Simpsonize Me Now!!!

I admit it. I am obsessed with The Simpsons Movie's viral, innovative marketing scheme, Simpsonize me. If you go to www.simpsonizeme.com you can turn yourself into a Simpsons character. Practically every movie star, even Bono has been simpsonized, so why not me!

The Simpsons Movie has followed a few different trends: personalization and creativity of the customer, using web applications and online games for advertising, creating a viral campaign as people use their Simpsons icons on websites and facebook.

It's awesome!

Almost.

I was on the site for an hour, no make that two hours, trying to find a picture of myself that could work. I tried about 10 photos, none of them were clear enough. I finally put in a picture of one of my friends who was standing in front of a blank wall. That picture worked! I was about to simpsonize my friend, Roshni, and I had even picked out a purple dress for her to wear. I registered and hoped to save my design and then the design was gone!

I am so deflated, but I did look at Burger King advertisements for an hour, so I guess they have succeeded. I am sure I will continue to try, but this web ap still needs a little improvement before we can all be cartoons.

30 minutes later...

I finally got it to work!

The Before Shot ---------------------------------------- Julia Simpsonized

What is crowdsourcing?

What is crowdsourcing? It is essentially outsourcing to customers and other average people.

Want a more technical definition? Crowdsourcing is the act of taking a job traditionally performed by a designated agent (usually an employee) and outsourcing it to an undefined, generally large group of people in the form of an open call.

Procter & Gamble, as I discussed in Connect + Develop, employs more than 9000 scientists and researchers in corporate R&D and still have many problems they cannot solve, so they go to the crowds. They now post these on a website called InnoCentive, offering large cash rewards to more than 90,000 “solvers” who make up this network of backyard scientists, according to Open Inovators. P&G also works with NineSigma, YourEncore, and Yet2, as well as BrainReactions.

BrainReactions essentially is organized and controlled crowdsourcing. Companies outsource their idea generation to us to help them develop new products, packaging or marketing messages. We deliver those ideas to them and promise confidentiality. This type of outside innovation works very well, because it comes from the customer, and it is less expensive than internal R&D.

Other famous users of crowdsourcing include YouTube, Threadless, Lego, iStockphoto, and Digg.

To read more about crowdsourcing please check out the OpenInnovator blog. To learn about specific strategies of crowdsourcing, check out Sami Viitamaki’s FLIRT model.

Wired wrote a bunch of articles on crowd sourcing this summer.

The Rise of Crowdsourcing.
Look who's Crowdsourcing.
What does Crowdsourcing Really Mean?
Exploring the Dark Side of Crowdsourcing.
Creative Crowdwriting: The Open Book.
Using Crowd Power for R&D.
News the Crowd Can Use.
The Experts at the Periphery.

That's enough reading for one day! If you want a brief overview of some of these articles check out the SourcingInnovation blog.

Crowdsourcing and Politics??? That's right, in just a few hours you can watch youtube users interview democratic candidates on CNN.

$100 dollar laptop

Ever since I heard about One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) and the $100 laptop a few years ago, I have been excited about where innovation trends are leading us as a global community, towards opportunities for better access to education and means of poverty alleviation. Although this may be a utopian thought, I appreciate any real step in the right direction. I applaud Nick Negroponte for his vision and further more for the execution of the $100 laptop. According to BBC columnist Jonathan Fildes, OLPC is finally putting the $100 laptop (which currently costs $176) into mass production, and should be in the hands of Children as early as October 2007.

Even critics are joining the cause. Intel, whose chairman once called the laptop a "gadget" recently partnered with OLPC to manufacture its memory chip. Other partners include Google, Red Hat, and AMD.

OLPC designed the laptops with developing world conditions in mind, and has been testing them in Nigeria and Brazil. I recently read a Yahoo! news report titled "Nigerian school without power receives 300 laptops." The article highlighted the pitfalls of having laptops where electricity is scarce and irregular. The article confused me considering the $100 laptops can be charged with solar or human power. They have also been designed to use as little power as possible, with no hard drive and a low-power screen.

I am excited to see how the One Laptop Per Child movement takes off. Please read "$100 laptop' production begins" at the BBC to learn more. Or visit the OLPC website. OLPC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance education in developing countries. If you would like to support OLPC click here.

Photo from BBC article.

Other organizations are also finding ways to improve conditions in developing and war torn countries. Check out Concrete Canvas, the winner of the Saatchi and Saatchi Award World Changing Idea of 2005. Please comment if you know of other innovations that are helping developing countries.

Banksy-An Innovative Artist

Like Graffiti? Like Modern Art? I love Banksy. He is an innovative artist and he always starts a buzz. Check out his website. In the meantime, who do you think is an innovative contemporary artist?

