This is the first of Clive Shirky's books I have read but I will definitely get his earlier Creativity and Generosity in a Connected Age. His style mixes insight with stories to illustrate his points.
For example this book opens with an explanation of how the gin drinking craze in the London of the 1720s was caused by cultural shift and technology and how it melted away some years later.
Overall it is a very positive book about how socially connected individuals can create seismic shift in a culture or society. How the vast amount of 'spare' cognitive resource formed from all those connected to social technology can be harnessed for good.
P38 a fascinating story of how a Korean fan club of young girls made a major change to the political elite's treatment of beef imports.
P12 another book encouraging us to look at how customers actually use or product or service rather than what they tell us they want as a source of innovation.
p72 how extrinsic rewards (money) often don't work and it is far more successful to draw on intrinsic motivations.
p78 basic rules to ensure a group can generate public or civic value (as opposed to just value for the individuals participating)
p180 real successful groups are hard work!
p186/p191 Talks about how disorientating it is to have so much content now published by new 'non professional' sources. How the best approach in this situation may well be to allow as many groups as possible to form and see what survives.
Finally p210 a salutatory point "Those responsible for solving today's problems, tend to ensure those problems persist"
Monday, 2 August 2010
Sunday, 25 July 2010
Blue Ocean Strategy
This is a great book with some useful tools to help construct a growth strategy for a business that maximises the chances of creating a new market space (the blue ocean of the title) whilst minimising the risks.
It covers formulating blue ocean ideas (going beyond existing market boundaries, looking at how customers use, or try to use, your product or service)
And then how to improve the chances of success in executing a strategy.
Of particular interest to me was the concept of thinking about non-customers rather than existing customers, commonalities before differences and de-segmentation (p103).
The concept of a strategy canvas gives a visual way to depict your strategy, that of the competition and the desires of the market (p84 gives the process to follow)
The concept of engaging the whole team in strategy is not new but the description of what the authors call 'fair process' gives insights into why it sometimes doesn't work.
It covers formulating blue ocean ideas (going beyond existing market boundaries, looking at how customers use, or try to use, your product or service)
And then how to improve the chances of success in executing a strategy.
Of particular interest to me was the concept of thinking about non-customers rather than existing customers, commonalities before differences and de-segmentation (p103).
The concept of a strategy canvas gives a visual way to depict your strategy, that of the competition and the desires of the market (p84 gives the process to follow)
The concept of engaging the whole team in strategy is not new but the description of what the authors call 'fair process' gives insights into why it sometimes doesn't work.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
The Case for Working with your hands
The language is a little heavy in the book but I completely support the idea of craft or technical education alongside academic subject in our education. It then goes onto give examples (through motorcycle repair) of why such skills should be valued in the wider world too.
p158 inverse correlation between giving praise to a child and subsequent persistence at a task
p194 rewards produce reduced engagement with tasks
p204 the need for failure in education and the current vogue to remove all chances of this for every child.
p158 inverse correlation between giving praise to a child and subsequent persistence at a task
p194 rewards produce reduced engagement with tasks
p204 the need for failure in education and the current vogue to remove all chances of this for every child.
Friday, 18 June 2010
Glow - How you can radiate Energy, Innovation and Success
Lynda Gratton follows on from her previous book Hot Spots to look at the personal characteristics of positive people who glow when they are in the right environment.
They glow because they have built deeply trusting and cooperative relationships with others
They glow because they have extended their networks beyond the obvious to encompass the unusual
They glow because they are on an inner quest that ignites their own energy and that of others.
One of the themes of the is to take time to wonder, to make connections with interesting people and ideas.
They glow because they have built deeply trusting and cooperative relationships with others
They glow because they have extended their networks beyond the obvious to encompass the unusual
They glow because they are on an inner quest that ignites their own energy and that of others.
One of the themes of the is to take time to wonder, to make connections with interesting people and ideas.
