Brainstorming: Seven Steps to Put Ideas into Action

brainstormingIdea generation and brainstorming are the first steps towards innovation, but execution and implementation are also important parts of the process.

It’s an area where many organizations struggle — moving from the creative brainstorm into prototyping or building actual systems.

In an article first published in the MITSloan Management Review and summarized in a recent Inc.com post, innovation consultants Joseph V. Sinfield, Tim Gustafson, and Brian Hindo argue that “while brainstorming sessions are frequently fun for participants, the output is too often considered impractical just days after the exercise.”

As a way to combat ineffective brainstorming, they offer a seven-step game plan to improve brainstorming, and help put those ideas into meaningful action. Read more

Four Things Highly Persuasive People Do

persuasive peopleAs a business leader, mastering the art of persuasion is a valuable skill. Whether in the boardroom, a sales presentation, or a company-wide staff meeting, winning over an audience is a feeling of accomplishment.

In a recent Inc.com post, Sims Wyeth, author of The Essentials of Persuasive Public Speaking, identifies four principles employed by persuasive people to win over their audiences. Read more

Five Ways to Grow Your Business without Adding Resources

grow your businessAs a business leader, you know and understand the value of doing more with less: Focusing on productivity and efficiency, while keeping costs down and profits up.

In a recent post, Gregory Kennedy, vice president of marketing at Tapsense and Entrepreneur contributor, provides five tips to help you grow your businesses without piling on additional resources. Read more

Innovation: Three Secrets Everyone Misses

innovationInnovation is a hot topic among business leaders. There are dozens of companies advising on innovation and countless books on ways to innovate.

If you’re serious about innovating your company to prepare for future opportunities and growth, you’ve probably had discussions with your executive leadership about change management and visioning.

In a recent Inc.com post, Lauren Leader-Chivée, founding partner at Hewlett Chivée LLC, discusses three drivers of innovation many businesses overlook. Read more

Telecommuting: Four Tips for Managing a Remote Team

telecommutingAs more and more organizations shift to telecommuting, business leaders need to learn new ways of managing remote teams.

In a recent Inc.com post, Laura Montini interviews Ryan Holiday, founder of marketing agency Brass Check, to get his insights into making the virtual office environment work for your business.

Over the past three years, Holiday has hired remote employees in at least five different states. He has himself lived in four different cities in that same time period, and business is booming. Read more

Six Steps to Salvage an Unproductive Day

unproductiveIn the life of a business leader, there will be unproductive days.

Despite our best efforts to stay ahead of the uncertainties that come with running a business, occasionally everything seems to go sideways.

Unproductive days are never welcome. They can negatively affect your organization’s success, rattle your self-confidence, and elevate stress levels when deadlines are looming.

In a recent Entrepreneur post, contributor Lisa Evans shares six steps (with insights from productivity experts Peggy Duncan and Les Taylor) that you can take to rescue an unproductive day. Read more