Photos to make you think

Warning: this section is a bit surreal!  And it is a bit playful too. It is a sort of photo blog that symbolises part of what we do: enabling fresh thinking that breaks an existing mindset.  We take photos everyday.  These are used in our consulting and venture work.  They capture ideas that are scrawled on paper.  They record moments.  They give a sense of our method.  As we travel and think we take some photos that we reckon raise some wider issues or questions.  Some of these are shared here.  We regularly update this 'Photos to make you think' section.   Each shot is shared to provoke a 'thing to think through' (tttt). We have plans to launch a section on Thinking Trends, to support our futures practice (both have us have led scenario planning projects in a range of sectors and continents over the last 10-15 years). 

What it says on the tin?

5 July 2007
Can't believe it is 2 months since the last picture - we still take at least 10 photos each day...it's just few of them have made it here (a long story linked to full on client work, growth and recruitment this month - more soon).  Quite a bit of what we do is in the health sector (about a 1/3 of our client work is in this world - other areas we practice include consulting, environment, finance, telecoms).    Broadly we have been: 1) consulting – helping senior teams crack a critical business issue; 2) leading ‘big days’ (for staff or stakeholders) that are engaging and entertaining ways of getting work done; 3) boosting capability with our development programmes (eg structured thinking, making meetings matter).  One thing we have found time to do is continue writing and even a few talks. Our latest think piece explores what the NHS needs to do to improve.  One way of seeing this, is 'doing what it says on the tin'.  With one of our banking clients this week we were reminded about the Ronseal ad...and we shared the story of the B&Q yacht varnish that has small print on the back: "not for marine use".  In some ways the experience of staff and patients in the NHS can feel like this...as it can in other organisations too. 

IT'S ALL PERSONAL

5 May 2007
The pace of adding additional pictures is slowing - but not because we we taking less!  This one is of a stack of Adnams and other beer in the window of an off-license in Cambridge.  It reminds one of us of a trip to Cadbury's world - the shocking thing for the children we were with was just how much chocolate their was.  The 200g Dairy Milk felt like a personal friend.  And yet here it was in the million - and pals with just about everybody.  All of the sudden what seemed 'mine' became 'ours'.  tttt = so often what we think of as a unique point of view or relationship is merely inherited or shared.  Not privileged or personal.  We need to be aware of what we are missing - particularly in a relationship with a popular position.  For example, the current commentaries on various media stories (from climate change to Tony Blair's premiership, Lord Browne's lies to Muslim extremism) seem to owe more to the blinkered thinking of the assumed personal relationship with a global brand (here the various fashions in thinking) than they do to carefully thought through individual positions.  Probably a bit of a sideways posting - but there you go...

MADE US SMILE

18 April 2007
This shot caused a laugh.  It comes from testing our webcam, following a couple of weeks break before a busy couple of months work. [btw - we will use the webcam in two ways: to stream sections of large conferences through our website for members of client groups who cannot be there for whatever reason; we will also use it in conjunction with our wireless data-projector to allow close-up enlargement of part of a flip chart of hexagon map].  The photo shows Ross holding up an arrival cards.  One of the things we are known for is our 'arrival activities' at a breakthrough event...from dot voting, making a vox pop comment, choosing the soundtrack for the meeting and filling in a selection of cards that let individuals share their views on their past experience and future aspirations (and that are used to speed the later process of the group).  Parts of the NHS and Department of Health are clients of ours. We are also working with a range of other clients, for example: an environmental consultancy, a drinks company, an educational social enterprise, a private equity firm, a bank, a telecoms company.  Many of these are repeat assignments securing a breakthrough or building capability having satisfied our clients with an initial brief.  Not sure what the tttt is here: suggestions please.

