Blogging Live from World Business Forum

Look for a flurry of blogs next week, on Brain Based Biz, directly from the Blogger's Hub at the World Business Forum. I look forward to the energy of exchanging ideas as world business leaders speak. More than 50 of the leading business bloggers will bring inspiring ideas from the main stage and surrounding events to life for the global business community.

4,000 executives gather for two incredible days of lessons in leadership – HSM, IBM and more than 50 of the leading business bloggers will be working to bring the inspiring ideas live.

I'm joining these awesome business bloggers taking part:

Wall Street Journal Paul Glader @wsj
The Huffington Post Shahien Nasiripour @huffbusiness
BusinessWeek.com Reena Jana @RJMAC
Reuters Felix Salmon @felixsalmon
Newsweek Katie Paul @newsweek
Business.com: What Works for Business Daniel Kehrer @whatworks
asmarterplanet.com Adam Christensen @smarterplanet
Jossey-Bass on Leadership Carolyn Carlstroem @josseybassbiz
mashable.com Ben Parr @benparr
billgeorge.org Zach Clayton @bill_george
The Big Picture Barry Ritholtz
Execunet Lauryn Franzoni @LaurynFranzoni
Execunet Robyn Greenspan @Robyngreenspan
Execunet Joseph McCool
Execunet Jeffrey Sherman Thompson
1 to 1 Media Don Peppers @donpeppers
Path Forward International Julie Lenzer Kirk@YourBoot
Path Forward International Renee Lewis @chiefcatalyst
Thought Bright Blog Robert McNeill
Working Knowledge Andrea Meyer @AndreaMeyer
Working Knowledge Dana Meyer @WorkingKnowledg
Business Boomer Arabella Santiago @businessboomer
Information Playground (EMC) Steve Todd @SteveTodd
Social Media Blog Stu Stuart Miniman @stu
Insights on Leadership and Employee Engagement Michael Lee Stallard @MichaelStallard
Avaya & Buzz Marketing for Tech Paul Dunay @pauldunay
Innoblog Renee Hopkins @Renee_Innosight
Business Strategy Innovation Blog Braden Kelley @innovate
HSMInspiringIdeas.com Graciela Gonzalez Biondo @HSMAmericas
Time Leadership Jim Estill @JimEstill
Goodness500.org Michael Mossoba @creativemichael
All Things Workplace Steve Roesler @steveroesler
Orrin Woodward Leadership Team Orrin Woodward @Orrin_Woodward
Influential Marketing Rohit Bhargava @rohitbhargava
Brain Leaders and Learners Dr. Ellen Weber @EllenfWeber
Brain Based Biz Dr. Robyn McMaster @RobynMcMaster
Triple Pundit Jen Boynton @triplepundit
Triple Pundit Nick Aster @triplepundit
Triple Pundit Ryan Mickle @triplepundit
Marketing Thoughts Blog Ken McArthur @kenmcArthur
Training Magazine’s Training Day Blog Margery Weinstein @margeryw
Awake at the Wheel Jonathan Fields @jonathanfields
Hot Mommas Project Kathy Korman Frey @chiefhotmomma
Vault.com Philip Stott @VaultCareers
Vault.com Linda Petock @VaultCareers
Economist Mom Diane Lim Rogers @EconomistMom
Hank Wasiak Hank Wasiak @hankwasiak
Chris Brady's Leadership Blog Chris Brady @rascaltweets
The Complete Innovator Boris Pluskowski @bpluskowski
PR Mama Stephanie Smirnov @ssmirnov
Ramblings from a Glass Half Full Terry Starbucker @Starbucker
Conference Hound Jordan Enright-Schulz @conferencehound
Conference Hound Bruce Carlisle @conferencehound
Successful Blog Liz Strauss @lizstrauss
Collaboration Solutions in Industry Segments Bob Preston @BobPrestonCCO
5 Blogs Before Lunch David Allen Ibsen @daveibsen
Angry Bear Dan Crawford @angrybearecon
Angry Bear Ken Houghton @angrybearecon
Tree Hugger Matthew McDermott @matmcdermott
Fast Company Expert Blogger Seth Kahan @SethKahan

Stay tuned for all the action in the Bloggers Hub... you'll see a collection of blogs, a live Tweet stream, videos and more.

