The education moment delivered to the BNI Boundless Business networking group on July 26, 2018.
By Aaron S. Robertson
The author is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch
University, where he also holds a master's degree in management. His
dissertation is in the realm of workplace culture. Learn more about him here.
A month ago, I discussed with you this concept of quantity over quality when it comes to generating ideas for your business, something I picked up and reflected on from my summer school program last month.
Today, I'd like to share with you another interesting paradigm - another concept to serve as food for thought - from that same summer school program.
As I said last month, this annual summer program - we call it the Summer Institute - has a different overarching theme to it each year, and the theme for it this year was "Creativity." Well, on the opening night of the Institute, one of my research professors, Dr. Tony Frontier, took to the microphone to address us. He said something interesting that really stood out for me, and that's what I want to share with you today.
Tony was talking about that old saying that we're very familiar with, "Think outside the box." In a nutshell, he explained to us that, all too often, we're so focused on thinking outside the box, that we forget or lose sight of what we already have to work with inside of the box. This point pairs well with my discussion last month, in the sense that, we're so busy waiting for, or trying to formulate, that perfect, mind-blowing idea that's supposed to come along and forever change our businesses and our lives and our financial situations, that we end up ignoring, consciously or unconsciously, what we already have at our disposal right in front of us to work with. And so, based on this concept of working within the confines of the box for a change, I have some questions here for us to reflect on and get our minds going this morning:
Are there business cards sitting in our desks that we picked up along the way from networking events or meetings, but haven't done anything with them? Untapped potential - it's time to pick up the phone and schedule a one-on-one.
Are there notes from conferences, seminars, or training workshops that we haven't looked at in a while, maybe not at all since we attended the event? Might be a good time to take them out for a review.
Are there books or articles sitting on our shelves that we read a while back, or ones that we never fully finished for whatever reason - they could be on leadership, or financial management, or on a particular technical or trade skill that caught our eye at one time? Again, might be a good time to take them out for a review - or to finally finish.
Look around this room - anyone you haven't had a good, solid one-on-one with in quite a while? How about within your own organization - are there colleagues that you'd like to get to know better? Time for lunch or a drink after work. Untapped potential and synergies are hanging in the balance.
Are there ways we can tap into our networks to provide value-added
products, services, discounts, gifts, or bits of helpful information to
our customers from other businesses that we’re allied with?
When we think of our own experiences as consumers and customers, what
stands out in our minds? What do we really like and appreciate? Can we
incorporate the same or something similar for our own customers?
So, to sum this up, it's important now and then to reflect on and take stock of what's in the box. What - or who - do we already have at our disposal in our offices, in our networks, in our day-to-day lives, and in our interactions with others that we're forgetting about? See, we're usually searching so far out, that it's very easy to forget about all the potential, and synergies, and ideas, and creative solutions that are right there in front of us. Think inside the box for a change. Thank you!
Showing posts with label Presentations by Aaron S. Robertson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Presentations by Aaron S. Robertson. Show all posts
Thursday, July 26, 2018
Sunday, July 15, 2018
The value proposition in your business
Face it – no matter what you do for a living or what your business offers, you’re a dime a dozen, and there are countless others that do the same thing you do who are ready to take customers and fill the void. But fortunately, there’s a major differentiator you can leverage to keep the odds in your favor – value.
By Aaron S. Robertson
The author is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, where he also holds a master's degree in management. His dissertation is in the realm of workplace culture. Learn more about him here.
In the world of business, it’s important to remember that we operate in an open marketplace where the consumer wins. When it comes to our craft – what we went to school for, or what we trained to become – we’re just a dime a dozen in this marketplace. There are already a billion other insurance agents, home inspectors, carpenters, realtors, automotive technicians, restaurants, photographers, bankers, mortgage lenders, dentists, plumbers, chiropractors, printers, etc., etc. out there. And when it comes to pricing our products and services, we’re all within the same ballpark, generally speaking, because of the intense competition we’re up against. Sounds like it’s hard to get noticed, right?
With that said, there are two very important, interrelated questions that we in business should constantly have on our minds: “Why should consumers come to our business for their needs or goals instead of going somewhere else?” and, “What do we need to do to stand out from the rest of the pack?”
