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The Idea Hunter

The Idea Hunter How to Find the Best Ideas and Make them Happen

Author: Andy Boynton; Bill Fischer; William Bole
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 9780470767764
Published In: April 2011
Format: Hardback , 192 pages
Jurisdiction: International or US ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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A different way of discovering and developing the best business ideas

Jack Welch once said, "Someone, somewhere has a better idea." In this myth-busting book, the authors reveal that great business ideas do not spring from innate creativity, or necessarily from the brilliant minds of people. Rather, great ideas come to those who are in the habit of looking for great ideas all around them, all the time. Too often, people fall into the trap of thinking that the only worthwhile idea is a thoroughly original one. Idea Hunters know better. They understand that valuable ideas are already out there, waiting to be found - and not just in the usual places.

· Shows how to expand your capacity to find and develop winning business ideas

· Explains why ideas are a critical asset for every manager and professional, not just for those who do "creative"

· Reveals how to seek out and select the ideas that best serve your purposes and goals and define who you are, as a professional

· Offers practical tips on how to master the everyday habits of an Idea Hunter, which include cultivating great conversations

The book is filled with illustrative accounts of successful Idea Hunters and stories from thriving "idea" companies. Warren Buffet, Walt Disney, Thomas Edison, Mary Kay Ash, Twitter, and Pixar Animation Studios are among the many profiled.

Preface: Why Hunt?

Introduction: Brilliance Not Required.

Already Out There.

Ready to Unlearn.

Chapter One: Know Your Gig.

The Discernment.

The Circle of Competence.

Gigs Matter.

The I–D–E–A Principles.

Interested.

Chapter Two: Be Interested, Not Just Interesting.

Curiosity at the Trading Post.

Learning Machines.

Your Brain Is Open.

Defining Your Own Hunt.

IdeaWork #1: Selling the Best Hour of the Day to Yourself.

Diverse.

Chapter Three: Diversifying the Hunt.

The Color of Your Ideas.

When Weak Ties Are Strong.

Widening Your Intellectual Bandwidth.

Bridging Distant Worlds.

Ideas Are Everywhere.

IdeaWork #2: The I's and T's.

Exercised.

Chapter Four: Mastering the Habits of the Hunt.

The Practice of Ideas.

Begin with an Eye.

Observing at the Ritz.

Erecting a Personal Platform of Observation.

Write It Down.

Get It Moving.

Observe Yourself.

IdeaWork #3: Assembling an Idea Portfolio.

Agile.

Chapter Five: Idea Flow Is Critical.

The Case of the Guitar Strings.

Creating Idea Spaces at Pixar.

Finding the “Informal Bosses”.

Letting Ideas Percolate.

When It’s Time to “Kill” Ideas.

IdeaWork #4: Ready, Set, Launch.

Chapter Six: Create Great Conversations.

“Continuers” and “Terminators”.

The Value of a Naïve Question.

Preparing for the Big Conversation.

Epilogue: Thoreau and the I-D-E-A Assessment.

References.

Acknowledgments.

About the Authors.

Index.

Andy Boynton is the dean of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. He was a professor of strategic leadership at IMD (International Institute for Management Development) in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he created and directed the school's highly-rated global Executive MBA program.

Bill Fischer is a professor at IMD.He previously served as dean and president of the China-Europe International Business School, a joint venture of the European Union and Chinese government, inShanghai, China.

William Bole is a journalist and a research fellow of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics at Boston College.