Archive for: August, 2012

Is critical thinking irrelevant because of social media?

developing critical thinking skills

Here’s my answer Steve:

It’s a circular orbit in every sense. It has made more obvious what we already know: Critical thinking is non-existent on the web. Or anywhere else for that matter.

And it comes back to the same tune we’ve talking about for what seems like forever: Where all think alike, nobody thinks too much.

We’ve gotten to the point where people are passing around dogmas freely. Even in areas where there is supposed to be critical thinking, there is a complete lack perspective. I’m also starting to see that most think that the only ones who should have perspective are scientists, poets, philosophers and such. Simply because they have more “free time” to think.

In reality, time for reflection is a valuable skill we should cultivate in others.

How can a business differentiate without changing the product itself?

How can a business differentiate without changing the product itself?

Via Quora: What can you change in a business that is strong enough to differentiate the business from all competitors, but without touching the product itself?

For example,

  • GILT, changed PRICE but didn’t change product, and opened a niche for discounted designer clothes.
  • Phones International, changed the DISTRIBUTION MODEL of the mobile phone industry but it didn’t change the product (cell phones), and opened a niche for ‘single brand distribution.
  • The Book People, changed the TARGET CUSTOMERS, but didn’t change the product (books), and opened a niche selling books to corporate clients.
  • Adwords, changed the BUSINESS MODEL, but didn’t change the product (display ads), and opened a niche for ‘performance advertising’.

These are significant differences that not only differentiate the companies from all the others, but disrupted the market in some way.

What other variables can you change in a business in this way?

How are these variables called?

Where can I learn more about this?

Must read innovation posts of the week: Mintzberg on What’s Wrong with Management

Must read innovation posts of the week: Mintzberg on What’s Wrong with Management

Storified by Jorge Barba · Sat, Aug 25 2012 20:19:03

Bringing Science to the Art of Strategy http://s.hbr.org/SNCHmy #playingtowinHarvard Biz Review
#Leadership Alert – Mintzberg on What’s Wrong with Management http://ow.ly/1m8bkySoren Kaplan
Business Model Innovation Through Process Change http://s.hbr.org/NWwmDsHarvard Biz Review
Orgs need complementary #innovation systems – my latest: Evolutionary and Revolutionary #Innovation – http://bit.ly/Pd3nMGRalph-Christian Ohr
There are two sides to the equation of shaping #innovation – http://bit.ly/Pgn7iFPaul Hobcraft
How to Design Culture: 16 Patterns to Build Adaptive Learning Organizations. http://feedly.com/k/NYiwR2 #organizationaldesignNilofer Merchant

If you like these links, check out all the previous “Innovation Must Reads of the Week“. And don’t forget to

the customer experience is