While learning how to develop a design idea and turn it into something effective is a crucial skill, sometimes we struggle with the most fundamental part of the process: getting the idea in the first place. While there’s some truth to the notion that “ideas just come to us,” research suggests we can do things to boost our creative output, or to get past “blocks” that keep us from moving forward.
Most small business owners see the glass as half full. On the roller coaster of starting and running a company, it is really the only way to survive and thrive. Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus, believes that positive energy can actually be the difference between long-term success and failure in any business. In my full interview with Jon, he discusses how thinking positively can lead to success. Here are some takeaways from my talk with Jon.
When we entrepreneurs talk about "the dream," we are not talking about a fantasy, like winning the lottery. We are talking about the things that really matter to us and what we are willing to do to make our dream a reality. It's one thing to be a visionary and have a creative idea that you're really passionate about, and another to have an idea that's also practical and strategic. A true and viable entrepreneurial dream is something that we are excited and passionate about—and will also be very profitable.
"The ideal professional dream is to be paid well for doing what you love," says Marcia Wieder, CEO of Dream University. Wieder is a 14-time published author, personal transformation expert, former president of the National Association of Women Business Owners, and has been the catalyst for thousands of individuals turning their dreams into realities over the past 20 years.
There’s plenty of funding if you have a good idea.
Somehow, a bunch of entrepreneurs got it into their heads that good ideas go unfunded. It’s just not true. Because part of what makes something a good idea is the fact that the founder can convey that it’s a good idea. And in the world of funding, there are rules about how one conveys a good idea. You need an addressable market. You need to solve a problem for that market. There needs to be a way to make money. A lot of it. And there needs to be a barrier to entry.
It turns out there’s a really simple way to cement customer loyalty—ask them what they think. In a recent survey from Cint, 62 percent of consumers say they would be more likely to purchase a brand’s product if the company asked for their opinions. And more than half say they’d be more loyal to the brand as a result.
It turns out there’s a really simple way to cement customer loyalty—ask them what they think. In a recent survey from Cint, 62 percent of consumers say they would be more likely to purchase a brand’s product if the company asked for their opinions. And more than half say they’d be more loyal to the brand as a result.
In the Australian comedy The Future Machine, roommates Matt and Tom attempt to change disastrous events in the future with the help of a time machine built out of German microwave parts. Preparing for the future this way may seem so far-fetched that only fiction has a place for such tales. However, the speed at which technology has been moving has created a career for people who can predict trends, results, and overall changes in industry and culture. These are futurists – scientists whose specialty is to systematically predict the future.
Trying to think of a new blog post, a creative design or a new business idea? The best thing to do is dedicate a part of your day or your week to being creative. It doesn't have to take up any more of your busy day. Some of the best ideas happen in places you wouldn't think about.
Today's 20-somethings have a reputation for being demanding and ignorant to power structures. And to a certain extent, these things might be true.
But the fact is, you're going to have to bring millennials into your office sooner or later. Their attitudes about life and work are different than the generations that precede them (and what you're probably used to), but a fresh perspective can invigorate your office and inspire growth. It's possible you can even learn a thing or two from the youngest set of the workforce.
So what do you need to know about this generation and how to deal with it at work? Here are the important points.
