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Creativity gets results.

And the Creative Habit gets results, habitually.

Now here's a conundrum. If doing things by habit means doing things the same way every time, and being creative is doing things differently every time, is it possible to make Creative Thinking a habit? We believe the answer is yes .

Creative Thinking is a behaviour and, like other behaviours, can be learned, practised, mastered, done often and done easily. In other words, it can become a habit.

But is it useful to make Creative Thinking a habit? No, it's essential. Because Creativity has the power to get better results. And what could be better than that?

Getting them habitually.

Creativity

Muse

EAT

ACE

Every creative person has a muse. Sometimes it's a person that sparks an idea or challenges their thinking. Other times it's something they see or read that inspires them. Now you can have your very own creative muse just by visiting our blog, AllsortsMuse. With contributions from our key people from around the world, you can be inspired by our thoughts on creativity whenever you want.
They say you are what you EAT. The same is true for Creativity. Your creative output is based on your Environment, Attitude and the Techniques or Tools you use. While Attitude is up to the individual, the Techniques can be taught and the right Environment can be created.Our workshops all contain Tools to enable people to master and apply creativity. And we can advise you on how to make your working environment more creative.
When it comes to solving real problems, many organisations can benefit from an outside perspective and a creative approach. Thats where our Accelerated Creative Events, or ACE, can help.We have helped organisations of various sizes in many countries to understand and re-define their brand; develop new product ideas; come up with entirely different approaches to marketing; develop their long-term business strategy; implement a plan for cost savings; and more.
Twelve years ago when we started this business, surprisingly few people understood that Creativity was essential for business success. These days virtually everyone believes in the power of creativity.Creativity improves everything, with the possible exception of boredom. With creativity as the input you will discover that your output is better whether you are looking for new products or services, solutions to a problem, making a presentation, negotiating a deal, leading a team, developing a strategy, selling, or dealing with an individual.
Simple

Check These Out

Singapore Boot CampThe Allsorts Singapore Boot Camp has been designed to give junior Account Management staff broad-based exposure to a range of business and communications subjects, to prepare them for the battles ahead. In a series of eight three-hour workshops, these staff will learn from professional facilitators with a minimum of 18 years of advertising agency experience each.Read More
WorkshopsAllsorts has a number of proven workshops and seminars. All of them have been developed, tested and improved so that we are absolutely certain that they will work for you. Even so, we are always prepared to modify them to ensure they directly meet your needs.Read More
BooksAllsorts' people have published numerous articles and six books on Creativity and Innovation. These books can be found at most bookstores. If you can't find them, just let us know and we'll help you track them down.Read More
ArticlesExplore articles written by both the Allsorts Habit Creation team and others.Read More
Workshops

Workshops that work

Allsorts has a number of proven workshops and seminars. All of them have been developed, tested and improved so that we are absolutely certain that they will work for you. Even so, we are always prepared to modify them to ensure they directly meet your needs.

We follow up every workshop with a comprehensive report and recommendations. And we provide 3 months' free email follow-up for all participants.

Below is a list of the workshops we offer. We've grouped them into the most common business needs. Please click to view the details of each workshop.

IMPROVING YOUR STRATEGIC AND CREATIVE PRODUCT

Creative Thinking - CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

Inspiring Innovation - THE INNOVATION PIPELINE

Strategic Thinking - SOCceR

Digital Marketing - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Consumer Insights - THE INNER VIEW

Advertising Essentials - WHAT'S COOKING?!

SELLING YOUR BEST PRODUCTS AND IDEAS

Selling Ideas - THE MAChINE

New Business - PITCHING TO WIN

Presenting Creatively - TELL IT, JELL IT, SELL IT

GROWING THE BOTTOM LINE

Negotiation Skills - THE ROAD TO AGREEMENT

Business Finance - SHOW ME THE MONEY

Account Management - SUPERHEROES

CRM - THE BIG PICTURE

ATTRACTING, DEVELOPING, RETAINING THE BEST PEOPLE

Business Communication - MYTHS, LEGENDS & TALL TALES

Professional Image Development - LICENCE TO THRILL

Leadership - TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER

Time Management - TIME OUT

Performance Management - IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

Training the Creative Trainer - DEVELOPING DEPUTIES

Books

Allsorts' people have published several articles and books. Many of these can be found in local bookshops, but if you have trouble locating them, let us know and we'll help you track them down.

