous change is the new norm in business. Happily, in today’s highly-disruptive world, innovation is just another word for improvisation—and anyone can adapt to new and novel problems the same way leading innovators do: By studying problems, brainstorming original solutions, then steadily trying and improving as they go. Looking to stay ahead of the curve in your career or business? Doing so may be simpler than you suspect. The answer: To thrive in fast-changing times, change with them; to future-proof yourself, become more flexible. Organizations like Amazon and Google create competitive advantage by consistently experimenting with and learning from new ideas. Individuals succeed more frequently by thinking fast on their feet and resiliently forging ahead despite setbacks, not possessing greater IQ or inborn talent. As becomes more obvious when you take a closer look at how modern leaders succeed, winning isn’t about having more resources these days, rather being more resourceful; getting ahead not about being a genius, but more ingenious instead. Keeping this in mind, to succeed in fast-moving and highly unpredictable environments, you’ve got to find the courage to take chances. In uncertain times, everyone wants to be risk-free. Instead, you can create competitive advantage by being risk-averse—recognizing that change is coming, and making smart, calculated, and cost-affordable bets that can help you gain the insights, talents or capabilities today that will be in-demand tomorrow. Whatever your stated goal, pick a portfolio of promising growth activities to try—launch a new product line or re-launch...
by Scott Steinberg | Nov 15, 2014 | General
How do today’s biggest businesses and scrappiest young startups create cultures of creativity and innovation? The short answer: By keeping things simple, streamlined, and highly collaborative. In our latest video, we take a closer look at how you can transform your organization into a powerhouse of new ideas, and turbo-charge growth, with a few simple adjustments in strategy. A few simple tips here include: Create an environment of trust and teamwork where workers feel comfortable speaking up Collaborate and flatten lines of communication – allow everyone to quickly connect and get on the same page Think about what customers will want tomorrow – then start working towards this today Constantly experiment with new products, services and solutions Play a portfolio of strategic bets – don’t count on any single venture Always be learning, growing and looking for ways to reinvent...
