Many writers I meet (self included) share with me that they often look for ideas for writing and especially when faced with writer’s block. Recently, I published this article: I think I’ll invent something new - What are the best ways of developing new ideas? where I explored the best ways and places to generate creative and innovative ideas.

It also occurred to me that one of the best sources for generating new ideas is actually during my conversations with my clients and prospects as well as colleagues and trusted advisers. As probably happens to you in your conversations, it is quite common for such individuals to share with me their challenges and ask for my opinion and advice. So some time ago, I’ve decided to keep a note book and digital file of such questions which help generate ideas for my next blog post (such as this one), or my next article or product.

The key for me obviously to generating creative ideas for writing or for creating new products and services is to listen carefully. What do you think?

Please click on the “Comment Now” link below and share your thoughts with us.

© Chad Barr 2009. All rights reserved.

Perhaps not.

I was chatting with my 16-year old son the other day, noticing that he was no longer using his email address to communicate with his friends and us, his parents. I asked him why, and here are his answers:

1. Email is too slow to get a response to, often contains Spam and viruses and at times it is lost in cyberspace.
2. Since most carry cell phones and use instant messaging, he is usually able to instantaneously get a hold of everyone he needs to while being able to conduct a meaningful “digital” conversation.
3. With services such as FaceBook and MySpace, he can quickly and easily communicate with his friends without getting spammed.

I can definitely recognize the benefits of such technology and its access for the younger generation and even us, the so-called more mature generation. Won’t it be great to send a how-to question to your business partner or software company and get an immediate answer to your question? How about an innovative idea sent to your team and an immediate conversation that starts virtually? The possibilities are amazing. Yet, what about the many “interruptions” one may receive?

It’s amazing how often times we are able to learn various pragmatic ideas from the younger generation. But until we enable all our clients to text message us their question, leave a comment and let me know what you think.

The large amount of people who smoke in Israel is unfortunately alarming. Although I do not have the statistical evidence to substantiate my claim, ubiquitous smokers are strong enough anecdotal evidence. Here is a picture from the duty-free store in the Tel-Aviv airport proving the unfortunate popularity of cigarettes. Tremendous amount of real estate is taken with beautifully displayed, almost candy-like, stacked cartons of cigarettes.

What intrigued me further was the fact that each carton had huge letters and fonts displaying on each: “Smoking Kills”, yet you would think they were giving them away.
What is it about human nature that:

1. Even when individuals have clear and factual evidence that prove they may be in danger or possibly even death, they still elect to do it?
2. Even when organizations and leaders have been proven that there is a “better way”, they elect to either not do anything or select the more economical non-proven way?

(click on images to enlarge)

I came across these powerful quotes written by Mark Twain:

“The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug.”

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”

“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.”

After delivering my speech last week, at the Inn at Castle Hill in Newport, Rhode Island, and while walking outside, I noticed the beautiful and serene picture of nature. The geese, somewhat motionless, seemed to ignore me as they were calmly looking at the water. I aimed my camera, one shot taken, and just before I was ready to take the next shot, they decided to take off. I was probably too close for their comfort. I quickly took two more shots, nature slightly disturbed, yet amazingly even more beautiful.

With life’s opportunities all around us, how often are we able to seize the moment and take the shots we need to take so we don’t miss the most beautiful and rewarding ones?

(click on images to enlarge)

The WSJ reported a study which was conducted at UCLA and concluded that women are “chattier” than men by 3% (I know my wife would debate that.) It also suggested that muscular men are twice as likely to have more than three sex partners than their less muscular buddies.

So I ask the following:

• What segment of the population was tested?
• What was their age group?
• How many were tested?
• What was their ethnic background?
• What part of the country was the study conducted at?

I could probably go on and on with additional such questions. Interestingly, I see more and more such surveys conducted on the web by companies such as eMarketer, Project Implicit, The Wall Street Journal and many more, which shows a growing trend and an accompanying public interest. Although I enjoy reading many such surveys and implementing survey technologies for our clients I believe there is inherited danger in their findings. The interpretation of the results should not be held as an absolute truth but rather as a rough guideline.

And other than that, I don’t feel strongly about it.

Good Surveying.

Chad

An interview in the Wall Street Journal with John Chambers, CEO of Cisco, caught my attention. Below are the top five points:

1. Focus on markets transition and try to catch them at the right time.
2. Enter new markets with a sustainable differentiation.
3. Listen and take direction from your customers.
4. Develop a strong leadership team.
5. Innovate, innovate, innovate.

So how do you know it’s the right time to enter or exit a market and how do you know you have the differentiation needed?

It’s clear to me that identity thieves are getting craftier and spammers are getting more deceptive. But what amazes me is the fact that many individuals and companies are still falling victims for the same old tricks. Is it a matter of better needed education, improved methods of public alerts or lack of individual common sense? Or could it perhaps be a combination of all three? It’s no wonder that Spam emails have been growing consistently and considerably.

Here are my top five tips:

1. Review your bank and financial statements often and scan for unusual activity.
2. Shred your sensitive paperwork.
3. Prevent leaving your financial data or credit cards exposed at home or the office.
4. When shopping online make sure the site is secured and encrypted.
5. Stop replying to emails requesting your confidential information or ones with tempting offers.

If you wish to learn more, I’ve previously written several articles describing ways to better protect your identity:

Are you fish bait? How to Prevent Thieves From Stealing Your Identity

Basic steps to Protect your identity – How to keep your private information secured

Did you realize that most of today’s “hot” gadgets will be totally outdated in just a few years. Here are some examples: The first IBM PC, first hand-held calculator, boom box, cassette player, rotary phone, B&W TV, AM radio and many more. What others come to your mind?

So while you are thinking of ideas to share with us, should you hang on to that new iPhone you are about to purchase as a collector’s item, or get rid of it when the new one comes out?

Thoughts?

WiFi spots are not only becoming ubiquitous they are now starting to appear in cars, trains and even airplanes. Imagine driving your car while being able to check (carefully of course) on the best restaurants in the area or at your destination as well as what special events of interest you may want to attend. Imagine connecting your laptop to the Internet while riding the train or even on that international flight you are on. Work hard or play hard is a matter of choice and now it seems you just have more choice to select which one to engage in.
I keep telling you, this is an awesome world we live in.