Archive for June, 2010

Dreamtime solutions

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

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Best of the Month, John Cucka


What is it: A Harvard psychologist theorises that dreams are basically extra “thinking time”, but thinking that it is more visual and ‘free’, making it better suited for solving problems requiring “projected visualisation” (e.g. innovating a device) or thinking “out of the box” (e.g. approaching a problem from outside the conventional wisdom).

Why is it cool: Evolutionary principles suggest that biology tends not to be wasteful. So, for something like dreaming, which has been around for millions of years, it must have some functionality – and certainly empowering creatures with a second mode of thinking would be an advantage! Besides, it’s a cool way to explain waking up with one of those “ah ha!” moments!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Opinionaided

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

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Erin Hearn


What is it: A mobile phone app that allows users to asks opinions of their contacts on various topics. The app has been up and running for about a month where its users can seek advice on a wide range of public topics, including: “Would you wear teal, fuschia or purple yoga pants?”, the questions can be accompanied by photo’s to illustrate the questions.

Why is it cool: New digital communication tools will change the way we do research. Sure, market researchers can already do surveys on mobile phones, but what functionality with apps bring? How must survey language change for the evolving research media? And what are the impacts on sampling of interviewing social clusters or cascades (e.g. cost, representivity). Exciting times!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Erin Hearn

Who gives a scrap

Monday, June 28th, 2010

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Linley Barden


What is it: A compost service which collects leftover food from grocery stores, restaurants and coffee shops and turns it into organic soil conditioner. The gardens of Utah Valley are dining out!

Why is it cool: Next time you don’t eat everything on your plate, you can tell mum it’s ok the man will come collect it and trees will grow from it. It might not totally defeat her “just think of all the starving children in Africa” but it makes headway on doing something good for the world and innovative thinking. Also it holds up the golden virtues of  “waste not want not” and “making something out of nothing” – all cool too.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Linley Barden

Viral vodka

Monday, June 28th, 2010

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Linley Barden

What is it: An article describing how Pyotr Smirnov, the originator of Smirnoff (French-twist added to the name by his exiled son) Vodka, may well have pioneered ‘guerrilla-marketing’ in the 1800s by rounding up men from various parts of the country and inviting them back to his house. Allowing the vodka to flow (and handing out some cash) they returned to their neighbourhoods to “order meat soups and demand Smirnov vodka.”  It worked a treat.

Why is it cool: A “serf made good” story is always a crowd-pleaser. It’s cool because it reaffirms that some ideas are winners regardless of which century they are used (like word-of-mouth!). Some behaviours and motivations transcend era or origin.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Linley Barden

The snack boat

Monday, June 28th, 2010

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John Cucka


What is it: World food giant, Nestle, has invested in a floating supermarket, which will plie the rivers of the Amazon to reach remote communities, who they see as an emerging market opportunity.

Why is it cool: In terms of innovative thinking, it’s hard to fault Nestle. The strongest growth in food and bev sales is in emerging markets, so locking their loyalty early is a valid strategy. The use of a floating supermarket to reach remote communities is similarly a creative use of capital.

On the other hand, branded goods are a poor value for those who cannot afford them, and packaged goods in general are considered less healthy. Add to this that the boat will be stocked with “small sizes” to make price points more affordable, and you have accusations of Nestle taking advantage of the already disadvantaged.

Where to find it: news release here! social commentary here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Living walls

Friday, June 25th, 2010

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Bernard Visperas

What is it: A Spanish company has invented two types of tiles: one that can grow a number of different plants, including one that can suck pollution out of the atmosphere.

Why is it cool: Apart from the fact that they can make city buildings easier on the eye with funky patterns and designs, they are also great for the environment. The two tiles work in conjunction, where one tile uses natural light to convert nitrous oxide into fertilizer, which is then used by the plants growing on the other tile, and this plant matter removes carbon dioxide from the air. Both processes improve air quality, making it easier for locals to breathe.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Bernard Visperas

Eat that frog

Thursday, June 24th, 2010

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Rosemary Butcher

What is it: “Eat that frog” as a metaphor for tackling the most challenging task of your day, the one you are most likely to procrastinate on, but also probably the one that can have the greatest positive impact on your life.  This book has 21 tips for you to zero in on the critical tasks and organize each day. You’ll not only get more done faster but get the right things done.

Why is it cool: The message of this book: Action leads to accomplishment. Who doesn’t want more ticks on their to do list and more time for play without the guilt?  This book has sold more than 450,000 copies and been translated into 23 languages, so Tracy must be on to something.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Rosemary Butcher

Democratisation of politics

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

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Howard Parry-Husbands

What is it: Get Up is bidding to win a surfing lesson and breakfast for 6 with Tony Abbott. They plan to give that lesson to a refugee so that Abbott will be confronted with a real person telling him first-hand about the realities of life as a refugee.

Why is it cool: Get Up’s campaign is a great example of the democratization of politics and campaigning.Obama’s use of internet is another  great example.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: Howard Parry-Husbands

That a parasite can have a significant influence on personality is pretty cool, but that those millions of influenced people could shift a nation’s personality is nothing short of mind-blowing. Certainly myriad other factors influence local culture, so the world’s cultural differences cannot be simply described by the parasite… or maybe that’s what it wants us to believe!

Our parasite overlords

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

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John Cucka

What is it: There is a common rat parasite which changes the personalities of cats who have it, to make them easier to be caught and be eaten by cats, in order to complete its lifecycle. Interestingly, when humans catch the parasite, their personality also changes making them more warm, outgoing, attentive, relaxed and calm. More amazing, in countries with higher incidence of parasite infection, the local culture mirrors these traits (e.g. Brazil has two-thirds infection amongst women).

Why is it cool: That a parasite can have a significant influence on personality is pretty cool, but that those millions of influenced people could shift a nation’s personality is nothing short of mind-blowing. Certainly myriad other factors influence local culture, so the world’s cultural differences cannot be simply described by the parasite… or maybe that’s what it wants us to believe!

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka

Marketing advice from above

Monday, June 7th, 2010

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John Cucka


What is it: Six “branding lessons” marketers can learn from the major religions.

Why is it cool: If one considers that brands are just an idea, it’s natural to look for other ideas that have successfully spread throughout the world for their “secret formula”. Not surprisingly, many of these secrets are well known to the marketing textbooks, but not so easily activated in market (more due to lack of vision or commitment, than exogenous factors). Most interestingly, there is explicit mention of leveraging your “evangelicals” for their “word of mouth” power.

Where to find it: here!

Submitted by: John Cucka