Do you remember the friend of mine with a language learning app that I mentioned in my past newsletter? Well, guess what, she has raised VC money and has the app now on the Apple app store for testing. The app's called 5per5, available for iPhone and iPad, and you can get it here.
A blog that I wrote a few days ago struck a chord with many people. I talk about the productivity gains after leaving my former employer. Not that I think or feel more productive, but I keep having people telling me so and wondering about it. After some pondering I think I found at least one culprit from big corporate that kept me from getting things done. Read more here.
Want to learn more about how Silicon Valley does it?
Get my book on Amazon! 400 pages, €19,99.
Rules rulez
Have you tried questioning rules? We easily forget that rules, laws, norms, standards are something that can be changed. After all, somebody must have come up with the rules and made them mandatory. But keeping them forever because 200 or 2,000 years ago somebody mandated them is never a good way to look at things. Context and times change, as do people's understanding of rights and wrongs. Not reflecting on those changes make rules something that stifles creativity.
Gamification pioneer Yu-kai Chou ist launching the Kickstarter-campaign Octalysis Prime. This is a Gamified Learning Journey where players can learn all about Yu-Kai's latest research in Behavioral Science, Gamification, and Motivational Psychology through an epic adventure.
When you ask managers if they can imagine a department where they *don't* want creativity, they unanimously name "finance & accounting." Not so quick: in fact, creativity there is required as well. Not in the bad Enron or Financial-Crisis-kind-of-sense. A recent visit at a big Silicon Valley search engine showed me that even the finance department needs to come up with creative ideas around finance packages for partners, helping them off the ground, to guaranteeing for them, or helping them weather storms. And this benefits both. The creatives are everywhere.
To experience yourself what the Silicon Valley does right about innovation and what the latest trends are, join our Silicon Valley Inspiration Tours that give you multi-day deep dives into the San Francisco Bay Area. See more tour details here. Here is also a list of preparatory steps for your visit.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER.
READ MY PAST NEWSLETTERS HERE.
NSFW - The DNA Journey.
Today's NSFW - internet lingo for Not Safe For Work - is a lot about humanity. In times when hatred seems to become politically accepted again, technology and science are here to debunk lies and counter ignorance.
In a touching video researchers ask people about their heritage and pride in their country. And what country they dislike most. And then they are asked them if they want their DNA tested to see from where their ancestry comes from. Boy, these people are up for a big and emotional surprise. Watch the video.