Management Blog

Bringing viral advertisements to life

As television watchers across the globe discover new ways to skip advertisements, marketers are becoming aware of the ability of viral commercials to capture the attention of viewers.

Unfortunately the process of developing an advertisement that people want to watch is rarely an easy one.

To help de-mystify the process this five-minute Harvard Business Review video explains the why some viral ads work and why so many simply don’t.

What can refilling a beanbag tell you about strategy?

There’s more to the humble beanbag than meets the eye. A Flying Solo article by Sam Leader explains how this enduring piece of furniture also serves as a metaphor for business strategy.

Leader firstly points out that despite their convenience and durability, beanbags need topping up from time to time, a process that can turn into a nightmare if the hard to collect ‘beans’ spill everywhere.

And here’s where the metaphor kicks in. It’s claimed filling a beanbag, like implementing a business strategy, is all about preparation.

By taking the time to think about what might go wrong and considering solutions before challenges occur you’ll find yourself in a much stronger position. And of course the story doesn’t end there.

Both beanbag owners and entrepreneurs are advised when to slow down, speed up and how to handle minor spills along the way in this creative little analogy.

Achieving results through imperfect innovation

The key to successful innovation is to embrace any imperfections in the early iterations of a product or service, according to a recent BusinessWeek post on cost-effective R&D strategy.

Author Larry Popelka explains that quickly pushing a product to market rather than aiming to immediately develop the perfect end-result allows consumers to be involved in the innovation process.

It’s claimed the provision of consumer feedback is a considerably more cost effective approach that extensive upfront market research and can deliver new ideas that innovators may not have considered.

Minimum viable product, or MVP, is the buzz phrase used to describe the R&D trend of embracing imperfect innovation.

Apple is said to be a proponent of the concept. Rather than putting its products through endless focus groups, the company instead focuses on analysing feedback on early prototypes.

Coffee chain Starbucks has also used MVP to quickly and frequently test new products at selected stores and in the process continually stay ahead of the competition.

The full feature article on MVP can be found here.

The growing influence of Pinterest

There's a lot of buzz surrounding the new social media application Pinterest, a virtual pin board that brings together visual snippets of its user's web based interests.

But there's more to Pinterest than a collage of bookmarked interests, with Mashable arguing the technology behind the site may alter web design as the world currently knows it.

The post explains that Pinterest places web content into sticky-note sized blocks that users can organise onto pin virtual boards that fill their screen, thereby creating a personalised mini-website.

In doing so experts claim Pinterest offers a window-shopping mode that may see web design move away from the reverse chronology ordering of information to a more visual customisable approach.

Article round-up from @aimqld - 13-17 February

Twitter speedlinks from last week on @aimqld:

Managing a Management Team (via Elaine Ball @EballBall) http://bit.ly/wz6MMA

How to Evaluate Your Leadership Style (via @workawesome) http://bit.ly/yWDe2A

101 Simple Truths We Often Forget (via Mark and Angel Hack Life) http://bit.ly/xze3yv

Passion: The Fuel of Persistence (via John Maxwell) http://bit.ly/yUn22H

Why You Need to Slow Down to Succeed (via SmartBlog on Leadership) http://bit.ly/A8OJaR

Passion or Work Ethic? Which Comes First? (via SteveFarber.com) http://bit.ly/yHRz6Z

Road to Self-Discovery: Exit Interviews (via HC Online) http://bit.ly/wucbv3

Grow: Taking Your Purpose to the Next Level (via Leading Blog) http://bit.ly/AwQKQC

Business Communication Tips (via Flying Solo) http://bit.ly/A0h8PT

Make a Great First Impression: 9 New Rules (via Inc.) http://bit.ly/zCI6CP

The Truth About Leadership (via @LollyDaskal's Lead From Within) http://bit.ly/yx9Fu2

The Top 30 Most Common (and Critical) Interview Problems (via TLNT) http://bit.ly/zfdzRf

The Importance of Being Innovative (via SMH) http://bit.ly/zBAeok

Customer Service: Does Our Experience Dull Our Empathy? (via @katenasser) http://bit.ly/ylpiYf

7 Tips for Effective Body Language on Stage (via Forbes) http://onforb.es/zdvcgl

The Secret to Self-Discipline (via CBS MoneyWatch) http://bit.ly/woFC8p
 
Unleadership: A Crisis of Identity (via @mikemyatt) http://bit.ly/zONBpo
 
25 Ways to Make LinkedIn Work for You (via BusinessWeek) http://buswk.co/w0hdcu
 
Listening Skills are Critical to Online Success (via management-issues) http://bit.ly/Azf2Ae
 
10 Tips to be Your Best (via Jon Gordon @JonGordon11) http://bit.ly/zXc7uk
 
5 Considerations for a Mobile Device Policy (via HR Bartender) http://bit.ly/xJ4rbL   

Transcendent Leadership: How to Lead Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime (via Change This) http://bit.ly/zHjclW

How to Create the Story Behind Your Organization's Purpose (via @TanveerNaseer) http://bit.ly/x1xqF3

Fearless Questioning (via @mjasmus) http://bit.ly/z4r8Rb

You Can't Run from Your Shadow (via Frank Sonnenberg Online) http://bit.ly/yiTpmb

The Power of Slow Thinking (via Brass Tack Thinking) http://bit.ly/yivmNU

Embrace the Power of Silence (via @fierce_inc) http://bit.ly/zPrASb

The rise of infographics

Forget PowerPoint, infographics are the future of business presentations, Fast Company reports.