Connect + Develop

An article published by knowledge@wharton on June 27 discusses outside innovation with former vice president of knowledge and innovation at P&G, Larry Huston. Larry discusses the importance of going outside your company to find new ideas. P&G is one of BrainReactions' clients, so I know first-hand how important outside innovation is to P&G. Huston states that 90% of companies drive all their innovation internally through their R&D departments. P&G had 9000 R&D employees, but Huston developed Connect + Develop to reach out to the 1.8 million educated people that also have ideas for new products. That's what we believe at BrainReactions: Quantity leads to Quality.

Huston remarks on the size of P&G and how much it needs to innovate in order to see continued growth. P&G is experiencing growth by asking people outside the company to help them innovate. Creation through Collaboration!

He gives this advice to other companies, "I really do think that the most important thing is that wake-up call -- for people to realize, then for companies to realize, that big companies have lots of money but need to act like little companies who don't have a lot of money. And be open to the outside world and making connections. That's fundamentally what it's about. I do think that's the most important thing."

The article is very in depth and worth checking out. Click here to read of listen to Larry Huston's Interview.

Songs to Wear Pants To

I have to admit, that when it comes to hanging out on websites just for fun I tend to end-up on my wedding registry site. I am not into cats with linguistic shortfalls or watching extreme walking on YouTube, but when I found out about Songs To Wear Pants To I had to check it out.

BrainStorming Song Themes
Users go to Songs to wear Pants to and give Andrew--the song creator suggestions of what to write a song about, meter, style, or even genre. Topics include pretty girls, zombies, working at a gas station, polka. All songs he creates for free are less than 1 min 11 seconds, but you can pay for a longer song as well. The songs are hilarious, and in my opinion, high quality. I was completely entertained. Guitarists, like Willy Porter have used ideas from the audience to write improv songs for years, but this takes it to a whole new level. Digital Collaboration. Completely Innovative. Completely Fun.

Innovation Igniter

I am listening to a podcast module by Innovation Igniter-An action learning system to help people learn innovation, and how people can turn their ideas into successful innovations. One of the main tools is a colored Thinking Wheel that can help you with your ideas. The wheel is like a guide that not only helps you come up with new ideas, but to observe what works best, and how to implement the idea. I think I will have to try it myself in order to know if it is effective or not....

One of the main lessons of the first module is that passion drives innovation and business. She says, "Do not start a project you are not passionate about." Make sure there is ENERGY around the project, because it will require persistence.

The "module" is somewhat traditional, but it kept my attention, and clearly communicates its message. They have many great innovation speakers that teach different lessons. Unfortunately all the resources at innovation igniter cost a pretty penny. Visit their website to learn more.

Sclipo-Show your skills

I ran across this skills-centered social-networking site called Sclipo, and it's pretty entertaining! On the site you can learn how to make chocolate truffles, give a great massage, or sketch with Photoshop 7. You can watch famous (and not-so-famous) skateboarders, musicians and artists do their craft. Are you a kung fu specialist? Post your videos on this site. You can also have one-on-one live classes by using a webcam and the SclipoLive application.

The site is very well organized, easy to navigate, and well designed. I think BrainReactions might have to teach about idea generation on Sclipo. To learn more about Sclipo click here.

Why? Innovation starts with questions

I saw this photo on the MaRS Blog. The topic was on innovation. How can we start revving the engines of innovative thought? Start asking "Why-s" questions, like why do we market this way, or why do we produce our products that way. If we have good answers then we should keep it that way, but if it's more like "Because we always have" of "I don't know" or "We didn't have the resources to do it another way" then it might be time to ask questions like "What are ideas around improving our production process, our branding, or our customer service."

The awesome photo is by stringberd http://www.flickr.com/photos/stringberd/

Phil McKinney encourages ReMentoring

You have to check out Phil McKinney's blog on innovations. On June 23, he discussed reverse mentoring--how young people can teach the pros a thing or two about innovation.

We at BrainReactions know a lot about that!

Anand Chhatpar started BrainReactions, after spending a summer interning at Pitney Bowes. As an intern in the R&D department, he realized that the interns generated a wider variety of new product ideas than the pros. He considered this the "curse of knowledge," and realized outside innovation from college students could be a possible solution to widening the scope of R&D.

Anand headed back to UW-Madison, and got his friends together for some brainstorming. Three years later, Anand has perfected the art of super idea generation with Darin Eich. Now we have about 200 brainstormers. We generate over 1000 ideas for new products, packaging, or marketing every 3-hour session. We have found that quantity leads to quality, and many customers have been happy with our qualitative assessment of our ideas.

