In these times of fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories everyone needs to improve the ability to review and understand information. With social media providing never-ending, instant information, we are all becoming lazy as we digest opinions, superficial descriptions, and outright lies. Most of us have not had formal critical thinking education or training. Therefore, most of us form opinions based on often erroneous information and meaning. Understanding and applying critical thinking empowers you to identify weak evidence and debunk faulty reasoning, evaluate information properly, let go of preconceived opinions, and avoid overconfidence based on experience and beliefs.

In these times of fake news, misinformation, and conspiracy theories everyone needs to improve the ability to review and understand information. With social media providing never-ending, instant information, we are all becoming lazy as we digest opinions, superficial descriptions, and outright lies. Most of us have not had formal critical thinking education or training. Therefore, most of us form opinions based on often erroneous information and meaning. Understanding and applying critical thinking empowers you to identify weak evidence and debunk faulty reasoning, evaluate information properly, let go of preconceived opinions, and avoid overconfidence based on experience and beliefs.

EP 060: Critical Thinking 101

The Positive Revolution is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation. Positive people develop a mental capacity that allows them to easily adapt during adversity. They develop a set of powerful mental traits. Life is about overcoming obstacles. The more you can focus on the positive of every situation, the less stressed and worried you will be.

The Positive Revolution is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation. Positive people develop a mental capacity that allows them to easily adapt during adversity. They develop a set of powerful mental traits. Life is about overcoming obstacles. The more you can focus on the positive of every situation, the less stressed and worried you will be.

EP 059: Positive Mindset

Creativity is not solely about being an artist. Everyone needs to be creative just as much as musicians, ballet dancers, or sculptors. Creative thinking is a crucial skill for Positive Revolutionists. Creating new businesses, new products and services, solving problems, or, improving processes, require creative thinking skills. Generating and implementing new ideas is critical to improving yourself and the world. Most people greatly underuse creativity based on the conditioning processes of society, educational systems, and business organizations.

Creativity is not solely about being an artist. Everyone needs to be creative just as much as musicians, ballet dancers, or sculptors. Creative thinking is a crucial skill for Positive Revolutionists. Creating new businesses, new products and services, solving problems, or, improving processes, require creative thinking skills. Generating and implementing new ideas is critical to improving yourself and the world. Most people greatly underuse creativity based on the conditioning processes of society, educational systems, and business organizations.

EP 058: Creative Thinking 101

Changing the future is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation. For example, if you get a flat tyre on your car, you can be angry and upset. Or you can realize it is a great opportunity to get some exercise and be glad it did not cause an accident. Negativity is habitual. The real challenge is finding positivity in every situation. Nothing is negative unless you think it is negative. It all starts with your mindset and how you focus on things.

Changing the future is not only about learning new skills and applying them to creatively solve problems. It is about developing a positive mindset to change the way you approach life. Unfortunately, most of us focus on the negative, rather than looking for the positives, even in a challenging situation. For example, if you get a flat tyre on your car, you can be angry and upset. Or you can realize it is a great opportunity to get some exercise and be glad it did not cause an accident. Negativity is habitual. The real challenge is finding positivity in every situation. Nothing is negative unless you think it is negative. It all starts with your mindset and how you focus on things.

EP 057: Positivity

In this episode Dr. O discusses the loss of RBG, the ongoing battle against COVID and the growing complacency of people, possibly resulting in a return to more stringent lockdowns. Dr. O also provides an update on his progress with The Positive Revolution and why a move away from negativity and destruction is critical to everyone's future. And he wraps up by reminding everyone to take advantage of COVID and focus on self-improvement. Dr. O shares his recent motorcycle adventure training, and his personal growth riding big bikes off-road.

In this episode Dr. O discusses the loss of RBG, the ongoing battle against COVID and the growing complacency of people, possibly resulting in a return to more stringent lockdowns. Dr. O also provides an update on his progress with The Positive Revolution and why a move away from negativity and destruction is critical to everyone's future. And he wraps up by reminding everyone to take advantage of COVID and focus on self-improvement. Dr. O shares his recent motorcycle adventure training, and his personal growth riding big bikes off-road.