Innovation's a Pied Piper

Innovation can be addictive when you toy with an insight to shape a new reality. Innovation's often unexpected, coming in a flash. Like that Pied Piper, it's alluring and many seek after it. For those "imaginers" who are persistent to follow a vision, learn from mistakes and keep reshaping, a needed invention may result.

While innovation taps into logic and scientific facts of the left brain, it's supercharged by our right brain's ability to synthesize ideas, see the big picture, create and design.

Interestingly, Dan Pink describes a "seismic--though yet undetected--shift...moving from an economy and a society built on the logical, linear, computerlike capabilities of the Information Age to an economy and a society built on the inventive, empathic, big-picture capabilities of what's rising in its place, the Conceptual Age." A new focus on innovation springs from this shift. To see the depth of this change, be sure to read Pink's, A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.

While there's no strict formula to create innovation, here're several insights about innovation along with pointers to stir creative ideas in your right brain...

Show your destination and let your team choose the route. Empowerment, according to Paul Sloane, "is about encouraging and enabling people to solve problems, meet customer needs and seize market opportunities on their own initiatives - either individually or in groups from different disciplines."

Strive for innovation in trenches "When the highest levels of corporate executives asks 'where do we go next?'" Steve Todd says, "they should look to their innovators in the trenches." Otherwise they might miss creative employees who works on solutions outside their core job.

Reconfigure approaches to money and mind "Structures that welcome multiple approaches arise from many minds," according to Ellen Weber, "with a shared vision to increase wealth."

Share and be open Noika interprets CSR (corporate social responsibility) entirely different, Niti Bahn shows that companies like Noika take new approaches to corporate social responsibility, "from 'recycling of ideas' to ' giving back to the community.'"

Reverse assumptions "Changing the assumptions allows a business to look at a new reality," David Mork says.

Curiosity is not luxury But curiosity is imaginative thinking. And imagination fortified by knowledge is a powerful force. It is exactly what oppressive states fear. Jim Leach, new chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts says. “…the future is now the province of the curious,” he concludes.

Try a little empathy "The idea that an innovator should understand the experience from the perspective of a user is called empathic design," Art Markman notes. "It might seem obvious that the perspective of product users should be part of the process of creative design, but in fact it is common for design teams to treat innovation abstractly."

Avoid managing innovation "Like an unruly pet or teenager," Bob Rosner points out, "innovation is often survived—not managed." Paradoxically, mistakes and things that don't work, can later be stars in a different context.

Cultures affect innovation The real reason why Silicon Valley is so special for innovation, according to David Kralik is that a set of values were "laid down as early as 1956 and continually reinforced, that encourage risk-taking to help people succeed and, indeed, are there to pick you back up when you've failed... In addition to venture capital funding, there is also a nurturing culture to help you get your idea off the ground by providing things like free software, hardware and even office space."

Unleash inner genius Many of us want tips to stir our creativity when we reach that blank wall. Paul Sloane offers 10:

1. Ask why, why?
2. Sleep on it
3. Talk it over with someone who has nothing to do with the situation
4. Ask how some celebrity would tackle the issue
5. Pick up any object at random and say to yourself... Be sure to check out Paul's article to see what he advises on this an the other tips!
6. Use similes
7. Imagine an ideal solution in a world where there are no constraints
8. Open a dictionary and take any noun at random...
9. Ponder the issue and then go for a walk around an art gallery or museum
10. Draw a picture of the situation showing the people and the issues in simple cartoon style

Paul notes that he hasn't found just the right one yet, so be sure to share something that works for you...

Start with your curiosity... and enjoy the journey!

Kevin Roberts - Emotion Drives Innovation

Kevin Roberts' insights dance in your brain long after you hear what's on his mind. Interestingly, he suggests that corporations deliver an "emotional bonus way beyond price" by delighting customers. Give service beyond customers' expectations.