Young people can add value to the invention process, by turning inventions into innovative, marketable products.

I am so glad there are companies like HP and Pitney Bowes that respect the ideas, creativity, and intellect of their interns. More companies should follow suit, and allow their interns to do more than make copies and coffee.

Microsoft Surface Computer

My co-worker Darin brought this new innovation to my attention: the Microsoft Surface Computer. You might see some this year at fancy hotel and casino chains. Perhaps it will come into the home in the near future.

Check out this cool new invention: A computer coffee table with touch screen inteligence. Watch the video, or read the article at PopularMechanics.com

Sensory Metrics writes about Brainreactions.

Sensory Metrics wrote two blog entries about BrainReactions.net. Honest and hopeful, the blogger encourages people to visit while still offering some suggestions for improvement. I will post the two blog entries below.

BrainReactions: Brainstorming about brainstorming

BrainReactions free Brainstorming for your social network

BrainReactions.net-top Social Networking Site for Learning

The Online Education Database highlighted BrainReactions.net as one of the Top 25 social networking sites for learning.

They say: BrainReactions is similar to Guruza and Qunu, but designed specifically for brainstorming. Ask a question and other members will brainstorm ideas.

Other brainstorming social network sites include Bubbl.us, MindMeister and Mindomo. These all feature mind mapping applications, where brainreactions is more of an interactive list approach. Try out all four and tell me what you think.

Click here to read Top 25 Social Networking Sites for Learning.

Suggestions for Making Innovation Fun

I recently read Think for a Change, an innovation blog by Paul Williams. He suggests that innovation should be fun, and I can't agree more. He lists a bunch of suggestions that I have pasted below. What I want to know is: What companies actually put these creative solutions to work? Have you tried it? Let me know what your results were. If you want to know more about innovating HR. Check out BrainReactions' free white papers.

Here are a few fun idea submission and generation examples:

• Have an 'American Inventor'-style competition
• Rent a dumpster or have a garbage can available for people to write down and throw away anything in your organization they don't feel works very well
• Hold a "Make Your Idea Real" day where people can build models or prototypes of their ideas
• Buy a roll of butcher paper and line the walls of the lunchroom with it and post a "starter problem" to solve
• Have people write down a problem they are having, then have them gift wrap it and exchange it with others who do the same thing
• Give every employee one of those poster boards that kids use for Science Fair projects and have them come up with an idea and fully describe how it works and/or would be implemented
• Have an Idea Picnic with your customers, suppliers, and vendors where they can mix with your employees and share ideas/solutions/complaints
• Sponsor a field trip to a museum or other idea rich environment for employees
• Encourage senior leadership to visit department meetings to share what keeps them up at night and solicit ideas

The ThinkCube--and Innovation Instigator!

So I have not tried this game out myself, but ThinkCube, an innovation game, seems to hit brainstorming on the button! It's fun, well-designed and filled with idea generating tools, all with an objective to help you innovate.

ThinkCube is the successor to the Metamemes card game launched by Kes Sampanthar. The card game sold out, and many of the clients were business innovators, and not the "board-game geeks" he expected. He teamed up with XO Create! to make the ThinkCube, understanding that innovative design needed to be a part of the package. (No pun intended.)

PackageDesign Magazine states, "The ThinkCube is designed to engage any person or team needing a nudge in the creativity realm into thinking with a process. The structure and packaging are meant to encourage users to keep the ThinkCube out on their desk or in their work areas."

I think BrainReactions might have to buy this game and see how we can integrate it into our Brainstorming sessions, or at least help them market it.

10 Types of Innovation

Do you want to know all the ways you can innovate your business. Check out this cool diagram on different types of innovation.

http://www.doblin.com/ideas/TenTypesOverview.html

BrainReactions focuses primarily on product and marketing innovation.

HP gives cosmetic advice

Below, I have posted the first half of an article about a new HP innovation, connecting wireless phones with cosmetics! You will soon be able to colorprint your face with your camera phone, and HP will send you appropriate suggestions for makeup shades. I also heard that HP has partnered with Coach to make stylish laptops. Way to meet the GIRL market, HP. Keep it up.

HP unveils mobile beauty innovation

HP is hoping to partner with global cosmetics firms to move its innovative mobile 'foundation colour matching' service from theory to reality.

HP has created an innovative system that blends the world of cosmetics and mobile technology, which it hopes to trial in the next six months.

The computing giant was approached by one of its customers - a large consumer packaged goods (CPG) company, which wanted it to create something technically advantageous to help it engage better with its 80 per cen female audience, according to Nina Bhatti, principal scientist in the digital imaging and printing lab at HP's Labs.

The result is a colour-matching platform for mobile phone images, which makes use of the company's imaging and mobility expertise.

