Leonard Waks, author of blog, nexthings.blogspot.com/ posted a couple of weeks ago about his views on Fried Chicken Innovation, and I could hardly agree MORE!
(This was after the mention in Fast Company home-page and Blog)
The education I experienced to high school, was hardly innovative. It was that the teachers did a good job. My favourite was an English teacher Mr Morgan, who seemed to like teaching literature, and encouraged me to read Shakespeare against my many protests. Thanks Mr Morgan, wherever you are!
But as Leonard says (and I hope I am paraphrasing this correctly) those modern innovations of education and centralisation "national standards, standardized tests in every grade, closing "failing" schools." are more fried chicken.
Now whilst this is not my area, I can say that 'standardization' and 'centralization' and 'homogenisation' are precisely the sort of experiments that crush innovation, as it tends to arise in pockets inside organisations (see the Pockets model from our global research).
Standardise and flatten, and you WIPE out the pocket. Big bureaucracies CAN Innovate they just must resist the urge to stamp OUT EVERY SINGLE CREATIVE VARIATION.
Or in the case of teachers, the Mr Morgans of this world. I spent 1 year AFTER Mr Morgan in ANOTHER English Lit class learning social issues, and how to read Japanese texts and plays, and interpret television media, whilst no-one taught me Longfellow & Keats. I think a DIVERSITY of texts is good, but at that time the educational system was trialling a number of innovations out on humble old me and all the others. I worked out fine, but what about all the other kids?
Standardisation at that school meant all teachers were forced to teach texts they did not agree with, and could do nothing about. That innovation was more fried chicken.
Too much centralised fried chicken innovation and my friend Mr Morgan wouldn't have been able to do what he did best, and teach...
Take Care... and keep fighting FRIED CHICKEN.
Christopher-no-roosters-in-this-hen-house
Monday, May 28, 2007
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Innovation World: Gender's Not the Point
Emma Tom wrote a great piece in the Australian today, Emma wrote basically that she's tired of the saying that the world would be a better place if women run it.
Ask many Yugoslavs what they think of Madeline Albright (who bombed them), and many citizens what they think of Thatcher (who is the reason for Blair staying in so long) and they'd say I'm not so sure.
And as anyone who has worked in many an all female workplace, they would say I'm defintely not so sure! I have heard this a huge number of times from mostly women, who say it's just too nasty!
Now I've also worked in the macho culture of Investment Banks, and let me say that sometimes that is even worse.
Now I've also worked in the macho culture of Investment Banks, and let me say that sometimes that is even worse.
So I think we can agree, a balanced harmonious creative workforce is the optimum organization where none of either genders more robust attributes is on display is probably best. I think 50/50 is unrealistic as the genders tend to favour certain industries, but some portion of each gender and a balanced culture, may be wise.
As a broad generalisation but I certainly think we need to redesign workplaces to make them better places for women (more flexible & creative). And I think we need to be more about balancing flexible, creative cultures with organizing frameworks. I think Emma's article leads into the innovation debate, on redesigning the workforce, a debate that will occur vehemently when the next recession hits, and the inevitable finger-pointing begins.
If you don't believe that Recessions occur, i draw your attention to similar comments made in the 1920s before the Depression.
But we certainly don't need to lower men to raise women. Large organisations need to look realistically at what would attract more women into workplaces, and solve some of our labour shortage problems. Child care needs to be realistically addressed, for example. Creches at work are a good idea for banks/insurance, and would attract women in their droves.
We need some innovation that encompasses our needs as humans, not just more rhetoric. And I think the women are better than men argument, is old, tired and worn out. As Emma says, it really is pointless.
But also, the same old male role rot: if some of the male stereotypes floating around these days on TV - dumb, hopeless, useless, can't find pants were applied to women there would be an outcry.
But also, the same old male role rot: if some of the male stereotypes floating around these days on TV - dumb, hopeless, useless, can't find pants were applied to women there would be an outcry.
We can say a more informed approach to starting with addressing the differences between the genders in a positive and supportive way would be a wise start. After all why do 80% of women shop, and 80% men watch sport if we are 'interchangeable'? There are differences, but it doesn't need to be a slanging match.