EP 056: Weekly Musings

As the pandemic continues, life and work keeps evolving. Many of us face new challenges as we juggle work/life balance. The time is ripe to rethink how we work and how we interact with our customers and partners. There is no better time than now, to improve processes and differentiate yourself from your customers. Dr. O discusses the need to change, create, and innovate, while  sharing how he is working remotely and the new challenges he faces, especially working in three time zones.

As the pandemic continues, life and work keeps evolving. Many of us face new challenges as we juggle work/life balance. The time is ripe to rethink how we work and how we interact with our customers and partners. There is no better time than now, to improve processes and differentiate yourself from your customers. Dr. O discusses the need to change, create, and innovate, while  sharing how he is working remotely and the new challenges he faces, especially working in three time zones.

EP 055: COVID Life

Traveling Internationally during a pandemic is not the most relaxing way to spend a day, but Dr. O just flew from London to Los Angeles, and survived. He will share his experiences dealing with travel during the pandemic, and the differences between how England and the US are handling the various challenges. And Dr. O reminds everyone that this is an amazing time to "put your thinking hats on" as there are opportunities everywhere to improve our world.

Traveling Internationally during a pandemic is not the most relaxing way to spend a day, but Dr. O just flew from London to Los Angeles, and survived. He will share his experiences dealing with travel during the pandemic, and the differences between how England and the US are handling the various challenges. And Dr. O reminds everyone that this is an amazing time to "put your thinking hats on" as there are opportunities everywhere to improve our world.

EP 054: Traveling During a Pandemic

 This episode discusses the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life written by psychologist and kaizen expert Dr. Robert Maurer. The book outlines ways individuals can take small steps to achieve large goals; i.e, adopting the principles of kaizen for personal improvement. The seven steps outlined in the book allow individuals to develop new habits through simple, small methods. Dr. Maurer provides a clear and simple method for individuals to slowly build their confidence and overcome fear to achieve large, often insurmountable-seeming goals. Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change for the better" or "continuous improvement." It was popularized due to the success of Toyota which utilized kaizen to create some of the world’s most dependable vehicles, while improving every aspect of the organization for industry-leading profits. This business philosophy involves all employees to continuously improve operations. Kaizen sees improvement in productivity as a gradual and methodical process, unlike innovation that often is seen as a large, impactful change that happens quickly. Kaizen is more akin to small, incremental improvements that combine for massive changes.

This episode discusses the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life written by psychologist and kaizen expert Dr. Robert Maurer. The book outlines ways individuals can take small steps to achieve large goals; i.e, adopting the principles of kaizen for personal improvement. The seven steps outlined in the book allow individuals to develop new habits through simple, small methods. Dr. Maurer provides a clear and simple method for individuals to slowly build their confidence and overcome fear to achieve large, often insurmountable-seeming goals. Kaizen is a Japanese term meaning "change for the better" or "continuous improvement." It was popularized due to the success of Toyota which utilized kaizen to create some of the world’s most dependable vehicles, while improving every aspect of the organization for industry-leading profits. This business philosophy involves all employees to continuously improve operations. Kaizen sees improvement in productivity as a gradual and methodical process, unlike innovation that often is seen as a large, impactful change that happens quickly. Kaizen is more akin to small, incremental improvements that combine for massive changes.

EP 053: One Small Step Can Change Your Life

An IDEA FACTORY is a deliberate and systematic virtual and physical space which teaches people how to develop ideas and apply them for continuous improvement. An IDEA FACTORY can be for individuals, groups or teams, organizations, or communities. The goal is for people to learn how to develop and apply ideas to solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, create new products, services, or businesses, or improve processes. Now more than ever, IDEA FACTORIES are needed during such a massive time of change.

