I’ve just released the first beta version of our online brainstorming tool:

BrainReactions Online Brainstorming Tool Beta http://www.brainreactions.net

It allows you to launch a brainstorm, invite other people to it to add ideas, rank them and then share the ideas and rankings… and its all free. It has a lot of features yet to come, but its a start towards a Web 2.0 model.

What do you think of it? How can we improve it? Check out the link at the bottom of every page on http://www.brainreactions.net and you’ll be able to add ideas for improvement on it.

- Anand [anand.chhatpar@brainreactions]

2 Comments | BrainReactions News | Email Article | Share on Facebook | del.icio.us | digg this

Today I am considering the topic of innovation on a global scale. Looking to the future, what countries do you think will play the largest role in research, discovery and science. Pundits have placed bets on China and India; however, I am looking to South Africa.

South Africa, with a population of over 44 Million, is becoming not only an up and coming fashion capital and tourist destination, but is also at the center of global innovation. They have large, academically rigorous universities. A government with a strong focus on science and technology, and are making headway in the fight against AIDS.

Where science education is concerned, South African universities are pioneers. One of the larger universities in the country, University of Capetown boasts an extensive research and innovation department. The school also features 18 A-rated scientists, as judged by the National Research Foundation.
South Africa also has the National Advisory Council on Innovation, a body working to bring citizens together through research and discovery. The board is appointed by the Minister of Science and Technology and advises him on matters of innovation. The mere fact that South Africa has a minister of Science and Technology is case and point that they are on their way to being a beacon of innovation on a global scale.

According to their Web site, (http://www.naci.org.za/about/whatis.html), NACI is striving to effect change through research because “A well-managed and properly functioning national system of innovation will make it possible for all South Africans to enjoy the economic, socio-political and intellectual benefits of science and technology.”

Also, as South Africa and the rest of the world battle the AIDS epidemic, money, time and researchers are looking to the people of the nation to lead the charge. I believe technological advancement will occur as a result of medical breakthroughs and discoveries in the region.

What other countries do you see making leaps and bounds in innovation internationally? In the next five years? 20 years? 50 years?

Erin [erin.canty@brainreactions.com]

2 Comments | Corporate Innovation | Email Article | Share on Facebook | del.icio.us | digg this

Last week “NussbaumOnDesign” creator Bruce Nussbaum,
( http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/NussbaumOnDesign/) reported the results of a recent BCG Survey. The results reveal a frightening disconnect between CEOs and their lower-level managers and staff in regards to innovation.

One off-putting statistic was:

76% of CEOs believe their companies foster a culture of innovation, but 51% of lower level execs and employees disagree.

It is difficult to tell who is at fault for this discrepancy. When reading the information, it is easy to take the side of the employees. Many feel time, lack of funding or bureaucracy squelches their creative ideas. With this in mind, it is no surprise most employees do not think their companies foster a culture of innovation.

But are CEOs at fault? A CEO is rarely working in “the trenches” so to speak. They may not see how long it takes for an idea to go from brainstorm to customer. When an executive sees products on the shelf from his company that are new, creative, and hi-tech, he or she may consider a culture of innovation at work. CEOs can only stay so involved in the day-to-day workings of the company before he or she does a poor job leading the company as a whole.

But how can the two sides see eye to eye? Is it possible for employees to innovate efficiently without bureaucracy and infrastructure in place? What can executives do to help their managers and staff while still “minding the store” so to speak?

I propose that executives reach out to managers and staff more frequently to ascertain what can be done about the innovation environment at the company. In the same vein, staff members need to let managers and executives know what still needs work when fostering an innovative work environment. It should not take independent surveys to discover and correct this apparent disconnect. Only when everyone is working from the same information can changes in the corporate environment occur.

- Erin Canty [erin.canty@brainreactions]

2 Comments | Managing Ideas, Innovation Techniques, Corporate Innovation | Email Article | Share on Facebook | del.icio.us | digg this

I just recently presented a creativity workshop in Grainger Hall, the business school at UW-Madison. It was fun, I’m thinking of doing more of those. If you or your organization is interested, contact me for details.

- Anand [anand.chhatpar@brainreactions]

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President of the International Federation of Inventors Association, Dr. Farag Moussa believes there are issues keeping young people from being more creative. At the top of his list ( found at http://www.invention-ifia.ch/Youth_PromotionCreativity.htm) are certain environmental factors and the American educational system.

One aspect of a child’s environment, which usually goes unnoticed, is over-stimulation in the classroom. Posters, drawings, fluorescent lights, maps, assorted supplies, animals and people fill traditional learning spaces. While they are necessary tools for education, so many objects could prove be over-stimulating. It is more difficult to clear your mind and brainstorm new ideas when there is so much clutter. This clutter is a true roadblock to childhood creativity.

American educational systems are another issue. Moussa believes that students who explore their creative sides are not always rewarded, and are sometimes considered a disruption and I agree. In a society increasingly focused on standardized tests and memorization, children that think creatively have a challenging time learning in mainstream classrooms. But to correct this pattern would be problematic, as evaluating the creative process is subjective and challenging.

How can these roadblocks to childhood creativity be removed while maintaining the level of education children are accustomed to? Making classrooms stark white, and eliminating formal testing is unrealistic, but what can be done?

- Erin [erin.canty@brainreactions]

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Dear Innovators,

There are some places which have an ambience, an experience that simply makes you think big, opens up your mind to new possibilities and gets your creative wheels turning. I’ve been to a few such inspiring places. What are the most inspiring and innovative places that you have ever seen in the United States?

On my list are:

• Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago
• MIT Media Lab (although I’ve only seen glimpses online)
• The office of Inventables – they have the some of the coolest things from their magazine hanging on their walls

Very short list so far, isn’t it? I’ve only been here 4 years…. I bet there’s a lot more places out there which I don’t know about. What are the most inspiring and innovative places on your list?

- Anand [anand.chhatpar@brainreactions]

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creativity
inspiration
innovation
places

18 Comments | Creativity & Brainstorming | Email Article | Share on Facebook | del.icio.us | digg this