„W O R D S create W O R L D S - and when they collide they create value.“

This week the worlds of business and fine arts collided in Breda: some of St.Joost’s graduating students and the Imagineering Masterclass 2009/2010 met for a 2-day workshop in order to envision and visualise the future of our application companies.
“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants; Brands in 2015” – the header under which the workshop took place was a pilot project in order to start co-creation amongst different areas of expertise, so that the upcoming master years in Imagineering have a solid and creative basis for mingling their knowledge with professional design skills. As we learned in one of our first weeks in class, both managers and designers have to expand their knowledge and skills into more areas. A combination of design and strategic management therefore does not seem so devious; it even is suggested! Ultimately, it is not a coincidence that Imagineering is called a ‘design approach’…
Being invited to the building of St.Joost was the first real chance to change perspectives. I remember walking in with some classmates the first day: feeling a bit like tourists, being fascinated from this old abbey hidden somewhere between highway and forests. It was huge, giving students space to move and think, giving me back the feeling of old school days and giving inspirations in form of design projecs at nearly each corner. The entire building had a black/white scale, but exactly that brought the creative projects of its students to the fore.

DAY I: Analysis
We started off with some ‘gezellig’ (that’s what the Dutch people say for something like ‘cosy’) introduction including coffee, tea, cookies and some small talk for getting to know each other. In total we were a group of more or less 20 students and four teachers/coordinators. After that the more formal part came with introducing our studies to each other. We students were responsible to come up with presentation of our studies, the teachers guided us. In addition we followed an interesting lecture from Marco Bevolo about socio-cultural values and how they will look like in five years from now. Bevolo was employed ten years at Philips in the Netherlands and gave us some tipps and tricks on how to approach best the upcoming hours. After lunch, which was used to socialize and find some matches amongst the St. Joost students, we started off with the actual analysis part of the day. It was at us Imagineers (the storytellers) to give the designers (the interpreters) a solid basis for their work. With our knowledge and research about our application companies we defined a so-called “degree zero”, a starting point reflecting where the company stands at this point of time. From there on we tried to develop a concept for the same brand and how it should look like in the future. The visualisation was at the designers, the vision at us. Two hours later, many ideas more and a starting point richer we presented our results to the teachers. Another two hours later we left the design world and went home into our own wolrds, being curious about the upcoming day…

DAY II: Creativity
The second and last day started the same way as the one before, but included even more creative freedom for us. After a wrap-up we could start again where we ended. All of us were very eager and enjoyed working into the direction we defined with our analysis and it was great to see that it became clearer with every hour. In the end we were supposed to come up with a ‘visual passport’ that reflects our application company in 5 years after having applied Imagineering. In the lunch break we were all remarkably quiet, I guess our energy was mainly put into our projects and the newly gained energy was saved for the rest of the day to finalize what we started. At 4pm we proudly presented our results. Me and my team developed ‘McConnect’, a connecting platform for international students at one of the McDonald’s restaurants in Breda. Others also came up with simple but catchy concepts, such as creating the image of the Dutch airport (schiphol) as a small city that connects many places and people, or a real city that wants to make the core values more visible. Another concept was DAVE. DAVE symbolized a loner out of America, striving to fulfil the American Dream. But instead of fulfilling it in the States, he went to an Indian city which was an application company of one Imagineering student. In the end the results were satisfying, we were satisfied and the last days were about to end. That called for some drinks!
Leaving the old abbey, I took a lot of impressions but also appreciation with me. Not only the building, but also the design students inspired me for my project and taught me how important it is to take a step out of your own world and take a glimpse into another. Letting our worlds collide, we created something tangible for my company but also something valuable for me: a much clearer insight of what I really want to do with Imagineering at my application company and how it could look like. I was amazed that there are more creative heads, just around the corner! Sometimes things are so close but still so far away - until you (or in our case the Imagineering Academy) take(s) the initiative to trespass the boarders. I guess the theme of NHTV of ‘Discover your world’ could be expanded to ‘Discover your world and those of others’…
Sitting here and typing these lines I think bringing together these two worlds is similar to me being here in the Netherlands: Important in both cases is to elaborate on a common level of language. One world uses these words and attaches this meaning, the other world othes those words and attaches that meaning. Common vocabulary has to be co-created so that you can connect on a different but very interesting level which in the end makes you broaden your own horizon. In any case you gotta be open for the unknown, be appreciative and not judging but rather be curious and passionated about new things, see them as challenges that deliver some great experiences you will never forget. And in the end these are the things that make you become who you are.

