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Matthew May: In Pursuit Of Elegance - Blog Business Success Radio

Consultant, speaker, and author of the thought provoking book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing, Matthew May discusses the need for creative new ideas in an increasingly competitive global economy. He delves into the art of crafting new ideas through an essentially subtractive approach. He calls the results elegant solutions. These elegant solutions combine surprising power with uncommon simplicity. They not only fix the problem, but add value as well.

Matthew May is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on Blog Talk Radio.

The show airs live on Thursday, May 7, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Consultant, speaker, and author of the thought provoking book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why What Isn't There Trumps What Is, Matthew May discusses the need for creative new ideas in an increasingly competitive global economy. You will learn:

* The meaning and importance of elegance and symmetry in the creative process

* Why very often, less is more, in design, problem solving, and management

* How subtraction is really addition in creating simplicity and elegant solutions

* How doing nothing at all my be the correct course of action, contrary to belief

Matthew May (photo left) travels the planet to help organizations and individuals bolster their ability to guide change through creative problem solving and innovative thinking. He's paid to poke, prod, and provoke. While the assignments are always different, Matt May generally gets hired to do one or more of the following things.

Matt May talks to teams and groups, small or large, and delivers high-impact and thought-provoking messages, generally on creativity, innovation, and change.

Matt conducts a highly interactive 1-day seminar for groups large or small called THE SUBTRACTION SEMINAR.

As a student and practitioner of change and innovation, Matt May has a grounded perspective of what works and what doesn’t. He can lend that expertise to a consultative review, or act as a facilitator and coach to individuals and teams.

Matt loves the written word, which is why he writes articles, books, blogs. His work stands for itself, so when folks like the way he presents an idea or concept in a certain voice, they often ask him to write pieces for them.

Matt May blogs at In Pursuit Of Elegance

My book review of In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing by Matthew May.

Listen live on Thursday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.

If you miss this very informative show, it will be available for free download as a podcast for iPod, iTunes, and MP3 players; or play it right on your computer. To download this, or any other of my guest interviews, go to the Blog Business Success host page and click on Archived Segments. Once there, click on the podcast icon at the end of the episode description, to download the show free of charge for your listening enjoyment. You can also subscribe to the show feed.

To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with consultant, speaker, and author of the thought provoking book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why What Isn't There Trumps What Is, Matthew May as he discusses the need for creative new ideas in an increasingly competitive global economy. He delves into the art of crafting new ideas through an essentially subtractive approach. He calls the results elegant solutions. These elegant solutions combine surprising power with uncommon simplicity. They not only fix the problem, but add value as well on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: In Pursuit of Elegance: Why What Isn't There Trumps What Is, Matthew May, creative problem solving, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

In Pursuit Of Elegance by Matthew E. May - Book review

In Pursuit of Elegance

Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing

By: Matthew E. May

Published: May 19, 2009
ISBN: 9780385526494
Format: Hardcover, 224pp
Publisher: Broadway Business

"The full power of elegance is achieved when the maximum impact is exacted with the minimum input", writes innovative thinker Matthew May in his thought provoking book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing. The author takes the reader on a journey toward simplicity and elegance in unexpected places, that changes the way a person looks at the world.

Matthew May, a long time consultant with innovation leading Toyota, brings a holistic and Eastern tinged philosophy, to his quest for elegance. Instead of examining problems in isolation, the author considers the entire environment as a whole. By placing the problem in a larger context, unessential elements within the problem can be removed and simplified. The resulting elegant solution may require no further action be taken, or perhaps, even more subtraction may be necessary to achieve a more elegant result.

Matthew May (photo left) understands that Western values and business theory include the powerful dictum that doing something is always better than doing nothing. The author takes a different approach to problem solving. Very often, the best solution is to take no action, or if action is taken, to subtract any unessential components to the problem. Reducing a problem to its very essence instills a powerful and deeply felt human need to fill in the details in a very personal way. Very often, the pursuit of elegance uncovers certain symmetries and balances within the solution, that are pleasing to the human eye and brain as well.

