blog

Theory X and Theory Y

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 04:39:00 GMT

This is someone we hope to hear more from, see www.pippinbarr.com

a book worth reading
Information Anxiety – Richard Saul Wurman

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:30:00 GMT

An oldie but worth a new look. First published in 1991

"...the most essential prerequisite to understanding is to be able to admit when you don’t understand something. Being able to admit that you don’t know is liberating. … is the ideal frame of mind to receive new information."

a book worth reading
Do Good Design – David B. Berman

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:26:00 GMT

Get out of your studios and into the board rooms designers!

A call for designers to re-evaluate their role in society - commit to becoming (part of) the solution not part of the problem.

a book worth reading
A Short History of Progress - Ronald Wright

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:22:00 GMT

If you are beginning to think that our present behaviour is typical of failed societies at the zenith of their greed and arrogance - this is the dinosaur factor.

Time to question progress itself? The ultimate design challenge?

a book worth reading
Health Cheque - Gareth Morgan & Geoff Simmons

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:17:00 GMT

Thanks Gareth Morgan for choosing to help us understand the big issues of our time – this time a reflection on our Health system.

There is no more emotional issue than access to healthcare.

We lurch from restructure to restructure apparently unable to grasp the critical first step in Systems Design – that of identifying and communicating the core challenge.

Delivering to current and future needs without substantially increasing the purse is surely the challenge. Nothing short of cultural change will get us there.

a book worth reading
Bird On A Wire - Theresa Gattung

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:06:00 GMT

Although I went in looking for it didn’t discover the ‘real’ Theresa Gattung.

While not what you’d call a stuffed shirt she depicts herself as an expensive suit with sleeves rolled up! Perhaps that’s what the telecommunications industry is still looking for?

We look forward to seeing her match her skills to New Zealand’s flagging strong wool industry. This will provide an opportunity for her to declare her real passion and to inspire progress in a sector so desperately unhinged.

a book worth reading
The Fifth Discipline - Peter M. Senge

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 02:41:00 GMT

Also around for a while. Second edition.

Essential reading for those who see design thinking as one of many disciplines needed to create and support human enterprise in the 21st century.

For more by Peter Senge see our December 2009 Blog for Presence.

designindustry updates

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 00:21:00 GMT

designindustry Director, Dorenda Britten, is a member of the Auckland and Waikato based group that developed the Research and Development White Paper for Minister of Science and Technology, The Honourable Wayne Mapp.

Dorenda is quoted as saying “every day brings new opportunities for Design Thinkers, not only to contribute to the conversation about New Zealand’ s future, but to do something about it.”

The group is due to discuss the paper with the Minister on the 13th April.

Read "Govt urged to back innovative start-ups" >>
Published in The Press on Saturday March 20th 2010.

Read "Fast failure better than fruitless battle" >>
Published in The Herald on Sunday March 14th 2010.

Shashi Tharoor Why nations should pursue "soft" power

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:29:00 GMT

a book worth reading
Why Most Things Fail - Evolution, Extinction and Economics, Paul Ormerod

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:51:00 GMT

An author not afraid to uncover for the reader the uncomfortable prevalence of failure in natural and human systems.

a book worth reading
The Spirit of Leadership, Dr Peter Cammock

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 00:44:00 GMT

Thank you Dr Peter Cammock for your gentle but powerful insights into the nature of commitment to the realisation of a personal vision.

To purchase this book please contact Dr Peter Cammock at peter.cammock@canterbury.ac.nz.

a book worth reading
How The Mighty Fall, Jim Collins

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:02:00 GMT

If you reacted to the down turn by desperately searching for a silver bullet. Firstly, we hope it worked for you secondly, this book should be of interest to you.

a book worth reading
Managing Sustainable Innovation, Ian E Maxwell

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:01:00 GMT

Explaining Sustainable Innovation might have been a better title for this book. An interesting read but left us asking … but how, in a New Zealand context, can this be done?

a book worth reading
Presence exploring profound change in people, organisations and society, Peter Senge et al

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:50:00 GMT

One of the most powerful books on a complex subject we have found.

What the Hell Have We Done to Design?

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:19:00 GMT

If you have ever tried to describe your career as a professional designer give a thought to those of us who cannot always demonstrate a physical outcome.

Read "What the Hell Have We Done to Design?" article at dmi.org >>

blog

Theory X and Theory Y

a book worth readingInformation Anxiety – Richard Saul Wurman

a book worth readingDo Good Design – David B. Berman

a book worth readingA Short History of Progress - Ronald Wright

a book worth readingHealth Cheque - Gareth Morgan & Geoff Simmons

a book worth readingBird On A Wire - Theresa Gattung

a book worth readingThe Fifth Discipline - Peter M. Senge