Friday, 11 June 2010
Life Strategies
A pretty hard hitting, no-nonsense self coaching book. That basically gets you to shake yourself and sort out a plan for what you want. I read it after seeing a quote from it in Nigel Risner's email newsletter - it is similar in style to his approach.
p21 Some sad US statistics: divorce rate 57.7%, average length of new marriages 26 months. 62% of society is obese. Emotional neglect of children has increased 330% in last ten years. 1 in 4 women has been sexually molested. 1 in 6 will experience a serious depressive episode during their life. 74% are victims of property crime........
p30 Ask not is the strategy right - ask is it working (this was a similar approach to goal setting that I found worked from a previous book I read)
p45 Grey Dog Wisdom:
There ain't no Santa Clause, there ain't no pony, and Elvis is way dead. If your life is going to get any better around here, it will be because you make it better. Pray to god but row for the shore.
Before your life can go in the right direction, you have to pull your head out and stop going in the wrong direction.
You don't have to stick your hand in your blender to know it's not a good idea to stick hands in blenders.
Make a plan and work the plan, life is not a dress rehearsal.
They will use you if you let them. When they come around thinning the herd, or taking away people's lunch money, get a really serious look on your face, and dig in.
Life is a competition. They are keeping score, and there is a time clock.
p49 ten common people characteristics
p64 don't play the victim, accept accountability
p173 shut up, move on (see also SUMO review)
p21 Some sad US statistics: divorce rate 57.7%, average length of new marriages 26 months. 62% of society is obese. Emotional neglect of children has increased 330% in last ten years. 1 in 4 women has been sexually molested. 1 in 6 will experience a serious depressive episode during their life. 74% are victims of property crime........
p30 Ask not is the strategy right - ask is it working (this was a similar approach to goal setting that I found worked from a previous book I read)
p45 Grey Dog Wisdom:
There ain't no Santa Clause, there ain't no pony, and Elvis is way dead. If your life is going to get any better around here, it will be because you make it better. Pray to god but row for the shore.
Before your life can go in the right direction, you have to pull your head out and stop going in the wrong direction.
You don't have to stick your hand in your blender to know it's not a good idea to stick hands in blenders.
Make a plan and work the plan, life is not a dress rehearsal.
They will use you if you let them. When they come around thinning the herd, or taking away people's lunch money, get a really serious look on your face, and dig in.
Life is a competition. They are keeping score, and there is a time clock.
p49 ten common people characteristics
p64 don't play the victim, accept accountability
p173 shut up, move on (see also SUMO review)
Life Strategies
A pretty hard hitting, no-nonsense self coaching book. That basically gets you to shake yourself and sort out a plan for what you want. I read it after seeing a quote from it in Nigel Risner's email newsletter - it is similar in style to his approach.
p21 Some sad US statistics: divorce rate 57.7%, average length of new marriages 26 months. 62% of society is obese. Emotional neglect of children has increased 330% in last ten years. 1 in 4 women has been sexually molested. 1 in 6 will experience a serious depressive episode during their life. 74% are victims of property crime........
p30 Ask not is the strategy right - ask is it working (this was a similar approach to goal setting that I found worked from a previous book I read)
p45 Grey Dog Wisdom:
There ain't no Santa Clause, there ain't no pony, and Elvis is way dead. If your life is going to get any better around here, it will be because you make it better. Pray to god but row for the shore.
Before your life can go in the right direction, you have to pull your head out and stop going in the wrong direction.
You don't have to stick your hand in your blender to know it's not a good idea to stick hands in blenders.
Make a plan and work the plan, life is not a dress rehearsal.
They will use you if you let them. When they come around thinning the herd, or taking away people's lunch money, get a really serious look on your face, and dig in.
Life is a competition. They are keeping score, and there is a time clock.
p49 ten common people characteristics
p64 don't play the victim, accept accountability
p173 shut up, move on (see also SUMO review)
p21 Some sad US statistics: divorce rate 57.7%, average length of new marriages 26 months. 62% of society is obese. Emotional neglect of children has increased 330% in last ten years. 1 in 4 women has been sexually molested. 1 in 6 will experience a serious depressive episode during their life. 74% are victims of property crime........
p30 Ask not is the strategy right - ask is it working (this was a similar approach to goal setting that I found worked from a previous book I read)
p45 Grey Dog Wisdom:
There ain't no Santa Clause, there ain't no pony, and Elvis is way dead. If your life is going to get any better around here, it will be because you make it better. Pray to god but row for the shore.
Before your life can go in the right direction, you have to pull your head out and stop going in the wrong direction.
You don't have to stick your hand in your blender to know it's not a good idea to stick hands in blenders.
Make a plan and work the plan, life is not a dress rehearsal.
