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5 steps to “Thinking in New Boxes”

25/07/2018 /

We have all been told that thinking outside-the-box is often the secret to finding resolutive solutions to our problems. In a world that seems to be evolving faster and faster, it is imperative that we find ways to adapt ourselves and our businesses to new circumstances and new challenges.

But due to the way our mind works, it is often harder than expected to actually think out of the box. First of all, what box are we talking about? And second of all, if we get out of that box, where are we supposed to go.

This is precisely the problem that Alain Iny, BCG Associate Director, and Luc De Brabandere, BCG Senior Advisor, address in their book “Thinking in New Boxes: A New Paradigm for Business Creativity”.

They propose a new form of strategic creativity, which they defined “thinking in new boxes”, that helps people tap into their creativity while being sure of addressing the right questions.

We must come up with many new boxes, and then choose the most appropriate one to solve our problem.

The authors outline a 5-step approach to thinking in new boxes:

  1. Doubt Everything – Challenge your current perspectives. The way you are thinking right now could be preventing you from developing new solutions.
  2. Probe the possible – Maintain self-awareness while re-examining the world around you. Explore all options and be conscious of what is happening within and outside your environment.
  3. Diverge – Generate many new and exciting things, even if they seem absurd and opposing. Jot down even those ideas which are unpopular and unattractive. But always keep in the back of your mind the framed question that you began with.
  4. Converge – Evaluate and select the ideas that will drive breakthrough results.
  5. Reevaluate – No idea is a good idea forever. Embrace the change. Always reevaluate, relentlessly.

 

If you wish to learn more you can:

  • Watch Alain Iny’s TED talk: 

 

  • Watch Luc De Brabandere’s TED talk:

 

Master the Instant Speech in 3 easy steps

18/07/2018 /

So many times we are required to come up with sensible and insightful observations to make during a conversation. And many times we find ourselves struggling with organizing our ideas properly and more importantly conveying them effectively to our audience (whether small or large).

The Instant Speech is a powerful yet really simple technique to help us in those situations where we want to tell a story or get across a message in a few words.

There are 3 steps to creating the general framework of an Instant Speech:

  1. Decide your Key Message
  2. Choose 3 points or topics to support it
  3. Deliver your Instant Speech with confidence

To read more about this and to get more tips on Public Speaking you can visit Jezra Kaye’s website Speak up for success 

 

 

Image source: Pixabay (CC0)

MindMapping to learn better

11/07/2018 /

Mind Maps are a tool introduced by Tony Buzan which help organize our thoughts and ideas through key words in a hierarchical yet creative manner. Mind maps can be used for anything from studying, to tackling problems, to making decisions and even preparing for our next job meeting.

Here are the main steps to creating a mind map:

  1. Take a blank piece of paper and place it horizontally
  2. Write the core concept you wish to analyze
  3. Add branches which represent the main ideas which are linked to that concept
  4. Each branch can have further branches stemming from it
  5. Lines representing the branches should be thinner as you get further away from the central point
  6. Be creative: use colors, use curvy lines, use images which help evoke certain ideas
  7. DO NOT FOLLOW A LINEAR PATH: you can go back to branches and add or subtract as you wish

Most important of all, find your own mind mapping style. In order to make ourselves be understood by others, we must find our voice!

 

Here are two TED talks on Mindmaps:

 

 

 

If you want to learn more about mind mapping, you should check out these previous articles:

The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps (part 1)

The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps (part 2): the success formula

 

7 tips to remember anyone’s name

04/07/2018 /

Have you ever wished you could remember the names of all the people you met at that last networking event? Have you ever wondered how to read more books when the time available to us seems to be less and less?
Enter Jim Kwick: otherwise known as “memory superhero”. World expert in speed-reading, memory improvement and optimal brain performance, Jim was able to rewire his brain to function at top speed and is now teaching others to do the same.

In this wonderful “The School of Greatness” podcast episode Jim Kwik shares with host Lewis Howes his story and some tips about mastering the art of memory.

For example, he shares his method for remembering someone’s name: all you have to do is keep in mind BE SUAVE.

  1. Believe
  2. Exercise
  3. Say the name
  4. Use it
  5. Ask about it
  6. Visualize
  7. End by saying their name

Remembering someone’s name is perceived as a sign of caring. When people think you care, they trust you. Trust is what any leader wants from his co-workers.

So start working on your memory skills! As Jim says, “If knowledge is power, learning is a superpower.”

Here is the link to listen the episode: 

3 Ways To Master Your Memory and Unlock Your Inner Superhero

You can visit Jim Kwik’s website where you can learn more about his method and the courses he offers.

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