While many organizations zero in on the rational, on their way to conclusions, for Roberts emotions are key - Emotions that lead to action. It makes sense since most people's decisions to buy are driven by emotion.

In Lovemarks: the future beyond brands, Roberts shows by building respect and inspiring Love, business can move the world.

Listen as CEO Kevin Roberts shares a primer on his unique leadership style in this YouTube video...



Roberts poses many questions... driven by insatiable curiosity. I look forward to hearing more from Kevin at HSM Americas World Business Forum in New York City October 6-7, 2009.

If you had a chance to ask Kevin Roberts a question, what would yours be?

Focus Is Curiosity in Action

"Focus is curiosity in action," Dr. Ellen Weber reflected as we exchanged thoughts on a recent presentation. Ellen's, words thundered in my brain... They brought an aha about focus. No wonder...

Curiosity releases the chemical dopamine in our brain. Neuroscience researchers discovered new cues for motivation and reward between dopamine neurons and behavior.

Curiosity...

Awakens mind

Questions

Explores unknown

Chases wonder

With this in mind, I wondered how to approach the everyday with more curiosity. By doing so, I can tune in with a difference.

Here're starters...

Try new routes and pick something that will speak to a day

Ask people what their process is for a task and figure out how to change an approach.

Pick significant quote during meeting and let those words spark new ideas

Eat lunch with someone new and see what I can learn

Write down ideas on 3 x 5 cards or memo pad to follow through inspiration

How might your day change, if you lived "focus is curiosity in action?"

Introducing Top Leadership Brainpower at World Business Forum

Top leaders offer solutions as they speak to gnarly problems and issues the world faces, from "Embracing our Common Humanity," to "Economics for a Crowded Planet," at the upcoming World Business Forum, October 6 - 7, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

How am I involved? I'm honored to be invited to blog live in Radio City Music Hall during sessions for each of the top speakers below...



Here's a small sampling of the working knowledge available from the minds of the 20 speakers at WBF...

President William F Clinton Bill Clinton Democratic Convention Speech: VIDEO, TEXT

Paul Krugman How Did Economists Get It So Wrong?

Jack Welch Jack Welch Elaborates: Shareholder Value

George Lucas George Lucas Articles

Gary Hamel Exclusive Interview with Gary Hamel

Irene Rosenfeld Business Change Agent

Jeffrey Sachs A Modest Proposal Reviewed by William Easterly

T. Boone Pickens Texas oilman T. Boone Pickens wants to supplant oil with wind

Patrick Lencioni The Five Dysfunctions of a Team is one of eight best selling business books

Bill Conaty Straight Talk in a Slump: What to say to a worried workforce

David Rubenstein Smaller Deals, Less Debt

Antoine Van Agtmael The Emerging Markets Century

Morris Chang Interview with TSMC Chairman Morris Chang

Francisco Gonzalez Spain needs a major economic and social contract to face the country’s problems

Roger Agnelli Brazil's Iron Giant Reaches for the Top

Peter Vosner Shake-Up at Shell to Speed Decision-Making

Kevin Roberts 5 things that will keep me on the phone

Dennis Nally Interview with PricewaterhouseCoopers Chairman Dennis Nally during the summit between the heads of state of Russia and America in Moscow

I'll be joining 29 other bloggers in the Bloggers Hub at the Forum. HSM Global, sponsor of this event, creates a special area at Radio City Music Hall designated as “The Bloggers Hub” with electric power, High-Speed Internet access and comfortable seating for a limited number of bloggers to cover the event live. I look forward to blogging live and sharing insights from speakers here on Brain Based Biz.

HSMAmericas: Crisis Called. Who Answered? Win ticket to World Business Forum by answering question from best-selling http://bit.ly/38AOA

Stay tuned for more details...

Zappos' Brain Friendly Work Culture

Zappos, CEO Tony Hsieh formed a theory, "if you create a work culture that fosters well-being, good practices and (eventually) good profits will naturally flow out of the operation." By 2008, Zappos.com hit a major financial milestone when gross merchandise sales for the year surpassed $1 billion, driven primarily by repeat customers and word of mouth. On any given day, approximately 75% of orders are from repeat customers.