An IDEA FACTORY is a deliberate and systematic virtual and physical space which teaches people how to develop ideas and apply them for continuous improvement. An IDEA FACTORY can be for individuals, groups or teams, organizations, or communities. The goal is for people to learn how to develop and apply ideas to solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, create new products, services, or businesses, or improve processes. Now more than ever, IDEA FACTORIES are needed during such a massive time of change.

EP 052: Creating an Idea Factory

In good times you should never blindly follow the herd. But this is even more relevant during bad times. As Albert Einstein famously said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result". To develop lasting competitive advantages and provide new, unexpected value for your customers, it is critical to think and act differently from your competitors. You have to reinvent the game. You need to become an intrapreneur.

In good times you should never blindly follow the herd. But this is even more relevant during bad times. As Albert Einstein famously said, "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result". To develop lasting competitive advantages and provide new, unexpected value for your customers, it is critical to think and act differently from your competitors. You have to reinvent the game. You need to become an intrapreneur.

EP 051: Intrepreneurship

The Business Fanatic podcast will introduce you to an eclectic group of people who have developed incredibly effective theories, tools, and techniques to help you rekindle your creative thinking skills to develop new products, new services, improve processes, and solve problems. This podcast will motivate you to dominate your industry and wake-up every day excited to start changing yourself, your organization, and your community.

The Business Fanatic

  Edwin Land was a Harvard dropout, a tech genius with a relentless drive for perfection. Before there was a Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg, a Silicon Valley type story was created in and around Boston Massachusetts. Land was a tech genius with amazing ideas, who was relentless and obsessive, and cwho hanged the world.  He was a modern pioneer who ran Polaroid for over 50 years, longer than Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and George Eastman ran their famous companies. The company was a truly innovative tech and marketing company. Polaroid and Land also worked with famous artists and musicians such as Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorp, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne from The Talking Heads, Ansel Adams, and Lady Gaga. Polaroid supplied them with film for photos and technical feedback, as well as the publicity the connections created.   As any great inventor, Land would note:   “You must expect failure after failure after failure before you succeed”

Edwin Land was a Harvard dropout, a tech genius with a relentless drive for perfection. Before there was a Steve Jobs, Bill Gates, Elon Musk, or Mark Zuckerberg, a Silicon Valley type story was created in and around Boston Massachusetts. Land was a tech genius with amazing ideas, who was relentless and obsessive, and cwho hanged the world. He was a modern pioneer who ran Polaroid for over 50 years, longer than Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and George Eastman ran their famous companies. The company was a truly innovative tech and marketing company. Polaroid and Land also worked with famous artists and musicians such as Andy Warhol, Robert Mapplethorp, Peter Gabriel, David Byrne from The Talking Heads, Ansel Adams, and Lady Gaga. Polaroid supplied them with film for photos and technical feedback, as well as the publicity the connections created. As any great inventor, Land would note: “You must expect failure after failure after failure before you succeed”

EP 021: Edwin Land and Polaroid

As the lockdowns and self-quarantines continue, you should not be wasting this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve your mind, body and spirit. For many of us who are working from home, it is time to start preparing for when this horrible event is over and we can get back to some sense of normalcy. Don't waste this opportunity. Work to become the best you can be. Focus on excellence, adding value, and developing new ideas to improve yourself and your organization. Become a source of hope and inspiration within your teams. Focus on positivity and driving excellence. Think how you can come out of this closer to your customers and be the only choice. Zig while others zag, or are frozen by fear. Be the one everyone can count on to move forward, successfully. Times are scary, but we will get out of this. Make sure you are the one who is ready. Don't follow, lead.

As the lockdowns and self-quarantines continue, you should not be wasting this once in a lifetime opportunity to improve your mind, body and spirit. For many of us who are working from home, it is time to start preparing for when this horrible event is over and we can get back to some sense of normalcy. Don't waste this opportunity. Work to become the best you can be. Focus on excellence, adding value, and developing new ideas to improve yourself and your organization. Become a source of hope and inspiration within your teams. Focus on positivity and driving excellence. Think how you can come out of this closer to your customers and be the only choice. Zig while others zag, or are frozen by fear. Be the one everyone can count on to move forward, successfully. Times are scary, but we will get out of this. Make sure you are the one who is ready. Don't follow, lead.