They will use you if you let them. When they come around thinning the herd, or taking away people's lunch money, get a really serious look on your face, and dig in.
Life is a competition. They are keeping score, and there is a time clock.
p49 ten common people characteristics
p64 don't play the victim, accept accountability
p173 shut up, move on (see also SUMO review)
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
The Greatest Show on Earth - Evidence for evolution
One of Richard Dawkin's better books that outlines the reasons why he sees evolution powered by natural selection as the only plausible explanation for the wonderful breadth of beauty in the natural world around us.
He gives lucid arguments against the common creationist explanations though not in such reactionary terms as some of his other works.
I hope it becomes a school textbook - it would inspire a wonder in understanding the natural world.
He gives lucid arguments against the common creationist explanations though not in such reactionary terms as some of his other works.
I hope it becomes a school textbook - it would inspire a wonder in understanding the natural world.
Monday, 17 May 2010
How to sell clever things to big companies
I received a copy of this book when I heard the author Carrie Bedingfield speak at a recent MD2MD seminar OneFishTwoFish (It's only available from her company not on Amazon yet)
It is written in a clear easily digestible style, that would suit many of those that operate on the edges of Marketing, or who need to commission such services.
p33 I particularly liked the section on segmenting your target markets from the perspective of what was important to your customers rather than important to you.
p53 The pyramid to sanity check your website or shop window: What are you really good at, what there is lots of demand for, and what you can do differently from other companies. The last point being often forgotten as companies rush to say 'we can do that too' when the review their competitors sites.
p61 The ultimate value proposition: 'Our customers save £xxx for every £yyy they spend with us'.
p83 The concept of a nurturing pipeline where you manage the contacts who are not yet customers in a way that encourages them to become ones.
p93 A whole section on websites that gives great clear advice and avoids much of the fluff.
p113 Ten golden rules for newsletters (including not calling them newsletters)
It would have been well worth paying more than the cover price for this book that I would recommend to many managers who need to understand what Marketing does (or more importantly, could do).
It is written in a clear easily digestible style, that would suit many of those that operate on the edges of Marketing, or who need to commission such services.
p33 I particularly liked the section on segmenting your target markets from the perspective of what was important to your customers rather than important to you.
p53 The pyramid to sanity check your website or shop window: What are you really good at, what there is lots of demand for, and what you can do differently from other companies. The last point being often forgotten as companies rush to say 'we can do that too' when the review their competitors sites.
p61 The ultimate value proposition: 'Our customers save £xxx for every £yyy they spend with us'.
p83 The concept of a nurturing pipeline where you manage the contacts who are not yet customers in a way that encourages them to become ones.
p93 A whole section on websites that gives great clear advice and avoids much of the fluff.
p113 Ten golden rules for newsletters (including not calling them newsletters)
It would have been well worth paying more than the cover price for this book that I would recommend to many managers who need to understand what Marketing does (or more importantly, could do).
Tuesday, 20 April 2010
The 21st Century Brain
Steven Rose is a Biology professor and this book is written from that neuroscience perspective, with especially interesting insights on the biological structure of the brain.
It also looks at the history of the science of the subject, evolutionary perspective on understanding brains/minds, the embryonic perspective as well - which in some senses mimics evolution duriong teh nine months.
He doesn't really answer the brain/mind question satisfactorily for me. Still attempting to say there is something more than just a switched on brain but not explaining what it is.
Final part of teh book is a very interesting look into possible futures where people take mind enhancing drugs or genetically select offspring and the implcations for some of these choice society will have to face up to.
It also looks at the history of the science of the subject, evolutionary perspective on understanding brains/minds, the embryonic perspective as well - which in some senses mimics evolution duriong teh nine months.
He doesn't really answer the brain/mind question satisfactorily for me. Still attempting to say there is something more than just a switched on brain but not explaining what it is.
Final part of teh book is a very interesting look into possible futures where people take mind enhancing drugs or genetically select offspring and the implcations for some of these choice society will have to face up to.
Wednesday, 7 April 2010
Get a dog - Don't work like one
A thought provoking book that actually doesn't mention getting a dog, however it does describe strategies to think about what you want from life and stop working towards other people's priorities.
