Monday, May 23, 2011

Book Review: Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rulebreakers, and Changemakers by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown and James Macanufo

The book presents the idea of approaching the brainstorming activity using games through collaborative play.
                                     
I enjoyed going over the book and found the games very useful, some of them entertaining as well. Approaching brainstorming in the form of a game is a new concept for me and it took quite a while to become open to the games presented.

One of the things that is very helpful is the good number of illustrations in the book the really helps the 'serious' brainstormer like me to appreciate the concepts being presented.

The games are presented in a manner that is straightforward and with just enough information  similar to what you would expect in playing board games.

One thing that stands out for me is the whole chapter devoted to the skills required in order to increase success in doing gamestorms.

I am looking forward to using the methods in my next brainstorming activity.

Recommended for those involved in generating ideas for almost anything like problems solving, marketing, etc.

About the authors:

Dave Gray is the Founder and Chairman of XPLANE, the visual thinking company. Founded in 1993, XPLANE has grown to be the world's leading consulting and design firm focused on information-driven communications. Dave's time is spent researching and writing on visual business, as well as speaking, coaching and delivering workshops to educators, corporate clients and the public. He is also a founding member of VizThink, an international community of Visual Thinkers.
 
Sunni Brown, M.P.A., is Owner of BrightSpot Info Design, a company specializing in visual thinking to support organizational and group success. Sunni was trained in graphic facilitation at The Grove Consultants International, a San Francisco-based company that pioneered the use of visuals in meetings and group processes. She is currently an Associate of The Grove, a freelance consultant for XPlane - the visual thinking company - and an Associate of Alphachimp Studios. She is also co-Founder of VizThink Austin, currently the largest visual thinking community in the United States. Sunni presents regularly on the topics of graphic facilitation, graphic recording and visual thinking. She is also a contributing researcher for Nancy Duarte's upcoming book on storytelling and presentations. Sunni holds Bachelor's degrees in Journalism and Linguistics and a Master's in Public Affairs from the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Public Affairs. She lives in Austin, TX.
 
James Macanufo: As a consultant at XPLANE, James helps large technology and government clients develop their vision, strategy and communication plans. He is actively obsessed with understanding what things are, the way they work, and why they matter. He is also an occasional inventor of card games.

Book review rating:




[Disclaimer: I got this book for free as part of the Oreilly blogger review program I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”]

Monday, May 2, 2011

Book Review: Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions by Max Lucado

I have been a fan of Max for eight years and I have truly enjoyed every book he wrote. I have enjoyed his engaging narratives to every point he want to make.

Max on Life: Answers and Inspiration for Today's Questions, is a significant departure from his earlier works. Here, Max takes off his storyteller hat and wears his pastor's hat in order to answer some of life's most basic yet important questions.

In contrast to the vivid imagery in earlier books, Max answers the questions directly and briefly which is a great relief for those who want answers clear and quick without getting drowned in a list of scriptural references. This is very helpful for new believers and for those working with them.

I highly recommend this for new believers and for those involved in helping them grow deeper in faith.

About the author:
Lucado was born in 1955 in San Angelo, Texas, and raised in Andrews, Texas, the youngest of four children. His father was an Exxon oil field mechanic who, Lucado remembers, always smelled of grease cleaner. "It makes it easy for me to see a God who is loving and kind--because my dad was," he says. His mother was a nurse who grew up working in the cotton fields.

Lucado went through a period of rebellion against his parents' values and their God during his teens and into college. But it wasn't long before he found himself drawn back to his roots, back to God. He married, spent time serving as a missionary in Brazil, and returned to the States, where he began working as a church minister and writing on the side.

From all accounts, Max Lucado is not a man consumed by sales, awards, and achievements. He often turns down media interviews since they impede on family and ministry commitments. He spends the bulk of his week serving as senior minister at Oak Hills Church in San Antonio, Texas. And he is truly surprised by his own success--more impressed by his one-in-a-million wife and three amazing daughters than by his successful writing career.

Book review rating:


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Unleashed: Release the Untamed Faith Within by Erwin Raphael McManus

In Unleashed: Release the Untamed Faith Within, McManus talks about how our faith is much different from what it is supposed to be. Religion has domesticated our faith and we have traded a living faith to one which is safe and secure.

I particularly enjoy the way the McManus weaves Scripture passages and his personal experiences as a dad into the main topic of his book. McManus writes and argues his point it a very engaging way and I am feel drawn to his call of unleashing my faith.

I highly recommend this book to the believer who feels that there is so much more other than the safe environment offered by religion. Also recommended to any parent who lives the dangerous faith but isn't keen on offering the same opportunity to their kids.

About the author:
Erwin Raphael McManus serves as Lead Pastor of Mosaic, a uniquely innovative and international congregation in Los Angeles, California. A national and international strategist and speaker on culture, change, creativity and leadership, Erwin also serves as Distinguished Lecturer and Futurist for Bethel Theological Seminary.

Book review rating:


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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