Richard Sayers » Innovation

Future Proofing Libraries

Richard Sayers — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 21:18:54 +0000

Working with library managers and their teams to imagine the future, and plan accordingly, is always fun and satisfying. People enjoy ‘practical creativity’ and ‘thinking with a purpose’.

Is your Strategic Plan gathering dust in a drawer? Worried what the future holds for your library?

Call Richard on 0410 746 540 to discuss a customised ‘future proofing’ strategy for your library.

Library Thought Leaders

Richard Sayers — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:41:49 +0000

Recently I interviewed Joann Ransom, Head of Libraries for the Horowhenua Library Trust in New Zealand.

Joann is one of the thought leaders responsible for the Koha and Kete open source library systems. Earlier this year, Joann was named one of the American Library Association’s Movers and Shakers for 2010, the first New Zealander to be honoured in this way.

Joann’s thoughts on innovation are simple, practical and incredibly profound. Her advice to other librarians includes:

Go to conferences in other sectors, not just library conferences
Don’t over think things – ask yourself, “how hard can it be?”
Use critical friends from outside libraries to test ideas and prototypes
Communicate your vision (the big picture) from day one
Don’t get stuck trying to be perfect, and above all
Don’t be scared…try things!

It’s all good advice, from someone quietly changing the library landscape, one innovation at a time.

Follow Kete.net.nz

Library Innovation Training

Richard Sayers — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 06:38:09 +0000

“Excellent, inspiring” … “Easy to follow, informative and interesting” … “An excellent presenter”

Introducing an exciting and practical new program on Library Innovation. Topics include:

Defining opportunities to innovate
Re-discovering personal and group creativity
Overcoming ‘Innovator’s Block’
Sustaining innovation at work

A dynamic group of 12 university, government and public library managers completed the first program in Sydney in August; focussing on the roll-out of iPads in several libraries.

To discuss Library Innovation training in your organisation, email richard@richardsayers.com.au or telephone +61 (0)410 746 540.

Creative Individuals and Teams

Richard Sayers — Tue, 25 May 2010 00:59:44 +0000

Feeling a little creative? Plant that seed in fertile ground and watch the innovation grow! Everyone is capable of creative thinking and innovation – it’s part of being human. In a competitive business environment buffeted by social and economic change, innovation at work is more important than ever before. Principal Consultant Richard Sayers facilitates the Personal Creativity Assessment (PCA) ® - a trusted tool for gauging how creative our workplace behavior is right now, and how it can be made more creative in the future. Presented in a supportive format that recognises individual differences and celebrates the practical power of ideas, the PCA is an excellent activity to conduct in a workshop or group setting where creativity is critical to business success.

To discuss using the Personal Creativity Assessment ® in your team or for individual coaching purposes, email richard@richardsayers.com.au or telephone +61 (0)410 746 540.

Library Innovation Workshop

Richard Sayers — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 05:15:02 +0000

Libraries and information services in the 21st century face unprecedented social and technological change – and the list of challenges seems to grow longer every day!

How do library and information professionals keep pace with change, or better yet, stay one step ahead and help set the change agenda? Effective creative thinking leading to worthwhile and productive innovation is the key to success.

This practical workshop introduces a range of thought techniques and tools to help kick-start effective creative thinking and promote successful innovation in libraries and other information services. The workshop presents a rich palette of common and not so common approaches to creative thinking.

Libraries in the 21st century face unprecedented social and technological change – and the list of challenges seems to grow longer every day! Principal Consultant Richard Sayers is proud to announce a practical NEW one day workshop on Library Innovation. The workshop introduces a rich palette of common and not so common techniques and tools to help kick-start creative thinking and promote successful innovation in libraries and information services.

Public workshops will be available through www.pics.com.au in August 2010 – numbers are limited so book early to secure your place.

To request a customised onsite workshop for your team or organisation, please email richard@richardsayers.com.au or telephone +61 (0)410 746 540.