There's an interesting article in DesignMind this month on titled Slow Innovation. In it the author challenges businesses who are in a hurry to innovate - to slow down. Why? Quite often there are a number of hurdles that need to be overcome, both technical and cultural:

Certainly, time scales are different for different industries, and there may be evidence of innovation happening in faster time cycles because of rapidly improved technologies. But innovation isn’t only about new technology. In fact, it’s mainly about culture. Humans are by nature habitual animals, and it takes a lot to move us off of our habits. Technology may be advancing quickly, but that doesn’t mean humans have the interest or the aptitude to adopt it right away.

Is your business feeling threatened in the current climate? Does it need to innovate? Now is the time to start looking around you, to see where the next disruption is going to emerge. One thing is for sure however, it rarely comes for the current market leaders. You need to look further afield. So if you are working in software development for businesses, it make help to look at what is happening in other areas unrelated to your field - maybe look what is happening in childcare, game theory, or mass transit.

If you don't have one eye on the task at hand, and another on the world around you, chances are you will be at the receiving end of the next disruption, rather than spearheading it.

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Every now and again I ask myself - is it important that we still teach children how to write? It is a conversation my partner and I regularly have. It appears that the ability to write is required less and less in the technology-driven world. Could our children's time be better spent learning to touch-type, or learning a second and third language?

I think the "death of handwriting" is a great example of evolutionary change in action. You have those in the one camp, who maybe have a vested interest in it, saying it's vital. In the other camp, are others suggesting we let it go the way of the Dodo, and make way for txting and typing.

But if we let it go, will we regret it later? Or is it simple time to step aside and allow for whatever is next to emerge?

I honestly don't have the answers, but do use handwriting regularly in my sessions with clients, and for capturing ideas. Though I am not adamant about the need to keep it. This article in the Boston Globe presents a number of interest perspectives.

Is the writing on the wall for penmanship? - The Boston Globe

While typing this, I googled for an image and found this post on National Handwriting Day. It appears that National Handwriting Day is sponsored by Writing Instruments Manufacturers Association (WIMA), the national trade association that represents the $3 billion industry of pen, pencil, and marker makers!

I had to laugh. Of course, it is these manufacturers who would not want to see handwriting stop. What would happen to their business?

Here's a thought. In what ways might these manufacturers innovate their business IF handwriting were to die out? Could it become a craft like so many other skills that were required before technology - like knitting, quilting, calligraphy or sewing?

Posted using ShareThis and found via PSFK.com

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I'm scheduling a series of Beyond Coaching workshops around Ireland this February & March:

• Belfast - February 25th, 2009 - Blick Studios, Malone Road
• Dublin - March 2nd 2009 - TBC
• Galway - March 9th 2009 - TBC
• Clonmel - March 19th 2009- TBC

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These images were kicking around my head over the holidays, so I thought I'd finally take them from my whiteboard, and share them with the wider world.

Uploaded with plasq's Skitch!

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I love this short film about the work of kinetic sculpture artist Ted Johnson. In particular it emphasises for me the importance of tinkering for the sheer pleasure of it. As a result, Ted is able to provide people with art at a reasonable price.

In this climate, we need more tinkerers in business and in the community - people willing to experiment and fail. Only by taking exploring new options will we be able to reach beyond what is currently not working to the next level.

Granite Copper Motor from Patrick Johnson on Vimeo.

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