Straight Line Public Relations

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Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive

Suite 8078970

Quincy, MA 02171

617-379-1177

dlock@richcontetnt.tv

Friday, October 28, 2011

Best Practices Are Stupid Author Stephen Shapiro Examines Goldilocks Principle

Innovative ideas can all too easily be classified as either too abstract or too specific. But innovator extraordinaire Stephen Shapiro shows how to begin the quest for "just right" in his latest book, "Best Practices Are Stupid".

Boston, MA, October 27, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- When it comes to describing innovation challenges, we can learn a thing or two from Goldilocks. Creative problem solving is at its best when challenges aren't too big (broad or abstract) or too small (overly specific). Instead, problems need to be framed in a way that maximizes the likelihood of finding a solution - in other words, "just right", says innovation mastermind Stephen Shapiro.

"I think this is a nice way of putting it," says Shapiro, author of Best Practices Are Stupid ( http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid ). "We'll never forget this innovation principle because, well, who doesn't remember Goldilocks?"

Instead of asking for new ways to increase revenue (abstract), ask employees whether there are specific markets that the company hasn't penetrated ("just right").

Or, to cite another example: Instead of simply expressing a desire to improve the educational system in England, research the root of the problem. And from there, Shapiro ( http://SteveShapiro.com ) says, ask the question: "How do we increase parental involvement?" This is also "just right."

And "just right," at its core, is:

* More focused

* More practical

* More valuable

The Goldilocks Principle is truly a search for "just right" every time. And that's a goal worth chasing.

Entering a home belonging to three bears in the woods is not very sound thinking. But Goldilocks slept soundly. There's a lot of meaning there.

"If we adopt this same rigor when defining challenges, we too just might sleep a bit better at night, knowing a workable solution is just around the corner," says Shapiro (sign up for his monthly Free Innovation Tips at http://www.steveshapiro.com/keynotes/ ). "So remember: Goldilocks is a great way to innovate."

The latest book by Stephen Shapiro, Best Practices Are Stupid discusses the Goldilocks Principle and other paradigm-breaking ideas, and can be found on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive

Suite 8078970

Quincy, MA

02171

617-379-1177

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive

Suite 8078970

Quincy, MA 02171

dlock@richcontent.tv

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Enemy of Innovation? Expertise, Says "Best Practices Are Stupid" Author Stephen Shapiro

People tend to think an expert is the be-all and end-all - the A-to-Z on an important subject. But that's not true when it comes to innovation, says writer and innovation leader Stephen Shapiro, author of "Best Practices Are Stupid". Expertise can actually keep business leaders from that one great idea that will push them to the top.

Boston, MA, October 16, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- The idea of expertise brings to mind a tub filled with everything one needs to know about a subject. The expert on dish washing soap seemingly knows everything there is to know about dish washing soap. But what Stephen Shapiro shows in his latest book, Best Practices Are Stupid, is that expertise is the enemy of innovation. Why? Because expertise assumes it knows everything there is to know about a subject, when in fact it's one good "idea-merge" away from true brilliance.

"The more you know about a particular topic, the more difficult it is for you to think about it in a different way," says Shapiro. "If you want breakthroughs, you need to bring together people from a wide range of disciplines, backgrounds, and experiences."

This isn't just a theory. In his new book, Best Practices Are Stupid ( http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid ), Shapiro points to research by Lee Fleming, a Harvard Business School professor who discovered that multidisciplinary work is "frequently superior to the best innovations achieved by conventional approaches". Interestingly, Fleming's research showed that:

* Similar background teams equaled great successes, yet few breakthroughs.

* Cross-disciplinary teams equaled higher failure rate, yet radical innovations with potential to create incredible value.

The question Shapiro poses is whether there's a way to get the benefits associated with diversity without any of the undesirable effects. He answers, "Yes" - and says the key is "open innovation".

