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Six thinking hats

The classic 6 Thinking Hats framework from Edward De Bono. Though I’m yet to be in a meeting where everyone’s familiar enough with it that it wouldn’t sound a bit strange to propose it. Ah well. Also see: Build Your Own Panel of Advisors Lateral thinking series - part 1 Things get more complex before they get simple…

21 Feb 2014

The Betty Crocker Effect

The Betty Crocker effect refers to how, in the world of instant cake mixes, when something is too easy, it reduces the value. The legend goes that instant cake mixture that just needed water didn't sell nearly as well as when you needed to add an egg. Adding the egg yourself gives investment in the process of making the cake, so we appreciate it more, and the extra effort demonstrates the act of love that is baking a cake. Rather similar is the IKEA effect. As is so often the case, Dan Ariely explains it well. 20mins well spent watching Dan Ariely's TED talk What makes us feel good about our work?. You can jump straight to it around 12mins 50s.…The Betty Crocker effect refers to how, in the world of instant cake mixes, when something is too easy, it reduces the value. The legend goes that instant cake mixture that just needed water didn't sell nearly as well as when you needed to add an egg. Adding the egg yourself gives investment in the process of making the cake, so we appreciate it more, and the extra effort demonstrates the act of love that is baking a cake. Rather similar is the IKEA effect. As is so often the case, Dan Ariely explains it well. 20mins well spent watching Dan Ariely's TED talk What makes us feel good about our work?. You can jump straight to it around 12mins 50s.

20 Feb 2014

Sneaky casinos

Of course they’re just businesses like any others. …

19 Feb 2014

Improve your front crawl

Unfortunately, a site I really respect, Swim Smooth, recommends avoiding glide, though I do think that a good 80% of the swimmers I see could do with extending the reach of and calming down their front crawl stroke at least some. Bottom line: not too much glide and avoid dead spots. Swimming is awesome. It seems so simple, but there’s always so much to learn. (disclosure: I’m surely an overglider) Also see: Rotate your elbow, not your hand Swimrun…Unfortunately, a site I really respect, Swim Smooth, recommends avoiding glide, though I do think that a good 80% of the swimmers I see could do with extending the reach of and calming down their front crawl stroke at least some. Bottom line: not too much glide and avoid dead spots. Swimming is awesome. It seems so simple, but there’s always so much to learn. (disclosure: I’m surely an overglider) Also see: Rotate your elbow, not your hand Swimrun

18 Feb 2014

Understanding the Chasm

Cheat sheet for Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore…

17 Feb 2014

Cut out some fluff

And spend more time and attention on ‘the point’. </rant>…

16 Feb 2014

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