stop creating and die. period.

Factory
I hate factories, however; this is one thing that I do like about them...

They have a drive to keep making things.

NOW, what they make may be "cookie-cutter" and totally un-inspiring after the "gazillionth" production, however; that does not diminish the fact that they made something. AND they keep making things. 

The whole idea of "creating" is or WAS becoming a lost art. For the most part, what companies delivered as their value proposition in 1990 is probably still the EXACT same value proposition that they offer now in 2010. Let's look at insurance for example... When was the last time you sat down with an Insurance Agent, and he/she showed you something so dynamic and so fresh, that you just HAD to have their offering? Fact is you probably have not sat down with an Insurance Agent because of the fact that MOST Insurance Agents are still doing "the business" as they always have, and being SOLD insurance is really not that cool anymore. So it's an experience that you could live without... Right? 

SO what if the Insurance Company decided to rethink their entire portfolio? AND what if they offered new value above and beyond the "if you get sick or if you die" paradigm and created products for being healthy and living? AND what if the whole insurance "sales experience" was re-imagined in a way where buying insurance was actually enjoyable and something to talk about... Free of flip charts, and stale Power Point presentations? I don't know... Maybe it's not going to make a difference at all, BUT if I were an insurance provider, I would damn sure be trying to figure it out... 

Creating can be one of the most powerful business strategies a business can execute. Sometimes the difference in market share is hinged on the idea of releasing a shiny new solution, widget or way of doing things.... The reality is, any business that stops creating, especially now, is slowly going to be choked out of the market place... And eventually, they will die. 

 

Vincent Hunt is the Founder and Chief Design Officer of Paper Aircrane, a strategic Ideation Company tactical in conceptualizing and developing breakthrough ideas for new products, services and brands. A Groundbreaking Thinker, Compelling Speaker and Blogger Vincent is sought after for his ideas pertaining to the post-industrial revolution, disruptive innovation and the talent that makes it happen. 

the importance of mining creativity within the organization...

Mining
Mining for gold has been going on for centuries. The Romans were noted for their hydraulic methods of gathering the precious metal because of it's tremendous value. The Romans knew that if they could figure out how to mine the resource in an effective way, they would have economic power. NOW it's a lot more complicated than that, but I needed to lay the foundation to what I am about to say... 

Organizations today, for the most part, still have a hard time of mining for one of their most valuable resources... Creativity. As we move into the creative economy, it's becoming increasingly important that human asset managers, or more commonly known as human resource managers, get a handle on mining this precious commodity. 

It's no longer safe to have your creative thinkers doing mundane task, and churning the wheel of production without tapping into their ability to solve complex organizational challenges and make new stuff. AND if it's not been notciced yet, let me make it clear... 

"Creation businesses are the new "cool kids" on the block... "

The economic downturn has forced consumers into a new paradigm. As spending tightens, consumers are looking for more value. IF They are going to spend, they are going to buy value, they are going to get the unique, and what they love... Not like. SO if your company is still producing "likable stuff" you are going to lose. Your organization has to start CREATING "lovable stuff". Period. 

There is no more room for the "same ol' same ol", and it's not until organizations start mining the creative resources of the organization that they can start to tap into the innovation engine that will fuel the creation of "lovable stuff". 

 

Vincent Hunt is the Founder and Chief Design Officer of Paper Aircrane, a strategic Ideation Company tactical in conceptualizing and developing breakthrough ideas for new products, services and brands. A Groundbreaking Thinker, Compelling Speaker and Blogger Vincent is sought after for his ideas pertaining to the post-industrial revolution, disruptive innovation and the talent that makes it happen. 

what have you done NEW lately?

What have you done NEW lately? 

I ask clients this question all the time, and the answer is generally the same. After a ton of illusive answers revolving around "planning this" and "strategizing that", the final answer is usually the same... 

Nothing. 

And it's in the "nothing" that organizations lose the most money. It's really a simple idea.. 

"Companies that never try or DO anything new, usually phase out, and become irrelevant." 

The sustainability of a business depends greatly on the businesses ability to rethink, redefine and reinvent business as usual.

innovation leads to more profits...

One thing never ceases to amaze me about my work. It never ceases to amaze me how businesses who are struggling can't seem to grasp the idea of innovation or "creating something new". 

In most cases, we (Paper Aircrane) can solve "cash flow" problems by simply helping our clients conceptualize and develop new products services and brands. Now, though this may seem like an obvious answer (or choice), it is in fact a "choice". The idea of going into ideation to dream up something new to offer your customers (clients) can be scary, but in most cases, the innovation can lead to more profits. So it's worth it. 

by demand... i'm back...

I'm not sure on how popular the demand, BUT by demand, I am back... 

After I made the announcement a couple of weeks ago that I would no longer be maintaining the blog here at Beyond Pretty Things, there was a flood of tweets and Facebook messages that protested the decision. At first my attitude was as it always is... I have to balance my time, workload, and happiness in a way where I am healthy... Well, after letting Beyond Pretty Things go, I realized that Beyond Pretty Things actually weighed MORE in the column of "What Makes Me Happy" vs the "Workload" column... SO it goes without saying. I enjoy spreading ideas. I enjoy reshaping how we view and use design as careerist and organizations. It makes me... Happy. 

So I am back. I am back to step it up a notch, and to share ideas that compel you. The markeplace is changing and I do not want you to get caught with your pants (skirts) down... So... Let's do what we do, and design this thing called the "creative economy". Let's take this design thing Beyond Pretty Things...