'Flicking Your Creative Switch' (Lotherington)

'The Innovation Pipeline (Irwin/Lotherington)

'How Creative People Connect (or are they just dotty?) ' (Lotherington)

The Innovation Pipeline: Plumbing the Depths of Organisational Innovation is packed with practical advice and examples and provides all you need to know to make Innovation happen.Chris Shanahan of the Canberra Times wrote, Pipeline is essential reading for anyone wanting to understand and carry out innovation in any industry from technology to tourism, white-goods to wine. Bob and Wayne present the topic in a practical and original way, and their book is easy and fun to read.Lim Neon Chian, CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board added, The Innovation Pipeline is a practical guide to innovation that presents all you need to know to move confidently towards greater organisational innovation. And that means greater personal and organisational success.
How Creative People Connect: or are they just dotty? is a follow up to 'Flicking Your Creative Switch'. It has more examples, more creative tools and more light bulb jokes.Stephen Gatfield, CEO, Lowe Worldwide wrote, "Lotherington is a prophet of human creative potential. Embracing his advice and techniques will unearth sources of undiscovered creativity in all of us."Steve King, CEO, ZenithOptimedia says, "In How Creative People Connect, Wayne Lotherington presents the essentials of one of his most famous training courses in an easy, practical guide."
The best-seller that started it all: Flicking Your Creative Switch: Developing Brighter Ideas for Business is a must for anyone who wants to bring a competitive edge to themselves or to their business.As Michael Conrad (former Chief Creative Officer of Leo Burnett) says, Today we need to have more new, fresh, competitive, superior, big, standard-setting, world-class, or as Wayne writes brighter ideas for business than ever, in order to keep our industry relevant and alive. Waynes world of thoughts for finding those high calibre ideas is inspiring. Waynes book cures the fear of the blank page; I wish it came in pocket size.Dr Michael Llewellyn-Williams, Founder and President of San Francisco-based BrandMechanics Inc sums it up like this: At last, a powerful look at the how to of creativity in a way thats inspiring, witty, and most importantly, actionable. Wayne Lotherington is the new Edward de Bono.
No Frame

'Strategy 101' (Kuczynski/Lotherington)

'Presentations 101' (Lotherington/Yeoman)

'Creativity 101' (Kornberg/Lotherington)

In companies the world over, STRATEGY is considered the business imperative. Yet the concept of Strategy is often misunderstood and unnecessarily complex. The authors have vast strategic experience working with all sorts of organizations, from multi-nationals to one person operators. Through Strategy 101, they share their knowledge and experience - simply and concisely - on all the things related to the business of Strategy.Mike Cooper, Worldwide CEO, PHD, says, "At last, an easy to read book on Strategy. Over one hundred tips on how to think and plan a successful strategy, whether for yourself, your brand, your business or your client. Alan and Wayne have a wealth of experience in the field and much of it is captured right here."
Creativity 101 collects some of the authors' hard-earned observations on the creative process into an anthology of thoughts you can dip into when you're stuck for an idea or simply need a spark of inspiration.Jim Aitchison says, "Creativity 101 is an ingenious exploration of what you need to be more creative. More importantly, it gives you the means to explore your own creativity, harness it, and apply it for life-changing results."
We all know the importance of business presentations, but its hard to pinpoint exactly what makes a great presenter or great presentation. What makes the difference? If anyone knows, its the authors. They have delivered countless presentations during their careers and they have taught those elusive skills and techniques in workshops throughout the world. In Presentations 101 they give you 101 invaluable tips to help you make your presentations world-class too.
No Frame

'Account Management 101' (Kuchibhotla/Lotherington)

Account Management 101 consists of over 100 tips and musings on the Account Management function gathered over many years by the authors.Simon Dalby, President of DAS Asia Pacific says, "We often get carried away with the Creative function of communications agencies and forget the crucial role that Account Management plays. The under-rated and over-stressed Account people hold the business together. Now they have over 100 ways to do it better."
Clients

WINNER!

