creative thinking

EP# 059: Positive Mindset

EP# 059: Positive Mindset

The Positive Revolution is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation.

Positive people develop a mental capacity that allows them to easily adapt during adversity. They develop a set of powerful mental traits. Life is about overcoming obstacles. The more you can focus on the positive of every situation, the less stressed and worried you will be.

EP# 058: Creative Thinking 101

EP# 058: Creative Thinking 101

Creativity is not solely about being an artist. Everyone needs to be creative just as much as musicians, ballet dancers, or sculptors.

Creative thinking is a crucial skill for Positive Revolutionists. Creating new businesses, new products and services, solving problems, or, improving processes, require creative thinking skills. Generating and implementing new ideas is critical to improving yourself and the world. Most people greatly underuse creativity based on the conditioning processes of society, educational systems, and business organizations.

EP# 057: Positivity

EP# 057: Positivity

Changing the future is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation.

For example, if you get a flat tyre on your car, you can be angry and upset. Or you can realize it is a great opportunity to get some exercise and be glad it did not cause an accident. Negativity is habitual.

The real challenge is finding positivity in every situation. Nothing is negative unless you think it is negative. It all starts with your mindset and how you focus on things.

EP# 055: COVID Life

EP# 055: COVID Life

As the pandemic continues, life and work keeps evolving. Many of us face new challenges as we juggle work/life balance. The time is ripe to rethink how we work and how we interact with our customers and partners. There is no better time than now, to improve processes and differentiate yourself from your customers. Dr. O discusses the need to change, create, and innovate, while sharing how he is working remotely and the new challenges he faces, especially working in three time zones.

EP# 052: Creating an Idea Factory

EP# 052: Creating an Idea Factory

An IDEA FACTORY is a deliberate and systematic virtual and physical space which teaches people how to develop ideas and apply them for continuous improvement. An IDEA FACTORY can be for individuals, groups or teams, organizations, or communities. The goal is for people to learn how to develop and apply ideas to solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, create new products, services, or businesses, or improve processes. Now more than ever, IDEA FACTORIES are needed during such a massive time of change.

EP# 051: Intrapreneurship

EP# 051: Intrapreneurship

In good times you should never blindly follow the herd. But this is even more relevant during bad times. As Albert Einstein famously said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result". To develop lasting competitive advantages and provide new, unexpected value for your customers, it is critical to think and act differently from your competitors. You have to reinvent the game. You need to become an intrapreneur.

EP# 049: No Time Like the Present

EP# 049: No Time Like the Present

As the lock-downs and self-quarantines continue, you should not be wasting this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve your mind, body and spirit. For many of us who are working from home, it is time to start preparing for when this horrible event is over and we can get back to some sense of normalcy. Don't waste this opportunity. Work to become the best you can be. Focus on excellence, adding value, and developing new ideas to improve yourself and your organization. Become a source of hope and inspiration within your teams. Focus on positivity and driving excellence. Think how you can come out of this closer to your customers and be the only choice. Zig while others zag, or are frozen by fear. Be the one everyone can count on to move forward, successfully. Times are scary, but we will get out of this. Make sure you are the one who is ready. Don't follow, lead.

EP# 048: The Time is NOW

EP# 048: The Time is NOW

It’s a crazy time right now. Millions of people are in jeopardy of losing their jobs. Thousands of businesses are on the verge of closing. Schools are closed and might not reopen for the rest of the year. With all this chaos and uncertainty, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to evaluate ourselves and our businesses. Though we should always be looking at ways to improve and develop new ways to bring value to our customers, most of us don’t bother until a crisis. And the crisis is here. No matter what you believe, things are going get worse before they get better. The time is NOW, to develop new ways to conduct business, keep your employees working, and most importantly keep your business running. Take a deep breath. Sit back and develop new ways to reimagine how to navigate the new normal. Even if things go back to the way they were, there will be some fundamental changes we need to plan for. Don’t waste this opportunity. Put down the game controller and turn off YouTube. It is time to put some brain power to rethink how to do business.

