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

Dear Mr Darling…

I was sent this email today. It’s the best solution to the recession I’ve seen…

Dear Mr. Darling,

Please find below some suggestions for fixing Britain’s economy.  Instead of giving billions of pounds to banks that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan.  You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 20 million people over 50 in the work force.  - Pay them £1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations: Read more

Difficult Times / Problem Solving

Edward de Bono’s Message
There is a difference between difficult times and a problem. With difficult times the universe of action is changed. All logics are only relevant in their particular universe – just as the universe of a patterning system is different from a language universe.

The recession at the moment qualifies as a difficult time so a rather different thinking is required from traditional problem solving. Values become even more important. Problem solving usually implies a return to the situation before the problem. That is not possible for an individual or a corporation.

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