The document discusses tools and techniques for cultivating creativity in order to gain a competitive advantage. It recommends getting more "dots" or ideas by reading widely, asking questions, accepting failures, resting, limiting judgment, and learning in groups. Specific techniques include keeping a journal, using a tape recorder, surrounding oneself with encouraging people, mind mapping to visualize ideas in a non-linear way, and cultivating a clear and encouraging environment for ideas to grow.

1. Cultivating Creativity to Cut the Competition Presented By Austin Baker President EServ Benefits

2. Sophomore Year in College Formed EServ Benefits Started Cold Calling 1 st Meeting Went to Monster.com Became a Recruiting Hub

3. High School Seniors 1 st Grade Class

4. Roger Von Oech Author of “ A Whack on the Side of the Head” “ A Kick in the Seat of Your Pants” & “ Expect The Unexpected” http://www.creativethink.com/ Creative Whack Pack App for the iPhone What Happened from 1 st Grade to High School Senior? We set out in search for “ The” Answer

5. 'Creativity is the power to connect the seemingly unconnected.' -William Plomer

6. 'Creativity is one of the last remaining legal ways of gaining an unfair advantage over the competition.‘ Ed McCabe

7. More importantly What does Jack Have to Say about Creativity? =

8. Tools to Foster Creativity In order to connect the ‘ s, you must have dots to start with -Dots

9. How to Get More Dots Read outside your normal routine Ask More Questions Accept Failures Rest

10. How to Get More Dots Limit Judgment Journal about your Dreams Question Assumptions Learning Group

11. Tools to Foster Creativity Surround Yourself With the Right People Keep a Tape Recorder Handy at all Times

12. Night Shift (1982) Henry Winkler & Michael Keaton

13. Tools to Foster Creativity Right Soil- Encouraging Environment -Cultivate your Ideas Plant Model Plenty of Water- Encouraging Friends & Mentors Lots of Sunlight- Clear Head Time to Grow- Patience

14. Tools to Foster Creativity How Many Different Uses can you think of for a balloon?

16. Tools to Foster Creativity - Sample of Project MindMap

17. Tools to Foster Creativity - Sample of MindMap www.imindmap.com

18. Tools to Foster Creativity - Sample of personal MindMap

19. Tools to Foster Creativity How Many Different Uses can you think of for a balloon using a mindmap?

20. My Motto

21. Contact for Questions Presentation Available for Viewing http://www.slideshare.net/jaustin3 Austin Baker President EServ Benefits 901-737-0123 [email_address] http://www.linkedin.com/in/jaustinbaker

22. Dot Connector Credits Presentation Ideas Chris Crouch, DME Training- Balloon & Dot Exercises [email_address] www.Imindmap.com Mind Map Images “ Mindmapping” by Joyce Wycoff Google Image Search- Fish & Flower Pics www.slideshare.com – 2 Influential Presentations - http://workincolour.com.au/- Fish Creativity- “Too Cool…” - www.tbenjaminlarson.com- Cultivating Creativity Presentation