Can it get any more exciting???

Hello World,

Seriously, can it get any more exciting? or complicated? or crazy?

Seems like everything is coming together at the same time... We're working on the most important asignments for the RMC, which should be the cornerstone for our BTR, in which we'll be working on for the upcoming 5-6 months, so a lot of reading and fun writing for the next couple of weeks, also the Carnival is almost here, you can see costumes sold everywhere, so how not to get excited, then there's of course South Africa, just around the corner..... and.... hold your breath.... Oh yes!!! Let's not forget about the EXAM!!!!!

And for me personally and to make things worse... all that's on my mind right now is the Super Bowl XLIV which will be played in Miami, between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints, both teams feature Highly-powered offenses... My pick: Indianapolis will win... but it will be an exciting game with lots of points.... But let me tell you something about being a hardcore NFL fan and living in Europe.... it's definetely not good for your sleeping habits... Super Bowl Kickoff is at 5 pm in America, which is great for America, but for me it means that the game starts at 1 am, plus the Halftime show which will feature The Who.... I'm probably going to bed at around 5 am. Not the best way to begin study week but I wouldn't miss this game for anything in the world....

In the mean time, some of us are taking a break on Friday afternoon to go to the Movies to watch "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" and enjoy some free drinks and snacks provided by the kind folks of our local Cinema. The movie should be interesting, not just for the name but because it was the movie that Heath Ledger was shooting at the time of his mysterious death. Most of the scenes had already been shot, but still there was no way to finish the movie as planned, after some time the director decided to go on, but he had to go on with some new ideas and new actors, Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell took on Heath L's character in the new scenes. The result should be very interesting with such good actors....

Stay tuned...

Xavier

Let's co-create

What is co-creation? How to implement it within a real organization? It is easier to say than perform. This week, we have experience a Co-creation Masterclass with Martijn Staal and Slooten. It is an interesting lecture. Because this subject is so new, so we heard only few examples such as Dell, Martijn Staal’s story, achmea “The Brain Room”. Of course, we see the co-creation is everywhere on the internet or even in our local, town or city, ect. But do we realize it or not? We have passed from one to another co-creation event or process as such our conventional activities and then forget it or remember it as a memory. 

Internet has given people around the world a bigger chance than ever to co-create and together build up a better world. There are facebook, youtube, hyves, linkedin, and thousands and thousands forums, blogs which were created to connect people and will be more. Thus we see co-creation is everywhere. How do we implement it in a company or an organization in which we are working or participate? This is what Imagineering students have learned, POST methodology. Theory is never enough, so practical assignments are needed. We worked on assignment 1 to fortify our theory knowledge of half POST model; it means only PO (people and objectives). Then each group presents their concept to share idea and give commend each other. Part 2 is the most exciting one, ST (strategy and technology) part. How do we apply technology and strategy create an accomplish platform of co-creation for the company or the organization. The final result uh? ……….. to me nothing more valuable than an experience of sharing idea and a fun lecture. These are also the core elements of co-creation.

Now is time to come back to the study program. I have nothing to tell other than WOWh. WOWh here is not perfect, amazing or wonderful. It is a WOWh of a range of literatures which are waiting for me to read and a lot of things for me to do such as RMC, ITR, BTR, ect. Sharing a bit my thought with you to release stresses and then I come back with my affair. Hope everyone a good weekend and then come back with our Imagineering journey. For those who are not Imaginers, have fun and let co-creation.

Tu

The Way of the Web

Dear Everybody,

Recently we have been talking nearly every single day about web 2.0, 3.0 or whatever name one would like to attach to it. Of course given the developments globally within this field, it is, and remains a very interesting topic to talk, think, and dream about. Certainly if we look at the potential it has in line with our thoughts about business and life.

Today has provided me with a number of insights on this very subject. Insights I found worth sharing on the blog. Hope you guys agree. Bear with me for this article, as my thoughts deviate quite often. Character flaw perhaps..

Anyhow. Today, one of my fellow future Imagineers presented a book called: “we think”. Likely a title that sounds familiar or rings a bell. Btw, interesting presentation Bram! Here we go, first deviation.

