Creativity, Life and the Meaning of Paper

It’s been an interesting week if you’re in the paper game (which I am), with Tasmanian forestry company, Gunns, getting a hammering on the sharemarket and in the press.

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Need to get back in touch with your customers? Create customer profiles. Do it on paper or digitally, but do it.

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Looking for some completely random input to help you solve a problem, generate ideas or get inspired? Try going into Twitter and looking up words and themes vaguely related.

The universe, or in this case, cyberspace will surely provide.

Like about ¼ of the planet, I tuned into the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on the weekend. Let’s face it. I’m a complete sucker when it comes to the Olympics. And having kd lang sing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” surrounded by 10s of 1000s of glowing lights did not do much to change that! [Read more →]

If you’re trying to find a solution to a problem, particularly a creativity or product development one, look no further than the nearest munchkin… providing they can talk and think a bit. [Read more →]

A bit over a year ago, through a course in Professional Development, I met Lucy. She and I had teamed up to be each other’s “coaches” in the course, so naturally enough, we got to know each other pretty well over the following couple of months.

It turned out that Lucy and I had a great deal in common – our taste in books, film and music, our passion for good food, our profession in marketing and above all, our love of travel.

At the time, we were both caught in a cross-roads in our lives and careers. We talked a lot about our priorities in life and what actions we could take to live our lives more in keeping with these priorities. Somehow through all this, we decided that both of us needed to be more like the person we were on holidays. [Read more →]

First, let me clear something up. This is not an instruction to leave your desk right this moment and head for the bush, although if this sounds really good, mark a weekend in your calendar and book a well-earned escape.

No, this is more immediate.

During your lunchtime, go to the nearest park or whatever other greenery you can find (go to maps.google.com if you’re not sure where it is) and spend a little time getting back to basics. [Read more →]

I have always found that a good way to start a New Year is with a clean desk, sorted files and emails and a good organising system. It makes me feel fresh and ready for anything.

Of course, as the weeks go by and life speeds up again, things slowly build up and old habits creep in. And usually, creativity and energy suffer. [Read more →]

I have just returned from a last minute Christmas shopping trip to Knox. While this would normally be a nightmare for me (and most other people) two days before Christmas, I was surprised to find it a somewhat “spiritual” experience. [Read more →]

Let’s face it, beige is not inspiring.

It was never meant to be. Beige’s prime purpose is to blend into the background and not to be noticed. So if you’re trying to be creative in “beige-zone”, you may need a little help.

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