EP 049: No Time Like the Present

Solve Tough Problems Faster &amp; More Creatively Do you want to:  Create Strong Competitive Advantages? Grow Your Product Platform? Improve Customer Satisfaction? Gain the Trust &amp; Respect of Colleagues and Senior Executives?  If so, Rethink How You Think: Creative Problem Solving for Product Management is the book you’ve been searching for. With this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create new, innovative solutions to solve tough problems and develop new business opportunities! Become a powerful thinker Product managers must continuously solve a wide range of problems. Using the 4i™ System of Creative Problem Solving, you will combine five critical skills into a powerful problem-solving process.  Market Research – Identify customer needs. Statistics – Use data to help support decision making. Creative Thinking – Create new ideas, anywhere, any time. Critical Thinking – Narrow your ideas to the most viable, feasible, and desirable. Decision Making – Make decisions faster with more confidence.  Dr. O has put these five skills together in an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use process using an A3 template to tell your “story” simply, visually, and convincingly. Many people (and organizations) think problems are negative. You will learn that problems are amazing opportunities to use a wide-range of thinking skills to outmaneuver competitors and create a fast-moving, highly innovative organization that focuses on continual improvement and lifelong learning.

Solve Tough Problems Faster &amp; More Creatively Do you want to: <ul> <li>Create Strong Competitive Advantages?</li> <li>Grow Your Product Platform?</li> <li>Improve Customer Satisfaction?</li> <li>Gain the Trust &amp; Respect of Colleagues and Senior Executives?</li> </ul> If so, Rethink How You Think: Creative Problem Solving for Product Management is the book you’ve been searching for. With this comprehensive guide, you will be able to create new, innovative solutions to solve tough problems and develop new business opportunities! Become a powerful thinker Product managers must continuously solve a wide range of problems. Using the 4i™ System of Creative Problem Solving, you will combine five critical skills into a powerful problem-solving process. <ol> <li>Market Research – Identify customer needs.</li> <li>Statistics – Use data to help support decision making.</li> <li>Creative Thinking – Create new ideas, anywhere, any time.</li> <li>Critical Thinking – Narrow your ideas to the most viable, feasible, and desirable.</li> <li>Decision Making – Make decisions faster with more confidence.</li> </ol> Dr. O has put these five skills together in an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use process using an A3 template to tell your “story” simply, visually, and convincingly. Many people (and organizations) think problems are negative. You will learn that problems are amazing opportunities to use a wide-range of thinking skills to outmaneuver competitors and create a fast-moving, highly innovative organization that focuses on continual improvement and lifelong learning.

EP 047: Rethink How You Think

Too many of us have chaotic lives. We try and juggle too many things and balance our work and personal lives. Many of us who are in product development jobs, typically have multiple projects happening at the same time. It is extremely valuable to have a system to organize all your work to ensure everything gets done, reduce stress, and most importantly keep work fun. In this episode, Dr. O shares some tips on how he is able to juggle multiple projects and have time to conduct field research while not falling behind. If you feel stressed and over worked, this episode will provide some possible solutions to help get things organized.

Too many of us have chaotic lives. We try and juggle too many things and balance our work and personal lives. Many of us who are in product development jobs, typically have multiple projects happening at the same time. It is extremely valuable to have a system to organize all your work to ensure everything gets done, reduce stress, and most importantly keep work fun. In this episode, Dr. O shares some tips on how he is able to juggle multiple projects and have time to conduct field research while not falling behind. If you feel stressed and over worked, this episode will provide some possible solutions to help get things organized.

