It’s no secret that views of aging have shifted dramatically over the last few years. “Retirement” is a word disappearing from the vocabulary of many and 65 is just a number. We are an affluent, creative, technologically sophisticated and mobile society. According to the US Census Bureau, in 2007 Sarasota County had 29.7% of people over 65 years of age (there’s that number again) and the state of Florida had 17%. Much of the conversation regarding an aging population… Continue to full post
Going in Circles While Moving Forward
IDEATION. VISIONING. CREATIVE THINKING.
Going in circles while moving forward
Do you need to change your thinking?
Is your vision clear?
Are you moving towards it?
Or is it not yet visible?
Integrate design thinking into your business-learn how– in one free seminar-a simple change in focus can define and sharpen your vision.
Date: February 21, 2012
Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
Location: Polo Grill, LWR
After all, times change, shouldn’t your thinking change too?… Continue to full post
Your business is dying.
What are you going to do about it?
A lot of us have businesses in dying professions. Publishing, newspapers, architects, not for profits. The list is seemingly endless. It’s time to adapt or die.
Is your business ready to change?
It’s understandable how we cling to the things we do, assuming the reasons we do are still valid 5, 10 or 15 years later when the world around us changes by the hour. They’ve worked before, they’ll work again. It is just a matter … Continue to full post
The Thinker’s Boot Camp: Going in circles while moving forward
A boot camp of Critical Thinking/Creative Thought for profit and not for profit business models.
-Realize your vision and revitalize your personal mission
-Learning non linear thinking
- Integrate design thinking into your business model to increase revenue and strengthen your mission
To learn more and to find out when the next seminar will be held email seminars@cobrooke.com or sign up for our mailing list.… Continue to full post
What we learned while designing a machine for living in the post-apocalyptic age
Recently we entered a competition to design a zombie safe house. While the design evolved with tongue firmly in cheek the exercise did pose some real world questions about sustainability in architecture.
When thinking about post apocalyptic architecture what is the key criteria for the new existence? Sustainability.
Presumably, the power grid would be non existent, as would be a lack of running water or potable water, and the food supply would most likely be compromised as… Continue to full post
The Lost Client Tapes
Following is a transcript of a conversation I had with a prospective client regarding the development of an assisted living/memory care facility. Parentheses are mine and reflect my internal thoughts during the conversation. The client text is verbatim; the author takes no responsibility for the absence of the English language.
Client:
I am reworking this layout a bit (red flag no. 1). I want to meet with you to see if you agree and want to work on this. Can you do the plans … Continue to full post
Stop running on memory!
Creative thinking is the key to success in today’s business world. For not for profits so focused on the short term need to find new revenue streams is imperative. The average not for profit CEO tenure is 8-10 years. The average board term is 3 years. How can an organization that has been in existence for 40-60 years or longer create momentum and sustainability with such turnover?
Stop running on memory!
Integrate creative thinking into the culture of the organization. … Continue to full post
Stepping in and out of your brain
An ideation room and creative thinking.
In my creative thinking seminars we do a demonstration called the large paper/fat black marker exercise. Walls of the seminar space are lined with large swaths if paper and I show everyone how to use this exercise as a way if giving “scale” to your thoughts by creating your own unique roadmap towards your vision.
Taking it one step further, businesses and individuals would benefit from the use of ideation room. An ideation … Continue to full post
Dissociation, Intuition and Creativity
Everyday starts for me with a long leisurely motorcycle ride. When people see me out riding or hear of my ritual the reply is always the same; “it must be nice not to have to work for a living”. Little do they know that I get more creative thinking done during that ride than I do the rest of my day in the studio.
We’ve all experienced moments like this regardless of our muse. Sometimes it’s not a muse at all; just rote mundane tasks that transport us into a dissociated state of mind.… Continue to full post
Angst and the Creative Process
Angst (n.) (ängkst)
1. A German word that refers to “A feeling of anxiety or apprehension often accompanied by depression.”
Is angst needed in the creative process?
Some may disagree but I believe angst is an important ingredient of the creative process. They go hand in hand. The creative process is fueled by adversity driven angst, real or imagined. Adversity driven angst tends to heighten one’s senses, produce a passion for one’s work fueled by the fear of failure,… Continue to full post
