American Creativity Association

I spoke earlier today at the American Creativity Association's annual conference here in Austin, coordinated by William "Bud" Wurtz, who told me there were around 100 very smart, creative people attending. It was a great group, and I regretted that I couldn't hang out longer. I talked about Worldchanging.com, reviewing the history of the site and the nonprofit organization that emerged from it, and discussing my role in the the development of a Worldchanging Blog Network. The group had excellent questions; they're all fired up about innovation in its many forms.

Bijoy notes that Gregg Fraley, who spoke to the Ideation group, will be at the ACA meeting, which runs through Saturday.

Ideation March Meeting with Gregg Fraley

Gregg Fraley, author of Jack's Notebook spoke at the March Ideation Meeting at Cafe Caffeine. Bijoy started with a call for participation in BootKarma, and an introduction to the BootBoards.

Here's a brief outline of Gregg's talk:

1. Make a wish list. No judgments, just list. Don't let your mind get in the way
2. CPS Method: Exploration: research, problem framing; Generation: ideation; Plan for action. Techniques include iterative divergent/convergent stages: List/choice, list/choice, etc.
3. Backdrop principles: Make lists, defer judgment
4. Generate Ideas: In what way might I....Use the best topic from your wish list. Make a list, go nuts. Hit the wall and keep going past it. The best ideas come after the wall. Re-frame and distill the problem or goal
5. Post-it Note Brainstorming; find your resource group and use it; brainstorm then organize ideas into categories: cluster and combine ideas
6. Re-frame your problem by using adjectives from an unrelated object (like a bottle or computer)
7. What would an influential person from your past advise? A teacher? Mentor? What would Abe Lincoln (or another important historical person) say?
8. Develop criteria for a reasonable solution (does it cost under a certain amount or is it actionable within a specific time-frame, use 4 generally) and rate your solutions on a 1-3 scale according to those criteria. Then improve on each idea to make it score better
9. Getting into Action: Make a list of people who can help; make a list of people who might hinder; make a list of resources; make a list of who would be excited about it
10. Take action. What is one thing you can do today before you go to bed? Remember: that which is measured improves

All attending seemed to get a great deal out of the meeting as Gregg had us each focus on a specific problem we are facing. Gregg can be reached at gregg AT greggfraley DOT com.

Additional reading: Jack's Notebook (CPS explained in a novel format), Creative Leadership (in-depth explanation of CPS, very technical)

Check out SockNet Austin

The Social Networking group SockNet Austin has formed and you are invited to join.

Our most recent post is notes on the Bootstrap Marketing Swarm on Shelley Chan's OakTreeIdea.com site.

Please join, put up a note about your social network or social media site, and blog about us!

Marketing Swarm | Social Networks

Per Brian Massey on the Bootstrap list...

Don't forget to come to the next Bootstrap marketing swarm on
Wednesday, March 7. We'll be reviewing social networks: how to build
them and how to market them. Social Networks will be the guerilla way
to market many businesses in the coming 5 years.

We have been able to secure a location for our Social Network Swarm.
You'll find a map here:
http://tinyurl. com/2he69o

No food, so grab something before you come.

Call Brian Massey for questions:
512.680.4099


Should be a good lead-in to all of the Bootstrap evens coming up for SXSW Interactive.