EP 046: Do Doing Done

New experiences are the ingredients for creativity. And I try to have as many as possible. I love traveling, meeting new people, and challenging myself. With my new job and living in a new country, everyday is something new. And recently I had one of those “bucket list” experiences that was not just amazing, but terrifying, exhausting, and inspirational. I rode a motorcycle for about five days in India. With three other co-workers, we rode from Mumbai to Goa, on the west coast.  New experiences are the ingredients for creativity. And I try to have as many as possible. I love traveling, meeting new people, and challenging myself. With my new job and living in a new country, everyday is something new. And recently I had one of those “bucket list” experiences that was not just amazing, but terrifying, exhausting, and inspirational. I rode a motorcycle for about five days in India. With three other co-workers, we rode from Mumbai to Goa, on the west coast.

New experiences are the ingredients for creativity. And I try to have as many as possible. I love traveling, meeting new people, and challenging myself. With my new job and living in a new country, everyday is something new. And recently I had one of those “bucket list” experiences that was not just amazing, but terrifying, exhausting, and inspirational. I rode a motorcycle for about five days in India. With three other co-workers, we rode from Mumbai to Goa, on the west coast.  New experiences are the ingredients for creativity. And I try to have as many as possible. I love traveling, meeting new people, and challenging myself. With my new job and living in a new country, everyday is something new. And recently I had one of those “bucket list” experiences that was not just amazing, but terrifying, exhausting, and inspirational. I rode a motorcycle for about five days in India. With three other co-workers, we rode from Mumbai to Goa, on the west coast.

EP 045: Fear and Loathing in India

A great book by Douglas Smith and Robert Alexander called Fumbling the future: How Xerox invented, then ignored, the first personal computer. This book explains how Xerox failed to profit from all the amazing innovations developed at the company's computer technology lab, Xerox PARC. Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) was the epicenter of the digital computer revolution. We have seen many examples of companies dropping the ball on game changing technologies and trends such as Kodak, Research in Motion, Nokia, and Blockbuster. But Xerox and PARC were great examples of mismanagement and arrogance. So let’s do a quick review of Xerox, PARC, and the personal computer.

A great book by Douglas Smith and Robert Alexander called Fumbling the future: How Xerox invented, then ignored, the first personal computer. This book explains how Xerox failed to profit from all the amazing innovations developed at the company's computer technology lab, Xerox PARC. Xerox's Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) was the epicenter of the digital computer revolution. We have seen many examples of companies dropping the ball on game changing technologies and trends such as Kodak, Research in Motion, Nokia, and Blockbuster. But Xerox and PARC were great examples of mismanagement and arrogance. So let’s do a quick review of Xerox, PARC, and the personal computer.

EP 039: Xerox: Fumbling the Future

In this episode, Dr. O talks about frugal innovation and why the world’s developed nations need to embrace this necessary method of advancement. Frugal innovation is about reducing the complexity and cost of goods in order to sell to low-income consumers typically at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Frugal innovation has mostly been associated with developing countries such as India, China, or Brazil. But many global multi-national firms are now seeing the possibilities to applying frugal innovation techniques to developed countries as income inequality increases globally.

In this episode, Dr. O talks about frugal innovation and why the world’s developed nations need to embrace this necessary method of advancement. Frugal innovation is about reducing the complexity and cost of goods in order to sell to low-income consumers typically at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Frugal innovation has mostly been associated with developing countries such as India, China, or Brazil. But many global multi-national firms are now seeing the possibilities to applying frugal innovation techniques to developed countries as income inequality increases globally.

EP 037: Frugal Innovation

Eiichi Shibusawa

Eiichi Shibusawa was Japan’s first modern venture capitalist. He financed and started more than 500 new businesses which he would leave when he felt they could operate on their own. As a serial entrepreneur, he championed the modern shareholder and corporate governance. He created the non-zaibutsu corporate model and created a vision for society as helped to create over 600 philanthropic institutes (zaibutsu: large Japanese business conglomerates, often controlled by one central family).