Ideas I liked:
p9 spend one lunchtime a week doing something different.
p71 visit www.dalailama.com
p73 list of attributes of top 20 successful entrepreneurs
p82 List of possible career drivers and as an exercise it suggest you force rank them for yourself
p107 Comment son a personal creativity course 'Creative and Personal Mastery'
p115 Quotes from Richard Branson essence of business stripped bare 25 core values for work
p164 perhaps the strongest pint for me is that happiness comes from a positive mental outlook: Happiness is a decision - we can have it now or we can wait for it to 'happen' to us some time in the future
p223 Finally the book ends with 74 ideas to Get a Life.
Ideas I liked:
p9 spend one lunchtime a week doing something different.
p71 visit www.dalailama.com
p73 list of attributes of top 20 successful entrepreneurs
p82 List of possible career drivers and as an exercise it suggest you force rank them for yourself
p107 Comment son a personal creativity course 'Creative and Personal Mastery'
p115 Quotes from Richard Branson essence of business stripped bare 25 core values for work
p164 perhaps the strongest pint for me is that happiness comes from a positive mental outlook: Happiness is a decision - we can have it now or we can wait for it to 'happen' to us some time in the future
p223 Finally the book ends with 74 ideas to Get a Life.
Saturday, 6 March 2010
resilience - bounce back from whatever life throws at you
Looks at why some people are better at coping with life than others, where you personally are on various aspects of resilience and finally how to build and improve your personal resilience.
Based on research studies and interviews with a group of highly resilient individuals, the book looks at teh various different aspects of a resilient individual.
The short summary is that these individuals:
Are open to new ideas, curious
Assume the best rather than the worst of other people
Find opportunity and risk equally fascinating (and understand the link between the twois crucial to success)
Embrace positive change
See what needs to be done and are happy to lead the way.
Prefer dealing in transparency and honesty than obscurity and deceit.
And perhaps most important of all they tend to be optimistic
Based on research studies and interviews with a group of highly resilient individuals, the book looks at teh various different aspects of a resilient individual.
The short summary is that these individuals:
Are open to new ideas, curious
Assume the best rather than the worst of other people
Find opportunity and risk equally fascinating (and understand the link between the twois crucial to success)
Embrace positive change
See what needs to be done and are happy to lead the way.
Prefer dealing in transparency and honesty than obscurity and deceit.
And perhaps most important of all they tend to be optimistic
Saturday, 27 February 2010
The 100 Greatest Speeches ever delivered
The 100 Greatest Speeches ever delivered is a look at 100 speeches picked from the works of great orators.. It gives a short biography of the speaker, the lessons to learn from the speech and then what was the legacy from it.
Whilst it certainly contained some great quotes, which made me investigate the actual speech myself in a few cases, the biggest disappointment was that there wasn't more of each speech quoted.
Whilst it certainly contained some great quotes, which made me investigate the actual speech myself in a few cases, the biggest disappointment was that there wasn't more of each speech quoted.
Saturday, 6 February 2010
Step away from the crayons
A book co-written by a speaker I heard at an MD2MD session. Essentially about the need for a holisitc approach to creating a company brand (rather than just focusing on teh creative image aspects)
Thoughtful sections were
p32 about the power of using stories to communicate a message.
p35 Be clear about the purpose of the business (and this isn't just to make a profit!)
p45 lovel poem about the average man and his negative opinions
p54 Whate are my customers buying (as opposed to what am I selling)
p75 a checklist of what you should know about your (key) customers
p84 on the dangers of too much measurement 'You can't fatten a pig by weighing it'
p118 the improtance of teh right working environment
p126 what search terms do our customers use to find us on the web?
Thoughtful sections were
p32 about the power of using stories to communicate a message.
p35 Be clear about the purpose of the business (and this isn't just to make a profit!)
p45 lovel poem about the average man and his negative opinions
p54 Whate are my customers buying (as opposed to what am I selling)
p75 a checklist of what you should know about your (key) customers
p84 on the dangers of too much measurement 'You can't fatten a pig by weighing it'
p118 the improtance of teh right working environment
p126 what search terms do our customers use to find us on the web?
Friday, 15 January 2010
Sue bought me this book for Christmas after an interesting MD2MD meeting where she told the person sitting next to her that her elevator pitch was that she was a Burlesque dancer! It certainly caught the attention of the gentleman sitting next to her.
