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Ten Stupid Things
It’s a steamy July day – with just enough of a breeze billowing through the car window to transform the weather in the south of France from “hot” to “heavenly”. As I make my way along small country roads, well off the beaten track, an insistent rumble in my stomach reminds me that my quaint continental breakfast is now several hours behind me and that it is time for a midday meal.
After miles of absolutely no sightings of food service whatever, I finally spot a small hut that seems to be doing double duty as the local take out joint for the summer months. Not exactly what I had in mind but it will have to do.
Continue reading ‘Ten Stupid Things’
Truth is what you make it
On the second visit, my truth wavered.
On the third visit, I discovered the truth.My stepmother, the woman who married my father when I was 10 years old, is in the final stages of Alzheimer’s. Her mind shut down long ago and now her body is following suit.
I visited my stepmother in Halifax three times over the last few months.
Continue reading ‘Truth is what you make it’
Innovating in tough times
It’s been a crazy few weeks. (When airline attendants start to know you by name without looking at your boarding pass, you know that you’ve spent too much time in the air!) But the good news is that this latest journey has provided me with the opportunity to participate in some of the most amazing meetings – inspired gatherings of dedicated leaders coast to coast; private and public sector coming together to talk about the future.
Continue reading ‘Innovating in tough times’
Being worthy is not the same as staying worthy
Have you noticed…
there’s an election going on? Yes sir. The entire North American continent is in the grips of election fever – whether we want to be or not!
I live in the Lac Saint Louis riding in Quebec, one of Montreal’s many Liberal strongholds and I’ll confess right up front. I’m a Liberal and have usually voted that way in the past – unless there has been a really good reason not to. Continue reading ‘Being worthy is not the same as staying worthy’
Innovation is an Olympic Sport
How was your summer?
I hope that it lived up to your expectations. Mine certainly did. True to my word, I took the summer off to regroup, reconnect and re-energize. Mission accomplished and now I’m back – ready to rock and roll! Continue reading ‘Innovation is an Olympic Sport’
One of the highlights of my summer was spending time with my children watching the Olympics in Beijing. And although the games and the amazing stories that came with them already seem to be fading into the past, this morning’s Montreal Gazette front page photo of Canadian wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc, her face framed in victory as she pushed across the finish line for her 5th gold medal, reminded me that many amazing athletes are still in China competing in the 2008 Paralympics.
Innovation Insights Summer Reading
Taking my own advice!
Every week I work with amazing individuals in great organizations all over North America who are dedicated to the vision of more ideas from more people more often. In the process, no matter how many techniques, tips and stories we share, I always find myself coming back to the basics. More ideas from more people more often cannot happen if we are not prepared to give ourselves and our teams permission to take time to think. To really think. Not to plan. Not to organize. Just to think. Time to imagine the possibilities. Time to be inspired by the words and actions of others. Time to discover, time to discuss, time to design.
Continue reading ‘Innovation Insights Summer Reading’
It takes Two to Tango
I am so proud!
Have you ever been really proud of someone? I mean, really proud?
Well, over the last few months, I have had the privilege of working with an amazing group of innovation catalysts at Abbott Canada determined to launch an innovation initiative within their organization. I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of them. You see, these dedicated leaders understand that launching a more ideas from more people more often program takes a great deal more than ideas. Continue reading ‘It takes Two to Tango’
Banks and Bulldogs
Banks and Bulldogs
I’m a spender. I admit it. I know that I need to save for my future but I just never seem to get around to it.
Luckily, Scotiabank recently unveiled a program designed for spenders just like me. It’s called Bank the Rest. Modeled after the Bank of America program called Keep the Change, Bank the Rest is a free debit card savings program that helps people build up savings while making everyday purchases. What happens is every time a consumer uses his or her Scotiabank debit card, the total of the purchase is rounded up to the nearest dollar or the nearest five dollars and the difference is automatically deposited into a high-interest savings account. Basically, the more often you spend, the more often you can save. The program has been a huge success.
Continue reading ‘Banks and Bulldogs’
Imagination to the Power of Information
Derailed….
Worked hard to grow my business.
Ran out of hours in the day to manage the growth.
Got Derailed.
Hit a pretty scary health bump. Continue reading ‘Imagination to the Power of Information’
Took me two weeks to recover.
Got Derailed.
Share more Ideas – Get more Results!
Check this out!
Earlier this spring, in an effort to revive flagging sales, Starbucks launched an online community designed to open up a dialogue with customers. The new site, MyStarbucksIdea.com allows customers to share, discuss, vote on and see the results of their ideas. Continue reading ‘Share more Ideas – Get more Results!’