Eiichi Shibusawa was Japan’s first modern venture capitalist. He financed and started more than 500 new businesses which he would leave when he felt they could operate on their own. As a serial entrepreneur, he championed the modern shareholder and corporate governance. He created the non-zaibutsu corporate model and created a vision for society as helped to create over 600 philanthropic institutes (zaibutsu: large Japanese business conglomerates, often controlled by one central family).

EP 028: Eiichi Shibusawa - The Father of Japanese Capitalism

Henry Ford

A great book to expand your business knowledge is, My Life and Work by Henry Ford. Yes, the founder and namesake of the world-famous automobile empire. The book was originally published in 1922 and is a brief autobiography as well as Ford’s ideas on business and life. My Life and Work takes you inside the mind of a person who managed to change the world, yet who lived in obscurity for the first 40 years of his life. This was a long time to develop skills, both personal and mechanical, which laid the foundation for a massive enterprise.

A great book to expand your business knowledge is, My Life and Work by Henry Ford. Yes, the founder and namesake of the world-famous automobile empire. The book was originally published in 1922 and is a brief autobiography as well as Ford’s ideas on business and life. My Life and Work takes you inside the mind of a person who managed to change the world, yet who lived in obscurity for the first 40 years of his life. This was a long time to develop skills, both personal and mechanical, which laid the foundation for a massive enterprise.

EP 024: Henry Ford: My Life and Work

The Japanese motorcycle industry is one of Japan’s most profitable and leading industries today. From over 200 motorcycle manufacturers in 1955 to only four by 1973, the Japanese motorcycle industry has gone through massive changes. This episode reviews how this industry started, grew, and went from hundreds of manufacturers to only four in less than 20 years.

The Japanese motorcycle industry is one of Japan’s most profitable and leading industries today. From over 200 motorcycle manufacturers in 1955 to only four by 1973, the Japanese motorcycle industry has gone through massive changes. This episode reviews how this industry started, grew, and went from hundreds of manufacturers to only four in less than 20 years.

EP 019: The Japanese Motorcycle Industry

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash. Part II of this two-part episode focuses on the Toyota Production System and its key elements. The Toyota Production System is based on continuous improvement and identifying problem areas first-hand. In addition, the Toyota Production System is the basis for current lean manufacturing. Also known as the Thinking People System, the Toyota Production System is about empowering every employee, at every level of the organization to continually improve themselves and the organization.

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash. Part II of this two-part episode focuses on the Toyota Production System and its key elements. The Toyota Production System is based on continuous improvement and identifying problem areas first-hand. In addition, the Toyota Production System is the basis for current lean manufacturing. Also known as the Thinking People System, the Toyota Production System is about empowering every employee, at every level of the organization to continually improve themselves and the organization.

EP 018: The History of Toyota (Part II)

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash. Part I of this two-part episode focuses on the origins of the company from its founder Sakichi Toyoda, to the founder of the motor company, his eldest son Kiichiro Toyoda, and a review of the Toyota Motor Co., and the father of the Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno.

Toyota influenced many organizations around the world and created the foundation of modern manufacturing. Toyota is the world’s most valuable automaker with a market cap of $200 billion and $50 billion in cash. Part I of this two-part episode focuses on the origins of the company from its founder Sakichi Toyoda, to the founder of the motor company, his eldest son Kiichiro Toyoda, and a review of the Toyota Motor Co., and the father of the Toyota Production System, Taiichi Ohno.

EP 017: The History of Toyota (Part I)

Military theorists, most notably Sun Tzu focused on the benefits of deception to shock and surprise your opponent. Unfortunately, most business leaders ignore this technique as the daily requirements of Wall St. requires a short-term perspective and pressure to share to plans publicly. Unfortunately, this short-term mindset prevents leaders from using many effective ways to outmaneuver competitors. Sun Tzu and his Art of War is a great resource for military and business strategists. Sun Tzu noted that all warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable, when using our forces, we must seem inactive, when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away, when far away, we must make him believe we are near. This episode will review four key military campaigns that demonstrate the effectiveness of deception and surprise. These examples are great models for business leaders to adapt similar strategies and tactics to outmaneuver competitors and continually wow customers.

