The Idea Hunter How to Find the Best Ideas and Make them Happen

Jack Welch once said that, "Someone somewhere has a better idea." In this myth busting book the authors reveal that great business ideas do not spring from innate creativity, or necessarily from the brilliant minds of people. Rather, great ideas come to those wo are in the habit of looking for great ideas -- all around them, all the time. Too often, people fall into the trap of thinking that the only worthwhile idea is a thoroughly original one. Idea Hunters know better. They understand that valuable ideas are already out there, waiting to be found -- and not just in the usual places. Explains why ideas are a critical asset for every manager and professional, not just those who do "creative" Shows how to expand your capacity to find and develop winning business ideas Reveals the useful pneumonic I-D-E-A: Interest - use your intellectual curiosity; Diversity, get ideas from a mix of sources, not just in the usual places; Exercise-build your idea muscles by always immersing yourself in new ideas and by surrounding yourself with others who do the same; Agile- be prepared to rethink, change, and adapt your ideas Ihow to seek out and select the ideas that best serve your purposes and goals -- and define who you are, as a professionalThe book is filled with illustrative accounts of successful Idea Hunters and stories from thriving "idea" companies. Warren Buffet, Walt Disney, Thomas, Edison, Pixar among others are profiled.

Andy Boynton is the dean of the Carroll School of Management at Boston College. He was a professor of strategic leadership at IMD (International Institute for Management Development) in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he created and directed the school's highly-rated global Executive MBA program.

Bill Fischer is a professor at IMD.He previously served as dean and president of the China-Europe International Business School, a joint venture of the European Union and Chinese government, inShanghai, China.

William Bole is a journalist and a research fellow of the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics at Boston College.