Impressive

The Value of a Clear Focal Point

People don’t like change. Right?

In my experience, people don’t like change without clear purpose or intention.

That’s where having a clear focal point is essential. This is different from having a goal. A goal is a desired end result. A focal point on the other hand is more of a design element, a reference point that as things continue to unfold allows everyone involved to check and see how they’re doing individually and collectively.

Take Finland for example. They realized that there was a clear need for change in their education system. While other governments have a goal of excellence, they chose to have a focal point of equality.

Read more about the results they are achieving from a clear focal point of equality: http://bit.ly/w3kl7Y

Through this focal point, they were able to design an new approach to education and prepare their teachers through conscious development programs prior to implementing new policies and programs. A focus on equality also allowed them to keep up the motivation and energy of the teachers and Finnish people alike as they nurtured the new approach, giving time for things to establish and grow.

The results speak for themselves.

posted by margo in innovation and has No Comments

Lessons from Lindsay

We can learn a lot from Lindsay Blackwell – lessons that are both basic and profound.

Lindsay Blackwell read about a job opening – Director of Social Media at the University of Michigan. Lindsay LOVES social media. Lindsay is from Michigan. Lindsay wants that job.

So, she used her passion for social media and her skills of designing, public engagement and creativity to apply for that job in an innovative way. Check out www.dearlisarudgers.com. After creating the site, Lindsay then used her skills of networking, promoting and campaigning to get her application in front of Lisa Rudgers – the person who may one day be her boss.

And it worked. Within 24 hours, Lindsay got a call for an interview. She made sure she is a candidate for the job.

Brilliant!

So, lessons from Lindsay?

• focus on your strengths – they will inevitably position you well for things you want in your life
• follow your passions – you’re more innovative and creative when you do
• know your audience – future boss, future users all know what she is capable of now
• have fun – people like working with people who are fun to work with

Now, even if Lindsay doesn’t get the job she applied for, what are the chances that she will get noticed by someone else before long and have more than one opportunity? I’d say they’re pretty high.

Hats off Lindsay!

posted by margo in innovation and has No Comments