Wealth

Manager

of the Year

These brands trust us

Allsorts is a small company with a big reach. At last count we had clients in 58 cities across 40 countries. Our workshops have been conducted in English, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Korean, and Bahasa Indonesia.Several of the world's biggest advertising agencies are our clients. This is because we understand the communications industry so well and because of the emphasis we put on creativity.Other international companies and a growing number of government agencies are now our clients. These clients trust us to help their people develop the creative habit:
MediaACPBBCCASBAACartoon NetworkCelestial MoviesChoueiri GroupCNBCCNNDiscovery ChannelESPNHBOMicrosoftMTVNational Geographic Channel NickolodeonSingapore Press HoldingsStarhubStarTVThe AgeTurner Classic MoviesYahoo!Yellow PagesTelecommunications Cell CityEricssonMotorolaOrangeSingTelConsumer Goods3MCNIColgate PalmoliveDentsplyFirmenichHeinzJohnson & JohnsonMcDonaldsMueblerias MendozaPhilipsSSLUnileverWrigleysWyeth
Financial Services Bank of AmericaOCBC United Overseas BankWestern UnionMetals & MiningWesternGecoPublic SectorANZLICAVOGeoScience AustraliaIDA, SingaporeMinistry of Education, SingaporeSingapore Institute of ManagementSingapore PolytechnicSingapore Tourism BoardUniversidad MetropolitanaReal EstateBennison McKinnonBurne MacmillanTransportation and LogisticsCSAVDaimler ChryslerEconomouGACNorasiaVirgin BlueVopakIndustry BodiesAKA PragueMAKSZ Budapest
Marketing Communications AHAAAMAPAgencia de OrciBBDOBeacon CommunicationsBentley CommunicationsBernard Hodes GroupBravo GroupCAANZCartwright WilliamsCasanova PendrillClemenger BBDOClemenger ProximityConillConsultechControl MediaContract AdvertisingCook Green & MooreCreative CivilizationCPMCummins & PartnersDDB WorldwideDieste, Harmel & PartnersDiversified Agency ServicesDomo Communication ConsultingDoremusDraftfcbEliaschev PublicidadEstudio 021Euro RSCG WorldwideFCBFlamingoFleishman-HillardFocused CommunicationsGavin AndersonGrey WorldwideH&THSJIncomm BrodeurInstitute for Communications and AdvertisingInterbrandJ. BrownJigsaw InternationalJWTKetchum NewscanKWPLapizLebrija RubioLee DDBLeo BurnettLoweM&C SaatchiMcCann-EricksonMedia CircleMRM WorldwideNewsunOMDPHDProeza SLAIProximityPublicisRapp CollinsRediffusionRodgers TownsendRoy MorganSaatchi & SaatchiShunya Communications GroupSimon Richards GroupStarcomTapsaTBWATargisTequilaTribal DDBUnisonoUniversal McCannVerticeWhybin Lawrence TBWAWing LatinoWundermanYoung & RubicamZenithOptimediaZubi Advertising

Articles

Articles

Bob Irwin and Wayne Lotherington

Extract from " The Innovation Pipeline "

We've seen many definitions of Innovation. Some include Creativity within the meaning of Innovation, while others do the opposite. They define Innovation as a part of Creativity. And we've heard Creativity and Innovation mentioned in the same breath to mean the same or different things.All of this tends to suggest that Creativity and Innovation are difficult concepts to grasp, but we don't believe that is so. And because we think that the clearer our understanding of a word, a concept or a thing, the more useful it is to us, we will commence by suggesting clear and workable definitions of the two terms, Creativity and Innovation.We define them separately because doing so emphasises the differences between them as well as the links between them. Let's start with Creativity:Creativity is the merging of ideas which have not been merged before. New ideas are formed by developing current ones within our minds.This definition is saying that when we get a new idea it comes from the connection of two other things we already know about, whether they are obvious or tucked well away in our brain. This notion of connecting ideas is explained and illustrated fully in Flicking Your Creative Switch - Developing Brighter Ideas for Business. (Lotherington) If Creativity is about generating new ideas, Innovation is about putting them into practice. It is the successful exploitation of new ideas. In other words, Innovation is about implementation... taking the creative new idea and turning it into something of value.We think these three points summarise it well:1. Innovation is putting an idea into practice. If an idea remains just an idea, there is no Innovation.2. Innovation is the pay-off when an idea becomes an outcome. Ideas are wonderful thoughts but they are worth little until they are implemented.3. Innovation gets started when we evaluate our many ideas and decide which one(s) are worth the time and effort to bring to fruition.You see, the work isnt done just because we have generated ideas. That might be the fun part, but it's just the beginning. Innovation requires discipline and action for evaluating ideas, testing them, modifying them, and applying them. It's these disciplines and actions that turn an idea into something of value.