Military theorists, most notably Sun Tzu focused on the benefits of deception to shock and surprise your opponent. Unfortunately, most business leaders ignore this technique as the daily requirements of Wall St. requires a short-term perspective and pressure to share to plans publicly. Unfortunately, this short-term mindset prevents leaders from using many effective ways to outmaneuver competitors. Sun Tzu and his Art of War is a great resource for military and business strategists. Sun Tzu noted that all warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable, when using our forces, we must seem inactive, when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away, when far away, we must make him believe we are near. This episode will review four key military campaigns that demonstrate the effectiveness of deception and surprise. These examples are great models for business leaders to adapt similar strategies and tactics to outmaneuver competitors and continually wow customers.

EP 014: Deception and Surprise

As we grow older, our creative thinking skills atrophy based on conforming to societal norms (e.g., education, religion, business organizations). Unfortunately, our communities and businesses are in desperate need of new, creative ideas to solve complex problems. As businesses struggle, the environment changes rapidly, educational systems are failing the youth, and crumbling infrastructure is putting lives at risk, the world is desperate for new ideas and ways to improve the world. Don't worry. All of us are born creative, we just need to rekindle those dormant skills. By understanding that creativity is an attitude, supported by skills, anyone can improve their creativity. It just takes some work and practice.

As we grow older, our creative thinking skills atrophy based on conforming to societal norms (e.g., education, religion, business organizations). Unfortunately, our communities and businesses are in desperate need of new, creative ideas to solve complex problems. As businesses struggle, the environment changes rapidly, educational systems are failing the youth, and crumbling infrastructure is putting lives at risk, the world is desperate for new ideas and ways to improve the world. Don't worry. All of us are born creative, we just need to rekindle those dormant skills. By understanding that creativity is an attitude, supported by skills, anyone can improve their creativity. It just takes some work and practice.

EP 012: Rekindle Your Creative Thinking Skills

John Boyd

This week’s topic is on Air Force Colonel John Boyd, a military strategist considered the modern Sun Tzu. Colonel Boyd made extensive contributions to fighter tactics, aircraft design, and the theory of air combat than any man in Air Force history. He is most famous for developing the OODA Loop. In the same vein as Sun Tzu, Musashi, Liddell Hart, Napolean, Genghis Khan, and Mao Tse Tung, you can effectively apply his teachings to business. Business is not war, but you can apply the similar principles to outmaneuver your competition and continually surprise and wow customers. Just be a bit more PC than Boyd if you want to get your ideas accepted. It might take longer but you will have more friends than enemies and less stress.

This week’s topic is on Air Force Colonel John Boyd, a military strategist considered the modern Sun Tzu. Colonel Boyd made extensive contributions to fighter tactics, aircraft design, and the theory of air combat than any man in Air Force history. He is most famous for developing the OODA Loop. In the same vein as Sun Tzu, Musashi, Liddell Hart, Napolean, Genghis Khan, and Mao Tse Tung, you can effectively apply his teachings to business. Business is not war, but you can apply the similar principles to outmaneuver your competition and continually surprise and wow customers. Just be a bit more PC than Boyd if you want to get your ideas accepted. It might take longer but you will have more friends than enemies and less stress.

EP 010: Colonel John Boyd

John Deere

What is more iconic than seeing a green tractor or combine in the middle of massive field of corn? Well, those green farm machines are probably Deere &amp; Co. vehicles. And that iconic leaping deer logo that we all recognize has been used by the company for over 150 years. John Deere created an iconic global company that helped transform America. The development of Deere’s iconic “singing” plow helped farmers conquer the Midwest and created America’s breadbasket. With the help of Deere’s products, farm output doubled from 1840 to 1860 and then tripled from 1860 to 1890.  Allowing for the settlement of the American Midwest and the ability to feed the growing population of America, Deere was instrumental in the growth of America in the 1800s.