Essentially, what we’re talking about here, is this notion of added value – the value proposition. Let’s explore several concrete examples. Before we do that, though, I wish to point out that I’m not being compensated in any way for mentioning these businesses. These are genuine, thoughtful examples based on my ongoing experiences over many years with these businesses. And I could offer you many, many more here, but then this article will never end. Here they are:
Matty’s Bar & Grille / M Catering – We’re talking award-winning food here. Major accolades in area newspapers. Rave reviews by customers. But it’s not the food and beverages that make it a favorite place of mine. In this open marketplace, I know I can go to any one of a million other places in the area for a decent meal and a couple of drinks at a relatively comparable price and level of quality. So it’s not the food and beverage menu alone that makes this place stand out for me. It’s the phenomenal customer service and personalized attention, what the Matty’s team calls “incomparable hospitality.” It’s the live music that’s brought in on a regular basis. It’s the party bus trips up to Lambeau Field, Camp Randall, and down to Miller Park. It’s all the meaningful charitable work the business is doing in the community. It’s the regular games and contests that you can get in on at the bar. It’s the event-planning expertise of the staff and the beautiful spaces, both indoor and outdoor, that are available to hold a memorable party. It’s the vendors and distributors that are brought in for incredible sampling and tasting events. You see, Matty’s takes a mundane, everyday concept like food and dining, and makes it incredibly fun. You want to be there. You think that you’re missing out on something big by not being there. It’s the atmosphere and the overall experience built up around an otherwise no-frills, everyday thing that we usually take for granted and don’t think about much. That’s the added value we’re talking about here.
Richlonn’s Tire & Service Centers – ASE certification is incredibly valuable, and there’s certainly an ongoing need for it in the automotive repair and service industry. But you know something? ASE (among other types of professional development programs for the industry) certified technicians are a dime a dozen these days. Like Matty’s, I know I can go to any one of a million other auto repair and service garages around the area for my needs at a relatively comparable price and level of quality. But I’m going to Richlonn’s. For me, it’s the comfortable and clean waiting room. It’s the television and wi-fi. It’s the Keurig coffee and freshly-made popcorn. It’s the level of communication, integrity, personalized attention, and friendliness of all the techs and service advisors. All these things add up to position Richlonn’s as a cut above the rest. That’s the value proposition we’re talking about here.
Legacy Salon & Day Spa – Salons, hairstylists, massage therapists, makeup artists, estheticians, etc. are all a dime a dozen, too. But I choose Legacy Salon & Day Spa for all my needs (let’s clarify here, though, that I do not have any makeup needs). I started going to Legacy some years back for color treatments and haircuts. My hairstylist, Emily, is very friendly and awesome to work with, and front desk staff are always quick to greet me by name and offer me something to drink. The environment is inviting and relaxing. The level of customer service and attention to detail by Emily and the desk staff, along with the environment, made it a no-brainer for me to eventually try out some of the salon’s other offerings, and I now get occasional facial and massage treatments there, as well.
Here are some questions and ideas to help you start thinking more about what you can do to take your business to the next level and really help it stand out from the endless sea that is your competition:
Are there additional processes that can be implemented, or steps taken, to improve our overall levels of communication with our customers?
What can we do to create a stronger learning environment in our business so that we can construct new knowledge and understandings and hence build further expertise?
Similar to the previous question, are there silos in our business that we can tear down so that we get team members from other departments talking and sharing ideas and insights with one another?
Are there ways we can tap into our networks to provide value-added products, services, discounts, gifts, or bits of helpful information to our customers from other businesses that we’re allied with?
What can we do to make the overall customer experience more fun, engaging, and ultimately, memorable?
When we think of our own experiences as consumers and customers, what stands out in our minds? What do we really like and appreciate? Can we incorporate the same or something similar for our own customers?
Still struggling with generating ideas for your business? You may find this other blog post I recently authored helpful: How to generate more and better business ideas. This other post explains what is perhaps the only time where quantity should come before quality.
By Aaron S. Robertson
The author is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, where he also holds a master's degree in management. His dissertation is in the realm of workplace culture. Learn more about him here.