15% of the price goes to Breast Cancer Charity so it is all in a good cause as well.
15% of the price goes to Breast Cancer Charity so it is all in a good cause as well.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
7 Keys to Creative Genius
A workbook that explores Ayd Instone's ideas on how to unleash creativity and innovation.
Some of the ones I liked were:
Think of 100 non-uses for a paperclip
How to empty a glass of water without moving or breaking it
He talks through creating the right frame of mind and practising at being creative - making connections between object sor ideas.
Some of the ones I liked were:
Think of 100 non-uses for a paperclip
How to empty a glass of water without moving or breaking it
He talks through creating the right frame of mind and practising at being creative - making connections between object sor ideas.
Thursday, 26 November 2009
How to become the most wanted employee around
A book in the useful style of 50 short pieces (each only a few pages long) containing an idea to improve your life in employment.
Ok so some of the ideas are obvious but many of them make you think of how you approach your job.
The key message running throughout the book is that if you want to get on then you need to be different and stand out in some way (or ways). Oh and do something you really enjoy!
Ok so some of the ideas are obvious but many of them make you think of how you approach your job.
The key message running throughout the book is that if you want to get on then you need to be different and stand out in some way (or ways). Oh and do something you really enjoy!
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Risk by Dan Gardner
A superb book that should be given to anyone you come across who is taking the latest media scare out of proportion. How our natural response to situations often comes from our (reptillian) brain even when our conscious brain does take the time to think about an issue it has a hard time overcomming this. How the media, politicians, business and lobby groups all have a vested interest in making us frightened (and keeping us that way).
Really, we are living in the safest period ever and are likely to live far longer than our ancestors.
p3 how the fear of flying after 9/11 killed more people who switched to driving in the US. The chance of any american dying in the attacks was 1 in 93,000 - the annual risk of any American being hit by a car is 1 in 48,548
p12 how people are terrified about chernobyl but regularly expose themselves to far more radiation sunbathing (or from radon gas)
p13 car kill more people than handguns!
p41 how being given a number beforehand will 'anchor' any subsequent estimate
p49 feminst bank tellers and other discrimination
p53 how to be persuasive (but probably wrong)
p56, p61 it is the ease of recall of an event or idea (not the quantity or importance) that guides intuition. So practive makes perfect (or at least a habit). Also explains why fear is on teh rise even wehn we are living in teh safest time in history - the media and our society keep talking about frightening things!
p120 the frightening lack of numeracy in the general population
p132 confirmation bias - once we have a belief in our head we filter incoming information and reject that which doesn't agree with it.
p136 groupthink - leads to more extreeme views
p145/389 4 views of an ideal community or organisation
p222 fear of strangers vs the real statistics of crime
p269 cancer overwhelmingly not caused by man-made chemicals
p281 the fallacy of ignoring age in cancer deaths (it is the biggest risk factor)
p294 how we could really improve the nations health (don't smoke, eat less exercise more)
p301 various lifetime risks vs terriorism: lifetime risk of an American being killed by lightning;1 in 79,746 venomous plant or animal 1 in 39,873 drowning in a bathtub 1 in 11,289 committing sucide 1 in 119 or dying in a car crash 1 in 84 - lifetime risk, worldwide of dying from a terrorist attack estimated between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 1,000,000 (apart from in Israel where it is between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000)
Really, we are living in the safest period ever and are likely to live far longer than our ancestors.
p3 how the fear of flying after 9/11 killed more people who switched to driving in the US. The chance of any american dying in the attacks was 1 in 93,000 - the annual risk of any American being hit by a car is 1 in 48,548
p12 how people are terrified about chernobyl but regularly expose themselves to far more radiation sunbathing (or from radon gas)
p13 car kill more people than handguns!
p41 how being given a number beforehand will 'anchor' any subsequent estimate
p49 feminst bank tellers and other discrimination
p53 how to be persuasive (but probably wrong)
p56, p61 it is the ease of recall of an event or idea (not the quantity or importance) that guides intuition. So practive makes perfect (or at least a habit). Also explains why fear is on teh rise even wehn we are living in teh safest time in history - the media and our society keep talking about frightening things!
p120 the frightening lack of numeracy in the general population
p132 confirmation bias - once we have a belief in our head we filter incoming information and reject that which doesn't agree with it.
