Entreprenuer's Creative Networking Skill!

Networking as defined by the Merriam Webster Dictionary is the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions ; specifically : the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. Networking as described her is exactly what one company has been able develop into an art form.

The Big Ooga is a virtual and localized referral-based resource designed to connect entrepreneurs to new clients and each other. It’s the perfect place to find your people and be found by the companies needing your services.

On the first Tuesday of each month the Big Ooga hosts a greet-up for professionals to network. The event which takes place at the Catalyst Ranch has actually been met with much success. Following is an example of how networking in the right forums really does work.

Rebecca Berneck founder of Officeheads, Inc. outlines her recent networking successes after attending a Big Ooga event.

My newly formed company, Officeheads, Inc., partners with Derek Huyser at Apogee Strategies :: Apogee provides to my clients all of their technology needs. Derek attended the first Big Ooga networking event hosted at Catalyst Ranch on February 3 where the networking ball began to roll:

· Feb 3 :: Derek Huyser mentioned my services to Jonathan Vehar at the Big Ooga.

· Feb 6 :: Derek made an e-mail introduction

· Feb 9-11 :: a flurry of email traffic occurs between Jonathan and me

· Feb 18 :: We meet and get excited about working together; he suggests I contact Catalyst Ranch

· Feb 24 :: I met Bobbie and Eva at the Ranch where I’m energized by the surroundings and excited to be working with them!

· Mar 4 :: its official! I’m a Ranch Recommended Vendor!

This is just one example of how you can use word-of-mouth, coupled with technology to spread the word about jobs, projects, events to which you have the capability to lend expertise. Sometimes it is easier to select key events and get your message out there. It is for that very reason that Big Ooga was created: to help professionals connect! If you would like to attend any of these networking events more information can be found at Big Ooga and the Catalyst Ranch websites. Happy Networking!

Love letter to Catalyst Ranch

At times it is in hindsight that we realize that we were part of something special and unique. Often we may be a part of something that is even more special than we know until we set sail for new experiences.

Such was the case for Edward (name and a few details changed) who recounts his Ranch infatuation in a love letter sent to his former colleagues at Catalyst Ranch, Chicago. He fondly talks about how the environment at the Ranch was something that was inspiring, especially compared with his new gray and blue sterile environment. These are a few thoughts taken from his letter that serve as an example of environmental impact on creativity.

Edward writes,

Bleak, too, is the color scheme. In my position are twenty brave souls. We're split into two teams, blue and gray, company colors. I am on team gray... GRAY! Gray as the cubicle wall, as the metal file cabinet as the foam backs of the chairs, as the carpet (mixed with muted tan). Gray...GRAY!!! But it's all neutral colors. Black are the computers, the monitors, the doors, the window frames, the light fixtures, the phones, the staplers, tape dispensers, pen cups and even the planters. White are the ceiling tiles, the walls, and the pallor of my face as the blood drains out of it while watching another of dozens upon dozens of training videos.

But then, there's the coffee. Who makes this awful coffee, and why do I trust them enough to drink it every day? I have never seen a person preparing the coffee. It's just always there. Always. Hot and bland. It is not the Intelligentsia King Kong Blend served fresh daily at the Ranch. Not even close.

With the blue play-doh that was part of my going away present, I made a little blue snowman named, Damian. I was watching the "All By Myself," Celine Dion's video on Youtube. I swear, I had something in my eye when it watered up...I dusted away the blue doh crusties, and my desk smelled for a moment like the inspired Ranch, and I missed it. I missed Catalyst Ranch like an ex-girlfriend I really loved, but couldn't be with any more. Our time was sweet -- puppy love. Flirtatious and uninhibited. But I know she'll always be there for me...as a friend.

Who says environment doesn't matter? Just think of what someone like Edward would be doing if he were in an awe-inspiring, energy-infused, creative environment!

Corporate Creativity Coaches Tackles Meeting Distractions

Today I revisited a past Pogo-A-Gogo, The Catalyst Ranch newsletter. I came across an article that was submitted by a friend of the Ranch Brendan Sullivan.

I could not help but think how great this piece of advice would be if applied to daily life when problems/thoughts keep you from tackling the task at hand. After reading this advice I wrote down a list of things I need to do, placed it in my calendar, now I am ready to start chatting.

Pearls of Wisdom from:

Brendan Sullivan, Corporate Creativity Coach

"Have you ever led a meeting where the participants didn't seem to be 'there' even though they were sitting right in front of you? They were distracted by other issues, projects, etc. that were preoccupying them, and distracting them from focusing on the matter at hand. Next time, take a moment before the meeting begins and ask everyone to write down whatever that stuff is, on their own individual notepads. No need for them to share it. Now that it's on paper, they can stop thinking about it for the duration of the meeting. After the meeting, they can read it and go back to whatever issue is pressing to them. When you take a moment to do this, do it together and don't single anyone out. Position it as a benefit to them. The meeting will be shorter and they will be more likely to fully participate."

