Issue 6: Changing the world with 5 new business models, streetwalk inspiration, paranoia & ruin in innovation plus some rather nice jumpers
Welcome to Issue 6 of Sparks & Kindling, a chance for us to share some of the more thought-provoking, interesting or just plain entertaining articles and thinking we’ve come across in the world of innovation over the last few weeks. Stimulating, and hopefully useful too, let us know your thoughts on the articles and videos below.
Don Tapscott/TED
Five business models to change the world, no really!
This is the best, most succinct and possibly most fundamentally challenging account of why it’s going to be blockchain rather than AI that is really going to change the way we do business, work and create. With 5 transformational business models brought to life brilliantly in this TED talk, you don’t just get to finally feel confident in what blockchain and Etherium are, but also get some great start points for thinking about how you can actually use them to create a business model for the future
Image courtesy of Story
Time to get out, go see and get inspired before the weather really closes in
When was the last time you spent an hour getting out and about and giving yourself a completely new perspective from the creativity of others? We’re all guilty of not doing it enough, so last week the inhabitants of Smoke Towers put down our coffees with an extra shot, and took an hour to walk around Redchurch Street in Shoreditch, exploring Mast, T2Tea and the Nudie Jeans repair shop amongst others. We didn’t spend a penny (frankly we could easily have run up a monkey) but we did spot a huge amount of stimulus and new ideas around customer experience. As a call to arms here’s an article listing the 50 most beautiful concept stores worldwide, so why not use it as a start point for your own wanderings
TheLong+Short/ Illustration Peter Judson
Failure, death and financial ruin
Next, the first of four great, short articles which we include for no other reason than they are a really good read. However, for those who need reassurance they will learn something, Rhodri Marsden (the keyboard guy in Scritti Polliti) reminds us, in his own uniquely acerbic style, of some of messier stuff associated with innovation and the traumas of getting new ideas off the ground
The New York Times/Brian Chippendale
Stealing candy from babies
Well not quite, but this short film from University of Pennsylvania Wharton School Professor Adam Grant, outlines three easy ways parents can foster creativity in their children. But we say why should it only be parents and kids who are given the inside scoop when leaders in any organization, who want to facilitate creativity in their people, can learn from these three invaluable lessons too?
and finally….
Kenzo/Carrie Brownstein
Culture nerds and some really, really nice jumpers
In case you missed the best perfume ad of all time, here it is in all its glory. And if that wasn't enough it comes with a great article and a couple more outstanding videos, outlining the creative process of a couple of self-professed culture nerds. Check out "The Realest Real" video too, Kenzo's latest look book and a brilliant takedown of social media. Our advice, play loud and enjoy.