GETTING THE DESIGN RIGHT

28 March 2007
It has been good this week to take a few more journeys that involve cycling around Cambridge.  We have had a great month working with a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors (eg over last couple of weeks a bank, large consultancy, a social enterprise trust, a gov, a private equity house, a NHS Trust).  As we are getting a bit more connected to our home City, what is noticeable in Cambridge at the moment is a number of areas where the design of new bike routes and facilities seem to have been led by non-cyclists.  There are two crossings in particular where the angle of the bike lanes force cyclists into oncoming traffic or pedestrians.  This photos is from Moeller Center - a great venue, but with this perplexing sign - is it encouraging us to use the bike rack or not?  tttt= the importance of users in design (so it is experience based design) and of piloting, testing, reviewing and altering.

GOT IT

14 March 2007
We saw this sight a few weeks ago - in Canada Square Docklands - when visiting a client.  We wanted to take a photo, but felt inhibited and that we might be breaching privacy.  So were delighted when we saw this in 'Director'.  This outside smoking zone is clearly a news phenomenon.  As well as using energy and investing in certain habits it attracts people away from the doors of the office.   tttt = what incentives can you generate to get the behaviour you want?
 

10 DAYS ON

13 March 2007
With our clients we are often encouraging learning from other places: the private sector from charities; public organisations from commerce; individuals from writers; groups from inspirational figures.  In our travels last week, we came across sign this outside a BA Terraces lounge at a Swiss airport.  Having had to arrive at 5.45am for the flight, the lounge opened late with no apology to the queue of customers that had already formed (the opening hours were not synchronized with the 2 hour pre-departure check in rule so people had turned up early).  But this tatty sign showed it was a usual experience - and that little care was shared and with little attempt to dazzle.  We often find that sectors are keen to dismiss lessons from other places.  If we point out learning from BP or the US Army, it is not just health workers who are keen to dismiss the source of the learning and the lesson with it.  We have met property investors who do the same.  tttt = how can we look beyond the brand to get the lesson.  When a famous brand fails you, what can you learn?  BA taught us the importance of fulfilling expectations - and apologising when the experience is not what it should be.  And designing for excellence experiences, time and time again.

KNOW THIS ONE?

3 March 2007
This bit from the book Fish! (which links the The Power of Positive Thought). tttt= We like the idea of focus here...being present.  A challenge, especially when busy.  This coming week we are working with and for a wide variety of groups: from a Trust promoting great school food to a private equity company's investment decision in central Europe; in a conference on the Government's Respect agenda to a European bank's marketing strategy; with an Audit Commission management board to a team developing a strategy for older peoples' mental health services in London; for the development of a Directorate of a major Government Department to the leadership of a key environmental consultancy.  We will do our best to live these values.

MAKING IT ATTRACTIVE

25 February 2007
In selling anything it is possible to pay attention to the offer, to what to give, the supply.  Or to look at the demand, what is wanted and how that might be shaped.  This concert (advertised on railings in central Cambridge) seems to manage to use the key word - ie 'Harry Potter'.  tttt  = what buzzwords can you use to make what you are interested in today seem more interesting, relevant, useful, attractive to others?

PRACTICING WHAT YOU PREACH

19 Feb 2007
It might seem that a concern with organisational values is just the domain of 'learning luvvies'.  A method for OD freaks.  However, we believe that aligned corporate values are an essential for great business performance.  Our latest think piece explores some sobering tales and spells out some lessons to avoid the traps inherent in so many change projects and leadership endeavours designed to improve staff behaviour and practice.



WHEN IS OLD BEST

17 Feb 2007
This bolt (in a room) compares really well to one on the adjacent door - the new one was shinny, but could be shaken open (by not having the return to hold the bold in the locked position).  tttt = when need we to be cautious about innovations making things worse. Great design is a result of more than aesthetic - it must have a great function too.

WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?

7 Feb 2007
We have been drinking a bit of tea this week - sweating through some knotty issues with some clients (such as using the ideas behind Knowledge Management to help some NHS organisations make a breakthrough in serving patients).  tttt = what do you choose to focus on?  What traditions or theories do you use to help you?

WHEN IS INSTANT BEST?

