The Atelier Tenjinyama designed by Ikimono Architects, is both a study in minimalism and an experiment in exposing a workplace to a dose of the outdoors. What is the boundary between indoors and out
Read More »Tag Archives: philosophy
Feed SubscriptionThe New World of Mentoring
Some businesses are using social networks to find mentors for their staff. Kathleen Lim wanted to move up the learning curve.
Read More »"The Quest" for Energy Security: The Search for More Oil and Its Alternatives
Mottanai: it’s a Japanese term that translates as “too precious to waste.” It’s the philosophy that guides the island nation’s approach to natural resources like energy, and it has become particularly important as the meltdowns at Fukushima have resulted in roughly 25 percent of Japanese electricity supply disappearing as other nuclear reactors remain shutdown. [More]
Read More »When to Toss the Rule Book
Do your employees know when to throw out the rule book and let your philosophy guide their responses to the unexpected? Recently I saw a "pop-up" concert performed by my friend Lenni Jabour at a big-box book retailer named Indigo in downtown Toronto. A pop-up show is an unannounced event in a public space, and in Lenni's case, she has chosen to commandeer pianos lying dormant in public places–without permission.
Read More »Top 10 Black Entrepreneurs
These 10 Black entrepreneurs from around the country bootstrapped their firms and built fast-growing enterprises, earning them a spot on the Inc. 500.
Read More »Are You A Horrible Boss? (And If So, How To Reform)
Robert Steven Kaplan, Harvard Business School professor and former vice chairman of Goldman Sachs, shares the tale of a truly awful boss--and how he transformed himself and his company for the better. The managing partner of a hedge fund had built an excellent firm over several years. He had taken the time at the inception of the firm to write down a detailed set of business principles, which were on the wall of every office, frequently reprinted in company documents, and posted prominently on the corporate Web sites.
Read More »The DNA–People, Processes, And Philosophies–Of Innovative Companies
In the new book The Innovator's DNA, authors Jeff Dyer, Hal Gregersen, and Clayton Christensen discuss the three things that set companies steeped innovation apart from the thousands of other companies doing business. Drawing on a sample of companies that lead both lists, we dove deeply into the practices of some of the world's most innovative companies
Read More »Break Into the Flash Deals Space
Sites such as Ideeli, Lot18, Gilt Groupe, and Rue La La are offering carefully curated deals at reduced prices.
Read More »Calendar: MIND events in July and August
JULY 6–10 What is creativity? How does it arise? Philosophers and neuroscientists alike are searching for answers to these intriguing questions.
Read More »Beyond TROMSÖ: How Ikea And Filip Nilsson Dominate Advertising
This may surprise many U.S. consumers unfamiliar with Ikea spots, but the legendary Swedish furniture company is this year's Advertiser of the Year at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. In a series of videos, Filip Nilsson, chief creative officer at Forsman & Bodenfors, explains his shop's approach--and offers insights into its massive appeal
Read More »Top Chef Masters Finalist Traci Des Jardins Gives Us 5 Tips For Mastering The Restaurant Business
Restaurants are notoriously difficult businesses, and less than half make it past their third birthday. The handful of chefs who not only stay afloat but rise to the very top rely as much on business savvy as knife skills
Read More »France’s Odd Internet Laws Explained: Fairness Vs. Innovation
There's a method to the madness of France's curious Internet bans--an underlying philosophy that's causing conflict with companies around the world. The world stared in befuddled amusement as France banned the words "Twitter" and "Facebook" from TV
Read More »Innovation Agents: Dinesh Paliwal, CEO Of Harman
This year, he launched the first social-networking automobile so drivers can get Facebook, Twitter, texts and Internet connectivity and still keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. The trick, Dinesh Paliwal, chairman, president and CEO of Harman International Industries, tells Fast Company, was to develop technology that serves to combat drivers’ distraction, meet auto regulations, and bring 4G smartphone-like functionality to the car. If he makes it sound simple, it’s because solving complex technological problems comes easily to this engineer with an MBA
Read More »The Early Days of Eugenics
Editor's note: This editorial was written and published in 1911. Although our editors of a century ago pondered some lofty aspirations for the orderly future of humans, it was only three decades later that the brutal reality of a Nazi social order suffused with a eugenicist ideal brought home the practical shortcomings of the philosophy. The Science of Breeding Better Men [More]
Read More »Onboarding Done Better
An employee's introduction to the company is equally important to the later success of both the individual and the company. Here are some tips from top workplaces on how to handle new hires. Picture this: You've just hired some wonderful new talent to join your company but you don't have a specific role intended for them
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