How to Respond When You’re Put on the Spot in a Meeting

Paul Axtell | being put on the spot during a meeting can be an unwelcome surprise | but if you’re prepared to speak up and say something useful, you can turn it into an opportunity to show your expertise | before your next meeting, look through the agenda and write some notes about questions you have and any points you might raise | if you’re called on in the meeting, speak slowly and confidently, and introduce your comments with some context so that colleagues know where you are headed | of course, if someone asks you a question that catches you off guard, don’t be afraid to say you don’t know the answer | practice some simple responses for these moments: “I don’t have that information, but I will get it to you by 1 PM.” And always end by asking, “Did I answer your question?” | Paul Axtell

https://hbr.org/2018/04/how-to-respond-when-youre-put-on-the-spot-in-a-meeting?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_not_activesubs&referral=00203&deliveryName=DM10299

Why Design Thinking Won't Solve All Your Innovation Problems

Amantha Imber | Design thinking won't create a culture for innovation | Design thinking won't provide you with time and a budget | Design thinking won't provide you with an innovation strategy | Design thinking won't disruption-proof your business | Design thinking won't motivate your staff to innovate | Amantha Imber

fot. Komnata podróżnika_Tomasz Sętowski_olej na płótnie

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/316123

Can You Explain Your Startup’s Great Idea?

Karen Mazurkewich | startup and technical business leaders often don’t tell their innovation stories well | they rely too much on industry jargon and complex detail to get their points across | this is a huge missed opportunity | when you’re doing good work, you want people to know about it | so whether you’re drafting website copy, a marketing brochure, or a press release, follow a few rules | use simple language to communicate your message | don’t cram many ideas into one story or release. Keep it simple, and build your narrative one idea at a time | consider hiring professional storytellers. Seek out writers who have crafted op-eds or articles for a variety of publications. It’s not easy to tell stories about complicated topics, but doing so is essential if you want your company’s work to be recognized | Karen Mazurkewich

https://hbr.org/2018/04/technical-experts-need-to-get-better-at-telling-stories?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_not_activesubs&referral=00203&deliveryName=DM9730

10 Lessons Learned From 10(ish) Years of Running My Own Design Firm

| play the long game, emotionally and financially | no fancy sh*t | keep your pricing easy | set up a system of safety nets so you can fail | focus on the problem, not on making it pretty | cheer the competition | make time to meet people | read your face off | #elbowgrease fixes almost everything | bonus tip: remember, it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll |

https://99u.adobe.com/articles/59304/10-lessons-learned-from-10ish-years-of-running-my-own-design-firm

Orange Is the New Black

| in the stress of our day-to-day lives, it’s all too rare to stop and appreciate the sunset | it’s a shame, too — because there’s nothing quite like taking a moment to feel the day’s worries fade with the warm light as your mind and body adjust to the rhythm of the evening | take a moment to appreciate that liminal space between day and night, and allow yourself to enjoy the warmth of sunset orange |

fot. Sunset on the Sea by John Frederick Kensett, 1872, oil on canvas

https://www.artistsnetwork.com/art-history/sunset-orange-color-story/?k=h6k0ZpwNl43rwWLxM4Yyg%2FRVstEOZ%2BLVGF2fqS36l3A%3D&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=arn-cja-nl-180703