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Today’s show topics:

• exploring personal and business productivity
• How can you look for purpose-driven accomplishment and not simply get more stuff done
• Is there an ideal system of productivity for you out there?
• The starting point is to understand yourself, your talents, and your mode of operation
• Tools and tests to identify your mode of operation and strengths (www.kolbe.com & www.strengthsfinder.com)
• See a current blog post on this topic here.

eSolar, an Idealab company founded by Bill Gross, is working to introduce and expand its solar-thermal energy solution around the world.  One question I have is what the land-usage efficiency is. That is, how much power is produced per square foot of land it takes up.  This may not be a huge factor as they could simply be built in inhospitable desert climates where land and space is not nearly the concern of local placement.  Just a thought though… if anyone knows more about it, comment and fill me in!

Many businesses have goals to be “customer-centric” and follow the classic “customer comes first” mantra.  There is obvious value in such an approach, especially from a customer service approach.  One simple and often overlooked step is to simply setup specific and obvious visual triggers for both employees and customers.  Having a sign on the wall that says specifically what you are trying to do openly tells the customer and reminds the employee.  They will both seek out the mantra simply by being reminded of it. Customers will look for how the employee is doing this, noting it and appreciating it more consciously while the employee will subconsciously think whether they are holding to it as well.  Other obvious ones may include wearing a button or tag and the like.  Change it up from time to time as the trigger will be ignored as time goes on.

Other use of physical space to enhance or influence can be very powerful.  As in this study, voters are more likely to support tax increases for education if they cast their vote at a school!  Think about how your environment promotes what you want your customers to think, feel, desire.

This is just a simple tip to improve your results, buy-in of employees, and success rate of implementation of your mantra or goal, whatever it may be.

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Show outline:

• Partnerships and business teams
• When is one required and when is it simply preference
• The “nays” on partnerships
• My preference and why
• Process to develop successful partnerships
  • Finding partners that balance the team
  • Win-win mindset
  • The art of gauging dedication
  • Have the arrangement in writing

Articles: Partnership tips here. Partnership don’ts here.

This is a great little video from bNet regarding an approach to innovation. Its a slick 3 step process that is pretty open. I dig it…