NEW BOOK
– “The Ten Faces of Innovation,” by Tom Kelley with Jonathan Littman, Currency Doubleday, $29.95
Kelley, general manager of world-renowned design firm IDEO, dispels the myth that creativity and innovation are limited to those in a company’s isolated skunk works. He shows how innovation can be sparked by 10 “characters” within a firm. Along the way, he deals with the devil’s advocate (the “Yes, but” man) most innovators encounter.
–Jim Pawlak, BizBooks
NEW BOOK
– “FutureThink: How To Think Clearly in a Time of Change,” by Edie Weiner and Arnold Brown, Prentice Hall, $24.99
The authors show businesses how to think around the corner. The basis of “FutureThink” is the ability to gather and sort through a variety of new information and apply “kernels” to your situation.
Start by “looking through alien eyes.” Trade your industry’s journals for those in another, and look for parallels and differences. Futurists also know that “the extremes inform the middle.” In market terms, the extremes are cutting-edge trends. Eventually, the middle moves by adopting elements of the extreme.
It doesn’t matter what information doors you open. Just open some and come away with knowledge that expands the boundaries of your comfort.
–Jim Pawlak, BizBooks
BOOK TO REVISIT
– “1000 Ways to Reward Your Employees,” by Bob Nelson, Workman Publishing Co., 1994, $15.79
What really motivates people to perform are thoughtful, personal gestures that signify real appreciation, and they don’t necessarily have to cost money. The book offers more than 1,000 ideas beyond the expected raise or promotion. They range from a simple, unexpected “thank you” to Ford Motor Co.’s use of employees in commercials.
In researching the book, the author interviewed supervisors at all types and sizes of businesses in all parts of the country, finding inventive and effective employee rewards in every sector. No matter how many people you manage, you will find lots of ideas that will work for you and your business.
–Publisher’s summary