"No matter what happens with the economy, the demand for talent will remain," Managing Editor Andy Serwer writes in his FORTUNE.com blog. "Great companies know that super-motivated, happy, world-class employees are an incredible competitive advantage."

How do good ideas harnessed in vision lead to policy where you work? Business schools teach the importance of creating vision. Yet, impact of carrying out policy to make vision a reality creates flames of inspiration or dampens them. Ever wonder what makes the difference as leaders and employees alike begin to walk the talk...

Interestingly, leaders shape vision into action as the brain cultivates new neuron pathways toward spirit and highest values. Let's look briefly at Zappo's "10 core values" formed by leaders and employees alike, to see how they relate to workings of the human brain.

1) Deliver WOW Through Service - Creating a "WOW" factor challenges the brain and breaks routines. The human brain leaps to problem solving and challenge to break boring routines.

2) Embrace and Drive Change - Changes take place by taking on and tackling new approaches. You work in working memory more as you learn, practice and problem solve.

3) Create Fun and A Little Weirdness - Play brings a joy to the work experience. The drive to play is located in the brain's thalmus.

4) Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded - The human brain thrives on creativity. By developing a fascination for discovery and adventure, you can experience joy in your work.

5) Pursue Growth and Learning - Zappos created a company library which provides hundreds of self-help and positive psychology books, Carlin Flores notes in Psychology Today, Oct, 2009. Reading unleashes your brain's thinking box. And, now Zappos is offering courses as well.

6) Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication - While experience and upbringing shape our communication style and the way we develop relationships, these can be changed. As we share what we care about with fellow workers we build honest relationships. Because the human brain has great plasticity, we can change how we communicate.

7) Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit - Creating a mindset that builds a team spirit can make or break an organization according to Jim Collins in How the Mighty Have Fallen. Folks at Zappos live team spirit daily.

8) Do More With Less - Having all the newest gadgets at work does not make people happier. Experiences create meaning because people find "more meaningful part of one's identity and contribute more to successful social relationships," according to Leaf Van Boven, psychologist at CU-Boulder. When the recession hit in 2009, Zappos changed their congratulatory $3,000 happy hour that bonds new employees to a $110.00 in-house social and it's just as effective, if not more, than going to a bar.

9) Be Passionate and Determined - If people are passionate about what they do, it stimulates on-the-job optimal experience. Demanding cognitive tasks prompt the brain to focus intensely by filtering out irrelevant signals as you work.

10) Be Humble - "Something interesting happens," Bruna Martinuzzi notes, "when we approach situations from a perspective of humility: it opens us up to possibilities, as we choose open-mindedness and curiosity over protecting our point of view. We spend more time in that wonderful space of the beginner’s mind, willing to learn from what others have to offer. We move away from pushing into allowing, from insecure to secure, from seeking approval to seeking enlightenment. We forget about being perfect and we enjoy being in the moment." Humility is developed as part of the emotional or intrapersonal intelligence.

Brainpower's in play at Zappos!

Wonder how CEO Tony Hsieh truly walked the talk, when so many others let good ideas fizzle?

He describes the process...

Many companies have core values, but they don't really commit to them. They usually sound more like something you'd read in a press release. Maybe you learn about them on day 1 of orientation, but after that it's just a meaningless plaque on the wall of the lobby.

We believe that it's really important to come up with core values that you can commit to. And by commit, we mean that you're willing to hire and fire based on them. If you're willing to do that, then you're well on your way to building a company culture that is in line with the brand you want to build. You can let all of your employees be your brand ambassadors, not just the marketing or PR department. And they can be brand ambassadors both inside and outside the office.

If you were heading a company, what might you add to Zappo's 10 core values?

What one would you like to see incorporated into your workplace?

How Does Writing Make Things Possible?

Writing a blog opened the world of others' ideas, leading me to reflect, sharpen, and place "two-bits" in a shining, moving and expanding Social Media galaxy.


Writing makes things possible.

Thoughts?