30 Jan 2007
This photo was taken by an 11 year one Sunday morning.  It is composed wonderfully - but was taken in an instant.  No clever choreography.  It was turned into a pdf A3 poster with a new strapline in moments.  tttt = this demonstrates the importance of intuition (see Blink! ) but also of trying again and again.  It was one of many photos taken 11am one Sunday morning in January!

THE MOON IN A NEW LIGHT

27 Jan 2007
Seeing something different in the familiar...this week the whole moon was slightly visible, even though only this thin eclipse was bright...the rest of the sphere could be seen too, probably due to the clear and crisp atmosphere.  tttt= under what conditions can we see things afresh?  How can we prepare ourselves to see things anew?


BIG BROTHER RUMBLES

26 Jan 2007
This is a shocking cover.  tttt = There is a fragile but clear demarcation between confronting unacceptable behaviour and becoming part of the victim, bully, rescuer pattern (see the 'Drama Triangle' in Berne's writings on Transactional Analysis).  In Heron's work on confronting he talks of the fine line between pussyfooting and clobbering - rather he offers the scope to be honest and truthful, whilst managing our anxiety and rage.

A GREAT 'CARTOON'?

25 Jan 2007
This is from a satirist in India - from the Guardian.  tttt = where are you on Big Brother?  One of the defining moments of British history and our relationship with class and ethnicity - or merely an irrelevant high-jacking of 'proper news'?

WORKING ON VENTURES

24 Jan 2007
Here we are walking around Barrington near Cambridge with one of our venture partners after lunch today.  We are currently exploring a number of ideas for this country and abroad.  tttt = what are the limits of your imagination?  We are considering 'sticking to our knitting' and frying foreign fish (really).   Opening our minds as fully as possible is our venture challenge for January.

AN OLD RESOURCE

20 Jan 2007
We are finding that this resource is proving pretty popular.  My Beautiful Career was written in 2002 for doctors facing disadvantage due to disability, disease or discrimination.  It applied the principles of scenario planning to life and career choices. tttt= what do you want to achieve, really want? What might get in your way?

GET IT?

tttt: You are your brand...what is your promise...do you live it?
18 Jan 2007

MADE US SMILE

13 Jan 2007
Not sure what the tttt is here...but this mouse made us smile!  From the cheese board at Highgate House (one of our fave Thinking Spaces)

GETTING YOUR MESSAGE OVER

11 Jan 2007
This was spotted on the inside of a toilet door in the mens loos at Luton Airport!  Apart from the scatological associations of the image, we do wonder about the positive brand association of this approach.  tttt= do you trust the experts to get it right (in this case marketing professionals)?  What would a better way for M&S to use this space have been?

MAKING IT DIFFERENT IN 2007

9 Jan 2007
We are impressed with this Boots booklet - with a real synergy with Power of the Positive - and also this edited version (click link) of the workbook produced for the British Medial Journal 5 years ago - to help doctors facing disability, disadvantage and discrimination.  tttt= what uncertainties do you face in your life, how robust do you feel to cope with them, and how can you overcome them and achieve what you want?

GET IT?

7 January 2007
We are just about to go into a set of projects that are all concenred with the issue of how is knowledge used within a team, organisation or system.  Each is concerned with a version of the question 'what if you knew what everyone knows'.  We are brining our interest in both the supply and demand side of learning.  Crucial for us is the role of curiosity.  This image is a screen grab of an old slide.  We do not believe that information is power.  We are happy to share our ideas.  And are not very keen to trademark or copyright (in case the irony below is not clear!).  tttt= what are you curious about?  When faced with a new challenge what do you do?  How many questions do you ask of others a day?  Do you prize innovation or copying?  Telling or asking?  We have started writing an idenk think piece on 'Knowledge Managment' (in the style of The Power of Positive Thought).

WHICH WAY TO GO?

6 January 2007
Deciding new year resolutions is a great opportunity at the start of the year.  tttt: With the right thinking it is possible to have a breakthrough and a new direction.