We need a more informed innovative debate. And that's not had by saying the world would be a better place if either men or women ran the world. To say so is just more Fried Chicken innovation -- useless, pointless and tasteless.
Ciao for now,
We need a more informed innovative debate. And that's not had by saying the world would be a better place if either men or women ran the world. To say so is just more Fried Chicken innovation -- useless, pointless and tasteless.
Ciao for now,
Christopher
Christopher as a speaker here | Full Bio here
Saturday, May 19, 2007
雜崩能閱讀報告 JBL Reading Report: Innovation
雜崩能閱讀報告 JBL Reading Report: Innovation
Alan You picked this up... on You Alan...!
So I just noticed...!
Now babies they are the real little innovators... familes are innovative (positive social change)... I think this is what we need more to talk about... not all this ffried chicken innovation (Stuff like working 60-80 hour weeks on pointless projects)... fried chicken gets in the way of families... and important things.
We need to know our priorities and #!1 global theme for me is ending 'Social Disconnection' ... and re-connecting. (Something babies do with just a smile...)
Christopher
Alan You picked this up... on You Alan...!
So I just noticed...!
Now babies they are the real little innovators... familes are innovative (positive social change)... I think this is what we need more to talk about... not all this ffried chicken innovation (Stuff like working 60-80 hour weeks on pointless projects)... fried chicken gets in the way of families... and important things.
We need to know our priorities and #!1 global theme for me is ending 'Social Disconnection' ... and re-connecting. (Something babies do with just a smile...)
Christopher
Friday, May 18, 2007
Innovation one meal at a time
This is a new blog, so if you are picking this up on your feed, you might like to try my less conventional travel & innovation blog of inspiring cities... and meals... and wine...!
it's innovation & inspiration around the world a meal at a time .... travel innovation journal
Also this blog (the Freied chicken blog of bad ideas) is a spin-off of my main innovation blog at www.2thinknow.com/innovation/ which is a participateory blog where I encourage a global conversation about innovation, something I have been doing on my recent trip to Paris, London, Vienna, Boston and San Francisco.
PS. I'm off to Sydney next week for consulting (to pay those bills) for www.simple.net.au (where I still do some consulting), so I will have some innovation & food reports from there. I think Sydney will soon be entering an asendancy cycle again, now that the heats started going out of the property market there (high property prices being a key killer of innovation as they drive out artists & creatives and other poor and creative / artistic people).
More Fried Chicken innovation stories of the stupid and inane soon on this site.
Chin Chin!
Christopher-aint-no-fried-chicken-here-folks... Yippee doo da yippeee da
it's innovation & inspiration around the world a meal at a time .... travel innovation journal
Also this blog (the Freied chicken blog of bad ideas) is a spin-off of my main innovation blog at www.2thinknow.com/innovation/ which is a participateory blog where I encourage a global conversation about innovation, something I have been doing on my recent trip to Paris, London, Vienna, Boston and San Francisco.
PS. I'm off to Sydney next week for consulting (to pay those bills) for www.simple.net.au (where I still do some consulting), so I will have some innovation & food reports from there. I think Sydney will soon be entering an asendancy cycle again, now that the heats started going out of the property market there (high property prices being a key killer of innovation as they drive out artists & creatives and other poor and creative / artistic people).
More Fried Chicken innovation stories of the stupid and inane soon on this site.
Chin Chin!
Christopher-aint-no-fried-chicken-here-folks... Yippee doo da yippeee da
Fried Chicken #3: The Chain-Smoking Computer hacker
Ture story. A new IT recruitment agency we were trying had been asked to send us a candidate to do some basic work on 3 Microsoft Server products. It was a very clear & specific brief.
The nameless agency bimbo/himbo had assurred us this their second candidate would know her stuff. (The first candidate had been a jazz musician, but more of that another time).
