Innovation at the Speed of Laughter: 8 Secrets to World Class Idea Generation

By John Sweeney

Book Overview

It?s no secret that new ideas fuel profitability. Even when companies hire top talent and teach best skills, few are able to affect the bottom line unless their employees can generate and execute new... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0976218402
• ISBN13: 9780976218401
• Release Date: April 2005
• Publisher: Aerialist Press
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.3"

Customer Reviews

Way more than just a business book

This book is awesome and John Sweeney is also a fantastic speaker! I saw him speak at an event on the west coast and he was incredibly passionate, motivating, and hilarious. That's a rare combo and my group gave him a well deserved standing ovation. The book itself is humorous and offers sage advice for how to build a core culture that is innovative and improvisational. I have also found the 8 secrets of the Brave New Workshop to be helpful in my personal life. This is not a "fluffy" book like so many other professional growth/development books out there--this one packs a punch.

Impressed

I had the opportunity to witness John Sweeney in action at a recent company event, and after hearing him speak, I actually went out and bought his book - something I rarely, if ever, do. It is clear that John Sweeney is quickly on his way to becoming the nation's top corporate speaker. He sure appears to be the HOTTEST thing to hit the corporate world these days, that's for certain - and with good reason. I can honostly foresee this Minneapolis comedy theatre owner becoming the business world's next big "it thing", both in terms of his corporate speaking profession, and also in terms of his book, rapidly gaining presence and popularity in the business world as well. It'll be exciting to watch Mr. Sweeney grow both a speaker, and as an author, and of course, to see how soon this book gets its follow-up.

Stands out from the crowd

The thing I really liked about this book is that it is very different from your typical business book. For one thing, it's actually interesting. While it's a fun and entertaining read, it's at the same time both applicable and thought provoking as well. A second reason I greatly admire this book is that rather than just stating theories about the ideal work environment, John Sweeney goes on to actually give cold, hard facts and examples, as well as tangible and implementable ways as to how one can get from point A to point B in actually achieving the ideas which are presented. After completing the book one has realistic ideas and suggestions for how to improve a company work environment, hence increase innovation, hence productivity, and hence bottom line. And if you're like me, you also finish with a whole notepad full of other ideas you can't wait to get started on. "Innovation at the Speed of Laughter" is a very smart book. It makes a point and makes it well, and John Sweeney gets straight to the heart of the matter without mincing words or space or hence readers' time. The book is set aside from other books in the field because somehow John Sweeney is able to do all of the above while not patronizing his readers, being completely honest, and then making you both think and laugh all in the same book. Highly recommend as both a usable tool and as a great read as well.

Get Innovated!

Anyone who wants their company to succeed should read this book. Sweeney not only shows keen insight into human nature, but he understands the importance of making everyone who works for a company feel worthy and respected, no matter what their function. Unfortunately, work environments like Sweeney's model are rare. Most often they're suppressed, which as he points out, leads to a lack or loss of innovation. If you own, run, or just work for a company, this is a must read!

Brave New Believer!

I bought a copy of Innovation at the Speed of Laughter after seeing John Sweeney present at a meeting for my company. He is a FABULOUS speaker and the book is a nice companion piece to his very positive, entertaining message. Believe it or not, John's 8 Secrets have some depth to them...not what I expected from the owner of a comedy theater. The book is both insightful and entertaining and he makes some good arguments for why people should consider implementing his 8 Secrets. Particularly as it relates to improving openmindedness in the workplace. On the back jacket is a tongue and cheek reference to Who Moved My Cheese and FISH. I found John's book to be equally beneficial, if not more so as far as a frame work for improving workplace culture. I highly recommend it for HR and creative types.