In the world of business, it’s important to remember that we operate in an open marketplace where the consumer wins. When it comes to our craft – what we went to school for, or what we trained to become – we’re just a dime a dozen in this marketplace. There are already a billion other insurance agents, home inspectors, carpenters, realtors, automotive technicians, restaurants, photographers, bankers, mortgage lenders, dentists, plumbers, chiropractors, printers, etc., etc. out there. And when it comes to pricing our products and services, we’re all within the same ballpark, generally speaking, because of the intense competition we’re up against. Sounds like it’s hard to get noticed, right?
With that said, there are two very important, interrelated questions that we in business should constantly have on our minds: “Why should consumers come to our business for their needs or goals instead of going somewhere else?” and, “What do we need to do to stand out from the rest of the pack?”
Essentially, what we’re talking about here, is this notion of added value – the value proposition. Let’s explore several concrete examples. Before we do that, though, I wish to point out that I’m not being compensated in any way for mentioning these businesses. These are genuine, thoughtful examples based on my ongoing experiences over many years with these businesses. And I could offer you many, many more here, but then this article will never end. Here they are:
Matty’s Bar & Grille / M Catering – We’re talking award-winning food here. Major accolades in area newspapers. Rave reviews by customers. But it’s not the food and beverages that make it a favorite place of mine. In this open marketplace, I know I can go to any one of a million other places in the area for a decent meal and a couple of drinks at a relatively comparable price and level of quality. So it’s not the food and beverage menu alone that makes this place stand out for me. It’s the phenomenal customer service and personalized attention, what the Matty’s team calls “incomparable hospitality.” It’s the live music that’s brought in on a regular basis. It’s the party bus trips up to Lambeau Field, Camp Randall, and down to Miller Park. It’s all the meaningful charitable work the business is doing in the community. It’s the regular games and contests that you can get in on at the bar. It’s the event-planning expertise of the staff and the beautiful spaces, both indoor and outdoor, that are available to hold a memorable party. It’s the vendors and distributors that are brought in for incredible sampling and tasting events. You see, Matty’s takes a mundane, everyday concept like food and dining, and makes it incredibly fun. You want to be there. You think that you’re missing out on something big by not being there. It’s the atmosphere and the overall experience built up around an otherwise no-frills, everyday thing that we usually take for granted and don’t think about much. That’s the added value we’re talking about here.
Richlonn’s Tire & Service Centers – ASE certification is incredibly valuable, and there’s certainly an ongoing need for it in the automotive repair and service industry. But you know something? ASE (among other types of professional development programs for the industry) certified technicians are a dime a dozen these days. Like Matty’s, I know I can go to any one of a million other auto repair and service garages around the area for my needs at a relatively comparable price and level of quality. But I’m going to Richlonn’s. For me, it’s the comfortable and clean waiting room. It’s the television and wi-fi. It’s the Keurig coffee and freshly-made popcorn. It’s the level of communication, integrity, personalized attention, and friendliness of all the techs and service advisors. All these things add up to position Richlonn’s as a cut above the rest. That’s the value proposition we’re talking about here.
Legacy Salon & Day Spa – Salons, hairstylists, massage therapists, makeup artists, estheticians, etc. are all a dime a dozen, too. But I choose Legacy Salon & Day Spa for all my needs (let’s clarify here, though, that I do not have any makeup needs). I started going to Legacy some years back for color treatments and haircuts. My hairstylist, Emily, is very friendly and awesome to work with, and front desk staff are always quick to greet me by name and offer me something to drink. The environment is inviting and relaxing. The level of customer service and attention to detail by Emily and the desk staff, along with the environment, made it a no-brainer for me to eventually try out some of the salon’s other offerings, and I now get occasional facial and massage treatments there, as well.
Here are some questions and ideas to help you start thinking more about what you can do to take your business to the next level and really help it stand out from the endless sea that is your competition:
Are there additional processes that can be implemented, or steps taken, to improve our overall levels of communication with our customers?
What can we do to create a stronger learning environment in our business so that we can construct new knowledge and understandings and hence build further expertise?
Similar to the previous question, are there silos in our business that we can tear down so that we get team members from other departments talking and sharing ideas and insights with one another?
Are there ways we can tap into our networks to provide value-added products, services, discounts, gifts, or bits of helpful information to our customers from other businesses that we’re allied with?
What can we do to make the overall customer experience more fun, engaging, and ultimately, memorable?