"Open innovation is all about engaging people outside of your organization to help solve challenges," says Shapiro (sign up for his monthly Free Innovation Tips at http://www.steveshapiro.com/contact/ ). "It's like when Netflix went outside itself to find a way to improve video recommendation by 10 percent. Or when a solution was found to help in the cleanup of the [oil spilled by the] Exxon Valdez tanker. We must choose open innovation over expertise. It's simply the way to go."

Stephen Shapiro's most recent book, Best Practices Are Stupid discusses the phenomenon of Open Innovation and other paradigm-breaking ideas, and can be found on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid

About Stephen Shapiro:
Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestle, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools, allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177

steve@24-7innovation.com
http://SteveShapiro.com
http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:
Stephen Shapiro
24/7 Innovation
2001 Marina Drive Suite 807
Quincy, MA 02171
617-379-1177
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://SteveShapiro.com

Monday, October 17, 2011

Stephen Shapiro Says Stop Thinking Outside the Box - Find a Better Box

Many think "outside-the-box" is the bedrock of innovation. But innovation expert Stephen Shapiro, author of Best Practices Are Stupid, shows that outside-the-box isn't king. Instead it's a misconception that, if corrected, could lead to big organizational advancements.

Boston, MA, October 17, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- While reading through the Table of Contents for Stephen Shapiro's latest book, Best Practices Are Stupid, readers inevitably reach this heading and do a double-take: "Don't Think Outside the Box; Find a Better Box". Really, who's ever heard the box analogy challenged? Turns out that Shapiro has.

In fact, he teaches just that.

"Finding a better box is the way to go," says Shapiro, innovation leader and author of Best Practices Are Stupid ( http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid )

Shapiro defines a "better box" by way of quoting the writer who penned the phrase, "creativity within constraints". Well-defined challenges are an excellent way to guide innovative efforts, because they allow employees, customers and the community to focus their energies on finding solutions that are relevant, says Shapiro ( http://SteveShapiro.com ).

Challenge-driven approaches allow companies to assign certain things before actually investing the valuable time of employees, such as:

* Owners
* Resources
* Funding
* Evaluators
* And evaluation criteria

In his latest book, Best Practices Are Stupid, Shapiro really emphasizes this point by citing the example of two fishermen. The first casts a huge net over a huge body of water. He catches some fish, but also a shoe, gunk, and fish he never wanted to catch. But the second fisherman prepares the right rod, reel, line, leader and bait and knows exactly which fish he's after, so he goes to the exact spot he things they are.

"This is the challenge-driven approach," says Shapiro (sign up for his monthly Free Innovation Tips at http://www.steveshapiro.com/contact/ ). "And if done correctly, establishing boundaries does not have to put constraints on innovative efforts. Jump on board with that."

About Stephen Shapiro:
Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestle, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools, allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177

steve@24-7innovation.com
http://SteveShapiro.com
http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:
Stephen Shapiro
24/7 Innovation
2001 Marina Drive Suite 807
Quincy, MA 02171
617-379-1177
dlock@richcontent.tv
http://SteveShapiro.com

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Stephen Shapiro Shows How to Avoid One-Hit Wonder Syndrome: Best Practices Are Stupid

One-hit wonders might be memorable. But really - they're not respected or considered mega successful. That's why it's so vital to continuously innovate in big ways. Innovation expert Stephen Shapiro details this syndrome in his new book, "Best Practices Are Stupid".

Boston, MA, October 15, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- We've all heard about Lipps Inc, The Sugar Hill Gang, and Haddaway - for precisely one song each. That's right, they were bands. And they sang Funky Town, Rapper's Delight, and What is Love (respectively). These bands and songs all have one thing in common: they were one-hit wonders.

"This one-hit syndrome must be avoided in the world of innovation," says innovation leader Stephen Shapiro, author of Best Practices Are Stupid ( http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid ). "We must be very mindful of the five components required for successful avoidance of one-hit wonders."