To contact Brendan, call 773-463-3143 or email him brendan@creativitycoach.net.
You can also check out his website, www.creativitycoach.net.

Creative Life Lesson

A few evenings back I attended the Cyriel Kortleven event at Catalyst Ranch, Chicago. Cyriel is an innovator/author with New Shoes Today in Belgium. I always take away a fun nugget or two of information when I leave these events. But I have been thinking about one idea in particular that is actually an idea gold mine.

The concept is one often used in the world of improvisation – Yes, And…! We participated in an exercise where we thought of an idea (in this case a vacation), one person started and the partner then added an idea agreeing (YES, AND) then attached an additional idea. We performed the exercise for three minutes. It was exhilarating and fun to have the sky be the limit.

We also played the Yes, but… game. That was the exercise where one started with an idea and the partner quickly found fault by saying Yes, But… and offered the problem.

I think you would agree that the Yes, And.. exercise was a lot more rewarding for all those participating. If we could only employee this technique in all life’s opportunities and challenges I think we would reach heights that are almost unimaginable.

I thought back to school experiences where teachers push children to obtain the one right answer and squelch the opportunity for exploration. It undoubtedly happens in business for many reasons -- time, organizational charts, territorial issues… the list goes on…

I think this concept has such far reaching implications if we just brought YES, AND… into our homes, schools, community and then, of course it would naturally occur in the corporate environment.

Yes, And I would love to hear your thoughts and applications of this concept.

Stimulate Creative Thinking with Cyriel Kortleven

I was just checking the Catalyst Ranch calendar to see what creative talent may be stopping by and I found something that may be of interest -- especially to those of you living in the Chicagoland area.

Cyriel Kortleven from NEW SHOES TODAY will make his way from Belgium on March 31 from 6 to 9 p.m.to spend an evening at the Ranch for an interactive session to stimulate your creative thinking.

Cyriel is an enthusiastic, driven crew member of NEW SHOES TODAY who work to support people & organizations on their road to creation, innovation & change. Cyriel is an expert in creativity & innovation & loves to move people in both literal & figurative ways. Recently he and a colleague wrote a Dutch book "And Action" to help trainers, facilitators & consultants work in a more interactive way with their groups.

If you would like to join Cyriel on March 31 visit www.catalystranch.com and find out all of the details. If you would like more information on Cyriel and the creative work that he does just visit www.newshoestoday.com.

For me spring is often a time of renewal and recharging the batteries. I can think of no better spark than joining Cyriel for an evening of fun, where great actionable ideas are shared in a creative space.

Gregg Fraley's Brainstorming Tips for Personal Innovation

We have been exploring the many facets of brainstorming and creativity. At Catalyst Ranch we experience creativity, innovation and group brainstorming on a daily basis. But, what if you are tackling an individual project or problem. Can you still work creatively to find an answer? Can you brainstorm solo?

We decided to seek insight from Gregg Fraley, Creativity and Innovation Expert. Gregg is an innovation consultant to Fortune 500 companies, partner in the Innovise Guys and author of Jack's Notebook: A business Novel about Creative Problem Solving.

Visit http:www.greggfraley.com for his wonderful selection of creativity offerings. We'll chat with Gregg from time to time for his offerings on a Creatives' Space. Please enjoy the following and don't forget to visit his website to view the entire article.

Rolling with Creativity
Brainstorming Alone
A tool for personal innovation
By Gregg Fraley © 2008

When I think of brainstorming my earliest memory is the old TV show, Bewitched. Darrin Stephens, the long-suffering husband of the nose-twitching witch “Sam” was an old-fashioned ad man. Every now and then Darrin and his boss Larry Tate kicked ideas around for one of their accounts – Hollywood style brainstorming. Still, I got a sense of the freewheeling, wacky, anything goes part of brainstorming, and the image stuck with me. Brainstorming, my earliest imprint says, is a group thing, and subsequent real life experiences reinforced this. When ideas start to flow and one person’s ideas trigger ideas in you, it’s powerful, and it feels like the group think is better than what one person could create on their own.

The group image of brainstorming is pervasive. Clearly, most people don’t think they can “brainstorm alone” when dealing with a complex situation. You might say you are “trying to come up with something” or that you are “mulling it over.” It’s usually an invisible process, it’s all in your head. Simply reflecting, thinking, often works – solutions occur to us, and we get right into action. Other times it’s not so easy. It’s one of the toughest challenges in life. That is, coping with the endless and unsolvable problems running around in your head.