When we think of our own experiences as consumers and customers, what stands out in our minds? What do we really like and appreciate? Can we incorporate the same or something similar for our own customers?
Still struggling with generating ideas for your business? You may find this other blog post I recently authored helpful: How to generate more and better business ideas. This other post explains what is perhaps the only time where quantity should come before quality.
Wednesday, June 27, 2018
How to generate more and better business ideas
The education moment delivered to the BNI Boundless Business networking group on June 28, 2018.
By Aaron S. Robertson
The author is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, where he also holds a master's degree in management. His dissertation is in the realm of workplace culture. Learn more about him here.
So yesterday, I just ended a brief summer school program as part of my doctoral studies at Cardinal Stritch University. We call it the Summer Institute, and it runs just shy of two weeks, including the weekends, and it’s pretty intense, so much so that I rent a dorm room on campus and spend most of my nights there. There’s a lot of – you name it – writing, speakers, workshops, group work, personal reflection time, etc. Every year, the Summer Institute has a designated theme to it, and this year’s was “Creativity”. Now, we’re not art students – we’re studying leadership – but a lot of the books, articles, talks, and activities we went through tied into the art world in some way. We even took a trip down to the Art Museum on one of our days. But what I’m going to talk with you about here, though there’s some connection to art, certainly applies to business and leadership, so bear with me. I’d like to share with you some food for thought when it comes to generating ideas for your business or work.
One of the books we read and dissected is called, Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, authored by David Bayles and Ted Orland in 1993. The book addresses the challenges that are holding artists back from achieving their full potential and leading the kind of meaningful, fullfilling lives and careers that they seek – that we all seek, really, regardless of what we do for work or hope to accomplish in life. Though written for the artist community by two artists, the book is undoubtedly universal in its prescription for getting more out of our work and the potential that we all have to share.
Perhaps one of the main takeaways of the book, at least for me, is the concept of quantity over quality. On the surface, being in business, this concept was totally foreign and even somewhat alarming to me. Our minds are always trained to think quality over quantity, right? A quality customer experience, quality leads and referrals, a quality product, delivering value, right? So quantity over quality. Case in point: the authors describe an experiment in which a ceramics teacher divided his class into two groups. One of these groups was tasked with producing as many pieces of finished pottery as it could within a certain timeframe. For this group, 50 pounds or more of pottery produced would be worth an A grade. The other group, meanwhile, was charged with focusing solely on quality. Only one pot had to be produced, but it had to be of exceptional quality – essentially, it had to be perfect. In the end, the group tasked with the focus on quality produced nothing. The group only had to produce one piece, yet its members found themselves tied up in debate and discussion over what the perfect piece looks like. On the other hand, the team with the focus on quantity not only produced a significant number of finished pieces within the timeframe given, but the level of quality was noteworthy, as well.
The lesson here is that, in order to create anything worthwhile – art, written works, ideas, products and inventions, etc. – we can’t be afraid to bring those concepts into the physical realm in an imperfect state. Yet, all too often, we are afraid, and we might not even realize it. We want the concept to come into reality perfect the first time around. And because we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by that fear and indecision and eternal debate going on in our heads, we’re often left with nothing actualized. I can’t begin to imagine how many would-be thought-provoking literary works, useful inventions or improvements, fun songs, breathtaking works of art, and engaging ideas are either sitting in the minds of the living, or are forever lost with the passing of the departed, because improving and perfecting along the way does not, for whatever reason, seem good enough to us. We have to overcome this fear if we want to stop cheating ourselves and one another.
Certainly, this advice is pointed at me, as well. Now, I enjoy reading, writing on, thinking about, and discussing a wide range of non-fiction topics, including business and entrepreneurship, history, biography, philosophy, sociology, politics, and current events. Never much of a fiction fan, but always having had a love for writing, I’ve been entertaining the idea of writing a novel for several months now. I envision this novel being highly thought-provoking and philosophical, yet easily accessible and universal in its life lessons and portrayal of the human condition in these turbulent times that we find ourselves in. Like most people with ideas, I have not yet brought this concept into reality. I’ve been hung up on details and I’m still trying to figure out the overarching storyline that will bring everything together. Perhaps if I merely started writing down my thoughts so far, the rest will begin to fall into place much easier, and I would have something to share with the world.