Those five components - detailed in his book - are:

* Strategy

* Measures

* Process

* People

* Technology

"The 'one hit wonder' syndrome is not dissimilar to what happens with many businesses," Shapiro says (sign up for his monthly Free Innovation Tips at http://www.steveshapiro.com/contact/ ). "One good idea pops up that reaps stellar returns... and then the organization falls from grace."

How can business leaders dodge this syndrome? By making sure that innovation energies are predictable and sustainable, treating them like any other capability in the company.

In his new book, Best Practices Are Stupid, Shapiro ( http://SteveShapiro.com ) offers as an example how finance departments operate (CPAs, CFOs, etc.) and suggests using this structure for innovation. This is vital to avoiding the 'one hit wonder' syndrome.

Innovation must be brought out of the recesses of research and development departments, and placed directly in the limelight of organizations along with other highly esteemed areas.

"It's time to bring it to the forefront of business - putting it on the same level as finance, sales and marketing," Shapiro explains. "To restrain innovation limits its effectiveness to near nothingness. Treat innovation like you would other departments, and chances are it's going to treat your organization better than you could have ever imagined."

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive Suite 807

Quincy, MA 02171

617-379-1177

dlock@richcontent.tv

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Stephen Shapiro Reveals "Survival of the Adaptable" - Best Practices are Stupid

Best practices are not always about survival of the fittest. A tried and true idea does not necessarily mean it's the best. Innovation leader Stephen Shapiro understands this truth with striking clarity and gives us his insider knowledge in his new book, "Best Practices Are Stupid".

Boston, MA, October 11, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- Seldom will someone turn a stamped-and-approved principle on its head and escape mockery. Stephen Shapiro has done just that in his latest book, "Best Practices Are Stupid".

In the section of the book titled "Not Survival of the Fittest - Survival of the Adaptable", Shapiro highlights the story of two hikers in the mountains of Canada. They run into a bear, and one of the hikers swiftly trades his boots for sprinting shoes. His companion says, "What are you doing? You can't outrun a grizzly!"

And the hiker lacing up his running shoes responds: "I know, but I only need to outrun you, my friend!"

It's survival of the fittest. Staying one step ahead so as not to be eaten alive.

"But innovation isn't about one-time change, like running from the grizzly," says Shapiro, innovation leader and author of "Best Practices Are Stupid" ( http://amzn.to/BestPracticesAreStupid ). "It's about continuous change. In other words, adaptability."

As his story of the hikers progresses, we find that the first hiker bolts, while the second hiker simply grins. He knows that bears have poor eyesight and will only chase prey that runs. The first hiker gets eaten.

The take-away from the story: In order NOT to be eaten, Shapiro breaks down the three levels of innovation:

* Innovation as an Event

* Innovation as a Capability

* Innovation as a System

Shapiro ( http://SteveShapiro.com ) goes on to say that many organizations want to get innovative and move fast-but usually end up running in the wrong direction, like toward a bear. He says it's much better to take deliberate action by understanding the marketplace and harnessing the organization's energies with a focus on what's most important.

"It's not the smartest organization that will survive, or the company with the most money," says Shapiro (sign up for his monthly Free Innovation Tips at http://www.steveshapiro.com/consulting/ ). "It's the organization that adapts and evolves to address ever-changing market conditions."

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive

Suite 807

Quincy, MA 02171

617-379-1177

media@personalitypokerbook.com

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Be More Self-Centered to Become a More Effective Leader - Stephen Shapiro Innovation Expert

Contrary to popular belief, being self-centered is, in fact, healthy. When individuals focus on their own needs first, they perform at higher levels and are able to contribute more effectively to others.

Boston, MA, June 11, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- Throughout life, there is only one constant: YOU. Children may pass away before their parents. Spouses may, in spite of all of the loving, leave. Jobs are only temporary. Instead of centering life on someone or something external, try being self-centered. This provides some level of stability in an unpredictable world.

