Beekeepers understand the importance of a fertile nurturing ground and cross pollination. Likewise, author Peter Gloor teaches readers that those who want to gain a business advantage shouldn’t spend their time chasing ideas, but instead should nurture the cool ideas all around them to foster exciting new trends. In Coolfarming, he reveals the proven, four-step process for farming cool new ideas and unleashing a swarm of creative output. Featuring real-life examples from companies like Linux, Twilight, Procter & Gamble, and Apple, this invaluable and insightful book explains: how to provide a fertile nurturing ground for developing original ideas; how to determine what “cool” means for one's target group; what makes something worthy of being the next big thing; how to turn creative dreams into real products by enlisting the help of a dedicated and passionate Collaborative Innovation Network (CIN); and how to carry new ideas over the tipping point and turn them into widespread phenomena. Those who want to stay ahead of the curve and ride a wave of profit need to learn how to find, develop, and popularize the trends of tomorrow. Coolfarming moves individuals and organizations to crosspollinate creative ideas and resources that yield highly sought-after results.

Sociometrics and Human Relationships translates the latest academic research into practical business strategies and techniques for social network analysis. This essential new title is key reading for students and practitioners across marketing, design, sociology, psychology and the humanities, and comes with a free academic license of Condor.

What do the iPhone, Instagram, and TikTok all have in common? They're fresh, they're sexy, and most importantly -- they're cool. But while many companies embark on the eternal quest for the next big thing, very few know how to actually find it. Coolhunting will take readers into the very heart of the search and show them how to find trendsetters, spot innovations, and turn brilliant ideas into hot new trends. Major companies like Starbucks and Proctor & Gamble have already discovered the power of coolhunting. Now, anyone can learn how to: Tap into the "Tao of Cool" and identify the trends that are truly cutting-edge Cultivate the skills and techniques of highly effective coolhunters Pinpoint developing trends on the Internet by using smartbadges An invaluable tool for businesses of all sizes, Coolhunting will show leaders how to stay ahead of the curve and on the cutting edge of where their customers want to be taken.

Swarm Creativity introduces a powerful new concept-Collaborative Innovation Networks, or COINs. Its aim is to make the concept of COINs as ubiquitous among business managers as any methodology to enhance quality and competitive advantage. The difference though is that COINs are nothing like other methodologies. A COIN is a cyberteam of self-motivated people with a collective vision, enabled by technology to collaborate in achieving a common goal--n innovation-by sharing ideas, information, and work. It is no exaggeration to state that COINs are the most productive engines of innovation ever. COINs have been around for hundreds of years. Many of us have already been a part of one without knowing it. What makes COINs so relevant today, though is that the concept has reached its tipping point-thanks to the Internet and the World Wide Web. This book explores why COINS are so important to business success in the new century. It explains the traits that characterize COIN members and COIN behavior. It makes the case for why businesses ought to be rushing to uncover their COINs and nurture them, and provides tools for building organizations that are more creative, productive and efficient by applying principles of creative collaboration, knowledge sharing and social networking. Through real-life examples in several business sectors, the book shows how to leverage COINs to develop successful products in R & D, grow better customer relationships, establish better project management, and build higher-performing teams. In short, this book answers four key questions: Why are COINs better at innovation? What are the key elements of COINs? Who are the people that participate in COINs and how do they become members? And how does an organization transform itself into a Collaborative Innovation Network?

Take a deep dive into the future with this book as your trusty companion. "How to Research Trends" shows you how to navigate and explore using the powerful tool of trend research. Learn how to scan the environment for signs of change, analyse trend spots, and apply insights to kickstart innovation. This revised edition is designed for professionals who want to incorporate trend research into their own work. It features new interviews with professionals and agencies, as well as new theories, including Shalom Schwartz's human values model and the futures consciousness model from the University of Finland. Learn how to use trend research to explore the future, and you'll be prepared for change and the uncertainties it brings. - Interviews with professionals that provide insights on how to implement trends. - Various activities and tools to be used individually or in a team. - A dedicated chapter on how to set up your own trend practice within your organization.