Now, this book basically deals with the potential of the web 2.0 and how it will influence our lives. Whether or not it is that revolutionary tool so many claim it to be. Me including. If we let our minds flow, an endless array of opportunities pass by. We can see worlds open up now and in the future. We can see people and communities connecting which we could not have imagined 10 years ago. Or should I say 12 years ago when google was first introduced to us. Just 12 years ago. I usually catch myself smiling and daydreaming about this subject, as I find it an incredibly interesting, intriguing subject. It amazes me with what speed people come up with the most far sought, however useful, applications to be used online. Can you recall life before google?

Of course relating this all back to Imagineering, the internet or web 2.0 if you will, has been and is a catalyser, facilitator and supporter of the Imagineering way of thinking. It causes organizations to rethink their business model. Everybody is all of a sudden able to produce whatever they want, wherever they want and in the form they want. Internet being the absolute Icon for co-creation. Few examples being ‘Youtube’ or for instance ‘Wikipedia’ as mentioned today in the discussion about “we think”. Another example I find incredibly illustrating; ‘couchsurfing’. This for the reason that it is being run by, correct me if I am wrong, just under 10 people.(of course co-managed by all its users) Imagine this 20 years ago. How big would this company have to be to be able to deliver the same thing they do today…

For anyhow interested in these stream of thoughts and haven’t seen the ‘Did you know’ movies.( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpEnFwiqdx8)

Web 2.0 had and has a general positive feel to it because of the unlimited possibilities. And along side this, it is said to empower the powerless. Everybody is able to make a distinction. To achieve whatever goal one has with very limited need for supporting means. From becoming a new born millionaire, to starting political movements and/or other communities. I mean, Obama funded a great deal of his campaign through online communities. Perhaps not the best example of empowering the powerless(or perhaps the best example, give or take an interpretation), but it shows the potential and the recognition of its power by, by now, the president of the united states.

So what could this all mean to the third world? How could we use the potential to better the world and make it one happy place? With all these unlimited possibilities, we are opening our doors to share our knowledge and wisdom with the world! Are we?....

Multiple interpretation are possible. Today, Bram highlighted some views of critics of the web which were discussed in the book ‘We Think’. It made me think. When I got home, I was browsing the internet and found the following newsitem: http://www.nu.nl/internet/2165387/nederland-blijft-in-top-internetlanden.html

Apologies for the non-dutch speaking. Let me summarize it very briefly as my post is getting kind of long. Daydreaming, so many differing thoughts being the cause of it…

The item starts of by mentioning the top countries if it comes to internet penetration. And guess what, we are number four!! Lucky us. Now a little further down it mentions the average penetration worldwide. A mere 5%, that’s it. With a note attached to it that there are still 99 countries with an internet penetration of less than 1%.

Now what does this mean for these countries. Are we bridging gaps as the western world or are we actually widening them. As an (future) Imagineer I am approaching this question in an appreciative manner, and focus on the opportunities and good things internet can and has achieved. However, it is very easy to ask yourself; are we widening the gap between rich and poor because of the opportunities that web 2.0 brings us and not the millions if not billions on the planet that could really benefit if….

So I would like to end this uncontrolled stream of thoughts by rephrasing this very question through the lens of appreciative inquiry into: How can we as the western world, enable the ones who lack the benefit of an internet connection now and in the coming years, to optimally benefit from the endless array of opportunities the web brings?

Thanks for bearing with me. Hope I made you think.

Grts,

Joep Peeters

Best Design

In the last Block of Creativity there was an interesting topic for discussion, towards its end. The Guest Lecturer asked all of us to come up with the Best Design we could think of. First thing that came to me was, “We” - the human beings. But then one can argue that we didn’t design it, or that we are making the best out of an existing design.

After going through the rigorous programme of RMC (Research Methodology Course) which runs parallel with rest of the programme, I had this natural tendency to do some research before I wrote something. But I have resisted this temptation and decided that I would jot down what ever comes on the fly. Last thing I want to do is to do an academic research before I write a cool blog. Probably this would be the last text I would be scripting without references. I can imagine what my state would be with regard to evaluation of content at the end of the programme, if you know what state I am in, half way.

Coming back to the topic, I ruled out myself the argument of human being as the best design, since we have no contribution to this design. One can still argue that we designed ourselves though the process of evolution, shedding the useless and enhancing the useful.

Next best thing I could think of was Fire, yes, that’s it, Fire we all know. Again we didn’t design fire, neither did we design Wood. We use wood a natural resource to design things to our convenience, so is fire. I think fire has become such an integral part of our life that, taming fire, to be produced at our convenience is being taken for granted. I can’t imagine where progress we talk about would have been, if we still have to eat raw vegetables & meat and waiting for ever it to digest. Lightening, thunder and water currents are astonishing phenomenons of nature as well, it is just that we are yet to tame it. Though we are now learning to make best use of wind and sun.