"I am not suggesting that people should be selfish and 'exclusively concerned with oneself'", says Stephen Shapiro, innovation leader and author of Goal-Free Living - How to Have the Life You Want NOW. ( http://1clik2.com/GoalFreeLiving ). "Centering instead is what you base your life on - what you focus your attention on, be it children, career, spouse or even service to others. Those who focus on their own needs first tend to take better care of themselves, expanding their capacity to more effectively aid and lead others."

The book, Goal-Free Living is a significant departure from Shapiro's hard hitting corporate innovation techniques, and focuses more at an individualistic level. His somewhat unconventional approach to achieving happiness and success gives individuals the ability to break free from the unforeseen shackles that today's rules impose upon us. ( http://SteveShapiro.com )

"In an attempt to shed the self-centered label, I have seen the pendulum swing so far over that there has become a complete disregard for one's own self. A recent study uncovered that 53 percent of people say: 'I sometimes get the feeling that I am living my life in a way that satisfies others more than it satisfies me.' Living life based on the expectations of others leaves individuals demotivated and unproductive," says Shapiro.

To read more about Stephen Shapiro's unusual approach to creating a satisfying life experience, visit http://1clik2.com/BeingSelfCentered

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestle, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://SteveShapiro.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177, steve@24-7innovation.com, http://SteveShapiro.com, http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:

Deborah Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive Suite 807

Quincy, MA 02171

773-213-4485

Monday, June 6, 2011

Innovation Expert Stephen Shapiro - Not All Brains Are Built Smart

To see how to build an efficient and effective organizational system, examine the most complex system in the body - the human brain. Neuroscience now provides us with more information about the brain than ever before. By better understanding how intelligent brains operate, we can learn how to create more intelligent organizations.

Boston, MA, June 04, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- Interested in creating an organization that operates at peak levels of performance? Understanding and applying basic concepts uncovered from the study of the brain can alter the effectiveness of any organization. A once widely-held belief was that people with higher IQs had brains that worked harder, generated more energy, and consumed more glucose (the brain fuel). However, researchers have since proven that exactly the opposite is true. Surprisingly, smarter people have cooler, more subdued brain scans than those with lower IQs. Smart brains are more efficient brains. Consequently, using this theory in business can create more efficient organizations.

"Studies have shown that when we are inexperienced, we have to make a conscious effort to think about what we are doing," says Stephen Shapiro, Innovation Leader and author of Personality Poker. ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com ) "But later, after we've become more adept, much of what initially took effort becomes more automatic. If we apply this knowledge of the brain to how we run our businesses, it will operate more effortlessly."

"The key to efficiency is doing what comes naturally," explains Shapiro. "As an individual, understanding your innovation style, the style that comes most naturally to you, will help you focus your attention on activities where you can be most efficient. These are the areas where you are innately 'smarter' and therefore, your brain operates better. When everyone in your organization focuses on his or her unique innovation style, you end up with a 'smarter' organization that creates and implements new ideas as naturally as breathing."

Stephen Shapiro's recent book and personality tool, Personality Poker can help individuals and teams alike to identify their natural innovation style. This awareness ensures that each team member is focused on the most appropriate activities to maximize throughput, decrease inefficiencies and fashion an intelligent organization. ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book/science/ )

About Stephen Shapiro:
Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestlé, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges. His most recent project, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com ), released by Penguin Portfolio in October 2010, is a card game that has been played by over 25,000 people in boardrooms and living rooms around the world.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177, steve@24-7innovation.com
http://PersonalityPokerBook.com
http://SteveShapiro.com
http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:
Deborah Shapiro
24/7 Innovation
2001 Marina Drive Suite 807
Quincy, MA 02171
773-213-4485
media@personalitypokerbook.com
http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Monday, April 25, 2011

Expertise is the Enemy of Innovation - Innovation Leader Stephen Shapiro

Companies struggling to innovate may be suffering from an inadequate range of knowledge and perspectives. Companies have personalities; but a company's personality might repel the employee-base that can lend a critical point of view to business, killing innovation.

