Two Business Books Activists Might Want to Study

I know some of you work for nonprofits or with activist groups of some sort. Your nonprofit or group might be interested in new systems for innovating, solving problems, and seizing control of opportunities.

The Problem Solving Journey: Your Guide for Making Decisions and Getting Results by Christopher Hoeing – I’ve used some of his material at my job and in thinking about my own writing on how to deal with challenges that social activists face. 

The Seeds of Innovation: Cultivating the Synergy That Fosters New Ideas by Elaine Dundon – I’m reading this one and I really like her strategy for innovation in business. The concepts and terms translate to the public sector, though some will take some effort. For instance, you probably aren’t used to thinking in terms of market share or market space if you work for a school, nonprofit, or foundation.

Any comments on these books or other business books that can help activist types would be appreciated.

More book notes are coming, as soon as I get a little more free time.

Creative Activism at the Library

This post is actually about books and not activism as such. Hope you’ll go and get one of these titles!

Here are some interesting titles that happen to be available at the MLK branch of the DC library:

Serious Creativity: Using the Power of Lateral Thinking to Create New Ideas – problem-solving and idea generating tools useful for almost any task.

De Bono’s Thinking Course – smiliar to above but shorter

Six Action Shoes – describes six strategies for acting and when to use each strategy

Six Thinking Hats – describes different modes of thinking – creative, analytical, critical to name three.

and how to use each of the six “hats” alone or in a group

Eco-Pioneers: Practical Visionaries Solving Today’s Environmental Problems – detailed case studies of green innovations and innovators.

If you know of other titles that seem to belong on this little list please leave a comment!

Chet

interview with Thom Hartmann w/video

Mike Papantonio of GoLeft TV and Air America’s Ring of Fire talks with fellow Air America host Thom Hartmann about the new film “The 11th Hour” about the dangers the planet now faces because of global warming. Leonardo DiCaprio produced and narrated “The 11th Hour.”

Sources:
Air America Radio
The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight

A Sustainable DC Reading List

Well, I like these books and think the contain plenty of ideas we could use to improve the District.

Here are a few titles that can help you create, improve, and “sell” new ideas:

1. Thinkertoys by Michael Michalko – a hugely popular book on creative thinking
2. How to Think Like Einstein by Scott Thorpe – describes a problem-solving strategy that’s based (very loosely) on Albert Einstein’s thinking style
3. Serious Creativity by Edward De Bono – a landmark book on creativity by a pioneer in the teaching of thinking skills

And some sources of inspiring ideas related to sustainable cities:

1. Ecological Design by Sim Van Der Ryn and Stewart Cowen
2. Toward Sustainable Communities by Mark Roseland
3. Worldchanging: A Users Guide to the 21st Century, edited by Alex Steffen
4. From Eco-Cities to Living Machines by Nancy Jack Todd and John Todd
5. Eco-Pioneers by Steve Lerner

Used copies are almost certainly going to be available on Amazon.com. The DC library might have Thinkertoys and Serious Creativity. (–Chet)

Riane Eisler — The Real Wealth of Nations

below is a review of Eisler’s book by Jeffrey Hollender (President of 7th Generation) about “Creating a Caring Economics” and I wanted to share this with you because thats what I’d like to think we’re doing at idealist dc.

…and i hope you’ll agree and join us.

we’re starting the process of caring for one another by providing information and events to help educate and connect with one another.

Riane Eisler will actually be speaking at the DC Green Festival on Sunday, October 7th. I hope you will be able to join me for her presentation. (–tina)

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