For me, the power of the book is its own internal simplicity of message, that is at the same time complex and worldview changing. We often hear people say that less is more or that the best way of doing things is also the easiest technique. All too often, that approach to life and especially to business problem solving is lost. Instead of developing products that are easier to use, and processes that are easier to understand, the opposite is often the result. Products get more unneeded and difficult to use features, processes become more complicated and fill multi-volume manuals, and the end results are lower sales and decreased productivity. This book turns that thinking around, and presents a powerful alternative mode of thought.

I highly recommend the brilliant and important book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing by Matthew May to anyone seeking more simple and human level solutions to problems. The real world examples, described in detail in the book, provide evidence that the journey toward elegance and simplicity is not only effective, but profitable as well.

Read and discover the holistic approach found in the book In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing by Matthew May, and find yourself seeking symmetry, simplicity, and elegance in all of your problem solving sessions. Learn how subtraction really means addition, but involving the observer to fill in the crucial details, and find their own personal satisfaction in its completion.

Tags: In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing, Matthew May, creative problem solving, business book reviews.

David Henderson: The Media Savvy Leader - Blog Business Success Radio

Emmy Award winning former CBS correspondent, communications strategist, online publisher and author of the practical and concise book The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson, shares ideas for shaping and delivering information and messages, as well as enhancing online brand recognition and positioning. He discusses the online revolution in media & business communication including social media. He describes why this knowledge is crucial for modern business & media leaders.

David Henderson is my internet radio show guest on Blog Business Success; hosted live on Blog Talk Radio.

The show airs live on Tuesday, May 5, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time; 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Emmy Award winning former CBS correspondent, communications strategist, online publisher and author of the practical and concise book The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson, shares ideas for shaping and delivering information and messages, as well as enhancing online brand recognition and positioning. You will learn:

* Why media influence is crucial to your personal and company success

* How to develop the media skills necessary for media presentations

* How to establish open and trusting relationships with journalists

* The differences and similarities between online and offline media leadership

David Henderson (photo left) is a veteran communications strategist ... author ... and Emmy Award winning former CBS Network News correspondent. He works together with leaders of companies, NGOs and not-for-profit organizations to enhance brand value and achieve competitive leadership through innovative strategic communications. He is skilled at image and reputation management through the strategic placement of clear, appealing and credible messages, and the influence of managed media coverage.

My book review of The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World by David Henderson.

Listen live on Tuesday at 8:00 pm Eastern, 5:00 pm Pacific time.

To call in questions for my guest, the number is: (347) 996-5832

Let's talk with Emmy Award winning former CBS correspondent, communications strategist, online publisher and author of the practical and concise book The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson, as he shares ideas for shaping and delivering information and messages, as well as enhancing online brand recognition and positioning. He discusses the online revolution in media & business communication including social media. He describes why this knowledge is crucial for modern business & media leaders on Blog Business Success Radio.

Tags: The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson, online, offline media relations, Blog Business Success, Blog Talk Radio.

The Media Savvy Leader by David Henderson - Book review

The Media Savvy Leader

Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World

By: David Henderson

Published: Jan 8, 2009
ISBN: 9781934759202
Format: Paperback, 272pp
Publisher:Robert D. Reed Publishers

"successful leaders have examined - at one time or another, each in his or her own way - a critical reality of successful leadership in today's media driven world", writes Emmy Award winning former CBS correspondent David Henderson, in his practical and concise book The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World. The author describes why it is essential for a leader to understand the importance of gaining media visibility, and for transforming that visibility into influence and thought leadership.

David Henderson, as an award winning former journalist, understands the media from an insider's point of view. He knows what reporters need, and what editors want, to create a compelling story. As a result, the author shares practical ideas for leveraging both the mainstream media and online social media, for leaders to best convey their vision. Along the way, David Henderson destroys some long held myths about how online and offline media operate, and replaces those incorrect ideas with practical concepts that can be learned by any leader, regardless of the field or industry.

David Henderson (photo left) recognizes similarities shared by media savvy leaders. He describes how leaders, who are successful working with the media, get to the point quickly, share stories, and get the listener involved in the event. The author points out that effective media exposure is crucial during times of crisis, either within the organization itself, or in the economy as a whole. Successful leaders present their message in clear and honest terms. Whether the media is online or offline, transparency and authenticity on the part of the leader, will provide a more effective presentation.