Boston, MA, April 18, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- Our society has placed a premium on expertise and knowledge. But this expertise may, in fact, be the very thing inhibiting creativity and innovation from thriving within organizations. Schools teach the regurgitation of facts rather than independent thinking and creativity so individuals work tirelessly toward becoming masterful at their specific discipline. This attempt at mastery might be the very thing closing off companies from generation more creative solutions to their most daunting problems.

"I often say that expertise is the enemy of creativity. The more we know, the harder it is to see things differently because we get locked into old ways of thinking," explains Stephen Shapiro, Innovation Leader and author of Personality Poker. "Consider this. When you lose your keys, you look everywhere. After 15 minutes you finally find them. What do you inevitably say? 'Figures, it was in the last place I looked.' Well of course it is. Who finds something and keeps looking? The brain works the same way with solutions. Once the brain finds a solution, it stops looking. And as an expert, you will probably find a solution rather quickly, stopping you from seeking alternative and more impactful resolutions."

Stephen Shapiro's recent book and personality tool, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com ), highlights areas where organizations are expert and those where they may be lacking. This awareness allows for the creation of a more balanced portfolio of skills and abilities enabling a full range of creativity to emerge.

"When we are expert, we may generate solutions at a rapid pace; however the level of innovation exhibited in solving those issues decreases exponentially. How do you combat your own expertise? Diversify. Work with others outside of your discipline," says Shapiro. "If NASA is trying to solve a complex issue and gathers the top 100 aerospace engineers together to resolve, will adding one more aerospace engineer really make a difference? However if they add a biologist, nanotechnologist or musician to the mix, they may create enough of a divergent perspective to circumvent the most challenging problems."

Watch Shapiro speak more on why expertise is the enemy of innvation at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUGnEx74470

About Stephen Shapiro:
Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestlé, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges. His most recent project, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book ), released by Penguin Portfolio in October 2010, is a card game that has been played by over 25,000 people in boardrooms and living rooms around the world.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177
steve@24-7innovation.com
http://PersonalityPokerBook.com
http://SteveShapiro.com
http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:
Deborah Shapiro
24/7 Innovation
2001 Marina Drive Suite 807
Quincy, MA 02171
773-213-4485
steve@24-7innovation.com
http://www.SteveShapiro.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

Innovation Expert Stephen Shapiro - Foster High Performance Teamwork - Ditch the Golden Rule and Play Some Poker

The Golden Rule is often cited as a guideline for peaceful coexistence. Surprisingly, it may in fact be counter-productive for both relationships and businesses. Following The Golden Rule literally may lead to employee dissatisfaction and conflict.

Boston, MA, April 12, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- How can employers minimize conflict while boosting productivity within the organization? Throw out The Golden Rule. Gone by the wayside is the antiquated philosophy, "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." Instead, treat people in the way THEY would like to be treated, and enjoy the rewards of a more effortless and effective work environment.

"The Golden Rule is positively the worst advice given, especially in business," says Stephen Shapiro, innovation leader and author of Personality Poker. ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com ) "People operate from a dangerously misguided view that what satisfies our own needs and makes us happy is analogous to the needs and wants of those around us."

Stephen Shapiro's recent book and personality tool, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book ) helps the reader clearly define their preferred style. More importantly, playing this engaging and interactive poker game allows players to discover the favored mode of operation of their peers, opening up an opportunity to "Do unto them as THEY would like to have done". This invariably minimizes conflict, opens communication and enhances productivity.

"This 'one-size-fits–all' approach employed by most companies meets the needs of the few, but has lacked the capacity to positively influence the masses," says Shapiro. "Companies need to start listening to what employees really want and begin tailoring programs and processes to better align with those unique and individual needs, be it motivation, communication, performance management and / or metrics."