Beyond the potential for creative works, though, I’ve also, in reflecting more deeply on this subject, certainly allowed business ideas that have entered my mind over the years to go to the wayside, as well, merely because I haven’t written them down. And if they’re not written down – kind of like goals, right? See a connection here? – if they’re not written down – if they’re not brought into physical existence – they can’t be debated, refined, enhanced, and perfected over time, either by myself, or by others, or with the help of others. I can’t begin to imagine how many others today – and through the ages – have done the same, consciously or unconsciously. There are certainly big implications to all of this, because we’re talking about wasted potential and opportunity that could improve the lives of others and strengthen entire societies and economies.
In order to begin to correct this problem, we ultimately need to arrive at the ability to begin to think and accept quantity over quality, at least where it concerns initial idea generation. This is no easy task, and it will take some time and struggle for many people to begin to think this way, including me. Like I said earlier, I’m used to thinking the opposite in my everyday business and work affairs – quality over quantity. But as see in the pottery example, the group tasked with focusing solely on quality could not produce one pot in the end, because its members were too tangled up in debate over what quality looks like. The group focusing solely on quantity, meanwhile, not only produced 50 pounds of pottery, but the quality of their products also happened to be significant, as well. See, once the quantity group really got going with its production, the quality managed to take care of itself as group members continuously honed their craft through natural practice and repetition.
I’m out of time, but I’ll leave you with one more, quick anecdote from another book we read called, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, written by Adam Grant, a world-class business and management professor and researcher at The Wharton School: For us to be able to name, or at least identify, one, two, three, maybe four paintings by Picasso, he had to create approximately 1,800 of them. That’s just what he produced in the painting world. He also created some 12,000 drawings, 1,200 sculptures, and 2,800 ceramics. Think quantity over quality. The handout that you received – a number of resources and activities to help you and your work teams translate these concepts into action. Thank you!
Bayles, D., & Orland, T. (1993). Art & fear: Observations on the perils (and rewards) of artmaking. Minneapolis: Image Continuum Press.
Grant, A. (2017). Originals: How non-conformists move the world. New York: Penguin Books.
TED. (2016, February). Adam Grant: The surprising habits of original thinkers. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_the_surprising_habits_of_original_thinkers
1) Spend 20 minutes per day, by yourself, in a quiet place, writing down ideas about your business – improving processes, marketing ideas, new product or service offerings, how to better serve customers, what you wish you could change and how, new skills you’d like to develop, etc., etc., etc. Don’t debate in your mind whether the ideas are good or not. Don’t judge yourself. Just write freely. Think quantity over quality. Now that you’ve brought these ideas into existence, you can revisit them at any time to determine if there’s something there worth taking a closer look at. You can’t research, debate, refine, enhance, and perfect something that doesn’t exist!
2) Take the first activity, but modify it for use in a small group setting with your work teams, business partners, staff, etc. More than five participants at a time starts to be too many. If 20 minutes per day is not feasible, then try once or twice per week. Same concept – together, jot down ideas about your business. Since you’re working with others, you can piggyback off of one another’s ideas, and perhaps even ask clarifying questions to dig a little deeper. Absolutely no judgment. No hesitation. Just write and talk freely. Quantity over quality. Revisit another time as a group to figure out what’s worth taking a second look at and refining.
By Aaron S. Robertson
The author is pursuing a Ph.D. in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, where he also holds a master's degree in management. His dissertation is in the realm of workplace culture. Learn more about him here.
So yesterday, I just ended a brief summer school program as part of my doctoral studies at Cardinal Stritch University. We call it the Summer Institute, and it runs just shy of two weeks, including the weekends, and it’s pretty intense, so much so that I rent a dorm room on campus and spend most of my nights there. There’s a lot of – you name it – writing, speakers, workshops, group work, personal reflection time, etc. Every year, the Summer Institute has a designated theme to it, and this year’s was “Creativity”. Now, we’re not art students – we’re studying leadership – but a lot of the books, articles, talks, and activities we went through tied into the art world in some way. We even took a trip down to the Art Museum on one of our days. But what I’m going to talk with you about here, though there’s some connection to art, certainly applies to business and leadership, so bear with me. I’d like to share with you some food for thought when it comes to generating ideas for your business or work.
