George Hines
George Hines is the Chief Information Officer of Global Experience Specialists and has just over 19 years of experience in various B2B companies in the marketing, live events, telecommunications, outsourcing and travel industries.
3 Ways to Challenge Your Inner Creative
November 30, 2013
Some people believe they aren’t creative, not innovative and weren’t born with the “creative gene.” What happens if I wasn’t born with it? How can I become more innovative in my personal and professional life?
Fortunately, there are some great tips out there we can all benefit from, and, yes, they came from Google. However, instead of Google.com, they came from a senior leader at Google.
In a summit about innovation for IT leaders, I had the chance to meet a senior leader from the innovation team at Google, Emily Ma.
Emily spent her entire career focused on product and service innovation at firms like Stanford University, IDEO and Google, and her message to all of the IT leaders in the room was simple, “We all have the power to be more innovative.”
Emily challenged all of us with several tips she developed from her experiences which I found useful to anyone seeking to improve themselves as innovators.
Below are three of those tips which are simple not only to read, but to apply in your everyday life:
1.) Facta Non Verba- That is Latin for “deeds not words.” If you have an idea, draw it out. If it’s for a product, build it out of whatever you have at your disposal. If you only have toothpicks, Lego blocks and toilet paper, make a model of your idea. By no means should you sit on an idea. Draw it, build it and make it. It will inspire more creative thinking and give you instantaneous feedback from others on how to refine it.
2.) Make Time and Shelter Your Stars - According to recent studies in the workplace, it’s estimated that employees are interrupted once every 3 minutes on average during the course of a day. Whether it’s text messages, instant messages, emails, someone dropping by, phone calls, scheduled meetings or something else, that adds up to a whopping 160 times we’re interrupted from our train of thought in an average eight-hour day. It’s also a known fact that it takes at least 30 uninterrupted minutes to get into the proper frame of mind for the most effective creative thinking or what psychologists call “flow.” As employees, we can create a positive environment for innovation by setting aside scheduled quiet time for ourselves, as well as our team members.
3.) Take a Twalk- No, that isn’t a spelling error. Physical activity is one of the most important things that each of us needs every day to maintain a healthy lifestyle, but it’s also fundamental to our mental health and happiness. Daily physical activity naturally raises our levels of serotonin, which is a naturally occurring chemical that contributes to feelings of happiness. We’re all much more productive when we’re happy. So, the next time you have a meeting scheduled, instead of sitting in a conference room, consider taking a walk and talking through things. Take a “twalk.” You’ll be more productive and benefit from the exercise, not only physically, but mentally as well.
In summary, each of us has the power to change the set of circumstances around us to maximize our potential for creativity and innovation, and these simple examples prove that. It’s possible to become a better innovator, and, yes, you can Google that.
What do you do to get your creative juices flowing? Share your tips below.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
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