I wouldn't start a newsletter being rude, would I? Surely not - actually that heading refers to a fun way I started a workshop recently.

The delegates consisted of people from many different levels and state offices and the client (one of the big 4 banks) has requested a way to 'level' the room and get people working across their usual teams to brainstorm ideas.

As they entered the room, we asked them to write their nickname on a nametag and go by that name for the session. Their childhood nickname, their current one or one they'd always wished they'd had. (me: as a teen: 'Spinna' because 'you talk so fast you spin people out' but I always wanted to be 'RollerGirl')

It was truly a great way to lift the energy in the room and get people back to basics. We had a great session, generating over 50 ideas in 2 hrs to solve 3 live business challenges.

Try it at your next team meeting to shake things up.

Or have us do it for you. Call Ilana, Sophie or Yvonne at the office on 1300 734 904 or email enquiries@ideasculture.com.

The Harvard Business Review continues to be a great source of info about the way creativity is handled in different parts of the business world.

September: a fantastic article about how Pixar fosters creativity collectively.
October: Creativity and the Role of the Leader.
November: a great article on Innovation across large enterprise.
December: Finding and Grooming Breakthrough Innovators plus Which Kind of Collaboration is Right for You.

www.bubbl.us (thanks to Ad for this one) is a free electronic mind mapping tool for quick, collaborative brainstorming.

One of my favourite sites, http://drawn.ca pointed me in the direction of this little piece of amazement by Ana Serrano - it's a cardboard city collage. At the Drawn site over the last couple of days you'll also be treated to links to the amazing artwork of Patrick Leger and Aaron Meshon.

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We now have three new babies.. and they are house trained and ready for you to take home as long as you promise to look after them!

Creative KickStart '09
is your chance to bring us into your team for short sharp bursts over 3 months. We help your team identify their limiting barriers and sources for untapped revenue. By early in the new year, your team will be ready to hit the ground running for a record breaking 2009 – with a tailored system for generating ideas through the entire year to solve any challenge. Grab the PDF brochure.
(KickStart is available to Melbourne clients only for now, and places are limited).

Creative QuickStart
is a 1hr, fast-paced 'lunch n learn' session which gives your team a handful of useful brainstorming techniques while they generate ideas for one specific business challenge nominated by you. Email us 3 date preferences and your business challenge and we'll send back an outline.

IdeasCultureBuilder
is a year long program which creates a culture of ideas and creative thinking by keeping you and your team motivated and challenged. On a random day each month, a presenter will arrive and teach your team something interesting – juggling, cooking, relationships, negotiation, creative thinking, painting and music. 1 or 2 year programs available. Grab the PDF brochure.

Or phone Ilana, Sophie or Yvonne at the office on 1300 734 904 or email programs@ideasculture.com.

How do you fit Creative Thinking / Brainstorming into your in-house or conference program? Here's a tiny slice of what we've been up to lately:

• Hocking Stuart Real Estate - lunch time Better Brainstorming.
• Frankston City Council - kickstart for 2009 IT strategy planning day.
• realestate.com.au - facilitation of brainstorm to generate ideas for a specific marketing challenge including various staff, suppliers, agents.
• Self Storage Association - national conference keynote address plus 'Ask the Experts' session over breakfast. 10 people join your table and ask questions for 20 minutes before swapping tables to speak to another expert - a great conference idea!
• Westpac - roadshow with Women's Markets division, assisting business owners and entrepreneurs around Australia with brainstorming techniques.
• Northern Territory Government - Better Brainstorming as part of NT October Business Month, Darwin and Alice Springs Convention Centres.

A quick tip for inclusive brainstorms: Have people brainstorm solo for 2 minutes, using one index card per idea. Put all the index cards in the middle of the table and shuffle them around. Each person then takes 1 index card at a time (not their own!), reads the idea and builds on it, solo. Continue until all the index cards have been taken and built on. Repeat if you like - otherwise get people to read our their new, hybrid ideas.

For more about our workshops and keynotes, visit the Ideas Culture website or phone 1300 734 904.

We love hearing from you, please keep ‘em coming! Email us anytime: enquiries@ideasculture.com

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		Here’s a challenge for you – go to YouTube, register (for free) if you are not a member, and create your own playlist of your favourite songs of all time. Call it the Soundtrack To My Life and play it / send it to your partner or kids.