EP# 047: Rethink How You Think

EP# 047: Rethink How You Think

Solve Tough Problems Faster & More Creatively

Do you want to:

  • Create Strong Competitive Advantages?

  • Grow Your Product Platform?

  • Improve Customer Satisfaction?

  • Gain the Trust & Respect of Colleagues and Senior Executives?

If so, Rethink How You Think: Creative Problem Solving for Product Management is the book you’ve been searching for. With this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create new, innovative solutions to solve tough problems and develop new business opportunities!

Become a powerful thinker

Product managers must continuously solve a wide range of problems. Using the 4i™ System of Creative Problem Solving, you will combine five critical skills into a powerful problem-solving process.

  1. Market Research – Identify customer needs.

  2. Statistics – Use data to help support decision making.

  3. Creative Thinking – Create new ideas, anywhere, any time.

  4. Critical Thinking – Narrow your ideas to the most viable, feasible, and desirable.

  5. Decision Making – Make decisions faster with more confidence.

Dr. O has put these five skills together in an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use process using an A3 template to tell your “story” simply, visually, and convincingly. Many people (and organizations) think problems are negative. You will learn that problems are amazing opportunities to use a wide-range of thinking skills to outmaneuver competitors and create a fast-moving, highly innovative organization that focuses on continual improvement and lifelong learning.

EP# 044: The Positive Revolution

EP# 044: The Positive Revolution

We are living in interesting times to say the least. More people are being lifted from poverty and ongoing technology and science innovations are changing lives for the better. As we live in a time of incredible wealth, longer lifespans, and unimaginable progress, we seem to be moving backwards in terms of morality, caring for others, and a sense of community. Due to the ability of those who hate and blame others having a strong voice via social media and various digital outlets, we are at a pivotal moment in time, to stop the progression backwards and move to a positive and more creative future. If we do not demand change and create change, we will continue to slide into a world based on hate, division, and isolation. It is time to change ourselves and help those around us. It's time for a Positive Revolution.

EP# 043: Though Shalt Innovate

EP# 043: Though Shalt Innovate

Israel is known as a hub for medical and computer technology, but the country has a long history of innovations in all fields. A great book Though Shalt Innovate: How Israeli Ingenuity Repairs the World by Avi Jorisch shares stories of many unknown Israeli innovators who have changed the world. From a group of volunteer medics who save both Arab and Israeli lives, to the inventors of modern drip irrigation, to the beginnings of marijuana research, Jorisch not only describes amazing innovations from a small, resource-constrained country, but shows how people can work together and put aside stereotypes and religious hatred to make the world a better place. The stories demonstrate how persistence and determination can help create amazing ideas to change the world for the better.

EP# 042: I2I Travel

EP# 042: I2I Travel

In this episode I discuss my first trip to India and then onward to Milan, Italy for the 2019 EICMA motorcycle show. The importance of expanding your perspectives and gaining new experiences is critical for improving your creativity and developing new products and services. If you can only make it across town to a new restaurant or visit something new in your city or state, get out there and challenge yourself. The only way to improve yourself is to try new things, see new places, and meet strange and interesting people. Enjoy as I share my trips around the world.

EP# 038: Japan Travel

EP# 038: Japan Travel

Traveling is a great way to build your database of new experiences. And new experiences are the ingredients to creative thinking. In this episode, Dr. O shares a recent trip to Japan and how cultural changes are amazing ways to gather the building blocks of innovation. 

If you have never been to Japan, or live there currently, you will enjoy this overview of the good and bad of this country, which Dr. O has lived in and visited for over 20 years. Put aside 60 minutes and take a quick trip to the amazing world of Japan.

EP# 036: Simplicity

EP# 036: Simplicity

Simplicity takes effort and motivation. Simplicity needs to become part of an organization’s culture. Complexity creates inefficiencies, waste, and wasted mental energy. Knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore is the critical steps toward simplicity.

