Michael Plishka
Michael Plishka
Michael Plishka is the President and Founder of ZenStorming Solutions, LLC an innovation design consultancy. He believes in co-design methodologies, sharing design thinking essentials - empowering people and companies to make a difference with their products and services.
Want to Uncover New Product Opportunities? Try Archaeology
I recently read this wonderfully provocative piece on how archaeology can be used as a tool for new product research. The crux of...
Simulating Systems with This Intuitive (and Free!) Tool
Many years ago while working in the Rehab.-R&D wing of the Hines VA hospital, I was modelling how urinary bladders fill and empty. ...
Want to Share Data and Interact With it on the Web?
Well presented data tells a story. When viewers can interact with the data, it goes beyond storytelling and encourages discussion and...
G.R.A.S.P. The Solution – A Book Review
I had the privilege of recently reading the book, Grasp the Solution: How to Find the Best Answers to Everyday Challenges , by...
The Fragile Muse and Respect for Creativity
Over at the Looper's Delight group we were discussing what to do with ideas that don't grow the way we expected, or wanted them...
Want to be Disruptively Innovative? Pass
You've analyzed the market, researched customer needs, and you've come up with some great ideas for new products. Shiny surfaces, high tech interface,...
Innovating For (and From) the Fringe
One of my favorite TV shows is Fringe. It's tale of parallel universes and the FBI's, Fringe Division team, and their fight against...
Designing Positive Experiences in a Doctor’s Office – One Bagel at a Time
It was a typical physical. The basic tests, some questions, some 'turn your head and cough'-ing, a blood draw and the removal of a...
You Don’t Have to be Brilliant to be Creative, Just Combinatorial
Was reading an interview with Maria Popova of Brainpickings.org and it dawned on me that I never shared her link with you, my Readers....
Breaking Habits in the New Year? Innovate Instead
I entered the VA hospital, tired after a two and a half hour drive. I turned the corner and went to press the...
Innovation Can Change the World When Spelled: L-O-V-E
Products and services have to obey the laws of nature. Some laws, like Newton's Laws, can not be avoided. Ignore them...
Practice These Three Approaches for Increasing Creativity
When studying creativity, researchers measure certain traits that are indicative of creative thought processes in individuals. Three key concepts are: Fluency (the ability to...
Creativity: Left Brain + Right Brain = WHOLE Brain
Came across an article originally published at The Conversation. With all the talk of right brain vs. left brain, it turns out that recent research highlights that creativity...
Want to Spark Innovative Thinking? Check Out “Exploiting Chaos” – A Free e-Book on Innovation
I've always been a fan of Trendhunter.com and contribute on occasion when I'm able. Last week, Trendhunter Founder, Jeremy Gutsche, released his book,...
8 Tips on Creating Innovative and Engaging Products/Services
Was reading this article over at Writer's Digest about how to start a chapter in an engaging manner. The similarities between writing a...
That’s YOUR Chunk of Open Office Space, This is MINE
In the past I wrote about the health impact of open plan office spaces and their impact on creativity. Now it appears that open...
Interested in Open Innovation Models? Check This Out!
I was lying on the couch in the wee hours of the night/morning, flipping through various channels. I came upon a program ...
Insights Into Innovation via the Way of the Mad Scientist
While at a client's the other day, a colleague looked at the collection of new and failed prototypes, bits and pieces of scrap, notes,...
5 Tips for Building Sustainable, Innovative Communities (Chainsaws Included)
Pic Courtesy of coloradoouting.com What do you do when the trees in your city park are diseased and need to be cut down? You could...
Small Changes in Design Can Positively Impact Customer Experience – Thoughts After the Storm
I don't know what chord the wind was playing, I only know it wasn't that "shoosh' sound that a breeze, even a strong one,...