Article contributed by Fiona Powell.
To be in to win – simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12th June 2009!
EDWARD DE BONO, the world leader in lateral thinking and the European Ambassador for Thinking 2009, is back to present a special half day seminar: ‘THINKING FOR CHANGE’
We have a ticket to the half day seminar on 18th June, in Auckland , New Zealand, worth $395+GST to give away to a BNI blog member/reader. To be in to win simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12th June 2009.
Stop focusing on recession, start ‘Thinking for Change’ says Edward de Bono!
“The present economic crisis is about 30% real and arising from toxic securities (unmanageable). Then there is 50% panic and fear caused by media hype. Finally there is about 20% of ‘game playing’. That means parties who take advantage of the situation.” Edward de Bono
Better thinking is never a luxury. Better thinking is an absolute necessity in difficult times. Now, more than ever we need to know how to think. We have to start looking at problems as opportunities.
Recession provides us more than anything else with this challenging exercise.
Recession means a change. There are problems to be solved and if you solve them better than others the problem can become an opportunity. You can surf big waves instead of being swamped by them – but you have to know how to surf.
Recession means a change. We can anticipate some of the effects of change. We can set up structures to cope better with change. In difficult times the analysis of information is as important as ever but is no longer enough. Value based thinking becomes more important than ever.
NOW, MORE THAN EVER, WE NEED TO KNOW HOW TO THINK!! BOOK NOW!
In difficult times, people see new thinking as a luxury and tend to revert to more traditional, historical methods of dealing with problems. But times have changed and these old methods may no longer work.
That is why more thinking, new thinking, new ways of looking at information, new ways of designing the way forward, along with logical information based thinking, is essential in difficult times.
In Edward de Bono’s special seminar he will take you through the use of different approaches to organisational problems. You will explore all aspects of each situation and generate alternatives that go far beyond obvious solutions. The presentation will include a mix of teaching and practical exercises.
Edward de Bono’s proven methods provide a deliberate, systematic process that will result in innovative thinking. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and profit.
“Great business competitors are great lateral thinkers…” Edward de Bono
To register for the seminar or for more information on the seminar, including information on Edward de Bono and the De Bono society visit:
http://www.hrinz.org.nz/Site/events_national/de_bono/Auckland_18_June_09.aspx
To be in to win – simply add your comment to any BNI blog post by the 12th June 2009!
Seminar cost: $395.00+GST
Date: 18th June 2009
Time: 9am – 12.30pm
Venue: Sky City, Auckland
32 comments
Sure Fiona good “words of wisdom”.
I read Norman Vincent Peale’s The Art of Positive Living this year & he was an author who lived through the 1930’s depression years.
You need to believe to achieve he maintained.
He was scolded (by sceptics) for suggesting “Positive Thinking” in the 1930’s would change things yet he lived into his 90’s and was still authoring books in 1992!
I believe the ideas we expose ourselves to create our thinking, this in turn creates our actions. Once actions (eg panic or fear) are automatic they are hard to change but I agree with Edward DeBono you can make a choice. I choose ideas that bring actions of optimism and happiness because this is what brings peace of mind to me at times like the present.
Here’s to happy and progressive times.
Paul
de Bono is a great writer who has an excellent ability to take seemingly complex issues and reduce them down to their simplest elements. Take note & most importantly take action!
I would love to see Mr. de Bono. Pick me !
I think his book on teaching children to be creative thinkers and from that in charge of their own destiny is simply brilliant. “Teach your Child to Think” – I highly recommend this read to any parents.
In these ‘interesting times’ learning to think differently from the pack is essential to allow your company to grow and succeed. I have read several of Edward’s books and they are truly helpful.
I’ve just been reading an autobiography on Mr DeBono having been a fan for many years.
It’s probably little understood the significant change in thinking he has had on our lives over the last 40 years, a paradigm shift in how we percieve the world and what is achievable.
If you haven’t been exposed to his concepts before, the time to start is now. L.
Its refreshing to read an article focussing on opportunities in times of recession. Marketing is often see as a capital cost, as opposed to a business development investment. Most companies cut back on their marketing during a recession, so your marketing activity has the potential to be more effective, since there is less competition to your message during these periods.
