Why do we need to be experts? Apparently we need to focus on one thing and become great at it because if we spend too much time on everything then we’ll never reach this level of specialty in anything. And being an expert in your field means everything nowadays… Malcolm Gladwell in Outliers tells us that it takes approximately 10,000 hours to achieve this level of expertise that is so often sought after. Ok, so we focus in one area, we become experts and we know our field inside out, right? Well yes we know everything, but only to the extent to which we learned about it. We have adopted a mindset of all experts in that field of how things should work, of what is possible and what is not. Essentially we have formed boundaries around our field that make it very difficult to think outside the box. Now, think about why we often see breakthrough innovation from non-experts in a field. Those that know little about the intricacies of how things work. Why are these breakthroughs not from one of the many experts who should know the full exten of what can be done? I think it is clear that the boundaries that come with this level of expertise make it very difficult to establish these creative, unexpected connections that often result in innovation. If it takes 10,

One of my absolute favorite resources for inspiration and ideas are TED talks. If you don’t know already, TED stands for technology, entertainment, and design and was founded 25 years ago. Essentially TED is a conference that is invite only, and serves as a platform for the top minds in the world to gather in a single place and share their ideas. Now you find thousands of TED talks online for everyone’s viewing pleasure at TED.com and some of my favorites here! At the end of 2009, we here in Dar es Salaam decided to put together our own TED event named TEDxDar. TEDx is a program promoted by TED that allows for the independent hosting of events based on their model. This allows us to bring together the local talent and give them a voice to share their stories, which will hopefully spark further ideation and collaboration! Check our our website here and if you’re interested, you should definitely look into launching you’re very own TEDx! Our conference will be held on May 22nd, 2010, so be on the look out for updates!

Based on my experiences, the following are my top ways to innovate! 1. Intersect Combining different ideas, perspectives, cultures, and basically anything and everything else is one of the best ways to innovate. If you don’t think so, read Medici Effect. 2. Observe don’t ASK We can ask people all day what they want, what their opinions are, but the fact is, they don’t even know! As they say actions speak louder than words, so next time pay attention to what they’re doing not what they’re saying. 3. Collaborate Working on your own can really help you solidify your own thoughts and ideas, but having that other person can really add a new element that takes you where you really wanted to go. 4. Take Notes We have ideas all the time, in the least likely of situations, and there’s no way to remember them! Having the ability to takes notes whenever an “Aha!” moment strikes should not be underestimated. 5. Change Perspectives Look at things from a different angle. We usually get stuck viewing things from one perspective, but think about the customer, the user, the client, different industries, etc… try and role play and the value that was not seen before, suddenly comes to the top. Those are my favorite methods, what are yours

I’m always on the look out for ways to spruce up the office and creating an environment more attune to creativity, and this fits that role exactly. Introducing… Idea Paint! Idea Paint is essentially paint that can be applied to any surface, which turns that surface into a makeshift white board! This could easily allow you to turn the most unassuming part of  your home or office into a place of creativity… I love this idea for two reasons: 1). You could get very creative in decorating your home, just think of the possibilities and 2). I believe that one of the essential practices towards innovation is taking notes, and I can’t think of a better way to make sure you have somewhere to write when those light bulbs turn on in our minds! For more information about Idea Paint visit their website

The following are some top links for November, courtesy of the Harvard Business Review: 1. Strategies and Institutions for the Next Decade 2. Innovate or Minnovate 3. Parents Make Great Managers 4. Geniuses Don’t Know Everything 5. In or Out Leaders Enjoy!