Shapiro expands on the topic, "Why the Golden Rule is Tarnished", in a short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dx-lEHoc84g

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestlé, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges. His most recent project, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book ), released by Penguin Portfolio in October 2010, is a card game that has been played by over 25,000 people in boardrooms and living rooms around the world.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Contact: Deborah Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 773-213-4485

http://SteveShapiro.com, http://linkedin.com/in/shapiroinnovates

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or updates.

Contact:

Stephen Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive

Suite 807

Quincy, MA 02171

617-379-1177

http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Run Your Organization Like a Formula 1 Pit Crew and Race Past The Competition

It's no secret that change is occurring at breakneck speeds. But knowing this seems to make little difference. Many companies are, in essence, standing still while the most innovative and flexible organizations whiz by effortlessly.

Boston, MA, April 07, 2011 (Straight Line PR) -- Is your company operating at a speed that's keeping it ahead of the pace? Or is it simply running as fast as possible, upon the proverbial hamster wheel, gaining little traction to speed well beyond the competition? If this is the case, consider operating like a Formula 1 Pit Crew, to rev up productivity and throughput. Their tried and true principles will optimize any business and create high performing teams.

"Why is it that pit crews produce unprecedented results in just a matter of seconds? They employ three main principles that can and should be applied within your own organization to create peak levels of performance," says Stephen Shapiro, innovation leader and author of Personality Poker. ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book ) "First, each team member must be acutely aware of his specific strengths and - even more importantly - play to those strengths to maximize efficiencies. Secondly, the team must have a full complement of all styles represented to ensure that each essential role is covered. And lastly, the team should use a 'divide and conquer' methodology. Divvy up the work based on which style is most effective at a given task."

Stephen Shapiro's recent book and personality tool, Personality Poker, allows teams, within minutes, to clearly determine the individual strengths of each member. This critical awareness makes it possible to place people in the most effective roles for leveraging their talents. Additionally, this same instrument highlights aptitude deficiencies so that you can effectively bring your team into its necessary balance.

"When watching a Formula 1 Pit Crew, it's easy to see that each person clearly knows his strengths and is placed in the role that best compliments those capabilities," explains Shapiro in part two of his recent interview with IdeaConnection ( http://1clik2.com/PerformanceParadox ). "It's also evident that if just one of the 20 members were absent, the outcome would be entirely thwarted. Despite the obviousness of this example, many organizations are still operating with the absence of critical skills that would ensure them the ability to cross the finish line significantly ahead their competition."

See Stephen speak more on these principles in a short video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22GbJqjic1E

About Stephen Shapiro:

Stephen Shapiro is one of the foremost authorities on innovation and collaboration, and has personally touched hundreds of thousands of lives in over 40 countries. While Stephen's insights apply to virtually any organization, big or small, he has contributed to shifting the innovation culture for such Fortune 500 organization as Staples, GE, BP, Johnson & Johnson, Fidelity Investments, Pearson Education, Nestlé, and Bristol-Myers Squibb. As the founder and creator of a 20,000 person internal innovation practice within Accenture, and advisor to hundreds of organizations worldwide, Stephen possesses a rare and extensive arsenal of tools allowing him to arm any organization with the knowledge they need to shift their most threatening challenges. His most recent project, Personality Poker ( http://PersonalityPokerBook.com/book ), released by Penguin Portfolio in October 2010, is a card game that has been played by over 25,000 people in boardrooms and living rooms around the world.

Stephen can be reached at 617-379-1177 or online at http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Press Contact: Stephen Shapiro, 24/7 Innovation, 2001 Marina Drive Suite 807, Quincy, MA 02171, 617-379-1177, steve@24-7innovation.com

http://PersonalityPokerBook.com

Please contact http://www.PressReleaseNation.com for corrections or to update this press release.

Contact

Deborah Shapiro

24/7 Innovation

2001 Marina Drive Suite 807

Quincy, MA 02171

773-213-4485

dlock@richcontent.tv