Never forget, “keep it simple and good things will happen”. Focus on problems, use creative thinking, and most importantly use common sense. Listen more than you speak and fully understand the situation. Simplicity is hard, but necessary as the global business environment becomes increasingly complicated and ambiguous. Having the mental courage and flexibility to simplify your world, takes a strong mindset so practice and do not give up. Remember, everything can and should be simplified.

EP# 033: OTC: Barriers to Creativity

EP# 033: OTC: Barriers to Creativity

Most people have incorrect assumptions about creativity. They think you either have it or you don’t. Many people also think new ideas just happen, serendipitously—but creativity is not mysterious. Everyone can (and should) become more creative. Not enough of us use creativity to improve ourselves, our organizations, and our communities.

But don’t worry, you can overcome these barriers with a positive mindset, learning the tools and techniques to develop new, creative ideas, practicing, and then applying your new ideas to create innovative new products, services, or processes. In addition, you can begin developing a creative culture within your organization by gaining senior leadership support, experimenting, and accepting failure as a critical part of the creative process.

EP# 031: Willis Carrier and Modern AC

EP# 031: Willis Carrier and Modern AC

For ages man has tried to control the weather, be it to keep cool or warm. Most early ways to cool was open windows and mechanical systems. And to deal with summer heat before air conditioning, most people would sit on their stoops or fire escapes, eat or drink cold foods and beverages or even sleep in parks, or other places outside.

The early applications of air conditioning were for consistency in manufacturing, not for the comfort of people. Factories were brutal “sweatshops” – built for profit not for comfort or employee well-being.

Air conditioning was the hybrid of two technologies – electricity and refrigeration. It did not immediately take-off with the public due to its costs and space needed for the large amount of equipment. Also, most people thought AC was a dream, not a possible reality. Pioneers like Willis Carrier envisioned a world of manufactured weather to allow people to escape the challenges of heat and cold and poor internal environments.

EP# 029: OTC: Achieve the Impossible

EP# 029: OTC: Achieve the Impossible

Innovation is the lifeblood of an economy. Every one of us needs to continually improve ourselves and the world around us. Developing new, fresh ideas is vital as the world goes though monumental change in terms of socio-economic forces and rapidly changing technology. The goal of innovation should not solely be profit, but most importantly a way to improve the lives of others. 

This episode is a high-level overview of innovation and why everyone must innovate, every day. To truly change the world we must overcome the status quo and dogma. We must have laser-like focus and the ability to visualize our future. With the proper tools and techniques, along with an attitude and mindset of optimism, positivity, and passion, we can (and must) change the world, for the better.

EP# 020: OTC: Recap - Episodes 1-19

EP# 020: OTC: Recap - Episodes 1-19

This episode is a recap of the previous 19 episodes. Past episodes focused on key themes such as creativity, lifelong learning, strategy, continuous improvement, and the importance of never giving up. 

From amazing historical figures from business and military such as Sun Tzu, W. Edwards Deming, Peter Drucker and Col. John Boyd, The Business Fanatic podcast focuses on sharing stories to help you succeed in business and life. Sharing military and business examples that are not often taught in business or engineering schools, these incredible people and the companies they created provide important lessons to change yourself and the world.

EP# 018: The History of Toyota (Part II)

EP# 018: The History of Toyota (Part II)

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash.

Part II of this two-part episode focuses on the Toyota Production System and its key elements. The Toyota Production System is based on continuous improvement and identifying problem areas first-hand. In addition, the Toyota Production System is the basis for current lean manufacturing. Also known as the Thinking People System, the Toyota Production System is about empowering every employee, at every level of the organization to continually improve themselves and the organization.

EP# 017: The History of Toyota (Part I)

EP# 017: The History of Toyota (Part I)

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash.

Part I of this two-part episode focuses on the origins of the company from its founder Sakichi Toyoda, to the founder of the motor company, his eldest son Kiichiro Toyoda, a review of the Toyota Motor Co., and the father of the Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno.