Ideabook - RSS

The Idea Shelf

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:25:30 GMT

What books do you have in your bookshelf - and why? A while back we got an email from a Swedish woman blogging about her new home. In her blog she wrote that she and her new husband had moved in together to a new apartment. But when they were packing all their stuff from their old apartments they looked at all the books in their bookshelves and said: "Do we really need to unpack all our books in our new place? How often do we go back to a book we have read?" So in their new place they just put up a small shelf with a flower, some vases - and the two books of all the books they had - that they constantly went back to. As you can see in the picture to the left those books were: The Idea Book and The Idea Book Two! We are very proud to have written 100% of all the books a couple in Sweden found worth keep going back to. >> To receive these interesting stories, subscribe to our Newsletter!

Where to you get your best ideas?

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 05:24:26 GMT

I have asked more than 100 000 people this question: "When do you have your absolutely best ideas?" The most common answer is: - In the bed - In the shower - when traveling - when exercising and - when i am with friends in a bar Virtually no one says "When I am sitting at my desk at work"! And still that´s where most people tend to work. I never understood why. So 3 out of the last 4 weeks I have spent on a island writing my next book. For two reasons: 1) The island is amazing - as you can see - and I want my life to be as full of amazing moments as possible. 2) I know that I do my best writing when I am: a) Close to water b) Isolated c) Relaxed So sitting on an isolated island while writing tend to make my writing much better. Where do you do your best work? It might not be on an island, and then of course you should not work from one. But I am pretty sure it is not when sitting at your desk at work. So think about that today: What does your perfect creative environment look like? Then make sure you spend more time there. Fredrik >> To receive these interesting stories, subscribe to our Newsletter!

Creativity in the news.

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 04:39:36 GMT

This month we would like to highlight one of the interviews that Fredrik Härén was featured in during the month of July. On a full page interview in Lianhe Zaobao Fredrik talks about The Idea Book, his next book (The Developing World), Singapore and creativity and why creativity is so important. Lianhe Zaobao is the most-read Chinese newspaper in Singapore and a trusted information source for the Chinese-speaking community. The only Chinese morning daily in Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao is an influential and authoritative newspaper giving valuable insights into local and foreign news. Lianhe Zaobao is also regarded as an important source of political and economic news on East Asia, especially China. To read the interview in Chinese, click here. >> To receive these interesting stories, subscribe to our Newsletter!

That Idea Contest! 5000 EUR to win!

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:32:56 GMT

Having an idea is great, but winning money for it is even better! (Download flyer of the competition here) Interesting.org is giving away SGD 10,000 (50,000 SEK, 5,000 EURO) for the best pictures that symbolize an idea. So what does an idea look like? Express your thoughts and feelings on a double page of the Idea Book. Download the Idea Book double page here. It can be an illustration, a photo, a collage, a text, or anything you can think of. Be creative! So, two rules: 1) The picture should symbolize "an idea" 2) The picture must be submitted with "The Idea Book" double page. as the canvas. Grand Prize A total of SGD 10,000 will be given away as prizes at the end of 2010. We might decide to give away small "monthly prizes" so the earlier you send us your submissions the higher your chance of winning. How to Submit Your Artwork - Save the picture with a title, followed by your name (example: mindflip_John_Smith.jpg) - Send your entry to: theideabookgallery2010@interesting.org Get to work! Use your creativity and do something "interesting". Deadline: 31 December 2010 Download flyer of the competition here.

Quotes of the month

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:48:06 GMT

Here are our favourite quotes from people who have emailed interesting.org since the last newsletter. "Thank you very much for your presentation in Georgia, Tbilisi! I'm reading your book with great pleasure - it really arouses ideas." (From Georgia) "I highly want to recommend Fredrik Härén as a speaker if you want a speaker who can shake things around in your organization. We had 9 different speakers at our conference but the only thing my people keept talking about is Fredrik's speech." (From Sweden) "Thank you so much for giving such an interesting presentation at our conference in Stockholm. We received extremely good feedback." (From Sweden) "This is a thank you mail from your newest fan. For reviving that spirit in her to DO SOMETHING GREAT again! Been having some blocks of creativity due to a downpour of negative criticisms, but after the time I had at The National Library, nothing seems that impossible anymore." (From Singapore) The final quote came from the sound designer of one of the conferences. He wrote: "It was a great pleasure to attend and have an opportunity listening to your speach at this event (actually it was the only part of this 3-day event which really attracted all of my attention.)" You know that you have done a good speech when even the sound technician writes to thank you. How can interesting.org help you do inspire your organization - and your sound technicians ... - at your next conference?

A speech on innovation should be like no other speech you have ever seen.

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:46:07 GMT

Presenting The "Twinnovation-speech"! Both Teo and Fredrik Härén are professional key-note speakers. Both have done more than 1000 speeches. Both have been awarded “Speaker of The Year”. Both have been selected “one of Sweden’s 10 most asked for B2B-speakers”. Both have been named “one of the 100 most inspiring persons of the year”. Both are authors of best selling creativity books. And they are identical twins. On special occasions they do a speech on creativity and innovation TOGETHER. In this unique speech Fredrik starts speaking and suddenly leaves the stage from one side and a second later Teo - like magic - (dressed in the same clothes and looking and sounding just like Fredrik) appears from the other side and continues the speech. Later in the speech Teo suddenly leaves the stage and Fredrik appears from another place in the room and continues talking. At the end of the speech they both appear and the audience suddenly realizes that there has been two identical speakers. The message is clear: Creativity and innovation is all about finding another way of looking at things. Another way of doing things. This message is communicated in a way that the audience has never seen before - and that they will never forget.

7 countries in 7 weeks

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:44:22 GMT

In the month of May/June, Fredrik Härén has given seminars and speeches on business creativity in seven countries: Georgia - 350 sales reps from Oriflame, Tbilisi. Thailand - Customers of Oracle and 250 students at Mahidol University, Bangkok. Norway - Design Festival. Singapore - Clients of Singapore Press Holding. Sweden - An International Accounting Conference, Stockholm. Monte Carlo - 500 delegates at a TV conference. Sri Lanka - A series of speeches for managers in Colombo. More than 20 assignments were delivered by Fredrik in May/June 2010. Some other clients during the period include Singapore Health, Statkraft and The National Library of Singapore.

Creativity in the news

Sat, 26 Jun 2010 09:39:53 GMT

interesting.orgs work on spreading business creativity has lately been featured in different news media around the world. Some examples of where interesting.org has been featured the last months are: - Video interview on HRM (HR Magazine) Singapore - The Edge's Malaysia (Manager@Work section) - The StarBiz Malaysia (interview) - Youth.sg - Singapore (interview and review of The Idea Book) - OffTheEdge Magazine Malaysia (two page interview) - Human Resources Magazine (Singapore) - 20 minutes long interview on BFM (Business Radio) in Kuala Lumpur Follow this link to watch Fredrik's video interview with HRM Singapore. Watch interview here >>

Interview with BFM 89.9 in Kuala Lumpur

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 06:24:09 GMT

Follow this link to listen to Fredrik's interview about innovation and creativity with 89.9 in Kuala Lumpur Listen to Interview >>

The Idea Book - launched in Malaysia

Mon, 17 May 2010 04:34:39 GMT

Follow this link to read to Fredrik's interview after Idea Book Launch in Kuala Lumpur read interview >>

The Idea Book on Facebook

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:08:44 GMT

The Idea Book has now a Fanpage on Facebook. The Idea Book Fanpage English >> The Idea Book Fanpage German >> Fredrik Härén Fanpage >>

Latest Video Clips

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 06:02:43 GMT

The latest clips from Fredrik's seminars are now available on our website: video clips >>

Interview with 938 live in Singapore

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:13:27 GMT

Follow this link to listen to Fredrik's interview about ideas with 938 live in Singapore Listen to Interview >>

The Idea Book - now in Iran

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 15:10:17 GMT

Fredrik Härén was invited to do speeches at universities and at an IT-conference in Teheran. The Farsi version of The Idea book is language 14 for The Idea Book. We are very happy to have launched a business book about thinking in new, creative ways in Iran. Business Creativity is needed in all countries and we are continuing our work with spreading inspiration about creativity around the world.

interesting.org is hiring.

Thu, 21 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

interesting.org is setting up a global sales and marketing operations in Singapore and we are now looking for a few creative people who know how to get things done. Download PDF to read more.

Interview with WRS in Switzerland

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:50:14 GMT

Susan Flory of World Radio Switzerland (WRS) interviews Fredrik Härén. Follow this link to visit World Radio Switzerland (WRS) website to hear the interview. Visit WRS website >> (or) Click here to download and hear the interview (mp3 file. 14.2 MB)

Interview with FM4 in Austria

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 11:10:03 GMT

Click the link to hear the interview (mp3 file, 4 MB).

The Idea Book in Major Singapore Bookstores

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT

After scoring impressive sales in independent stores like Books Actually and Style Nordic, The Idea Book has reached the frenzied shelves of Borders, Kinokuniya, Times, Times Newslink and Harris. Now the Idea Book is also available the Museumshop of the Red Dot Design Museum, The Little Dromstore, and Asylum. You can also spot the black creativity book in most of the shops on Haji Lane.

Video on The Developing World by Fredrik Härén

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 13:01:25 GMT

A one hour keynote speech by Fredrik Härén has been uploaded to the Internet. It was recorded in Singapore in November 2009 and is on the subject of Creativity in developing countries, which is also the theme of Fredrik Häréns upcoming book "The Developing World". Go to www.theideabook.org/video to view the speech. There you can also see a number of shorter clips and a tv-interview.

Fredrik Härén speaks in 11 countries in 4 months

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 09:06:55 GMT

During the last four months Fredrik Härén has been invited to speak on creativity in eleven countries. Egypt Sweden Norway Russia Austria Switzerland Philippines India Singapore China USA It has been everything from project managers, to HR-professionals, to partners of Ernst & Young to innovations conferences. It seems that the demand for business creativity is bigger than ever in challenging times

“Channel News Asia” interview Fredrik Hären

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:00:34 GMT

interesting.org - one of three finalist for "The Knowledge Prize"

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:49:12 GMT

interesting.org has reached the finals for The Knowledge Prize (Kunskapspriset) in Sweden. The company has been selected as one of three finalists in the Business-category. The winner will get a prize of €25 000. From the jury: "interesting.org has been selected as finalists for its innovative and successful business of raising the creative spirits of people and organizations."

Das Ideenbuch - The Idea Book in German

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:53:43 GMT

This week Fredrik Härén is in Austria to launch the German version of The Idea Book - Das Ideenbuch. Interviews are planned for the largest newspaper, largest business magazine and largest (Englishspeaking) radio-station. A series of seminars and lectures will also take place during launch-week.

Thailand here comes The Idea Book!

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:56:17 GMT

Now The Idea Book is published in 11 languages. The latest country to get The Idea Book is Thailand.

Philippines gets The Idea Book

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 08:57:34 GMT

This week we are in the Philippines launching The Idea Book with a series of interviews in both TV, Internet and newspapers. Fredrik Härén will also do a series of serminars and speeches at bookshops, universities and different networks (such as Asian Society). A Tagalog version of The Idea Book has also been produced, bringing the total number of editions of The Idea Book to ten.

The Idea Book - Big in Japan

Sat, 08 Aug 2009 09:02:13 GMT

We have just been informed that the japanese version of The Idea Book has sold out yet again and is now being reprinted for the ninth time - something that is quite rare for a business book.

Great ending to 2008

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:32:44 GMT

December 2008 turned out to be our best book-selling-month ever at interesting.org. We also had our best December ever for bookings of seminars. It seems like the need for creativity is greater than ever in times when the world is changing fast. We look forward to a interesting 2009. We end with a quote from a client. In November Fredrik Haren was one of the Key Note Speakers at the Swedish Steel Prize Conference. A few days ago we got the evaluation from the customer: Evaluations for the Swedish Steel Prize Conference for SSAB, 20 nov 2008. Key Note Speakers: Sir Bob Geldof, Fredrik Haren, interesting.org, Bjørn Lomborg, The Skeptical Environmentalist and Catarina Gunnarsson-Tågmark, International Brand Manager of GE On a scale from 1-5, with 5 being the highest, Fredrik Haren got a average of 4,73. Sir Bob Geldof got 4,64 Bjorn Lomborg got 3,95 Catarina Gunnarsson-Tågmark got 3,40 About Fredrik Harens speech: "Many of the participants wrote "5!", "5++", "5+++" etcetera. The participants appreciated the speech immensely." Sandra Lundberg, SSAB Tunnplåt AB

‘The Developing World’ Launch Creates Buzz on Swedish TV

Sat, 06 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Today Fredrik Härén was invited by SVT, Sweden´s national TV station to talk about his new book ‘The Developing World’ on the morning show. The book will be available in English in 2009. Besides SVT, Fredrik was also interviewed on DI TV, the TV channel run by Dagens Industri and the largest business daily in Sweden, which also focused on Fredrik’s latest book - The Developing World.

The Idea Book About Service - launched in Swedish

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 4th book in The Idea Book series has just been launched and it is called ‘The Idea Book About Service’. In the book, readers will find out how to develop the creativity of people working in the service industry. The Idea Book About Service, together with the other titles in The Idea Book series, will be translated into English in 2009.

Our Best November Ever

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the eight years that interesting.org has been in operation, we have never had a better November. Taking into account that the global economic crisis has made November a tough month for almost any industry - it is comforting for us to see that the demand for creativity is constant in both good and bad times. In good times, everyone needs to learn how to innovate to keep up with the competition. In bad times, everyone needs to learn how to change. In November, we had a wide variety of clients. From speaking to the SWEA, the Swedish Women’s Educational Association International to 300 people at DHL, to 400 accountants and 300 businessmen who attended The Big Logistic conference (Silf) in Stockholm. Above all, the most interesting event for interesting.org in November was when Fredrik Härén was appointed Key Note Speaker at The Swedish Steel Prize Awards, together with Bjorn Lumborg and Sir Bob Geldof.

Interesting Goes on Air with 938LIVE

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the month of December, radio station 938LIVE in Singapore will feature Fredrik Härén in its month-long program, ‘A Positive Business Minute’. Every month the station selects one business professional to record twenty short 2 to 3 minute segments on a business topic that will be broadcasted 3 to 4 times a day. Fredrik Haren has been selected to do the segments for December and he will talk about Business Creativity.

The Great Month of October

Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Interesting.org had a great October, in which we sold tons of books and have never done more seminars and speeches in a month. We did seminars in Singapore, Sweden, Norway and France, and for clients like KTH and Hyper Island. We were also Key Note Speakers at the largest tourism conference in Sweden, as well as the largest Swedish school conference (Skolforum).

A Busy September

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Among our clients in Singapore were the Ministry of Finance (Key Note Speaker at their annual conference), the Swedish Business Association and INSEAD Business School. In Sweden, we did seminars for The Red Cross (for free), ABB-employees, Chaos-pilots in Malmo and many, many more. Fredrik was interviewed for the Swedish TV program "Fakta Frossa", as well as for The Knowledge Day. Radio 938LIVE in Singapore did a one-hour interview with Fredrik on the subject of creativity.

August: Tate Gallery, IT-conference in Halmstad and Business School in Riga

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In August, we had the opportunity to work with the Tate Gallery (for the management team of Habitat Furniture Stores) and at wonderful Tylosand for a large conference by a Swedish IT firm. We also held a two-day creativity workshop for the MBA class at the beautiful School of Economics in Riga, among other interesting clients that kept us thinking and creating with them.

Closed (Supposedly) for Holidays in July

Sat, 02 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In July, interesting.org was closed for holidays. But surprise, surpise, we could not stop ourselves from doing one seminar for INSEAD when they called and asked if we could come over for one of their summer classes. The largest Swedish Radio Station - P4 - had an interview with Fredrik on the subject of creativity and trends in developing countries. We also received news that in 2009, the American publisher Portfolio will launch a book "The 100 best management books of all time". We are very proud and happy to report that The Idea Book will be featured as one of these 100 books. In Japan, The Idea Book reached number five on Amazon.jp’s list of bestselling management books. It is also the 217th most sold book on Amazon.jp regardless of category. By now, the Japanese version of The Idea Book has been reprinted 6 times - something that makes us very happy.

Creativity for All

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In June we did seminars for small groups (like the Global Management Team of energy giant Vattenfall), medium-sized groups (like the marketing team at SAAB) and large groups (like the conference organized by Green Cargo for those in the logistics industry in Sweden.) Fredrik also did a 1-and-a-half hour radio show called ‘Sommar’ with the largest radio station in Sweden - P1. Each year, 60 Swedish personalities are selected to do their own Sommar show and it is considered a great honor to be invited. In addition, SVT (Swedish National TV) re-broadcasted Fredrik’s speech from Kunspapens Dag (The Knowledge Day). This was the 10th time (!) that SVT has broadcasted this event on national TV!

News from May

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Here is a list of some of the clients we had this month who have short names: SCA, IKEA, SEB, NCC and ATEA. Fredrik Härén was also the Key Note Speaker at the Globe Forum Conference in Stockholm. On 4th of May, Fredrik was interviewed by Radio Sjuharad in Sweden about the subject of creativity.

What We Did in April

Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

We did seminars for Swedbank in Sweden, university students in Norway and Össur in Iceland. We were also invited to cities like Falun, Nynäshamn, i Örebro, i Åre, Västerås, Södertälje, Stockholm, Göteborg, Umeå, Trollhättan, Kalmar, Västervik and Bro to talk about creativity. Fredrik was interviewed by P1 for their 3-hour long "China Day" program to speak about creativity in developing countries. In April, Fredrik also became part of the 9A program. 9A is a reality show on SVT (Swedish National TV), which takes the worst students in Sweden and puts them in one of the best schools in the country, taught by the best teachers. Of all the experts invited to speak to the class, Fredrik was one of only two who were not teachers. In Sri Lanka, The Idea Book is available in both Sinhalese and Tamil. They are sold as a CSR project and we provide them at printing cost. We are interested to see what happens if people in poor countries get to develop their creativity.

March News: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Maldives & Sweden.

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

March was yet another month when we did seminars in a bunch of countries, like the seminar in Cape Town or the one for 300 CIOs and CEOs in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We also did a creativity and service seminar for resort managers in Male, Maldives and worked with a number of other clients in Sweden, of course.