Anyway, in she rolls, a little late due to parking. We explain the problem and the technology. She listens for a while, then has to run down to her meter (parking cops...). 1 hour almost. She comes back smelling of smoke, then asks to have a look at the system. I try not to hover. 2 hours. She heads baack downstairs to check the meter, but I say it's fine to smoke inside, and so she doesn't go.
She believes she knows the answers to problem, looks around, makes some changes in directories on web. Over 3 hours. At this point is on 10th cigarette or so.
I ask her some questions about the answers and the 'chain-Smoking-computer-Hacker' admits actually she is more into hacking (the bad kind) but doesn't really know the 3 technologies I asked from the agency. She should be able to figure it out though as she can 'hack' anything.
Over 4 hours elapse, nothing works. Hacker-girl asks if she can pick her child-up, now with almost a pack of cigarettes gone. I say, perhaps better she come back tomorrow, if needed. She agrees and leaves. I ventilate the room...
Phone the agency, and ask for the third candidate. Cancel tomorrow with Hacker-girl.
The Punchline: The agency had sent a candidate who did not have any of the 3 required skills, nor had they tested the candidate. They had just taken her CV at face value. Nor had the agency understood the assignment. And yet everyone was still paid for their time. The agency had not even done a basic security check on the client who openly discussed being a hacker.
VERDICT: More Agency Fried Chicken!
Innovation Solution: Don't trust agencies to check skills in IT. Most do NOT know what the skills mean, and therefore just take the candidates word. Try for referrals from your IT department OR at the very least act quickly if you suspect he/she do not know their stuff. Always assume that some IT people are 'hackers' and keep a careful eye on them when hiring.
The nameless agency bimbo/himbo had assurred us this their second candidate would know her stuff. (The first candidate had been a jazz musician, but more of that another time).
Anyway, in she rolls, a little late due to parking. We explain the problem and the technology. She listens for a while, then has to run down to her meter (parking cops...). 1 hour almost. She comes back smelling of smoke, then asks to have a look at the system. I try not to hover. 2 hours. She heads baack downstairs to check the meter, but I say it's fine to smoke inside, and so she doesn't go.
She believes she knows the answers to problem, looks around, makes some changes in directories on web. Over 3 hours. At this point is on 10th cigarette or so.
I ask her some questions about the answers and the 'chain-Smoking-computer-Hacker' admits actually she is more into hacking (the bad kind) but doesn't really know the 3 technologies I asked from the agency. She should be able to figure it out though as she can 'hack' anything.
Over 4 hours elapse, nothing works. Hacker-girl asks if she can pick her child-up, now with almost a pack of cigarettes gone. I say, perhaps better she come back tomorrow, if needed. She agrees and leaves. I ventilate the room...
Phone the agency, and ask for the third candidate. Cancel tomorrow with Hacker-girl.
The Punchline: The agency had sent a candidate who did not have any of the 3 required skills, nor had they tested the candidate. They had just taken her CV at face value. Nor had the agency understood the assignment. And yet everyone was still paid for their time. The agency had not even done a basic security check on the client who openly discussed being a hacker.
VERDICT: More Agency Fried Chicken!
Innovation Solution: Don't trust agencies to check skills in IT. Most do NOT know what the skills mean, and therefore just take the candidates word. Try for referrals from your IT department OR at the very least act quickly if you suspect he/she do not know their stuff. Always assume that some IT people are 'hackers' and keep a careful eye on them when hiring.
Fried Chicken # 2: Purchase Orders for Milk
True story, a large multinational based in the USA.
I was working in their Australian operations which were quite large. Every time the staff fridge ran out of milk, the staff had to ask their manager above to complete a paper 'Requisition' form to request more milk. this also had to be counter-signed by a manager at the yet higher level.
Managers had asked the US to change the policy, but the policy was company-wide and could not be varied. If managers ignored the policy the cost of milk (and this was for a whole floor of 100+ people) purchased they ran the risk the milk would not be re-imbursed.
From memory it was 'frowned upon' to have blank signed forms, and there were a whole variety of hurdles. The upshot was staff would have to smell the milk, as large orders for milk were often put in to avoid the ordeal of requisitioning. Contractors like myself were at risk of getting bad milk unless the local staff told them (as they did with me).
