Management Blog

Building business creativity

Creativity isn't just for artists; it's an asset businesses can use to drive innovation provided managers are in tune with their workers emotions, according to HBS Working Knowledge.

The article rejects the idea that creativity is a magical entity, claiming instead that it's a learnable attribute provided a person is motivated to build their creativity abilities.

The article's authors also identify a link between emotion and creativity, claiming positive emotions result in high levels of creative output.

It's suggested managers can foster creativity at work by being in tune with their knowledge workers' thoughts, perceptions, emotions and motivations – all forces that directly affect creativity.

Review calls for more innovation support

A recent Federal Government review has found increased support is necessarily to facilitate the commercialisation of research and development, Smart Company reports.

The review identified Australian small business owners as being natural-born innovators who are being held back by a lack of Government support.

To help innovators who aren't necessarily business people, innovation think-tank Innovic say increased business skills training programs should also be on the Government's agenda.

Next generation sticky notes

The humble sticky note has been given a digital makeover, Trendhunter reports.

Reusable Ixp-Notes feature a glowing strip for users to scribble on as well as the ability to set time and date reminders that flash and beep on cue.

Inventor Lyndsay Williams says Ixp-Notes aren't just for office uses; it's suggested they will be extremely useful for people suffering from severe memory loss, such as Alzheimer's patients.

Downloadable scents tested in Japan

Ready to dial up a new smell for your office or lounge room? The idea might soon be a reality thanks to Japanese telco NTT, which is currently testing downloadable fragrances.

According to CNN, the innovative service involves the use of a device similar to a plug-in air freshener that's loaded with a cartridge of base fragrances.

When a scent is downloaded, the infrared communications enabled gadget mixes and then emits the selected smell; users are able to choose from scent playlist via a mobile phone or over the internet.

Merging with your mobile

Is there a cyborg in your future? The inventor of the mobile phone believes we will eventually have wireless communications devices embedded into our bodies, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

Former Motorola researcher Martin Cooper, who invented the mobile phone 35 years ago, also believes we'll possess the ability to think about calling a person and the phone will automatically dial.

One of the benefits of embedded technology according to Cooper is the resolution of phone power consumption problems, as the body will generate all the energy needed to fuel our internal phones.

However, Cooper does see some obstacles to the take up of such technology, the most obvious being a resistance on behalf of phone user's to physically link themselves to the technology.

Never get lost in the supermarket again

German software developer SAP has developed mobile phone technology that helps shoppers identify where products are stocked in supermarkets, The Australian reports.

Upon entering a supermarket SAP's shopping aide downloads an inventory list and aisle map that can then be used to identify the physical location of items.

The technology also determines the most efficient route through the supermarket and reveals the availability and price of products on the customer's shopping list.

The world's healthiest executive toy?

The makers of the Walkstation - a walking machine/workstation - are hoping to convince office workers to exercise as they work, I.D. magazine reports.

The new product is basically a computer-equipped treadmill that offers a maximum speed of 3.2 km an hour in order to keep the user's heart beating at a steady rate.

The Walkstation features a height adjustable monitor, slide out keyboard tray and polyurethane pads for users' wrists to sit on.

It is not suggested the Walkstation would replace a traditional desk, instead its envisaged as a 'hot desk' option for workers keen to stay in shape while on the job.

New FMCGs aren't taking off

The number of fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) increased by 69 per cent last year but few are winning over new customers, The Daily Telegraph reports.

It's claimed overall sales of FMCGs rose by just 4.7 per cent last year, an indication that only a small number of new products were successful.

Experts say this lack of sales success is due to a dearth of meaningful product innovation as well as a lack of emphasis being placed on changing consumer behaviour.

Rather than undertaking 'brand housekeeping' (for example new packaging or favours), experts say brands must gain an insight into consumer needs and tailor products accordingly.

Unveiling tomorrow's gadgets

A host of new technologies were showcased at the influential Consumers Electronics Show, held in Las Vegas earlier this month, The Age reports.

Here are just a few of the devices unveiled:

Wearable hotspots - t-shirts made from fabric embedded with LED technology to inform the wearer of wifi hotspots

Mirror mirror - crystal clear LCD televisions that look like mirrors when not switched on; may also be fitted into kitchen benches

Sugar power - Sony has introduced a battery cell that generates electricity from sugar with enough grunt to power an MP3 player

Electronic books - wireless e-books with refreshable paper-toned screens; books and newspapers can be downloaded 

Super sunnies - TV spectacles that project high resolution, full colour video on the inside of the lenses

Introducing the pocket projector

Forget fluffing around with laptops and projectors, displaying your next PowerPoint presentation may be as easy as pulling a matchbox sized gadget out of your pocket.

It's claimed mobile phone manufacturers will soon be releasing attachments that project video onto walls or GPS map images onto surfaces such as desktops.

The technology, which has been developed by 3M, is set to be available within the next few months at 'reasonable prices', news.com.au reports.

Beyond business applications, it claimed younger people will love the technology as they will be able to quickly share videos and photos with groups of friends.