You can probably guess that I’m all for doing more than just mulling it over. Most of the time, our thinking in our head is circular. We rehash the situation, and go over it again and again, and we have a hard time getting into idea mode. You may think of one, but then you immediately analyze it to death, and your circle back and do another re-hash. The image that comes to mind is beating your head against the wall. The situation calls for new ideas. Sometimes you need ideas!

And you’re alone.

Maybe it’s a situation or challenge that requires your personal touch. Maybe it’s a problem that you “own” in a very personal way, like a relationship with a business partner or loved one. For whatever reason you need to think things through on your own.

Time for a personal brainstorming session, yes, brainstorming alone. And it can work as effectively as working with a group. Brainstorming alone is a powerful tool for what I call personal innovation.

Okay, how do you go about Brainstorming Alone?

For starters, take a deep breath, smile, and believe you can come up with great ideas. Be optimistic.

Then, get prepared. Get comfortable. Dress casually so nothing is pinching or confining. Start when you are reasonably fresh and if you’re tired, take a walk, or do some stretching, and then begin.

Get yourself a good notebook to write in. Personally, I like sketch books with no lines, but this is a matter of taste. Get one it feels good to write in.

Have a smooth flowing pen, one that feels good in your hand. Pens are usually taken for granted aren’t they? You can subtly change your thinking by simply getting a pen you enjoy using.

Believe me, all this little stuff adds up. Brainstorming alone is almost like prayer, and a positive ritual of preparation can make a difference.


Start writing. Write your challenge at the top of the page, and frame it with words like, “How Might I….or In what ways might I…then finish the sentence.

Start listing ideas. Just list them and don’t even think about them, don’t edit them, don’t edit yourself, don’t analyze, just list, list, list. Keep the pen moving – even when it seems like garbage.

Ø When you hit a block, take a deep breath and try to become another person. That’s right, put yourself in the shoes of Lincoln, or Ghandi, or Thomas Edison, or that fourth grade teacher you so admired…and list.

Ø List even bad ideas, stupid ideas, expensive ideas, ideas that patently “won’t work”, ideas that have failed before. Just list any idea that comes to you. Brainstorming alone is a flow experience and getting into the flow is key to getting results.

Ø Getting into flow can be tough, but if you keep writing, it will happen, and the list of ideas will grow.

Ø Do not stop when you hit a really good idea. Keep going. Don’t settle for a B plus when an A plus is right around the corner.


When you simply can’t do anymore, take a rest. A rest might be for ten minutes or a week. Then list again. Brainstorming alone is not a one-time thing, it’s an on-going thing.

Stop when you have about 5 times more ideas then you think is reasonable. Set a goal – 20 ideas, 50 ideas, 100 ideas -- it depends on your challenge and its complexity. Your brain will fill the list to meet your goal, it’s amazing how it rises to the test.

When you’ve met your quota, then review your list. Really consider even the nutty ideas and try to shape them into something that might really work. See if you can combine a couple and make something really powerful.


If you do this you will come up with some amazing solutions and people will be wondering if you have a wife named Sam with a magic nose. Try brainstorming alone, it’s a powerful tool for personal innovation.


Thank you Gregg for all of your insight and how-tos on the topic of brainstorming solo. It is so helpful to have a framework when tackling an issue or working to produce a marvelous new invention.

We would love to hear from anyone who has used these or similar methods to develop new ideas or products. Send along your thoughts!

Brainstorming Starter Tips

On Monday we talked about the origins of brainstorms or ideation sessions. Those energetic sessions that companies use to develop a new product, provide company direction and find creative solutions to an existing problem.

Having been part of many brainstorming sessions I have found that those that produce the desired results have one thing in common: COMPLETE INVOLVEMENT BY ATTENDEES!

How does one garner involvement by all attendees? I think the answer is creating an atomosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Those ideation sessions that create the most enthusiatic participation begin with Warm-up Exercises and Icebreakers.

I sat down with Eva Niewiadomski, Catalyst Ranch, Ranch Czarina and asked her to provide a few effective Warm-up Exercises and Icebreakers that she has used during her most fruitful innovation sessions. Following is an exercise Eva has used with much success. We will provide more as we meet in the months to come.

THE CARTOON CHARACTER
Assignment: Create a mask that shows how you would like to look if you were to become a cartoon character.
ALLOTTED TIME: 15 minutes
1. Provide a table with various supplies to build a mask, using a colored paper plate as the base. Supplies can include yarn, pipecleaners (have several varieties), plastic eyeballs, ribbons, fabric remnants, construction paper, colored index cards, wrapping paper, glue sticks, Elmer's glue, glitter paint tubes, scissors, cotton balls, colored string, candy, staplers, tape, plastic beads, paperclips (regular and colored)felt, pompoms.
2. Have them wrap the masks around the back of their chair using yarn for ties.

