The Small Blog

Tue, December 06, 2011 - 12:33:42

Think Small. Get Smart.

When giving advice about business and innovation, one of the best things we tell people they can do is to “Think like a four-year old.” By being fearlessly inquisitive, asking questions, and looking with new eyes at even the tiniest detail, you open yourself up to endless opportunities for advancement, inspiration, and growth, both professionally and personally. In business and in life, we believe that no one should ever stop learning. And in fact, as a recent Wall Street Journal piece reveals, taking a small amount of time each day to learn just one new thing—anything—can actually raise your I.Q.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Tue, November 15, 2011 - 11:03:27

A Solution Worth More than Just “Peanuts”

From the financial turmoil in Europe, to the natural disasters across Southeast Asia, sometimes it seems that there are simply no solutions big enough to tackle the monumental challenges many in the world are facing every day. But, often, the way to solving big problems, whether on a personal scale or even a global one, is to start small. And this touching story, which recently aired on ABC World News Tonight, is a poignant illustration of how one small thing can make a truly life saving difference.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Thu, October 27, 2011 - 1:50:33

Two Extra Eyes Can Make All the Difference

In a recent New Yorker article, Dr. Atul Gawande chronicles his recent experience working with a coach. Only, contrary to what you might expect, it wasn’t an attempt to increase his physical performance on the tennis court or the golf course. Instead, a mentor in the medical field was coaching him in order to sharpen his skills in the operating room.

As Gawande explains, many times, people with jobs that require precise yet highly repetitive actions, like surgeons, often experience a slow deterioration of their skills over time. The change is so subtle that it usually goes undetected. And that’s when having an outside eye can make all the difference.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, October 07, 2011 - 11:53:55

Stuck in Traffic? There’s an App for That.

By now, most of us have heard about crowdsourcing—a powerful way of collecting information by relying on the input of others from around the world. It’s a technique brands have used to great success in order to create user engagement and generate traffic-stopping new ideas. But, what if we told you that crowdsourcing could also be used to keep you from getting stopped in traffic—and save you as much as 20% in fuel costs at the same time?

Posted by Linda and Robin
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Fri, September 30, 2011 - 1:07:28

The Secret of Negotiation: Location, Location, Location!

For many professionals, the art of negotiation can be one of the toughest skills to master in the business world—not to mention one of the most anxiety inducing. But, it can also be one of the most rewarding, whether you’re working on behalf of your company, your clients, or yourself.
Naturally, like any other skill, negotiation takes practice. But, one important factor in helping get you what you want might surprise you. It’s not just what you say or how you say it that matters. Where you say it can be just as important.

Posted by Linda and Robin
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