What is more iconic than seeing a green tractor or combine in the middle of massive field of corn? Well, those green farm machines are probably Deere &amp; Co. vehicles. And that iconic leaping deer logo that we all recognize has been used by the company for over 150 years. John Deere created an iconic global company that helped transform America. The development of Deere’s iconic “singing” plow helped farmers conquer the Midwest and created America’s breadbasket. With the help of Deere’s products, farm output doubled from 1840 to 1860 and then tripled from 1860 to 1890. Allowing for the settlement of the American Midwest and the ability to feed the growing population of America, Deere was instrumental in the growth of America in the 1800s.

EP 009: The History of John Deere

Developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, parallel thinking is a powerful method to make decisions, develop new ideas, or improve processes. Working together rather than against one another, parallel thinking allows teams to collaborate successfully for a high probability of success.  In an unscripted episode of "Off the Cuff", Dr. O provides an overview of what leaders can do to help their organizations become more successful by learning the main elements of parallel thinking.

Developed by Dr. Edward de Bono, parallel thinking is a powerful method to make decisions, develop new ideas, or improve processes. Working together rather than against one another, parallel thinking allows teams to collaborate successfully for a high probability of success.  In an unscripted episode of "Off the Cuff", Dr. O provides an overview of what leaders can do to help their organizations become more successful by learning the main elements of parallel thinking.

EP 008: The Five Elements of Parallel Thinking

 W. Edwards Deming, the man many feel is responsible for Japan’s post-war economic success of the 1950s  thru the 1980s, was largely ignored by U.S. industry before the Japanese heard about his theories and realized the benefits.  Due to his post WWII work, Deming is revered in Japan. They even have an annual competition for the top implementers of quality management and the winner is awarded the Deming Medal. Named after, you guessed it, Edwards Deming.  He created a revolution in quality and economic production throughout the world. And if you go into the Toyota headquarters in Japan there are three portraits in the lobby – the founder, the chairman, and Deming.

W. Edwards Deming, the man many feel is responsible for Japan’s post-war economic success of the 1950s  thru the 1980s, was largely ignored by U.S. industry before the Japanese heard about his theories and realized the benefits. Due to his post WWII work, Deming is revered in Japan. They even have an annual competition for the top implementers of quality management and the winner is awarded the Deming Medal. Named after, you guessed it, Edwards Deming. He created a revolution in quality and economic production throughout the world. And if you go into the Toyota headquarters in Japan there are three portraits in the lobby – the founder, the chairman, and Deming.

EP 003:  W. Edwards Deming

The Business Fanatic podcast will introduce you to an eclectic group of people who have developed incredibly effective theories, tools, and techniques to help you rekindle your creative thinking skills to develop new products, new services, improve processes, and solve problems. This podcast will motivate you to dominate your industry and wake-up everyday excited to start changing yourself, your organization, and your community.

The Business Fanatic podcast will introduce you to an eclectic group of people who have developed incredibly effective theories, tools, and techniques to help you rekindle your creative thinking skills to develop new products, new services, improve processes, and solve problems. This podcast will motivate you to dominate your industry and wake-up everyday excited to start changing yourself, your organization, and your community.

EP 001: Welcome & Introduction

 Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who lived around 400 and 500 BC. He achieved fame and success during The Warring States Period who gained famed for his legendary book, The Art of War.  Applying Sun Tzu’s principles from The Art of War can result in any person or organization becoming disciplined and successful.

Sun Tzu was a Chinese general who lived around 400 and 500 BC. He achieved fame and success during The Warring States Period who gained famed for his legendary book, The Art of War. Applying Sun Tzu’s principles from The Art of War can result in any person or organization becoming disciplined and successful.

EP 002: Sun Tzu and The Art of War

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes on Relationships & Love

The best self improvement podcast episodes. From improving productivity, to finding purpose in your life to what constitutes freedom, this topic is on anything and everything that can help people to improve their lives. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!