One of the books we read and dissected is called, Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking, authored by David Bayles and Ted Orland in 1993. The book addresses the challenges that are holding artists back from achieving their full potential and leading the kind of meaningful, fullfilling lives and careers that they seek – that we all seek, really, regardless of what we do for work or hope to accomplish in life. Though written for the artist community by two artists, the book is undoubtedly universal in its prescription for getting more out of our work and the potential that we all have to share.
Perhaps one of the main takeaways of the book, at least for me, is the concept of quantity over quality. On the surface, being in business, this concept was totally foreign and even somewhat alarming to me. Our minds are always trained to think quality over quantity, right? A quality customer experience, quality leads and referrals, a quality product, delivering value, right? So quantity over quality. Case in point: the authors describe an experiment in which a ceramics teacher divided his class into two groups. One of these groups was tasked with producing as many pieces of finished pottery as it could within a certain timeframe. For this group, 50 pounds or more of pottery produced would be worth an A grade. The other group, meanwhile, was charged with focusing solely on quality. Only one pot had to be produced, but it had to be of exceptional quality – essentially, it had to be perfect. In the end, the group tasked with the focus on quality produced nothing. The group only had to produce one piece, yet its members found themselves tied up in debate and discussion over what the perfect piece looks like. On the other hand, the team with the focus on quantity not only produced a significant number of finished pieces within the timeframe given, but the level of quality was noteworthy, as well.
The lesson here is that, in order to create anything worthwhile – art, written works, ideas, products and inventions, etc. – we can’t be afraid to bring those concepts into the physical realm in an imperfect state. Yet, all too often, we are afraid, and we might not even realize it. We want the concept to come into reality perfect the first time around. And because we allow ourselves to be paralyzed by that fear and indecision and eternal debate going on in our heads, we’re often left with nothing actualized. I can’t begin to imagine how many would-be thought-provoking literary works, useful inventions or improvements, fun songs, breathtaking works of art, and engaging ideas are either sitting in the minds of the living, or are forever lost with the passing of the departed, because improving and perfecting along the way does not, for whatever reason, seem good enough to us. We have to overcome this fear if we want to stop cheating ourselves and one another.
Certainly, this advice is pointed at me, as well. Now, I enjoy reading, writing on, thinking about, and discussing a wide range of non-fiction topics, including business and entrepreneurship, history, biography, philosophy, sociology, politics, and current events. Never much of a fiction fan, but always having had a love for writing, I’ve been entertaining the idea of writing a novel for several months now. I envision this novel being highly thought-provoking and philosophical, yet easily accessible and universal in its life lessons and portrayal of the human condition in these turbulent times that we find ourselves in. Like most people with ideas, I have not yet brought this concept into reality. I’ve been hung up on details and I’m still trying to figure out the overarching storyline that will bring everything together. Perhaps if I merely started writing down my thoughts so far, the rest will begin to fall into place much easier, and I would have something to share with the world.
Beyond the potential for creative works, though, I’ve also, in reflecting more deeply on this subject, certainly allowed business ideas that have entered my mind over the years to go to the wayside, as well, merely because I haven’t written them down. And if they’re not written down – kind of like goals, right? See a connection here? – if they’re not written down – if they’re not brought into physical existence – they can’t be debated, refined, enhanced, and perfected over time, either by myself, or by others, or with the help of others. I can’t begin to imagine how many others today – and through the ages – have done the same, consciously or unconsciously. There are certainly big implications to all of this, because we’re talking about wasted potential and opportunity that could improve the lives of others and strengthen entire societies and economies.
In order to begin to correct this problem, we ultimately need to arrive at the ability to begin to think and accept quantity over quality, at least where it concerns initial idea generation. This is no easy task, and it will take some time and struggle for many people to begin to think this way, including me. Like I said earlier, I’m used to thinking the opposite in my everyday business and work affairs – quality over quantity. But as see in the pottery example, the group tasked with focusing solely on quality could not produce one pot in the end, because its members were too tangled up in debate over what quality looks like. The group focusing solely on quantity, meanwhile, not only produced 50 pounds of pottery, but the quality of their products also happened to be significant, as well. See, once the quantity group really got going with its production, the quality managed to take care of itself as group members continuously honed their craft through natural practice and repetition.
