Australia’s hung parliament an ‘opportunity’: Edward de Bono

‘Lateral thinking’ guru and author Edward de Bono says Australia’s hung parliament presents a “tremendous opportunity” to walk away from the dominance of the two-party Westminster system, suggesting Labor and the Coalition could put forward its best performers to form a government.

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Rewards

Edward de Bono’s Message

Rewards are a powerful way of producing change, though subject to certain limitations. We tend to think of rewards in terms of cash or presents; the model here is getting one’s way through bribery. Unfortunately, the more rewards are used, the weaker the effect. Read more

In Recession

Edward de Bono’s Message

In an economic downturn everything tends to shut down including our thinking. Any new idea suggests some risk and that is not acceptable. We believe that if we sit tight and batten down the hatches the storm will pass. Read more

Try me and find out!

Edward de Bono’s Message

Complacency is very difficult to budge. We are complacent about our education, government etc. etc. Both could be greatly improved. Read more

Innovation – Too Risky?

 

There has never been a time when innovation has been more important.  It might be about finding new ways to cut costs or new product opportunities or generating a competitive edge.

Doing something new inevitably involves risk.  The problem is that in difficult times people actually want to feel secure.  The sales of food in the current environment indicate that people are going back to the brands that they know and trust.   Read more

Thinking ourselves out of a recession

 

One of the big problems with a recession is the ‘doom and gloom’ talk brought on by the media’s persistent need to link every news story to the downturn. 

One of my favourites recently was how David Beckham was ‘feeling the effects of the credit crunch’ because his Gillette endorsement contract hadn’t been renewed. It had nothing to do with the downturn, his contract wasn’t renewed – like many celebrities every year.   Read more

Back to school and innovation

With the holidays and the one day of summer behind us it is back to school, back to work and back to innovation.  The need to get back to work is well understood but we also need to go back to school to learn new skills and keep up to date.  Technology and markets are changing so fast that we have to keep learning about what is new and how to use it.  It is clear that in today’s taxing economic environment deploying new skills and working hard are essential – but unfortunately they are not enough.

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The Holst Group to support the European Year of Creativity and Innovation in 2009

The European Commission welcomes the news today the European Parliament, meeting in Brussels, has announced that 2009 be designated as the European Year of Creativity and Innovation.

The Holst Group will facilitate creativity training events throughout 2009 based on the world’s leading creativity and innovation guru – Dr Edward de Bono.

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How do you make “Time for Innovation”in an organisation?

One very effective way to make time for Innovation is to produce a Creative Hitlist.  This should be a mix of opportunities and issues e.g. 10 opportunities and 5 issues.  These are subjects on which you need to do some creative thinking and this approach brings the need for creativity to the forefront of your mind regularly. It is a good idea to have this posted visibly.

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