Cheers
Steve Smith
SDS Consulting
I am listening to De Bono’s interview on Radio New Zealand right now. His thoughts on the absence of creative thinking in Goverment and business are fascinating.
The need to challenge conventional thinking in order to promote change and provide fresh approaches to problem solving isn’t revolutionary – So why are we all so hesitate to take that risk?
His views on the how to handle the current housing market conditions is inspired. If you are near a radio turn it on now (10.25 Friday 12th June)
Edward De Bono has proven to be a prophet of modern times. Every business leader every day must make decisions directing their business into the future.
We all know making decision without correct facts and information often leads to disaster. Edward De Bono who has been proven to be right can provide accurate facts and predictions that will enable business leaders to point their businesses in the direction to avoid disaster and maximise success.
To get one over your competitor. Listen and act on Edward De Bono’s guidance
Hi Fiona
De Bono and his “6 hats” is great stuff – just heard him on the radio. Dividing your thinking into categories frees the brain from compounding issues and focussing in on fears and things that don’t really matter.
Its clever thinking rather than what we might continually perceive.
Using different triggers in the brain at different times is helpful for problem solving – its not about multitasking – its about finding answer by using areas of brain function exactly how they are suppose to used again rather than fear, ignorance or warped perception clouding the solution.
Good marketing ploy to drive people to your blog Fiona. Plus I’m a fan of your blogging so I think greasing should get me a free ticket:)
BNI Rocks!!!!
Have a great day!
I was just listening to de Bono on National Radio and thinking how wonderful it would be to have the opportunity to attend his seminar. A colleague of mine saw him several years ago and was very impressed.
de Bono said something interesting this morning, that in this age of the internet, where information is so readily available, that we must remember to teach our children to think not just google.
Edward De Bono is an inspirational thinker who has taught me to see past the simple yet dangerous “normal” way of looking at things through dualism and dichotomy. Right and wrong – black and white – good and evil. Most of us agree that in any situation there are two sides to every story – Edward asks us to see that our perception is fallible and it is important to remember that we naturally lean towards “I am right and you are wrong”. Humans love being right – even at the expense of getting what we want. “Things are tough right now”, “I am too busy”, etc. are all perceptions/ideas/beliefs limiting our ability to see and seize opportunities. I would recommend Edward’s book “I am Right and You are Wrong” to anyone interested in learning to think – thinking is a skill and sadly we are not given much instruction for this greatest of human abilities. Think about it.
Wow – Edward is a great man who has learned from great men in the past. They all tell us that positive thoughts create a positive reality but why is it that so many of us are not living that reality. There are many great thinkers who must still be rolling around in their graves not only worrying about our quality of thinking – but our quality of listening! Well – I’m listening and I’d love to hear what Edward has to say on June 18 too! that blind woman Julie Woods
Thinking is essential in difficult times.
Most inventors invent new products but entreprenuers use recessions to invent new businesses.
They ask what is missing in the picture and create the missing piece.
So thinking will allow you to and move forward by putting the puzzle together in a unique system – one that will differentiate you from your competitors.
Take the time to think and plan carefully to exploit the opportunities just waiting out there for you.
We have a saying in our business that “To get different results, you must do different things”. I guess the precursor to acting differently is thinking differently, and Edward de Bono is the master of this.
In marketing we are always thinking laterally, but learning new strategies to engage the mind, and engage audiences are always important.
If we take the approach that “the recession” will affect us it will, taking time to evaluate and then act on our actual position has enabled us to turn others negative thinking into a positive opportunity for our business.
An opportunity to see Edward de Bono live would be a huge push forward for me personally and my business.
Great to see someone with pull come out and state something that whilst it makes a lot of commons sense the Newspapers and News websites will only ignore as it has a low level of sensationalism.
I would love to hear more.
I was given a book called the “5 day course in thinking” written by de bono when I was a teenager. That was 40 years ago.
Tempus fugit
Great to see that he is still speading the word.