For me, the power of the book is its practical and easy to apply media techniques. Moving beyond standard public relations tactics, David Henderson describes how to formulate an entire media strategy that will enhance and build a solid brand and company image. He shares insider secrets for working with journalists to ensure that the relationship is based on trust and honesty. Unlike many books that discuss media relations, the author provides solid information for delivering the leadership vision through both online and offline media. Along the way, the book includes some of the pitfalls that await the unwary leader, and how to avoid dangerous ethical issues that can cause irreparable damage the leader's reputation.

I highly recommend the essential media leadership guide The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World by David Henderson, to any leader or potential leader, regardless of industry, who seeks to enhance their media visibility and influence. In today's media saturated world, a failure to participate in online and offline media can mean disaster for a business or any other organization. This hand book provides the tools necessary for any leader to become more effective in the media.

Read the useful book The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World by David Henderson, and place it in a prominent and easy to reach location on your business book shelf. The information the book contains can be reviewed and put into practice over and over again. Along the way, you will become a media savvy leader, called upon often to share your vision and ideas through all types of media.

Tags: The Media Savvy Leader: Visibility, Influence, and Results in a Competitive World, David Henderson, online, offline media relations, business book reviews.

The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews - Book review

The Flying Troutmans

By: Miriam Toews

Publishing Date: September 2, 2008
ISBN: 978-0-307-39749-2
Format: Hardcover, 288 pages
Publisher: Knopf Canada

Hattie Troutman leaves her life in Paris, following a desperate telephone call from her niece Thebes, setting off a wild journey of redemption, faith, and rebirth for the entire Troutman family. In her hilarious and heart warming novel The Flying Troutmans, award winning author Miriam Toews tells the story of a family torn apart by Min Troutman's mental illness, where her children Logan and Thebes along with her sister Hattie, struggle to come to terms with their lives and place in the world.

Miriam Toews creates a universe where the characters orbit the rise and setting of Min Troutman's mental condition. When Min is institutionalized, her sister Hattie spins the worlds of Logan and Thebes off on a makeshift road trip to find their father. As the Odyssey begins through the United States, punctuated by moments of laughter and deeper understanding of the family history, the Troutmans begin to pull together as one unit, in a symbolic rebirth. Just as the Sun is reborn after an eclipse, the Troutman family rediscovers itself and the basic humanity in each of the characters.

Author Miriam Toews (photo left) creates some of the most memorable characters in Canadian literature. In their own endearing ways, Hattie, Thebes, Logan, and the unpredictable Min, stay with the reader, leaving ever more clues to their characters. The characters are well drawn, with fullness and depth, along with the ability to grow into maturity as their story unfolds. Along the haphazard and unplanned travels through America, the troubled family discovers their importance to one another. While their lives had revolved completely around Min in the past, the other family members discover their own independent lives along the way.

Miriam Toews likens the family to planets orbiting a central, yet unpredictable sun in Min. Along with the motif of a solar system, the family are metaphorically compared to fish, and water themes flow through the book. From their fish name, to their twisting river like journey to meet their father, the Troutman family swims against the stream of life. When they learn to stop fighting the current, they avoid drowning, and swim together as a family unit. Indeed, the family has a fish they never see for months at a time, but they are afraid to search for it out of fear for what they might find. That strange lost fish characterizes the family's fear of searching for the real Min, and at the same time, they failed to search for themselves. Once freed of the suffocating Min orbit, Hattie, Logan, and Thebes are reborn as individuals. They also share in the rebirth of Min as part of the renewed family unit.

I highly recommend the spellbinding The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews, to anyone seeking a story of rebirth, renewal, and filled with wonderful characters. The novel can be read on many levels, whether as a family story, a powerful character study, or as a symbolic odyssey to self discovery. The novel is effective at every level, and the wonderful characters leave an impression, long after the book is finished.

Read the powerful and absorbing The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews, and be drawn into the Troutman family orbit. The voyage has laughter, tears, and the power of humanity to overcome obstacles, survive, and endure. The novel is destined to become a classic in Canadian Prairie Literature.

Tags: The Flying Troutmans, Miriam Toews, Canadian Prairie Literature, fiction book reviews.