Voice Thread - The iGeneration is Coming!

Take a look at this new tool, VoiceThread. It is a YouTube for PowerPoints. Think of the implications for marketing, training and your kids school homework.

I've attached my son Nathan's 9th Grade assignment. He and is partner created an animated voice over presentation on caffeine for class. They haven't turned it in yet - its still in process. I was impressed enough, however, to ask his permission to use it on the blog.

Imagine a quick product introduction that turns into a social network. Think of a training course that also turns into an active dialogue about the content and suggestions for improvement.

Now we are touching the power of Mass Collaboration.

The next post may also come from my son. It's his take on one particular teacher's efforts to be cool and "teach" team leadership.

Green Romance - Green Reality - Comparing Masdar

For many adopting green or sustainable practices is important and becoming more important. However, 150 years of industrial conditioning and infrastructure does not change quickly or easily. Facing the challenge with cold hard reality is the only way to create the creative tension necessary to drive toward the mindshift required.

The video highlights an incredible carbon neutral project in Abu Dhabi called Masdar. It is a bit over the top - as expected in a PR approach. There are other videos that are more informational and less dramatic but they did not translate easily to the blog.

The report below is a contrast faced by every industrial nation. This just report just happens to come from the British Government's progress.

BRITISH GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS TO MISS GREEN TARGETS

Emily Beament, PA Environment Correspondent

The Government is set to miss targets to reduce carbon emissions from its own departments' offices and transport, a report warned today.

The Sustainable Development Commission (SDC)said despite leading the way on climate change on the global stage, the Government needed to take ``radical action to put its own house in order'' in a number of areas.

The sixth annual assessment of Government performance against a series of sustainability targets showed two thirds of departments were not on track to meet the goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 12.5% by 2010.

And emissions from departmental road travel increased last year by 1.5%, showing ``no progress'' towards the 15% reduction by 2010/2011 set by the Government.

Water consumption was another area of concern, with just a 0.1% reduction in use, not enough to meet the 25% target by 2020, the SDC said.


Read more....

Are you on Facebook yet?

If you are not on Facebook, LinkIn or used Plaxo, take a moment and watch this video. This 60 Minutes clip introduces you to Mark Zuckerberg (23), founder of Facebook, and provides insight to both the enormous potential and dangers of these social networks. Everyone I know who is on one of these networks is still trying to figure out how it all works and where the value lays. I can tell you that I've been able to get in contact with some key decision makers that I would never have had access to. I've also been able to relocate and conveniently stay in touch with several old friends and colleagues that I would otherwise have lost contact with.

If you have another moment read this article in a recent Fortune Magazine. While Mark was being interviewed at the recent South by Southwest Conference in Austin the focus shifted from the stage to the conversation the audience was having (online) about what was happening on stage. Consider that shift - for just a moment. In the past owning the microphone or the platform signaled control. That is no longer true - a metaphor for how leadership must now factor its constituency (and competition) in new ways.

The Mindshift Innovation Blog aims to provoke leaders involved in the building industry with new ideas and insights so that our organizations and industries can catch up to the rest of the 21st Century.

Fallin' Free, Fallin' Free

There is no better example of a mindshift than Blue Man Group. Its spring, at least in Texas, and Friday. Here is a mindshift that will set the tone for an enjoyable weekend. There is a mindshift when passion gets mixed with our efforts. Watch this again Monday morning and see if you don't gain an extra bounce in your step.