I’m out of time, but I’ll leave you with one more, quick anecdote from another book we read called, Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, written by Adam Grant, a world-class business and management professor and researcher at The Wharton School: For us to be able to name, or at least identify, one, two, three, maybe four paintings by Picasso, he had to create approximately 1,800 of them. That’s just what he produced in the painting world. He also created some 12,000 drawings, 1,200 sculptures, and 2,800 ceramics. Think quantity over quality. The handout that you received – a number of resources and activities to help you and your work teams translate these concepts into action. Thank you!
Handout:
Books
Bayles, D., & Orland, T. (1993). Art & fear: Observations on the perils (and rewards) of artmaking. Minneapolis: Image Continuum Press.
Grant, A. (2017). Originals: How non-conformists move the world. New York: Penguin Books.
TED Talk videos online
TED. (2016, February). Adam Grant: The surprising habits of original thinkers. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/adam_grant_the_surprising_habits_of_original_thinkers
TED. (2010, June). Brene Brown: The power of vulnerability. Retrieved from https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability
Activities for boosting generative thinking and idea production
1) Spend 20 minutes per day, by yourself, in a quiet place, writing down ideas about your business – improving processes, marketing ideas, new product or service offerings, how to better serve customers, what you wish you could change and how, new skills you’d like to develop, etc., etc., etc. Don’t debate in your mind whether the ideas are good or not. Don’t judge yourself. Just write freely. Think quantity over quality. Now that you’ve brought these ideas into existence, you can revisit them at any time to determine if there’s something there worth taking a closer look at. You can’t research, debate, refine, enhance, and perfect something that doesn’t exist!
2) Take the first activity, but modify it for use in a small group setting with your work teams, business partners, staff, etc. More than five participants at a time starts to be too many. If 20 minutes per day is not feasible, then try once or twice per week. Same concept – together, jot down ideas about your business. Since you’re working with others, you can piggyback off of one another’s ideas, and perhaps even ask clarifying questions to dig a little deeper. Absolutely no judgment. No hesitation. Just write and talk freely. Quantity over quality. Revisit another time as a group to figure out what’s worth taking a second look at and refining.
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Presentation: What is a Successful Campaign?
Freelance journalist, writer, and online marketing strategist Aaron S. Robertson shares a few helpful pointers and insights on utilizing Facebook for business in this brief presentation. The presentation contains links to a handful of different Facebook fan pages as examples, as well as links to a number of articles for further reading.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana Unemployment Rates: Same on Average?
By Aaron S. Robertson
The following is a presentation submitted by the author on August 29, 2012 for a class assignment. The author is currently pursuing a master of science in management degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.
This study, prepared for a statistics course, examines whether or not the mean unemployment rates for Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana between 2002-2011 are the same.
The following is a presentation submitted by the author on August 29, 2012 for a class assignment. The author is currently pursuing a master of science in management degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.
This study, prepared for a statistics course, examines whether or not the mean unemployment rates for Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana between 2002-2011 are the same.
U.S. Manufacturing Job Gains and Imports, 2001-2011: An Analysis
By Aaron S. Robertson
The following is a presentation submitted by the author on August 29, 2012 for a class assignment. The author is currently pursuing a master of science in management degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.
This study, prepared for a statistics course, examines the correlation between U.S. manufacturing job gains and total imports from 2001-2011.
The following is a presentation submitted by the author on August 29, 2012 for a class assignment. The author is currently pursuing a master of science in management degree from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee.
This study, prepared for a statistics course, examines the correlation between U.S. manufacturing job gains and total imports from 2001-2011.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Effective Online Marketing Tools: A Presentation by Aaron S. Robertson
I'm presenting to two networking groups today. Topic: Effective Online Marketing Tools. Check it out below, and take advantage of these free resources to take your online presence to the next level!
To Your Success,
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
To Your Success,
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
Effective Online Marketing Tools
View more PowerPoint from Aaron S. Robertson
Friday, November 11, 2011
"Theory X" Management is No Longer Needed
A presentation by Aaron S. Robertson
Using academic research and a small group activity to promote discussion, this 8-slide PowerPoint presentation takes a look at the classical management philosophies known as "Theory X" and "Theory Y", and seeks to make the case that the former is counterproductive in today's work environment.