p136 groupthink - leads to more extreeme views
p145/389 4 views of an ideal community or organisation
p222 fear of strangers vs the real statistics of crime
p269 cancer overwhelmingly not caused by man-made chemicals
p281 the fallacy of ignoring age in cancer deaths (it is the biggest risk factor)
p294 how we could really improve the nations health (don't smoke, eat less exercise more)
p301 various lifetime risks vs terriorism: lifetime risk of an American being killed by lightning;1 in 79,746 venomous plant or animal 1 in 39,873 drowning in a bathtub 1 in 11,289 committing sucide 1 in 119 or dying in a car crash 1 in 84 - lifetime risk, worldwide of dying from a terrorist attack estimated between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 1,000,000 (apart from in Israel where it is between 1 in 100 and 1 in 1,000)
Friday, 9 October 2009
The Human Mind, and how to make the most of it
Robert Winston's book to accompany the BBC TV series. Explores the biology of, primarily damaged, brains to understand our minds and the faculties we all have. He looks at the biology of the brain and how the mind is a description of teh working action of the brain. Finally he touches on the evolutionary drivers that have caused our brains to develop as they have.
p121 the process of recognition by pattern matching the firing of individual memories of all the attributes of an object. So that the individual attributes can be shared across a number of objects.
p146 on the biological process that underlies mastering a task so that it becomes subconscious
p149 on the location of 'will' as in 'free will' in the brain. Given that actions or descisions to act become conscious only some time (p173) after an action has been initiated then is there such a thing as free will at all?
p208 a biological explanation for teenager anger.
p459 Stephen Wiltshire gets his own mention!
p121 the process of recognition by pattern matching the firing of individual memories of all the attributes of an object. So that the individual attributes can be shared across a number of objects.
p146 on the biological process that underlies mastering a task so that it becomes subconscious
p149 on the location of 'will' as in 'free will' in the brain. Given that actions or descisions to act become conscious only some time (p173) after an action has been initiated then is there such a thing as free will at all?
p208 a biological explanation for teenager anger.
p459 Stephen Wiltshire gets his own mention!
Friday, 18 September 2009
Focus the power of targeted thinking
A way of improving time management / goal setting that is based on what seemed to me to be a novel approach that might just work - You set a goal e.g. to reach a target weight, you do whatever you think will get you there, you monitor your progress, if it's working just carry on, if not, try something different. Overall your goal is to keep trying something different until you find something that works.
As long as you are trying something different you are making progress - think back to Edison and the discovery of 10,00 ways not to make a lightbulb.
p57 much of the time doing what we should be doing is a lot less enjoyable than doing something else.
p65 Creating flow in a group (diverse group, no tables so stand and move, lots of ways to record ideas, playful atmosphere)
p105 A saying "we train other people how to treat us" in other words we get the support we deserve form others.
p107 the all purpose reply "you may be right"
p120 learn to listen (paraphrased what the other person is saying, assess how the other person feels about what they are saying) set yourself a target to listen attentively for say 5 minutes.
p159 check emails at start, lunch and end of day
p165 make email subject lines so that the recipient can decide whether to read it or not. If possible put teh whole message in the subject line!
p189 don't expect, inspect
p192 hold a Massive Action Day MAD
As long as you are trying something different you are making progress - think back to Edison and the discovery of 10,00 ways not to make a lightbulb.
p57 much of the time doing what we should be doing is a lot less enjoyable than doing something else.
p65 Creating flow in a group (diverse group, no tables so stand and move, lots of ways to record ideas, playful atmosphere)
p105 A saying "we train other people how to treat us" in other words we get the support we deserve form others.
p107 the all purpose reply "you may be right"
p120 learn to listen (paraphrased what the other person is saying, assess how the other person feels about what they are saying) set yourself a target to listen attentively for say 5 minutes.
p159 check emails at start, lunch and end of day
p165 make email subject lines so that the recipient can decide whether to read it or not. If possible put teh whole message in the subject line!
p189 don't expect, inspect
p192 hold a Massive Action Day MAD
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Ground Control
A though provoking book looking at our broken society and the role that the built envirnment plays in it.
From the increasing prevalance of 'private' public space that excludes anyone who doesn't want to shop, to the fear created within gated communities - you can never have enough security! And the way the whole built environment in the UK has been handed over to corporations to generate a profit.
