Archive for the ‘Motivation’ category

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Just Do It!

While delivering an NPD workshop in Kenya this week Nina was disheartened by one of her pupils who said:

“We are not paid to think, just do – copy, paste, print”

I read this on Nina’s twitter, wayofthemonkey and it got me thinking about the mentality behind the statement, why people would feel this way and wondered, are they missing out?

Why?

  • Most of us ‘need’ to work; does this ‘need’ limit our enthusiasm?
  • When an activity is non-negotiable do we switch to auto pilot?
  • If we imagine what is ahead does it look too hard?
  • Does thinking everything through slow us down?
  • Will thinking force new and uncomfortable experiences that could lead to change?
  • Will our wider network support new ideas?

When you consider the reasons why a person would feel more inclined to just ‘put their head down and get on with it’ you begin to wonder ‘is thinking a trap’?

“Just Do It”

In 1988 one of the most famous advertising slogans was coined for Nike – “Just Do It”. The campaign has been a remarkable success given that 80% of trainers sold in the USA are not used for the purpose for which they were designed. The ads rarely focus on the product, but on people, they give an insight into the intense, inwardly focused competitor. Nike has attracted those who want the image without incurring the pain.

The truth is success is rarely nurtured in isolation. The sporting icons that Nike focuses on are undoubtedly great, but are they made greater by reaching out and utilising the talent of a combination of resources?

Reach out

When we focus on ourselves we are in danger of becoming detached from what is happening around us. I am not just talking about our immediate team of people, company or community, but also the wider social network that we now have the ability to reach out to in so many ways.

Reaching out is an opportunity to increase knowledge. Extending our network of resources helps us to unlock untapped potential and access what is inside people, be it stories of success or failure.

Are You Missing Out?

One person can not be great at everything. Thinking and engaging opens up everything we do in the world, its like ‘magic’.

If we can set aside our fears of the changes our thoughts may bring, we will discover that every day holds the potential for something new.

Think about it – Don’t miss out

Posted by Yasmin in Leadership, Motivation on July 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment

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Think Different

“Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction” – Picasso

Why was Picasso so successful, sought after and inventive? He was not afraid to challenge what had gone before.

How many times do you hear the statement ‘there is nothing new or original anymore’?

Is it true?

Surely everyday little pieces of original creation go missed by the world at large. In fact, have we all become desensitized because we are bombarded with so many things at such speed? Do we take enough time to realise how things knit together?

21st Century Originality

It is the knitting together that creates the 21st century originality. As an example, over lunch with Ralph Ardill from the Brand Experience Consultancy he was talking about the science project he had launched in Dublin, The Science Gallery. Building an experiential science centre is not original, but the key to the success of that project is that disenchanted teenagers who don’t know what they are into (art, media, science, music, porn, etc.)? will walk through the door not to be a spectator, but to be the creators of the projects that go on inside that building.

It is their hope that one of those participants will ultimately become a Nobel Prize winner.

It is the creative and inspiring knitting together of old and new that will enable that to happen.

Move Forward


We have to look back to move forward. The art is to deconstruct something that has been successful and be bold enough to push that vision so that it creates a new legacy.

This art of deconstruction creates disruption. This process un-nerves people, pushing them outside their comfort zone, but only by doing this can we hope to create something of substance and originality.

What are you going to knit today?

knitted-monkey

Manchester International Festival

Be Braver, Bigger & Bolder!

Last night I was watching people discuss Rufus Wainwright and his decision to deliver an opera to the world for the first time. It is always fascinating to watch people analyse those who are brave enough to put themselves out there, right on a ledge, being bigger and bolder than those analysing would ever dare.

Commentary from the sidelines – we can all do that… being bold enough to follow through on the big idea, we need to see more of that!

Being in Manchester right now is full of people being braver, bigger, bolder as part of the Manchester International Festival. A festival dedicated to original work – the first time for everything, how brave of all those taking part.

Out on a Ledge

If you think about the things you did for the first time, how many of them were amazing on the debut? Driving, drinking, sex? All got better with practice for me! Despite the risk of failure and opening themselves up to the analysis of the world at large, all the brave people taking part in the festival are out there on the ledge and its fab!

PZ Cussons 125 years

At the end of last year as the dark nights were drawing in and the dark clouds of the recession were forming, a group of visionary executives at PZ Cussons were discussing how they should celebrate the companies forthcoming 125 year anniversary.

PZ Cussons are seen as a quiet, understated company famous for its heritage brand Imperial Leather. For us at Cheeky Monkey they are a visionary group who have understood the need for change and have been willing to embrace it in a brave and bold way that should provide inspiration for many others to follow.

For almost 5 years now we have been leading dramatic change projects for the PZC Group and it was an honour when they asked us for ideas on how they should celebrate this milestone event.

Family Soapbox

They wanted something that introduced the new face of PZC Group to the wider population. That engaged diverse audiences, created a bit of drama and fun, had a sense of the family that is still so key to the PZC business.

The Soapbox

Soapbox

It was Steve and Jon at Ear to the Ground who delivered the big and the bold. They presented the idea of having a huge bubbly soapbox in Cathedral Gardens that let people discover the world of PZC. If you have not visited the Soapbox yet, take a trip – it is like getting a hug from a friend you know but have not seen for some time – comforting and familiar but new and exciting at the same time.

Follow your Heart

As we have said, being braver, bigger and bolder does not always signal immediate success. Elbow perform with the Halle tonight, in the words of Guy

“his love letter to Manchester”

For 17 years they have followed their hearts becoming the fastest selling ticket at the festival because of the enormous success they have had over the last 12 months – many people at that concert will not even realise they have a back catalogue.

It doesn’t matter if the idea is a success or failure, brings immediate recognition or takes years for people to realise what an amazing idea it was, FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE.

TAKE SOME INSPIRATION FROM MANCHESTER RIGHT NOW; BE BRAVER, BIGGER & BOLDER.

Thinking the unthinkable in a recession

The difference between having a daydream and working towards a vision is the call to action (strategy, plan, execution, delivery).

Desperation is a great call to action!

The recession is forcing people to think the unthinkable. Considering new markets, new processes, new ways of working and new terms. Everything is up for grabs again. Positive or negative, it’s an adrenalin rush and we are thinking in basic terms again.

  • Stay Positive
  • Work Hard
  • Innovate
  • Think Big & Take Action

My favourite case study of the recession is Brawn GP. In March 2009, Ross Brawn announced a last minute buy-out of Honda F1 under the new name of Brawn GP. Almost half the workforce was made redundant, Jenson Button took a significant pay cut and they didn’t have an engine until Mercedes stepped in. I have listened to Nick Fry talk about this experience and it is clear that things got pretty desperate; they were a hair away from going down the tubes.

The success they are now enjoying is shared by all the people who put themselves out there getting a car ready in the shortest possible time ready for the first race. It is testament to the following characteristics:

  • Belief
  • Courage
  • Determination
  • Motivation
  • Commitment

Even Jensen Button admits that “It felt impossible because I wasn’t positive myself”, the people around him reminded him that they needed to be positive or no-one would want to buy the team.

Of course a number of elements have to come together, held together by sheer hard graft. A friend of mine works alongside the Brawn GP team and he confirms that it is half the people doing twice the work and its better. There is a different attitude and normal rules don’t apply.

Normal rules don’t apply!

Sometimes we need help to think the unthinkable. Braun GP are working towards a vision of making Jensen Button the best driver he can be.

Who is helping you? What is your success story going to be?

Posted by Nina in Motivation on June 19th, 2009 | 3 Comments

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