Quite simply, infographics are graphic representations of information or knowledge that offer the ability to communicate often-complex data easily and clearly. You'll find a good example here.

A train route map is a consumer-focused example, yet trend watchers are suggesting infographics have much to offer professionals due to the ability of pictures to encourage critical thought.

In the article, inspiring infographic developer Francesco Franchi explains how these graphic representations work and why they are different from the one-dimensional nature of PowerPoint.

The power of everyday leadership

Leadership doesn't necessarily have to be something that is confined to the workplace. In this TED Talk Drew Dudley explains the concept of 'everyday leadership' and how it can improve the lives of others.

Why tackling fear overcomes procrastination

The key to overcoming procrastination is to understand why you are putting off work on a substantial or important project, according to this Harvard Business Review blog post.

Writer Peter Bregman writes that despite the belief of many that procrastination occurs when a person is too busy or doesn't know where to start, fear is generally the reason why projects are delayed.

The solution, according to Bregman, is not to ignore fear but to acknowledge it before anxiety starts to build:

"When you acknowledge that fear, you're acknowledging that you might not have all that it takes to meet your expectations; you might not have all the tools, information, skills, etc.

"Admitting that, in turn, reduces your expectation of getting it perfect right off the bat," he writes.

The other benefit of facing up to your fear is that it drives you to recognise that you may not have all the tools, data, skills or support to complete a project.

Once again, realising this is a big step towards developing a solution.

Article round-up from @aimqld - 6-10 February

Twitter speedlinks from last week on @aimqld:

Why? What If? Why Not? Challenge the Norm (via The Jazz of Innovation) http://bit.ly/y94utr

All Aboard: The Importance of a Robust Onboarding Process (via hrdaily) http://bit.ly/xQLAJW

Develop Irresistible Content with this 4-Point Formula (via @problogger) http://bit.ly/xpitlV

Kindness: The Ultimate Business Skill (via Pete the Planner) http://bit.ly/whUavp

5 Early Birds Share Everyday Productivity Strategies (via Fast Company) http://bit.ly/zudbqv

Video: Why Your Childhood Habits are Sabotaging Your Career with Dr Lois Frankel (via CBS MoneyWatch) http://bit.ly/y9duqA

Leverage Your Business Pulse: The 5 Day Leadership Planner (via @terrystarbucker)
http://bit.ly/wWVlMD

3 Actions You Can Take Now to Shift Your Emotional State (via Michael Hyatt Intentional Leadership) http://bit.ly/yED8de

Why Work-Life Balance Isn't Balanced (via Gallup Management Journal) http://bit.ly/AxlCt6

Become the Face of Your Brand (via Dynamic Business) http://bit.ly/AFnHWA

Top 10 Tips for Selling Your Idea to Executives (via Innovation Excellence)
http://bit.ly/yYaF7t

Replacing a Missing Star: How to Deal with Losing a High-Performing Worker (via SmartBlog on Leadership) http://bit.ly/AEs7vJ

Why Flexible Hours Inspire Performance (via Inc.) http://bit.ly/AmUPYG

You Made a Mistake? Great Work! (via Compensation Cafe) http://bit.ly/z38iv4
 
The Right Role for Top Teams (via strategy+business) http://bit.ly/yRq2Fg
 
10 Ways Introverts Can Get Noticed at Work (via Business Insider) http://read.bi/wV08r1
 
Let Your Team Tell You What They Need (via management-issues) http://bit.ly/zYOgDM
 
Are You Too Busy to Grow? (via Blanchard LeaderChat) http://bit.ly/wflEQF

Cultivate In-House Geniuses to Inspire Innovation (via OPEN Forum) http://bit.ly/wkZLXh

Sharpening Your Skills: Online Marketing (via HBS Working Knowledge) http://bit.ly/xPOdTv

How to Consume Your Digital Information More Efficiently (via Lifehack) http://bit.ly/zJgk84

It Depends: Situations and Flexible Leadership (via Thinking is Hard Work)
http://bit.ly/AB6bXM

Productivity bolstering tips

As 2012 starts to settle into a familiar groove of tight deadlines and overflowing email in-boxes it could be time to think about ways to boost your personal productivity, news.com.au suggests.

A recent article on the website claims professionals are in a position to leave the office on time despite a growing workload by following a series of tips.

Based on ideas gathered from a range of productivity experts these tips include:

• 15-minute bursts – set a timer and spend 15 minutes working intensely on one project and avoid all communication distractions
• Cut down on email – apparently it takes 25 minutes to refocus after reading email, so only go through your inbox once or twice a day
• Be organised – avoid a messy desk, instead have a place for important information that's easy to access and file the rest
• Sort out your priorities – follow the 3Ds – do it, delegate it or dump it
• Time to focus – block out periods times when people can't approach to you (to tackle demanding tasks) as well as those when they can't