An interesting piece in The Art Newspaper on art museums' recalcitrance - as a field - in embracing all things digital. This reluctance is ascribed in part to museums' inherent conservatism and object-oriented practice. Not a Cassandra, the author's tone is hopeful and catalogs progress made by several museums and commercial galleries. Museums have a long history of exercising total command over their content. That’s over. “Museums in the future will still be reliable sources of information, and a curator will continue to be the authority on a … [Read more...]
Ditch Performance Reviews? How About Learn to do Them Well?
This article highlights some of the challenges to productive performance reviews as well as suggestions for how to overcome them. Do these map onto your experiences with performance reviews? Do you have other suggestions for how to make them less frustrating and more valuable? Ditch Performance Reviews? How About Learn to do Them Well? - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
We Make Do: More Time Is Better, But Budget Is King
Space is a critical resource for many artists and arts organizations. Given the challenges facing both those who have facilities and those who want access to facilities, are there opportunities for communities to work together to overcome these challenges? This report examines the needs and availability of dance rehearsal space in New York, but includes valuable insights for anyone interested in community-wide solutions to infrastructure challenges. We Make Do: More Time Is Better, But Budget Is King — The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. … [Read more...]
Managing Under Complexity: Where is Einstein When You Really Need Him?
This article covers a lot of ground in a short space including how we think about -- for better or worse -- complex situations and provides an interesting frame to think about how our organizational designs might or might not be best suited to our missions. Managing Under Complexity: Where is Einstein When You Really Need Him? - Ivey Business Journal. … [Read more...]
Why Can’t Big Companies Solve Big Problems?
Organizations - and society - face complicated problems that require nuanced solutions. Hybrid thinking crosses traditional boundaries and enables ideas to mix together to create innovative solutions to those problems. The question is, how do you enable that type of flexible thinking in your organization? Why Can't Big Companies Solve Big Problems? | Co.Design. … [Read more...]
Faith, hope and charities: the public trusts charities more than any other type of organisation. But measuring do-gooding risks shattering some illusions
A brief but interesting read on the sometimes delicate foundation of assumptions shared by nonprofits and those who support them. Economist.com. … [Read more...]
All Together: A Creative Approach to Organisational Change
Organizations need to be efficient and innovative but, in today’s social and economic conditions, they also need to be able to respond creatively to external challenges while staying true to their core purpose. This report looks at one organization journey towards achieving this. The Royal Shakespeare Company’s story is an example of an organization in turnaround. Over the past few years it has embarked on an ambitious transformation of its famous Stratford-upon-Avon home. At the same time it has transformed its entire way of working by … [Read more...]
RSA Animate – extraordinary ’21st century enlightenment’
From the RSA in London, a gaggle of animated videos from their public events series. Absolutely worth ten minutes whenever you need to step back from things for a bit. RSA Animate Videos If you don't know the RSA: Building on the RSA's 250 year history as a beacon for enlightenment values, our events promote new ways of thinking about human fulfillment, capability and progress, and address key contemporary issues from the fields of education, science, … [Read more...]
Stealing Fire: Creative Deviance in the Evolution of New Ideas
A different look at how you create break-through innovation. Stealing Fire: Creative Deviance in the Evolution of New Ideas - Academy of Management. … [Read more...]
The biology of business: Homo administrans
How much credit goes to your genes for your career in the performing or creative arts? [Slight tease, see chart] Biologists have brought rigour to psychology, sociology and even economics. Now they are turning their attention to the softest science of all: management. The biology of business: Homo administrans | The Economist. … [Read more...]
The Zombie Workplace Survival Guide
Just in time for Halloween, the Harvard Business Review blog offers tips for combating the four contagions that create a zombie workplace — "where creative people and good ideas disturbingly molder." The Zombie Workplace Survival Guide - H. James Wilson and Kevin Desouza - Research - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]
Exploring and Defining Influence: A New Study
With most arts organizations racing get more fans and followers online, they may be interested in the results of this thought-provoking survey. Influence (particularly online) has less to do with the size of your audience and more to do with the value of the content you are providing. Exploring and Defining Influence: A New Study. … [Read more...]
Creating a Customer-Centric Business
Professor Ranjay Gulati of Harvard Business School discusses how organizations can become more customer (or audience)-centric and why this is a critical time for them to do so. YouTube - Creating a Customer-Centric Business. … [Read more...]
How the Magazine Industry Can Save Itself
This is an interesting piece from FastCompany about the challenges of content providers, which I think has important implications for arts organizations. "In the internet age, distribution isn't a competitive advantage. But highly curated content can be. " How the Magazine Industry Can Save Itself | Co.Design. … [Read more...]
To Get Paid What You’re Worth, Know Your Disruptive Skills
An interesting thought on what you're selling (and therefore emphasizing) to your organization. Are you trumpeting the right things? To Get Paid What You're Worth, Know Your Disruptive Skills - Whitney Johnson - Harvard Business Review. … [Read more...]