All because of a US policy, that contributed no value, yet caused maximum disruption, posed a possibel health risk, and distracted staff from their duties.
The punchline: All this rigamarole was being undertaken whilst they were in the middle of dual Quality and business process Re-engineering drives (the latter I was involved in).
Managers should not be wasting their time on requisitions for small ticket items.
VERDICT: Multi-national Fried Chicken!
The Innovation Solution: Decentralise control over purchases under a set dollar amount per week to one-two persons in the office with a spreadsheet and receipts that are submited to account OR just give authority to a couple of managers up to $XXX per week in return for receipts. OR bring back the tea-lady. Easyyy.
IDEA: You know first job I had they had a tea lady. If you have a lot of high-paid staffthis will save you a lot of hassles, and a modern version could get lunches, drop off dry-cleaning, and on top of that queue-up for and get all the double-decaf, cinnamon, cappuccino orders...!
Fried Chicken innovation
Those who've been reading know I coined the term 'Fried chicken innovation' for more stupid pointless change masquerading as innovation. Start with:
10 varieties of fried chicken, all with different (chemical) flavours. Then move onto...
Why do I care? I had to sit through this Cr*p for many years consulting for over 350 organizations, mostly big. I'm only 32, and I still have a soul (unlike those who vacant parking lots for empty souls who run the bigggg firms). A Friend of mine gave up consulting to setup a restaurant before her soul was lost.
I like to think as a small firm we did make a difference, and I think many clients were happy with their small IT systems. Of course, simple is still going along, before it innovates.
And now I'm running the world's first 'Global innovation Agency', 2thinknowTM and doing what I like as well as using all the research i have been doing part time for 3 years into Global innovation. So this blog is what i saw didn't work from other organizations. It's Fried chicken innovation. So there.
PS. These insights informed my later work in Innovation models. Mainly through avoidance...!
Blitzkrieg
Christopher
PS. My other Blogs are:
Global Innovation Conversation- all things innovative: www.2thinknow.com/innovation/
This ones got RSS and commenting and all the goodies, so talk about innovation here.
THis is where we all get together and talk innovation, and for ease, I post links to other posts.
Global Innovation Travel (& food) Blog - inspiration and innovation around-the-world one meal at a time. A little idiosynchratic as it's hand-crafted...!
Global_Innovation_Conversation_Live/Travel_world_journal/index.htm
10 varieties of fried chicken, all with different (chemical) flavours. Then move onto...
- Zippers that don't zip.
- Suitcase whose wheels fall off.
- Cultural awareness /sensitivity programs.
- Sending someone whose only job is to lift boxes on a full computer training course at taxpayers expense.
- Enquiries into why the trains don't run on time.
- Buying new cr*p to replace old cr*p.
- Enquiries into public spending.
Why do I care? I had to sit through this Cr*p for many years consulting for over 350 organizations, mostly big. I'm only 32, and I still have a soul (unlike those who vacant parking lots for empty souls who run the bigggg firms). A Friend of mine gave up consulting to setup a restaurant before her soul was lost.
I like to think as a small firm we did make a difference, and I think many clients were happy with their small IT systems. Of course, simple is still going along, before it innovates.
And now I'm running the world's first 'Global innovation Agency', 2thinknowTM and doing what I like as well as using all the research i have been doing part time for 3 years into Global innovation. So this blog is what i saw didn't work from other organizations. It's Fried chicken innovation. So there.
PS. These insights informed my later work in Innovation models. Mainly through avoidance...!
Blitzkrieg
Christopher
PS. My other Blogs are:
Global Innovation Conversation- all things innovative: www.2thinknow.com/innovation/
This ones got RSS and commenting and all the goodies, so talk about innovation here.
THis is where we all get together and talk innovation, and for ease, I post links to other posts.
Global Innovation Travel (& food) Blog - inspiration and innovation around-the-world one meal at a time. A little idiosynchratic as it's hand-crafted...!
Global_Innovation_Conversation_Live/Travel_world_journal/index.htm
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