Supervisor Support Critical for Innovative Behaviors

Angeline Lim

A recent study in the Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology found that when employees perceive their supervisors to be supportive of their innovative ideas, they will feel encouraged to use their influence to carry out innovative activities at work. On the other hand, if they perceive their supervisors as being unsupportive, it will inhibit them from doing so. The researchers in The Netherlands who conducted this study suggest that organisations have partial control over the behavior of supervisors in the organisation, and that supervisors can be trained to respond to employee innovativeness in a supportive fashion - by providing information, resources and sociopolitical backing. Reflecting upon this issue from the perspective of a creative consultancy, we recognize that this is an important issue for organisations to consider. Organisations who recognize the need to leverage on creativity and innovation for excellent organisational performance, and also the need to unleash the creative potential of their employees often rush head-on into training programmes. However, they have to bear in mind that a training programme will only equip their employees with the basics of creativity, and it is only through employees being given the space and opportunity to unleash their creative potential that creativity can successfully be incorporated into the organisational culture and translated into success for the organisation. At Allsorts, we understand this, and work together with clients to bring creativity manifested in our different workshops to all levels of an organisation on a needs basis.

Losing Clients is Easy

Creativity vs. Innovation

Greg Alder

Extract from the forthcoming book " The Fine Art of Losing Clients "

Are you a natural at losing clients? You know what? You dont have to be born a loser to become a loser. Anyone can enjoy an enviable (if costly) reputation for losing clients. How do you lose clients? Easy. In fact, to lose clients you mightn't need to change a single thing about the way you handle their business. Simply do any of the following and youre guaranteed to lose clients. 1. Tell your client anything you think he wants to hear even when its the opposite of what you know he SHOULD hear.2. When you make a mistake, don't admit it. Make up a story to cover the mistake.3. Neglect existing clients in favour of newer clients.4. Don't make any attempt to understand your clients' beliefs or culture. 5. See your clients as little as possible. Your name on the door is enough to remind them of your existence.6. Hand your clients' multi-million dollar business to increasingly junior staff. Roll over the staff handling your clients' business as soon as the current staff member really understands that business. Don't worry if none of the people handling your clients can see or understand the big picture. That's the clients' job.7. Become exactly like your clients. Dress the same. Think the same. Talk the same. That way, clients will feel they are talking to themselves. 8. Let yourself go. Become a fat, lazy and careless company. 9. Make lots of little mistakes. They're not as spectacular as one huge one, but they are often more infuriating. Do not sweat the details.10. Show a healthy level of contempt for your clients. Be late for meetings. Never apologise for being late.11. Rehash, recycle, regurgitate. If you give a client something original once, he or she will expect it every time.12. Don't give clients things they didn't ask for or pay for. Giving them unsolicited gifts or advice smacks of caring too much.13. Don't make promises. 14. Don't listen to your clients. Make them explain everything at least twice.15. Make it impossible for a client to judge if he or she is getting good value.16. Let clients see how your senior people loathe each other. Bad chemistry can lead to some spectacularly explosive situations.17. Do something dubious. Misuse your clients' budgets and abuse their trust. 18. If all these fail, do something illegal. Recognise situations that are close to home? Maybe you read something and thought, Wow, I'm doing that! Or funny, that's what one of MY clients did just last week. If so, then there's a good chance you're well on your way to losing your client.Want to keep your clients? Well, obviously, do the opposite of any of the actions described above. Be honest, anticipative, responsive, intuitive, humble, diligent, original and creative! A warning: Losing clients can be disruptive. Losing clients means losing income and losing income can seriously hinder your lifestyle. According to Harvard Business Review, a 5% increase in client retention can increase profits by nearly 100% and halving losses will more than double a company's growth rate. You can learn many of the skills needed to keep clients in Allsorts workshops.

Our People

People who engage others

The Allsorts team consists of experienced trainers and facilitators with the ability to engage, educate and motivate others. We cover all major markets in Australia, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Americas, and the Middle East. Meet some of the team.

Dr Wayne Lotherington

Wayne (aka The Switch Doctor) is founder and CEO of Allsorts. He is an experienced communications professional who developed his skills over many years in the education and advertising industries in Australia, Asia and Europe.