I don’t want to elaborate on this; I would now leave to the imagination of the reader.

I give Fire and taming fire, a perfect ten, for the best design, which perfectly fits all the prerequisites by definition of my mankind for design, in its attempt to define everything within the frame work of words. 

:-) Kishore

'Be what you are'...

2010... is about being what you are.
Understanding your abilities and being the best of you isn't always easy. Assessment @ the imagineering academy can amaze you to the extend that you are stunned and overwhelmed by the insights about yourself. At least, that was my experience. As soon as I walked out the room where my coach and school director did my assessment,  I almost got emotional about the things they said. Carlijn, you do great but it seems like you're driving a car with not one but five seatbelts on.... 'Please don't always drive on the safe side, cause it won't get you to that next place where you want to be'....
That's me !!!! was the thought that came up in my head. I felt vunerable by the way they both got under my skin. My weak spot was struck for the first time. I normally get the confirmation of doing well (interships, classes, projects etc.). However nobody ever told me that I was staying in my comfort zone and should step out to really become that person I am feeling I am but is not always shown to others.
That does not mean of course that I'm not myself. I am, but there is more to see... more to discover..but only if I take my chances. So 2010 is about being what I am and more...


Carlijn

Welcome 2010!

To start the blog for the first week of 2010, at first all the best wishes for the New Year! I hope it will be an inspiring, creative and successful year. With a little retrospect on 2009 we prepare ourselves for the future.

December was a busy month. Besides of course all the great Christmas parties and New Years Eve we were all very busy with studying for our second exam, assessment and some of us with preparing their book presentations. Looking back on this month and being honest, we were all looking forward to our well deserved vacation.

2009 was the year in which we all chose to participate in a new challenging program, each of us with different reasons for being here. Despite, or even because of this we became a very strong group within a short period of time: we support each other, we have fun together, learn a lot together and co-create our futures. I believe the reason for that is because we share a passion: Imagineering!
Enough with praising 2009, we now live in 2010!

Week 1 was a good start into the second phase, Organisation Transformation: Innovation Management was introduced to us by Sören Kaplan. Wow, this guy is very interesting! What he taught the first day seemed to be quite simple, easy and fun. In the end though, it all turned out to have an important message beyond: look out of the box.

By acting according to the rules, doing things the way they are always done, you set your focus on just one thing. Of course focus is good but it could be that you might missing some important things that happen around you. For a company to keep up with the world it is acting in it is important to not just focus on processing your own actions but look around and see what is happening outside your company. The world around you is part of your future and you have to be aware of that there is more than just one perspective.

This day already enlightened us in this new year and gave us refreshing input from that American guy who seems to be quite successful as he is working with many big companies such as HP and Colgate. After that external input, we provided ourselves with our own input: we students finished the day with our book presentations. ‘Grown up digital, One fine line, What’s the secret and the Creative city’ - we all shared the most important parts of the content with each other.

I did a presentation about the book ‘Grown up digital’. It is about meeting the ‘Net Generation’ (the so-called ‘Generation X’ which has grown up with internet, computers, iPod, Facebook etc.). The book’s bottom line is that if you understand this generation, you will understand the future. I found it an really interesting, easy to read book and if you are not a part of the Net Generation I would definitely recommend reading it to take a look into the heads of this new generation. Same the other way around: for those who have grown up digital it is worthy to see that not everything we take for granted in today’s digital world is obvious the way it is. Also the fact that we can handle all the digital stuff easily is not as easy for everybody.

Thursday and Friday we also had interesting lectures of Sören Kaplan. He taught us a lot about business models and on Friday we spent the whole day very appreciative in the workshop of appreciative inquiry. These three days were already very inspiring to me; I learned a lot of useful theories and techniques to apply later on in my application company. For me it is very helpful that he uses a lot of examples and lets us practice with several techniques. Next week we have one more day to go with him and I know for sure that even now that it is very cold outside with all the snow and ice, it wouldn’t bother me to leave my warm bed to be present at the Imagineering Academy.

To close down the week I want to say that it was good and felt nice to have a couple of days off, but now we are all back in business I remember again why I am here. Every day is an inspiring, creative and definitely a challenging day, so I can’t wait to see what’s next.

Lieke van der Zanden