posted by Anna Fleet on August 4th, 2010
Recently, we’ve been taking a look at a different way of solving the world’s problems. Design thinking harmoniously blends practically with creativity in a way that drives success. But as with any problem-solving method, there is a process. The design thinking process has 7 distinct stages:
1. Define
2. Research
3. Ideate
4. Prototype
5. Choose
6. Implement
7. Learn
For a little added entertainment I’d like to share this great animated short, created by six Ontario College of Art and Design 2010 industrial design thesis students. The video depicts how a cave man might have used design thinking to carry out the first ever design project. And as you can imagine, as design thinking is applied to solve any problem, stages within the process are bound to be repeated until an ideal solution is found.
The greater message, and what I truly admire about the design thinking process, is that there are no stupid ideas. This way, criticism and judgement are left out of the early stages of the equation, which creates an environment free of fear. Wouldn’t you agree that when the fear of failure is taken out of the thinking process, ideas flourish and solutions are often found much faster?
Remember, in real life your buddy or boss won’t bonk you over the head with a bat if you don’t come up with the perfect solution straight away 
Tags: design in progress, design thinking for small business, design thinking process, industrial design students, ontario college of art and design, stages of design thinking, youtube for viral marketing
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posted by Anna Fleet on July 30th, 2010
Have you ever wondered how the world’s costs would stand on a graphic scale?
Well do I have a Friday treat in store for you!
I came across this short YouTube video this morning and, I don’t have to tell you, it really puts global cost in perspective. This one-minute video showcase, and in some cases contrasts, impacting global costs—including the Iraq War, Google’s market value, how much is spent on video games and illegal drugs annually, how much it would cost to save the Amazon Rainforest, eradicate AIDS and national debt in the UK, and even lists revenues of corporate giants like Bill Gates, Tesco and OPEC even comparing OPEC’s revenue in 2009 compared their miniscule climate change fund. And all of this is done on a stunning graphic level set to music.
So check out ‘Information is Beautiful’ and yes I know it’s promoting a book (by the same name) from David McCandless, but I think its bigger impact is the beautiful visualization of such a profound message. It really does put things into perspective before a long weekend. Enjoy!
Tags: david mccandless, design thinking, graphic design thinking, information is beautiful, information is beautiful video, youtube for viral marketing
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posted by Anna Fleet on July 14th, 2010
He’s already proven to the world that he’s sexy, skilled on motorcycle and horseback, and romantic with the ladies…now he’s a viral marketing genius as well!
The Old Spice Man is at it again, sending out personalized YouTube messages to Tweeters with a ton of followers—and I’m not talking one-line retweets; I’m talking full-length, YouTube video that address their thoughts and feelings, by name!
Old Spice is doing some fabulous viral marketing, using well-known folks with a lot of followers—like Digg founder Kevin Rose, Olympic skater Apolo Ohno, actresses Alyssa Milano and Justine Bateman, and techy site Gizmodo. Check out Old Spice Man’s YouTube message to Kevin Rose, after Rose posted that he wasn’t feeling well on his Twitter status. It’s hilarious and its social media at it’s best.
And the spokesperson with 98% muscle is even reaching out to us regular folks (with thousands of Twitter followers). Take the personalized message to Gabe as an example. All together Old Spice Man is featured in more than 100 personalized YouTube videos.
Where does he get the energy?
Well in my opinion it’s well-directed energy and money from the folks at Old Spice. They are targeting people with a ton of followers, and that equates to a ton of social networking prowess when those same people retweet the videos and spread them virally throughout their huge social networks.
So just when you thought he was perfect, Old Spice Man shows us viral marketing at its best—he’s outdone you once again…on a horse!
Tags: alyssa milano, Justine bateman, Kevin rose, old spice man, old spice viral marketing campaigns, social media strategy, social networking for non-profits, social networking for small business, viral marketing tips, youtube for viral marketing
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posted by Anna Fleet on July 9th, 2010
I’ve still got yesterday’s social media lunch and learn at Waterloo’s Accelerator Centre on my mind…thanks to this powerful video that speaker, Melissa Schenk, from MS2 Productions, shared with the crowd. The YouTube video on the Social Media Revolution quickly switched any doubters in the crowd into social networking converts. I mean, just look at these stats:
1. Social media has taken over porn as the #1 activity on the Web – Wowza!
2. It took the following mediums how many years to reach 50 million users:
* Radio = 38 years
* TV = 13 years
* Internet = 4 years
* IPod = 3 years
* Facebook = had 100 million users in less than 9 months
3. And lastly, if Facebook were a country it would be the fourth largest in the world!
You know how I like to leave you with some eye candy for the weekends. And this video certainly gives us some food for thought as it poses the question: Is social media a fad? Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution?
So think about it and share your reactions with the group. After watching this video, do you still think your business won’t benefit from social media?
Tags: accelerator centre waterloo, facebook for small business marketing, melissa schenk, ms2 productions, Social Media Revolution, social media strategy, youtube for viral marketing
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One Calendar with Social Networking Powers