The book does end on a more positive note, looking at some more successful models from continental Europe.
From the increasing prevalance of 'private' public space that excludes anyone who doesn't want to shop, to the fear created within gated communities - you can never have enough security! And the way the whole built environment in the UK has been handed over to corporations to generate a profit.
The book does end on a more positive note, looking at some more successful models from continental Europe.
Saturday, 15 August 2009
It's a PC World
Edward Stourton (of R4 Today fame) takes us throug a journey that looks at both sides of the Political Correctness debate.
I bought the book thinking it would be a good rant on PC excesses but it did manage to convert me to the view that PC does have its place when trying to modify the values and behaviours of a society (think of Germany after WWII).
It did have a good crop of examples of the PC police excesses and daft council proclomations though.
A more thoughtful read than I expected, well written and entertaining.
I bought the book thinking it would be a good rant on PC excesses but it did manage to convert me to the view that PC does have its place when trying to modify the values and behaviours of a society (think of Germany after WWII).
It did have a good crop of examples of the PC police excesses and daft council proclomations though.
A more thoughtful read than I expected, well written and entertaining.
Sunday, 9 August 2009
Boringology
77 short reviews of scientific research that cover a wide variety of topics.
The smell of fear (my dog didn't need research to be able to detect it from people who are frightened of dogs)
Measuring breast bounce in teh search for better bras.
Where George W Bush ranks in terms of IQ amongst US Presidents (there was someone dumber)
How Cliff Richard seems to be modelling himself on Jesus
Lesbian Koalas
The declining number of people proud to be British (as opposed to English, Scots or Welsh)
The smell of fear (my dog didn't need research to be able to detect it from people who are frightened of dogs)
Measuring breast bounce in teh search for better bras.
Where George W Bush ranks in terms of IQ amongst US Presidents (there was someone dumber)
How Cliff Richard seems to be modelling himself on Jesus
Lesbian Koalas
The declining number of people proud to be British (as opposed to English, Scots or Welsh)
Friday, 17 July 2009
The Longer Long Tail
An updated version of the Long Tail in which Chris Anderson explores the rich markets for producs and services beyond the limited selection of 'top hits' normally available. How often there is an even bigger market in what is not available in your typical outlet - the world of tremendous choice and variety - your job is to find a way to make money out of it.
Also some good content for those interested in Socal Networking
p7 how 98% of the content of a digital jukebox actually gets played
p76 www.lulu.com a means to get your personal book published and sold
p109 In the information age, context not content is king
p113 a list of top blogs: BoingBoing, Daily Kos, FARK.com, Gizmodo, Instapundit.com, Engadget, PostSecret
p124 There seems to be a correlation between Maves (who know a lot and like to share their knowledge) and bloggers.
p131 a note about the 80:20 rule - it doesn't have to add to 100% as each side is in different units.
p172 the flaw in the too much choice arguments - that the problem is too much choice without trusted guidance.
p182 GOATSE
p219 get your customers to do the work with external online blogs etc.
p230 tips on monitoring for internet activity on your brand
p242 on teh future role of PR - internal coaching or getting your brand blogged.
p244 THCO life of a chocolate bar.
Also some good content for those interested in Socal Networking
p7 how 98% of the content of a digital jukebox actually gets played
p76 www.lulu.com a means to get your personal book published and sold
p109 In the information age, context not content is king
p113 a list of top blogs: BoingBoing, Daily Kos, FARK.com, Gizmodo, Instapundit.com, Engadget, PostSecret
p124 There seems to be a correlation between Maves (who know a lot and like to share their knowledge) and bloggers.
p131 a note about the 80:20 rule - it doesn't have to add to 100% as each side is in different units.
p172 the flaw in the too much choice arguments - that the problem is too much choice without trusted guidance.
p182 GOATSE
p219 get your customers to do the work with external online blogs etc.
p230 tips on monitoring for internet activity on your brand
p242 on teh future role of PR - internal coaching or getting your brand blogged.
p244 THCO life of a chocolate bar.