Download the presentation in order to get all of its features, including supplemental notes by the author.
Using academic research and a small group activity to promote discussion, this 8-slide PowerPoint presentation takes a look at the classical management philosophies known as "Theory X" and "Theory Y", and seeks to make the case that the former is counterproductive in today's work environment.
Download the presentation in order to get all of its features, including supplemental notes by the author.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Aaron Heading Back to School
As you may already know, I am heading back to school. Actually, I'm already entering my third week. I am pursuing a Master's of Science in Management degree through Cardinal Stritch University here in Milwaukee.
I earned my undergraduate degree from Stritch in 2007, and there was no choice in my mind on where to take my education to the next level.
I'm really looking forward to this program and to getting reacquainted with the Stritch community. For you, our loyal readers, it means you will be receiving an education of sorts, as well. As our readership consists primarily of business owners and leaders, it is only fitting to share on this blog some of my presentations, research, and ideas from time to time on an array of business and management topics.
By sharing this material from time to time and engaging in discussion with one another here, hopefully all of us come away as better managers, better business professionals -better leaders.
So stay tuned!
Here's my first presentation on why it's important to manage in an ethical way.
To Your Success,
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
I earned my undergraduate degree from Stritch in 2007, and there was no choice in my mind on where to take my education to the next level.
I'm really looking forward to this program and to getting reacquainted with the Stritch community. For you, our loyal readers, it means you will be receiving an education of sorts, as well. As our readership consists primarily of business owners and leaders, it is only fitting to share on this blog some of my presentations, research, and ideas from time to time on an array of business and management topics.
By sharing this material from time to time and engaging in discussion with one another here, hopefully all of us come away as better managers, better business professionals -better leaders.
So stay tuned!
Here's my first presentation on why it's important to manage in an ethical way.
To Your Success,
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
SlideShare
I just launched a profile on SlideShare.net a few nights ago. It looks like a very neat site, and I'm really looking forward to getting better acquainted with it.
SlideShare allows you to create a public profile page and share your PowerPoint presentations, videos, and documents with the world. There are also a number of social networking features at your disposal, such as the ability to "follow" the pages of other SlideShare users and in turn attract "followers" of your page, post announcements and thoughts to your "wall", etc.
A big thanks to Tina Weiss for telling me about SlideShare. Tina is the executive director of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce, and she does a fantastic job at keeping up with current trends in social media and educating business owners and leaders on how to harness the power of these great online tools and resources to build stronger customer and client relationships, increase visibility, and boost sales.
I have had a presence on Scribd.com for a while already. Scribd is similar to SlideShare and is another great online resource worth looking into.
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
SlideShare allows you to create a public profile page and share your PowerPoint presentations, videos, and documents with the world. There are also a number of social networking features at your disposal, such as the ability to "follow" the pages of other SlideShare users and in turn attract "followers" of your page, post announcements and thoughts to your "wall", etc.
A big thanks to Tina Weiss for telling me about SlideShare. Tina is the executive director of the Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce, and she does a fantastic job at keeping up with current trends in social media and educating business owners and leaders on how to harness the power of these great online tools and resources to build stronger customer and client relationships, increase visibility, and boost sales.
I have had a presence on Scribd.com for a while already. Scribd is similar to SlideShare and is another great online resource worth looking into.
--Aaron Robertson, president, Intrepid Innovations Inc.
Friday, November 4, 2011
The Importance of Managing in an Ethical Way
A presentation by Aaron S. Robertson.
Using a combination of academic research, real-world examples, and a small group activity to promote discussion, this 10-slide PowerPoint presentation shows the crippling effects of unethical management on lives.
Serious consequences ensue when managers do not manage in an ethical way. At stake are jobs, reputations, wealth creation, efficiency, effectiveness, and whole livelihoods.
Download the presentation in order to get all of its features, including supplemental notes by the author.
Using a combination of academic research, real-world examples, and a small group activity to promote discussion, this 10-slide PowerPoint presentation shows the crippling effects of unethical management on lives.
Serious consequences ensue when managers do not manage in an ethical way. At stake are jobs, reputations, wealth creation, efficiency, effectiveness, and whole livelihoods.
Download the presentation in order to get all of its features, including supplemental notes by the author.
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