I am a neurofeedback practitioner. I work with my clients, both children and adluts, to train their brain waves to reach the “zone” that gives them optimal learning, functioning and processing. To have a brain that is relaxed and happy is the ideal, but not to be asleep at the same time, there is the challenge! When we are relaxed and happy we can think, but often in these strressful times, we feel fully focused on the tasks at hand, but a state of being overfocused can be a problem, not allowing for the attenion we need to complete tasks at hand. Balance is the key at work and at rest. Relaxation and a state of feeling in control are both needed to give us the true feeling of being in the “zone” . This is where we all need to be. It allows us to think outside the square, while being grounded enough to put ideas into action!
De Bono has some wonderful work on this type of thinking. His book, How to have a beatiful Mind, is one of the best expamles of his work. I have used it with the gifted students I have taught with high succes. This learning should be given to our children while they are forming their thinking patterns. I have seen very young children who will be tomorrows leaders, turn thier thinking around to create positive actions, and lets face it , it is these that speak louder than words!
Have a great day,
Having experienced Edward de Bono’s Six thinking hats seminar and then actually used the principles – I can thoroughly recommend his work. The 6 thinking hats eliminated ‘rote response’ or thinking and opened up new possibilities. Result ? fresh thinking,some surprises, and innovative solutions, all from just sitting together,and thinking from different perspectives. Plus – it was always fun.
‘Thinking for change’ sounds interesting – would love to learn more!
Sounds just what I need – some new ways of thinking…
De Bono has long been recognised as the master in the field of thinking. This should be a great workshop.
Albert Einstein said ‘ today’s problems cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them’.
This is especially true in our current business environment where knowledge and thinking play a bigger part in business success. Globalisation, technology and diversity have exponentially increased the complexity that most business mangers have to deal with. The exciting thing is these same factors present unlimited opportunities for us too.
Edward De Bono is a master at providing simple methods to significantly improve the quality of our thinking.
We use a few of his tools regularly – they work well for individuals and teams. Our children even learn his 6 thinking hats at school.
Edward De Bono is always someone I’d love to learn more from. If you haven’t read any of his stuff, grab a book today or go and see him!
I’d love to hear Edward De Bono talk at his Thinking of Change Seminar.
I agree with Tony Allwood’s comments, learning to think differently is essential in these challenging times.
Don’t follow the herd like a sheep, you will become known as “sheeple”
Always stepping up to new challenges means we see the future from a different place therefore we can never be the same again neither can we go back to weak and beggerly ways that kept us slaves to our own thinking You can also spell thinking like this thin king………………who wants to be one …. when you can be abundant and fat.
I have read a few of Edward De Bono’s book and have always found him a wealth of knowledge. I am certain his work on “Thinking for change” will be enlightening and thought provoking. I would certainly love to go to extend the knowledge I have and be able to bring it back to support and show others the opportunties that could await them.
“If you never change your mind, why have one?”
Edward de Bono
Edward de Bono’s work has been studied, quoted and admired for many years, and I personally remember many seminars where his “6 Thinking Hats” theory was taught. Innovative out of the box thinking is what is needed to drive New Zealand in general, and my own home town Rotorua forward and to take charge of its destiny. I’d like to be part of that drive and would value de Bono’s teachings to help me make it happen.
This has got me thinking.
“There are people who make things happen, there are people who watch things happen, and there are people who wonder what happened. To be successful, you need to be a person who makes things happen.” Jim Lovell
Think different…and make things happen!
Always interested to read or hear about de Bono since our two daughters were introduced to some his theories (e.g. “6 hats”) whilst at secondary school.
Hi I have never seen, heard or read one of his books so whats all the fuss about. I’m I too late to change?
De Bono makes a great deal of sense. I agree with him that there are positives that come out of a recession – only if we have the confidence to “go for it”. This requires creative thinking and sometimes that is as easy as asking your staff – how could we do things better around here? Or taking advantage of new staff that have not become engrained in the “way we do things around here”. A good time to think about multicultural teams – different cultures have different thinking. Putting all that diverse creativity to work means you can come out on top. Years ago we studied De Bono and his work on how to think creatively – worthy reading. Because if you don’t know how you can’t!
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