Wayne is an engaging facilitator, a published author and a motivating speaker. Businesses all over the world have benefitted from his creative and energetic approach.

Wayne holds a degree in Economics, a Post Grad in Education, an MBA and a PhD in business creativity.

Yen Lau

Yen is Allsorts' Creative Director. She takes care of the creative standards of our environment and our workshop materials.

Trained at the Ontario College of Art in Canada and the Exeter College of Art and Design in the UK, she graduated with a BA(Hons) in Design, specialising in illustration.

During her career, Yen has solved visual problems and puzzles for clients in Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Canada. Her work has won creative awards and international acclaim.

Simon Kornberg

Although Simon values his experience as Short-Order Cook, Cocktail Barman, Strawberry Farmer and Office Cleaner, it's probably his 18 years as Advertising Copywriter and Creative Director that have the most bearing on his present career. Whether based in London, Hong Kong, Australia, Thailand or Singapore, Simon has been a passionate advocate for the power of creativity, with a shelf-full of creative awards to prove it.

This passion continues with the creative approach of Allsorts where Simon is a popular facilitator working throughout Asia, with programmes such as Creative Selling, Creative Thinking and Creative Presentations. Simon lives in Singapore with his other passions: his two sons.

Anne Yeoman

Anne is Managing Director of our European office, with a business focus on Eastern Europe.

She has over 25 years of marketing experience in both Australia and the United Kingdom, working at senior level for such clients as Cadbury Australia, Diageo UK, Reuters UK and British Airport Authority.

Anne is also a partner in www.wingsoverafrica.org with her husband, providing aerial support to charities requiring anti-poaching and survey support. She now lives in France.

Alan Kuczynski

Alan has had extensive experience working with the marketing departments of multi national organisations. He started Australia's first Integrated Marketing Communications agency which he later sold to DDB, where he remained as Director of Integrated Communications. Some years later he bought a small college, APM Training Institute, and grew it into one of Australia's most prestigious private business colleges.

Alan volunteers much of his time to running personal development training sessions for disadvantaged people through not for profit organisations including The Salvation Army, Mission Australia, and Youth Insearch.

Greg Alder

Greg started out studying architecture, switched to psychology and worked in market research before settling down to spend a big chunk of his career as Creative Director of some fairly serious advertising agencies and picking up kilos of tacky awards along the way.

He still gets a buzz from breakthrough creativity, but these days the creative process results in a new product or a much-needed solution to a sticky business problem rather than an idea for an ad campaign. Greg refuses to grow old gracefully and can't stop learning.

Sharon Chiou

Sharon is known in the ad industry of China as one of the most successful career women in the field of media management, with over 20 years of experience. However, if you get to know her in person, she seems more like a caring and nurturing teacher. She finds most achievement and satisfaction in helping people grow and succeed, that's why she has chosen facilitator as her side job, and has enjoyed every moment of if for the past 12 years.

Sharon holds an MBA in business and media management from Syracuse University. She is the founder and CEO of ActionAd Communication Learning Center in China.

Denise Liu

Born and raised in Taiwan, studied in the US, Denise later worked for various advertising agencies in the US, Taiwan and Shanghai including Lowe, D'Arcy, Batey Redcell and Saatchi & Saatchi. She has worked with many international Clients on account management and strategic planning but always sees herself ultimately, as a creative person.

Denise is adventurous and feels unsettled when life is too easy. She has a strong passion for the good things in life and enjoys sharing them with those around her. Her biggest thrill is creating something new in everything she does.

Denise is the General Manager and Senior Facilitator of ActionAd Communication Learning Center in China. She has an MA of Journalism from the Journalism School of Missouri University.

Dr Michael Llewellyn-Williams

Michael is a hands-on, award-winning strategist and creative problem-solver. He has been aconference chair and speaker on three continents and a judge for The Effies in New York.

A guest lecturer on Better Creative Briefs and Brand Essence Workshops at the Miami AdSchool, Michael recently conducted a brand workshop in Shanghai with simultaneous English-Mandarin translation and a virtual brand workshop executed entirely online.

Michael is Principal and CEO at BrandMechanics in San Francisco. His PhD in polymer physicalchemistry is from Imperial College, London the UK equivalent of M.I.T.

George Azar

After extensive working experience with blue-chip multinationals, on regional and global levels, George established his own company, ProSeed, specializing in training and business development.

