Building an Innovative Enterprise
If you would like a free CD of a six minute description of the Building an Innovative Enterprise seminar, please send an e-mail requestiing a free video of Building an Innovative Enterprise. Please specify DVD or MPEG format.

Other names that people have used to describe this type of system are open source, open innovation, democratic innovation, inclusive innovation, peer to peer (P2P), smart mobs and free agent collaboration. I think that the innovation commons concept, whatever it ends up being named, is one of the most important developments in how people work together.

Some attempts at creating an innovation commons have been successful, but most have failed. Why? What are principles of a successful innovation commons?

Currently I am conducting a survey of the values of a successful innovation commons. This survey requires thought and will take you 20 to 30 minutes to complete. I ask you to rank 125 values of a successful innovation commons. You'll find the values themselves and the process of rating the values interesting and useful. The values are general and can be applied to any organizational use. In addition, if you provide me your name and e-mail address when you take the survey, I will send you a copy of the final results. In addition, if you join the Innovation Commons Network, you'll be able to participate in all of the activities and benefits of the network including the free web conference.

To take the survey click here.

To join the network, send me an e-mail requesting to join.

Paul Schumann


The Innovation Commons Network

The Innovation Commons Network is a group of volunteers who are working to understand the principles of a successful innovation commons. There are currently over 70 people internationally cooperating on the endeavor.

The blog for this effort is located here. You can read it, but you can't add topics unless you join. To join, send an e-mail to Paul Schumann. It's as easy as that. Just say you want to join the Innovation Commons Network.

There are a number of new entries in the blog. And, I've got quite a few more that I'm planning to write. Please take the time to read the blog and comment on the entries. If you've joined the blog and have the time to post new entries, please do so. The blog is here

New entries include:

A holding page web site is also established here.

Join now so you don't miss out on all the action and learning planned for the next several months. Let's create an innovation commons to determine the principles of a sucessful innovation commons.

In addition to the blog, there are two surveys and a web conference planned. Everything is free and you get all the results.


Call for Presenters

The American Creativity Association has issued a call for presenters at its 2006 International Conference on March 22 - 24, 2006 is Austin, Texas at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport Hilton. Information about the conference and the call for presenter proposals is available now on their web site. Proposals are due no later than October 31, 2005.

I am organizing a series of presentations, panel discussions and workshops on advances in the understanding of innovation in organizations. If you would like to be involved in this focus area, please contact Paul Schumann (512.302.1935).

The American Creativity Association has recently moved its headquarters to Austin. The new executive director is Barry Silverberg, Austin Community College.

Visit Their Web Site



Advertising: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why

FREE SEMINAR

What makes people do the things they do?

Can advertising really change how customers think and feel?

The simple truth is that most advertising isn't working like it should. But why not?

BUSINESS OWNERS - You're invited to a free, all-day seminar to be held at the Wizard's Castle in Austin, Texas, entitled, "Advertising: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why." This seminar will answer your questions about what to expect from the marketplace this year and beyond.

This is the same seminar for which Roy Williams (the Wizard of Ads) is routinely paid tens of thousands of dollars to perform in cities around the world.

Now you have the rare opportunity to see this material presented by the Wizard himself. Seating, as always, is limited, so secure your reservation now. For more information call (800) 425-4769.

Please note that although the Free Public Seminar will be incredibly helpful to your marketing needs, you should not confuse it with the more in-depth curriculum offered at Wizard Academy.

Presented by The Wizard Academy, the home of The Wizrd of Ads- Roy Williams - located just south of Austin, Texas in Buda.

Come and visit the Wizard's new castle on a hilltop in the Texas Hill Country.

Register to Attend Now (Free)



Creativity and the Future

Creativity and the future are inextricably intertwined. We create the future and creativity is required to perceive the future being created. In today's complex environment, foresight requires the interaction of a number of creative minds with expertise in a variety of fields. Creativity is required to analyze or synthesize data from noise, knowledge from data and wisdom from knowledge. And, that creativity must be tapped and channeled through the use of appropriate futures methodologies. This presentation will cover some concepts of the future and useful ways to utilize the creativity of people to develop foresight. It will also include a discussion of the limits of our ability to forecast.

You can download (wmv, 8.9 MB) a copy for free (low resolution) or order a CD ($14.95).

Paul Schumann is a practicing futurist with expertise in creativity and innovation. He has lived long enough to see forecasts fail and succeed, including some of his own. He had a thirty year career with IBM in three very different arenas - as a technologist and technology manager in semiconductor technology, as an internal entrepreneur creating the first independent business unit within IBM, and as a cultural change agent developing a more creative and innovative culture. Since retiring from IBM he has been consultant as a business futurist with programs in creativity and innovation. He is the founding president of the Central Texas Chapter of the World Future Society (www.CenTexWFS.org). More information about Paul can be found on his web sites - www.theinnovationroadmap.com and www.glocalvantage.com.

Order Now!



Think in Another Box

In this CD by Mark Fox you will learn some of the best kept secrets to creative thinking. The secrets of Elvis's hit records, how Einstein really came up with those mind boggling theories, how Picasso created some of his best masterpieces, as well as today's latest technology breakthroughs. The best part is you will learn how these techniques can be applied to you job and your personal life.

Regular Price: $29.95
Secial Offer: Free for a Limited Time

Find Out More and Order CD (Free)



Blogging Away

There's a new blog to subscribe to - The Illuminated Innovant. Its a blog for book reviews and disussion. Books will mainly focus on innovation, creativity, leadership and strategy.

Don't forget the other two blogs - The Innovation Commons and The Innovation Roadmap Travelogue.

More blogs and discussion groups are planned for the future.