I've just read Dan Pink's inspiring e-book on leadership, motivation and innovation.
You can get a hold of a copy by subscribing to his newsletter on danpink.com.
Recommended.
Hope to update this post later with a few thoughts in connection with my read.
A couple of years ago I went to London and participated in the launch of Julian Berkinshaw's book Reinventing Management. That put me on track for his and Gary Hamel's joint work into Management Innovation. As with all new strands of work you see some very interesting stuff and you see some not so impressive stuff. But they have stayed on track and their work has among other things evolved into The Management Exchange or The MiX.
I can recommend that you spend some time at The Mix. Check out what they are doing. See some interesting clips. Read about the different 'hacks' of management that are being tested.
It is work life this that we need to be doing on a wider scale, in each organization. I agree with the basic premise they make. Management as a technology is mature and needs to be innovated, or rather reinvented. 20 years from now we'll be amazed over the progress we've made. For now we're stuck in confusion and frustration over an organizational model that is losing it's ability to deliver what we need. And is step by step draining us of our most precious resource - our dignity and humanity.
Jan
We all agree that business books have a tradition of being way too long. This night I googled the term and came up with - nothing. Could this be real? Has there been no claim of this title? This cannot stand!
So, please join me in an exploration to find/create the shortest business book in the world. I'll pitch in my contribution here below. Slightly idealistic, but hey that's me... Please ammend/change it as you fit by writing comments. Or submit your own version. Or point to the ones already written.
Hopefully we can collectively claim the title in the near future. Or just have fun trying ;)
But remember. Keep it short! :)
Title: How to build a sustainable business
Chapter 1. Over time revenues should be higher than costs. Preferably much higher.
Chapter 2. Only sell what customers actually want to buy.
Chapter 3. Be kind and helpful. To customers. To employees. To society. And to the environment.
/jan
We haven't really paid much attention to thought as a process. We have engaged in thoughts, but we have only paid attention to the content, not to the process.
David Bohm
SUI 24 Charley de Mornay Davies from Videologic on Vimeo.
My friend Charlie has a lot of wise and witty things to say about money. Enjoy.
Jan
Mårten Schultz is my hero of this winter.
He did what I wished I could, but never could have done. He answered back to Michael Moore's open letter to the Swedish government. He did it with wit and sharpness. He defended Sweden in a way I'm mighty proud of and showed Mr Moore "where the cabinet should stand" (Swedish saying. Cabinet as in furniture piece, not government cabinet). If Mr Moore responds remains to be seen.
The beginning goes like this:
Dear Mr. Michael Moore,
I read your open letter to the Swedish Government. I am afraid they will probably not answer. They’re a bit busy at the moment: The aftermath of the financial crisis requires attention. And there’s also the thing with the first suicide bomber in our country, which has caused quite some commotion. But don’t you worry, it is very unlikely that we will use this single act of terror as an excuse to invade a country. Or maybe a very small one, but that it is unlikely.
Read the whole letter here.
Jan
Wonderful and inspiring talk by Keith Yamashita. Had the pleasure of meeting him in San Francisco a couple of years ago. Remarkable man.
//jan
The education of a reluctant businessman. Founder of Patagonia. Love his book. And this talk is very inspiring for a reluctant consultant like me ;)
//jan
Jared Diamond is in my hometown Stockholm today and I had the pleasure of listening to him. Fascinating person. Awesome research. Big questions about the future.
//jan
I first read Douglas Coupland when he wrote Generation X. He stuck a strong chord in me and since then I have been a great fan of his writing. What grips me is his blend of humor and scepticism/pessimism.
I just recently finished Generation A. Worth a read! Also in context of today's scientific findings of the reasons behind the mass death of bees last couple of years.
Anyway, now Douglas has written 45 short indicators of the future. With his special style and tone. Humor and pessimism. I'm in awe. Captures so many of my own thoughts. I wish I could write like him....
I REALLY want you to read his piece. Click here.
Jan
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