Thinking Outside of
"Outside The Box"
Where do we go now that everyone is outside the box?
Joyce Wycoff wants to replace the box in the tired old saying about how to come up with ideas that aren't old and tired. She's even holding a survey and contest to give the old saw some new teeth.
Although I didn't think much of most of the selection available on the survey, I did manage to find one to select (since it was required to complete the survey) before adding my own two suggestions to the growing collection.
The one I've been using for several years is: "Blow the box to bits!" This allows comfortable familiarity with the "think outside the box" meme, but 'explosively' describes that simply being outside the box isn't enough.
My second (and less violent) suggestion was "Beyond The Box". A little less dramatic, but a little more poetic. In my opinion, it has the ring of choosing "the road less traveled" -- a subtle suggestion to avoid 'boxes' altogether.
Joyce is announcing results next week, so you have a little (very little!) time left to add your own suggestions to help choose a new creative-thinking cliche... which, when you think about it -- is the antithesis of being creative!
Joyce Wycoff is co-founder of the InnovationNetwork and author of the "Good Morning Thinkers!" blog.
Happy Birthday InnovationTools.com!
Top innovation website turns three
Hard to believe Chuck Frey started InnovationTools three years ago. With all the tools, reviews, and strategies he's shared, it seems like the site has been around a LOT longer.
I'd hazard the opinion that InnovationTools shares ideas-per-year in the way a dog ages -- seven-times the norm.
While they're "officially" just a babe of three, it's my opinion they've shared enough ideas to bring them to a ripe old drinking age of 21. So, lets raise a glass and toast the efforts of Chuck Frey and his wonderful website -- InnovationTools.com!
A REALLY Small Business Idea
Finally, something you can do with all those extra soy sauce and ketchup packets.
Checkout Minimus.biz -- at first, I thought it was mostly funny, but then the single-guy in me started thinking about all the times I've gotten stuck buying a big box of something and ended up throwing most of it away.
A small idea with some big possibilities.
Minimus.biz
Calendar Kids
Child art calendar benefits kids with life-threatening illness
It's still the first month of the new year, and it's possible you're still counting off days from your old 2004 calendar, because you waited until the last minute to buy one for 2005, and all stores have left are those dollar-bin Strawberry Shortcake calendars.
Here's a solution to your dilemma:
Adventures For Wish Kids has teamed-up with Grange Insurance and 97.1 WBNS-FM to produce a 2005 calendar benefiting children with serious illness.
The calendar has 12 original drawings produced by kids within the program -- all gorgeous illustrations by any standard -- complete with a center spread that features a museum-like poster with all the childrens' drawings displayed.
The calendar is printed in full-color on glossy stock -- it'll match the quality of most any calendar you'd buy in the store, with one very big difference: 100% (that's ONE HUNDRED PERCENT) of the calendar price goes to the charity!
So schedule some time today to buy a new (or another) calendar and help out a worthy cause and some worthy kids. That's a date worth marking on your calendar.
You can find project details, how to order, and photos at the link below -- or call Adventures For Wish Kids at (614) 797-9500 to order your calendar right now.
Adventures For Wish Kids 2005 Child Art Calendar
Awwww...
Ain't that cute?
Guys, what better way to let your girl know you're "smitten" with her?
Sure it's a bit corny, but it's pretty darn creative.
Valentines Day is coming up fast, and this clever new product will demonstrate to your significant other that you are SO crazy about them -- you don't mind looking a little silly from time to time.
"Mix Tapes" From Streaming Audio
Streaming Music Recorder
It seems to me that this piece of software, when used with any of the subscription-based satellite radio services, would allow for pristine digital MP3 recordings of individual songs.
The Replay Music software automatically splits the streaming music into separate audio files and converts to MP3 format. It also adds identifying titles and artist info, and works with internet radio stations as well as sites like Yahoo! Launch.
If you enjoy online radio and wish you could clip some of the music for playback later -- it's certainly worth investigating.
Spiderman, Spiderman
Scientists Can Do What A Spider Can
Makin' webs, baay-bee!
Can personal web-shooters be far behind?
Thanks to GoCreate.com's Heads Up! newsletter for the link.
The Cubes
It's "Dilbert meets Legos"
Remember those "Little People" playsets we had as kids? I think my siblings and I had the garage, airport, schoolhouse, houseboat, and Sesame Street sets.
Want to recall the nostalgia of those toys, but with a bit of a warped modern twist? Check out The Cubes.
Each set comes with one 2-3/4" posable plastic figure and all the necessary plastic parts to build a classic corporate cube: four walls, desk, chair, file cabinet, in/out box, phone, and computer. It also includes a sticker sheet of decor for your cube -- complete with graphs, charts, screens for the computer and pithy office posters. You also get a job title sticker sheet so you can create a convoluted and meaningless position for your employee... just like real life!
The Cubes' webpage also provides an online job title generator, as well as downloadable cube decor, and sets of computer icons for your own computer screen.
There's even an expansion set, so you can give your virtual employee a cell phone, laptop and other office essentials. I wonder if they come with a tiny Starbucks coffee cup?
"Oh, you can't help that," said the cat:
"we're all mad here."
ALICE: "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?" CAT: "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," ALICE: "I don't much care where..." CAT: "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," ALICE: "--so long as I get SOMEWHERE."
CAT: "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat "if you only walk long enough."
Anyone out there like me, and feeling a little crazy at the beginning of this year?
Have you gone a little "mad" at the thought of this year's goals/resolutions looking very familiar -- since most of them were carry-overs from last year's list?
I encourage you to check out "The Goals Guy" Gary Ryan Blair's program on creating an effective Personal Strategic Plan for 2005. Gary can help you (and me!) accomplish more in 2005 than most people accomplish in a lifetime.
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