NEW IMAGE FOR idenk

3 January 2007
A number of folk have remarked on the shift in our image - keeping the basic logo idea but shifting the font and case.  This photo is another train one - with image of the desktop use of old logo. tttt = continuity and change; familiarity and freshness; old and new...at this early part in the year how do you see yourself, what is your promise, how is it shifting, what do you want to share?

GEARING UP TO GET GOING

2 January 2007
Happy New Year.  And to start - this is a photo from 2004 (thanks Roland, inspired by wine tasting shot)...making the point about working on the go.  tttt = what technology or relationships have you discovered over the festive time that will help you work more productively?  We have completed developing our web survey tool - that will help us collect and sum opinions. We are also looking forward to the new pattern of our working week to balance being near and far; and consulting with ventures.

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM idenk

23 December 2006

XMAS TREE AT STANSTED AIRPORT

tttt= What determines the choice of tree shape in our public places?  Here criteria of sturdy and striking seem key.  Oh, and idenk colours again!
22 December 2006

A TREE IN IDENK COLOURS - at a café in Cambridge
tttt= We all see what we want to see, everywhere, at all times.
21 December 2006

ANOTHER XMAS SCENE

Dusk at Cambridge Guildhall - with a tree, and the top of Kings College Chapel.  Thing to think through(tttt): how do fashions emerge....why the interest in simple, small white lights at Christmas?
20 December 2006

RURAL IDYLL?

A walk in the country.  A mid evening stroll with our 'Thinking Space in a Box' (or at least the two idenk pink dolly trolleys).
All in a tasteful underpass in Bracknell.
19 December 2006

TREES IN WHATEVER YOU SEE?

A ‘tree of flame’ from Christmas bonfire (with a little star of Bethlehem in top left corner)
18 December 2006

SEEING THROUGH FUNKY FESTIVE FOLIAGE?

An alternative take on the Xmas tree - from Steve O'Neill (done for some radiological clients).
17 December 2006

ARE WE HEADING FOR ANOTHER MELTDOWN?

A painting from those post dot.com bubble days.
16 December 2006
 

ANOTHER XMAS TREE

Setting up at a Bracknell Hotel...for a client.
15 December 2006

AWARD WINNING T SHIRT

The Radio 5 Live T shirt of the year...as worn at Mitcham's Corner - thanks Steve.
14 December 2006

SEASONS  GREETINGS - TREE COMPARISONS

Have you a great Xmas tree photo to share?
13 December 2006

KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

If the speed of spread of a great idea is an example of a community using its knowledge, then the adoption of this sort of novel notice in newsagents around the world is striking.  We first noticed this method in a toilet (!) in Addenbrookes Hospital Cambridge a few years ago.  Now we see it wherever we travel - from France to Finsbury Park.  Does anyone know where it started?
12 December 2006

TOASTING THE LIGHT

A striking chandelier at The Barnsbury, Islington.
11 December 2006

THE UBIQUITOUS MOTHER TERESA

St Paul's Church Notice Board - by our Cambridge client meeting rooms.
10 December 2006
 

BIGGING UP BEHAVIOUR

In a number of projects at the moment we are considering the behaviour of staff.
From being curious and passionate for improvement to taking positive and proactive approaches to team-working.
9 December 2006

MOVING ON FROM OUR FIRST WEB SITE

We hope you think the new site is an improvement!
8 December 2006

WHEN GREAT DESIGN IS APPLIED TO EVEREADY OBJECTS

Here is Cambridge's award winning public loo - and café!
This is en route from the train station.
8 December 2006

VALUE FOR MONEY?

The built in dysfunction and obsolescence of a modern TV - at five times the price of the trailer pictured will last 20 years!
7 December 2006

BEING SAFE IN A PUBLIC PLACE?

How many name badges have you for one building?
6 DECEMBER 2006
Double Security...Being Safe in a Public Place

HOME WORK BALANCE?  RESOLVING THE DILEMMA?

Missing a Cambridge Wine Merchants wine tasting because of a work commitment, we got round it by the wine coming to us - on a train.
5 December 2006

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