Bio: Paul Williams
Hi there!
I'm Paul Williams... guest writer on Daily Fix and founder of Idea Sandbox.
I'm a professional problem solver. Through brainstorm facilitation I help people create remarkable ideas to grow their business. As one client put it, “Idea Sandbox turns brains into idea machines.”
Prior to launching Idea Sandbox in 2005, I spent 15 years building marketing, branding, and customer-experience strategy for The Disney Company, the Aramark Corporation, and Starbucks Coffee Company.
I founded Idea Sandbox driven by my passion to help others create remarkable ideas. I blend the skills and lessons I have learned to build a sandbox---an idea sandbox.
You can reach me on Twitter via @IdeaSandbox.
Through Idea Sandbox, I have helped solve challenges, grow brands, think-up remarkable ideas, and create innovation for companies including: Starbucks Coffee Company, Starbucks Coffee International, Panera Bread Company, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Woodhouse Day Spas, The Microsoft Corporation, and Wells Fargo Mortgage.
I am a writer, speaker, columnist, and brainstormer living just outside Washington DC, in Alexandria, Virginia.
If you like what you've read here, you can find more of my thoughts at my Idea Sandbox blog.
I always welcome comments and reactions to what I've written. I'm on Twitter: @IdeaSandbox
Nice to meet you,
Paul
Posts by Paul Williams:
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Launch Events: If You Build It, Will They Come?,
04 Apr 2008 in Featured Posts
When is the last time you attended the grand opening of something? Or waited in line to be the first to buy something? (Save for the occasional opening-weekend movie or hot concert tickets) So, why do we think potential customers are going to flock…
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Why Does Big Mean Bad? And Can It Be Avoided?,
28 Mar 2008 in Featured Posts
It’s a phenomenon and seems inevitable. A story played time and time again. A small business is built, grows with wild success, and then loses its tarnish. Every big business we consider bad was once a Mom and Pop.
When I mean bad, I don’t mean the…
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How to Be the Champion,
14 Mar 2008 in Featured Posts
As my high school history teacher Tom “Moto” Pile used to challenge we students: He used to goad…
Do you have what it takes? Do you have mox….ie?!
Are you gonna suck it up, or are you too laz…y!?
You gotta have gump…tion! You gotta want it!…
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To Be Remarkable Is to ZUG,
07 Mar 2008 in Featured Posts
Have you seen the mini-booklet print ad introducing the new Mini Cooper Clubman? The booklet add entitled the “Book of ZUG” they neatly summarizes remarkability, while introducing Mini Cooper’s new vehicle.
ZUG [zUHg] – adjective, verb, noun.
1. T… -
Wish for More Time? Poof! Today = 27 More Minutes Per Week,
29 Feb 2008 in Featured Posts
How often do we say “Geez, if I only had an extra day?” or “I wish I had just a little more time.” Well, today February 29, 2008 is that day. Today is going to afford each of us a bonus 24 extra hours. That’ll give us just over 27 more minutes each…
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Food For Thought,
22 Feb 2008 in Featured Posts
You’re nearly ready for next week’s problem solving session… Problem clearly defined and the objectives of the day outlined? Check. Silly-Puddy, Play-Doh, and Slinkys? Check. Flip charts, colored markers, Post-It notes? Check.
But what about snac…
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Now Is When You’re Waiting For,
15 Feb 2008 in Featured Posts
Many of us have been waiting for the right moment. The right moment to… ask the boss for a raise; find a job that’s more satisfying; pitch your new product idea; propose; start writing your book; launch your own blog; suggest that better way of…
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Marketing Lessons from School Lunch,
08 Feb 2008 in Featured Posts
“If you can successfully promote sloppy joe sandwiches you can do marketing for anything!” That was my motto, early in my career, as marketing director for a food service company. We were hired to manage the school district’s food program. The school…
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Innovation: Use Telescope, Not Microscope,
01 Feb 2008 in Featured Posts
The foundation of managing an innovative (company, brand, product, service, or individual) involves constantly monitoring and maintaining awareness of your broader environment – the big picture. On a regular basis, look away from the minutia found in…
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Jack of All Trades, Master of One,
25 Jan 2008 in Featured Posts
The dusty adage “Jack of all trades, master of none” is defined as… “A person who can do many different types of work but who is not necessarily very competent at any of them.”
So we work to be a master. That sums up our basic evaluation system…