Friday, 3 July 2009
FLIP - how to survive and thrive by turning your business on its head
A diferent perspective on what will make business survive and thrive, namely that we have to innovate and be incredibly flexible to make the most of opportunities
p16 25%+ of teh daily searches on Google are unique
p33 Strategy o teh go (flexible) is not the same as no strategy at all (foolish)
p50 'Most people operate under the assumption that they will regret foolish actions taken more than smart actions not taken, This is, interestingly, false.'
p52 on the need to attract 20-somethings, if not as employees then as customers.
p65 'Unlike knowledge, which is infinitely reusable, ignorance is a one hot deal: Once it has been displaced by knowledge, it can be hard to get back. And after it's gone, we are more apt to follow well-worn paths to find answers than to exert our sense of what we don't know in order to probe new options. Knowledge can stand in the way of innovation. SOlved problems tend to stay solved, sometimes disastrously so.'
p90 ideas for a strategy discussion - the one I liked best was to get your senior team to discuss the potential changes in teh demands of your customers and staff over the coming years. Remembering that waht is good enough, fast enough and cheap enough toda, won't be tomorrow. What challenges will these present to your business?
p115 Samsung spend 2- to 30% of sales on R&D.
p144 make your processes easy for the customer, not you.
p185 stats on internet usage by teens, more than 50% are daily users.
p193 attract and retain the best staff, through teh work they do and teh relationships you help them build.
p213 keep trying - You can make OK money doing what everyone else is doing but it's not going to put a dent in the universe, although the odds against immediate success are daunting, the more you are willing to keep trying new things the more teh odds shift in your favour.
p263 be open to serendipity, to findng things you wern't looking for.
p265 there is no i in team but there is in innovation - innovations don't begin in crowds but crowds are necessary to validate innovation.
p 280 to get control give it up: if your staff are so bored they are spending hours downloading junk from the internet then you should look at your staff selection processes, and more important at the work you are engaging them in and the culture that exists!
p289 Get up off your arse and do something
p16 25%+ of teh daily searches on Google are unique
p33 Strategy o teh go (flexible) is not the same as no strategy at all (foolish)
p50 'Most people operate under the assumption that they will regret foolish actions taken more than smart actions not taken, This is, interestingly, false.'
p52 on the need to attract 20-somethings, if not as employees then as customers.
p65 'Unlike knowledge, which is infinitely reusable, ignorance is a one hot deal: Once it has been displaced by knowledge, it can be hard to get back. And after it's gone, we are more apt to follow well-worn paths to find answers than to exert our sense of what we don't know in order to probe new options. Knowledge can stand in the way of innovation. SOlved problems tend to stay solved, sometimes disastrously so.'
p90 ideas for a strategy discussion - the one I liked best was to get your senior team to discuss the potential changes in teh demands of your customers and staff over the coming years. Remembering that waht is good enough, fast enough and cheap enough toda, won't be tomorrow. What challenges will these present to your business?
p115 Samsung spend 2- to 30% of sales on R&D.
p144 make your processes easy for the customer, not you.
p185 stats on internet usage by teens, more than 50% are daily users.
p193 attract and retain the best staff, through teh work they do and teh relationships you help them build.
p213 keep trying - You can make OK money doing what everyone else is doing but it's not going to put a dent in the universe, although the odds against immediate success are daunting, the more you are willing to keep trying new things the more teh odds shift in your favour.
p263 be open to serendipity, to findng things you wern't looking for.
p265 there is no i in team but there is in innovation - innovations don't begin in crowds but crowds are necessary to validate innovation.
p 280 to get control give it up: if your staff are so bored they are spending hours downloading junk from the internet then you should look at your staff selection processes, and more important at the work you are engaging them in and the culture that exists!
p289 Get up off your arse and do something
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Predictably Irrational
A book that explores some of the Buyology ideas in more depth as well as ome other fascinating insights into why we don't make rational descisions (even though we tell ourseleves that we do, and we really believe that we do).
p18 tips for a contented life: ensure you earn more than your wife's sister's husband!
p21 the more we have the more we want - a never eanding emotional treadmill of consumption
p97,101 that aroused men (and boys) have a seriously reduced capacity for judgement when aroused - certainly a novel way to attack teenage pregnancy
p18 tips for a contented life: ensure you earn more than your wife's sister's husband!
p21 the more we have the more we want - a never eanding emotional treadmill of consumption
p97,101 that aroused men (and boys) have a seriously reduced capacity for judgement when aroused - certainly a novel way to attack teenage pregnancy
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