Introduction: Find Big Ideas
A few years ago, I wrote this blog post, and decided to read it again. Here's what was on my mind nearly five years ago about how to find ideas.
I wanted to learn how to read faster while maintaining 100 percent reading comprehension. And I also wanted to learn more about learning and memory. I always want to learn more about ideas. I'm interested in where good ideas come from.Since I wrote this post years ago, I wrote an e-book on how to find ideas in the books you read. I'm about to update that book.
How do you find big ideas?
When I hear about a great idea, I wonder how the person came up with that idea. Because of my interest in ideas, I have a stack of books that I want to read. Some of the books include:
- 50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know
- Will it Fly
- Become an Idea Machine
- Meaningful: The Story of Ideas That Fly
Years ago, I bought these books because their titles intrigued me. When I was reading Become an Idea Machine
, the expectation was that I would read the book, finishing it in a day or so. But that wasn't the way the book is meant to be read. It’s a how-to book, so each day, there are prompts for jotting down 10 ideas. At the end of 180 days, if you have done the exercises, you will become an idea machine. You’ll be finding big ideas on a regular basis.
I still haven't read Become an Idea Machine. However, I did The 30-Day Creativity Challenge. And I'm working my way through The Creativity Challenge: Design, Experiment, Test, Innovate, Build, Create, Inspire, and Unleash Your Genius.
UPDATE from Avil: I read Meaningful: The Story of Ideas That Fly and I have to read the other books.
What are Big Ideas?
According to Dictionary.com, A big idea is
“Any plan or proposal that is grandiose, impractical, and usually unsolicited.”
Do you agree with that definition?
Have you read?
How to Combine Ideas to Innovate
Find Big Ideas: WORKshift and Global Talent Hub
In 2016, I attended an event where Calgary Mayor, his Worship Naheed Nenshi, spoke. During the speech, the Mayor, who I attended the University of Calgary with, mentioned two programs called WORKshift and Global Talent Hub. These are two innovative programs. And I wondered how Robyn Bews came up with the idea for the two programs. What was she doing when the idea came to her?
WORKshift
WORKshift is a remote work concept. But it’s not what people would think of when they think of flexible work. According to Robyn Bews, the founder of WORKshift,
“WORKshift operates on the principle that work isn’t a place you go, it’s a thing you do. That doesn’t mean that all work should be done remotely – though that certainly may be the most effective arrangement in some cases. Rather, it means employees are empowered to work where and when they are most productive, at least some of the time.”
So an employee is not necessarily working from home. She could be working from a coffee shop. She could be at her workplace, but working in a space that makes her the most productive. Office design is very important for the WORKshift concept to flourish. The program started seven years ago as a Calgary Economic Development program. Since then, it has grown and morphed into a national program.
Who would have thought that the world would experience a global pandemic a few years later.
The program was originally started to reduce traffic gridlock in Calgary, when the City was booming. Robyn Bews co-authored the book, WORKshift: Future-Proof Your Organization for the 21st Century
, which introduced the concept. A few years later, the WORKshift Playbook was created to teach people how to implement the concept. The Playbook has 10 steps.
WORKshift Playbook – 10 Steps
- Business Case: The organization must have a compelling business case for implementing the flexible work program.
- Management Buy-In: For the concept to take hold, management has to be on board, providing the necessary resources.
- Feasibility Analysis: An independent analysis will demonstrate if the program delivers on its promises.
- Project Charter: Keeping proper records provides continuity for others down the road.
- Program Model: This is a detailed description of the WORKshift program as it relates to the people who will be affected.
- Strategy: The strategy outlines how to build the infrastructure for the change to take place. The strategy includes the physical space, technology, and human resources.
- Communication: How will the organization communicate and manage the change?
- Training: Training plan ensures that people are equipped to manage the change.
- Governance: The flexible work program has to become a part of the culture so that if the leadership changes, the program doesn’t fall by the wayside.
- Measurement: To test the effectiveness of the program, it has to be measured, to ensure that it’s doing what it’s supposed to do.
WORKshift gets funding from three sources:
- Sponsors: WORKshift wants to align itself with sponsors around three core things it needs to do – technology, people, and space. They have secured sponsors for technology (Shaw and Rogers), people (KPMG), and seeking a sponsor for physical space.
- Cities
- Selling WORKshift Playbook
Global Talent Hub
Global Talent Hub is another innovative program born out of Calgary Economic Development. The City of Calgary was in an economic downturn. And Global Talent Hub was a response to manage the economic downturn. The program is also aimed at keeping talent in the community using flexible working, instead of the talent relocating to another area. Calgary is very resource dependent, and with Global Talent Hub, the city is trying to diversify.
At a HubSpot conference, one of the presenters, who work for the company, lives in Toronto. He flies to Boston every week, works there for a few days, then work the other days from his home in Toronto. This is one way that a Global Talent Hunt could work.
Conclusion: Finding Big Ideas
Finding big ideas could become a way of life for you. But you have to create the space to do so. And you have to expect that you are capable of finding your big ideas. If Robyn Bews can hit two home runs with WORKshift and Global Talent Hub, you can too. A good place to start is by reading Become an Idea Machine
and actually doing the exercises.
Additionally, if you develop the practice doing what Rohit Bhargava calls reading brainful media, you will find your big ideas. I'm writing this for myself as well.
50 Big Ideas You Really Need to Know
Become An Idea MachineWill It Fly?Non Obvious Megatrends
The most accomplished people use books as problem solving tools. They carve out the time in their schedule to find solutions in the pages of a book. Let me help you to solve your own problems. Additionally, this program helps you to learn valuable career skills. Click the link MoreReads Individual Leadership Development Program to buy.
This post contains affiliate links and The Invisible Mentor® may earn commissions for purchases made through links in this post. For more details see here. Thank you so much for your support! First published in July 2016.