"We're talking about an unusual juxtaposition of things. You don't usually associate HP with cosmetics or the retail mobile experience but that's what we've built here," she said.

"[The customer in question had] done lots things before like in-store kiosks but that is very expensive. We wanted to do something mobile and futuristic and realised that our target group was teenage girls as that's often the first time they experiment cosmetics. If you go to a very expensive department store there are women to assist you but they're often very domineering and might intimidate you into buying more products. Those women are just looking at your face but what if your phone could look at your face?"

Posted by Maggie Holland at 1:50PM, Wednesday 11th July 2007

To Read more go to: http://www.itpro.co.uk/news/119531/hp-unveils-mobile-beauty-innovation.html.

Wowza-50 reasons Why

I went to the Wowza's 50 reasons why idea generating website today. I suggest you check it out.

Do you want to know why people buy pink flamingos? Type it in, and Wowza will give you 50 reasons why people buy them. Click on the different reasons and a new picture and phrase will pop up. All the reasons will not be spot on, but some will, and the words and phrases will help turn those wheels in your head.

Don't be disappointed if most words don't change with the next word you choose, they are meant to spur you on to creative advertising and marketing ideas. The picture from Flickr compliment your word and definitely increase brainstorm potential. Both the words, phrases and photos are great Brainstorming tools. Check out the site. It will be most beneficial when you are activiely searching for promotional ideas and are ready to write value statements about your products or services.

Wowza's 50 reasons is a brainstorming tool. If you want a brainstorming social network BrainReactions.net is still the way to go.

The Brain behind BrainReactions

Nice article about BrainReactions in the Milwaukee Business Journal featuring the Brain behind our Reactions--Anand Chhatpar. Take a look at the article. " Anand Chhatpar loves ideas so much so that he has made a business out of selling them."

Tapping into the Brain of Gen Y

There is an article about BrainReactions in American Venture Magazine.

My favorite quote is when Greenberg said. “The kids are not worried about the strings. Their mode of thinking is that there are no strings. They have not been beaten down by life yet.”

Life is wicked, but my creativity can survive!

Here is the first paragraph of the article. Want more? Click the link above.

If innovation and invention are the lifeblood of successful companies, from garage start-ups to global corporations, why not employ the brightest minds of the young generation to feed it?

BrainReactions, a Wisconsin-based start-up, is proving that innovation, as a unique discipline, should not be under-leveraged or underestimated. The company is building a reputation by selling professional brainstorming, featuring the creativity and quickness of Generation Y.

For entrepreneurs with stellar technology but a misguided market plan, or an established company with a product but no packaging— professional brainstorming injects what Larry Greenberg, director of business development, calls “outside insight.”

Generate hundreds of ideas! Trust me you can do it.

If you are frustrated with old brainstorming techniques, why not try some new ones. Invite some energetic, enthusiastic idea generators around a table, and I bet you can come up with hundreds ideas for your next project, if you follow theses tips.

These are just some of the tips from a proprietary system for idea generating or brainstorming developed for BrainReactions by Darin Eich, Ph.D. If you are interested in a BrainReactions training on Idea Generation please contact us.

1. Quantity leads to quality, so don't judge your ideas while you're saying them. Wait until after the brainstorming to do that. Judgment-free spaces lead to the best brainstorms.

2. Good questions are the generators of great ideas. If you are brainstorming for one challenge, try to come up with 10 questions that will generate ideas. For example: "What are ideas for new ways to brainstorm?" and then "What are ideas for tools we can use for brainstorming?" Start with wide or easy questions and funnel down to more specific and difficult questions. If you use this approach you should be able to come up with 100s of ideas.

3. Go Wide. Take your ideas in different directions. What are different attributes of your question/issue? Attributes could be method, message, material, technology, design, etc. We call these different attributes buckets.

4. Go deep. Fill those buckets with as many ideas as possible, and get as specific as possible on certain ideas.

5. Use your surroundings for inspiration. Look at objects, pictures, words, or a combination of the 3 to come up with new ideas.

6. Ask "What would _____ do?" Try to answer the question if you were Google, Madonna, a six-year-ol, or The Green Bay Packers or any other person or organization.

7. Have fun! Make it a game. Make it a competition. Take some time to be silly to be silly. It will get those creative juices flowing.

Want more tips? We have lots of them, but you will have to contact BrainReactions and find out more about our BrainReactions Innovation Tools workshop. BrainReactions is an outside innovation firm in Madison, Wisconsin. We often generate over 700 ideas in a 2.5 hr session for our clients, and we always have fun doing it. We often teach on brainstorming, outside innovation, and Gen Y. We are available for key-note speeches and internal trainings.