This will create a very positive environment and spirits should remain high with the cartoon masks displayed all day. Such a fun way to begin conversations!

Feel free to contact us if you have a specific need. We love to brainstorm ideation ideas. Whew! We are here to support your creative needs. If we don't have an answer -- we'll find someone who can help!

Andy Sernovitz, Word of Mouth Guru, Shares Trade Secrets at Catalyst Ranch

Andy Sernovitz's book Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking will be featured at the Matchbook Club, Catalsyt Ranch, Thursday, March 19.

Andy & his consulting company, GasPedal, are among Catalyst Ranch's favorite clients. We just knew we had to wrangle Andy in for an evening to discuss his book and share some fascinating industry advice.

This is THE book that will teach you how to use word of mouth marketing to make your company more profitable, how to spend less on marketing, and how to make your customers happier. It's the simple, back-pocket, straightforward-but-not-for-dummies guide to word of mouth marketing.

An 18-year veteran of the interactive marketing business, Andy has spent years helping companies learn how to do better marketing. Andy teaches word of mouth marketing at Northwestern and has started half a dozen companies including GasPedal, his consulting company, advises brands like TiVo, Dell, Ralph Lauren, Sprint, and Kimberly-Clark.

He created the Word of Mouth Marketing Association around the latest revolutions in blogs, buzz, and word of mouth. Andy also writes an amazing newsletter and blog called "Damn, I Wish I'd Thought of That."

Date: Thursday, March 19th 2009 6pm to 8pm
Where: Catalyst Ranch 656 W. Randolph St, Suite 3W
Cost: $30 or 2 (comparably priced) new children's books to benefit Room to Read®

Event Space that Gets Creative

Can Event Space Really Have Meaning?

Imagine for a moment a baby's room painted only in white, no color, no toys, no stuffed animals, no sound. NOW, imagine that same room filled with bright colors, pictures on the walls, a whimsical mobile atop the colorfully outfitted crib.

Which Space Stimulates the Imagination?

You know the answer! It is the colorful, bright room that conveys meaning, a room that speaks to guests as they enter.

We've all been in those gray conference rooms, with sliding burlap walls and no windows. Or, we have tried to think of new leading edge innovations while sitting in a sterile cubicle, where the walls can actually cave in.

Now think of the times that you've had some of your most creative thoughts, best ideas or new product ideas. I am guessing that you were most likely driving in your car, singing in the shower, surrounded by a fun fostering environment.

When Eva, our Ranch Czarina, developed the idea of creating a space dedicated to creative meetings and events, she drew on her past experience working for a successful Fortune 500 company. She actually began her passion for creative spaces when she transformed a highly- visible hallway into a creative showcase to inspire, encourage and capture new ideas! She then was asked to transform larger areas of the company into creative havens, which she did with much success.

She then took this same creative concept and made it available to all at Catalyst Ranch! It is truly a place that serves as a CATALYST for CREATIVITY and a guaranteed memorable outing!

Come and visit us at www.catalystranch.com anytime. I guarantee you'll find just the spark you need!

Creative Space Has Its Perks!

Howdy,

One of the perks of working in a creative space are all of the Creative Experts we meet at the Catalyst Ranch. One never knows who will be roaming our halls during a company event, brainstorm, or even a wedding.

In support of creative environments the Ranch also hosts what is called a Sundowner Series. Think of it as a gathering of creative thoughts, people and ideas taking place at around sunset.

In two days we will be welcoming a special guest, Gregg Fraley. Gregg is an advocate of holistic approaches to innovation. He believes that holistic management integrates people, products, culture and the process. This Gregg says, enables an organization to continually innovate.

So if you can join Gregg as he guides us through exercises to discover some of his very own innovation techniques. Who knows maybe we'll be able to take these learnings back to our organizations creating cultures that foster, nurture and sustain the innovative output. We could all use a little of this CREATIVE INSIGHT to keep up with the pace of innovation in our ever changing world!

Come join us on Thursday, February 19, from 6 to 8 pm. For more information just click on http://www.catalystranch.com/ or give my friend Stacy a call at 312.207.1710.

Twestival '09

We wanted you to know that Twestival '09 was a great hit and we at Catalyst Ranch were so inspired by the event. It was great fun to see local celebrity Jerry Taft join the event. Word has that he is a very, adept twitterer! Look we even have pictures that he posted from the event.

Successful twestival '09 at Catalyst Ranch to raise money for deserving communities. Check out Jerry's pics http://twitpic.com/1girr