Covering the Middle East and North Africa, ProSeed quickly became a landmark and a reference in providing top of the line training in various specialized topics through importing global expertise to fit localized cultures.

George holds two MBAs with emphasis on Marketing Management, as well as International Business and Trade. George also provides private consultancies to many organizations in the Marketing field.

Jamshed Safdar

Jamshed - Jimmy, as he is known to his friends - is a strategic marketing professional with a career spanning over 30 years at senior positions in the Asia Pacific region, as well as at a global level. These include blue chip companies such as American Express, MCI Worldcom, an affiliate of Philip Morris and Emirates Shipping Line.

He chaired the Marketing & Communications committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong for several years and has been a regular key note speaker at trade and marketing conferences in Asia and the Middle East.

Jamshed is the President & CEO of International Brand Consultants. The company focuses on marketing, operation efficiencies and training in multiple industries.

Maxine Lotherington

Maxine is Allsorts youngest member. At just 16, she is responsible for keeping our website up to date so if you find any errors, just let her know!

Maxine has been designing websites since she was 9, having picked up the skill from Neopets, a virtual pet website. Now it's hard to tell where Maxine stops and the computer starts.

We're just a click or call away

Allsorts Habit Creation Pte Ltd

(Incorporated in Singapore)

Telephone +61 422 395 711

EUROPE

Anne Yeoman

Tel: +33 55 33 11 706

Email: anne_allsorts.com.sg

GLOBAL

Dr Wayne Lotherington

Tel: +61 422 395 711

Email: wayne_allsorts.com.sg

AUSTRALIA

Alan Kuczynski

Tel: 0418 698 069

Emai: alan_allsorts.com.au

Allsorts UK Partner:

Caroline Simpson

Bridge Consultancy (London)

Tel: 07866 495035

Email: caroline_bridgeconsultancy.net

Yen Lau

Tel: +61 431 452 788

Email: yenlau_allsorts.com.sg

Greg Alder

Tel: 0414 541 960

Email: greg_allsorts.com.au

MIDDLE EAST

Allsorts Middle East Partner:

George Azar

Proseeco (Beirut)

Tel: +961 334 5455

Email: george.azar_proseedco.com

Web: www.proseedco.com

ASIA

Simon Kornberg

Tel: +65 9821 2805

Email: simon_allsorts.com.sg

AMERICAS

Allsorts USA Partner:

Dr Michael Llewellyn-Williams

BrandMechanics Inc (San Francisco)

Tel: +1 415 710 9456

Email: mlw_brandmechanics.com

Creative Connections

Creative Thinking - CREATIVE CONNECTIONS

Objective: Inspired by the book 'How Creative People Connect,' the workshop is designed to encourage staff to think and behave in more Creative and Innovative ways in order to enhance individual and organisational performance.Topics include:What are Creativity and Innovation? Why is everyone talking about them these days?The ROI of Creativity. We all want a return on investment, but Creativity has its own 'ROI'.Everyone's Creative. We've yet to find someone who's never had a good idea, but sometimes people need help to realise their creative potential.There's no 'one right answer.' Forget school; stop second guessing. Look for the 'many right answers.'Connecting the unconnected. Creativity is finding a connection that isn't there. We show you how.The Creative Mind and how it works. When you know, you can apply it more easily and in a more focused manner.Tools to kick-start Creativity. Allsorts' own proprietary ways to get you started, including What's Hot!, Curly Questions, Exquisite Corpse, Extremes, and more.Creative Theme: Join the Dots (because creativity is about connecting ideas)Duration: 2 days, including time for practice and 'live' applicationsNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Staff who want to challenge the conventional and develop new ideas or innovative ways. Especially relevant to those in Advertising, Marketing, Customer Service, Human Resources, and Strategic Planning.Creative Connections is a trademark of Allsorts.

The Innovation Pipeline

Inspiring Innovation - THE INNOVATION PIPELINE

Objectives: To enable you to turn Creative ideas into Innovative outcomes through validation and implementation. And to show how an organisation can develop a culture of Innovation that improves its productivity and its edge over competitors.Topics include:What are Creativity and Innovation? And what's the link?Types of Innovation and the exploitation of knowledgeThe functions of Innovation and the role of R&DFrom ideas to implementation - the Creativity/Innovation modelWhat stops and starts Creativity and Innovation?Responsibility, accountability and getting things doneWhy Innovation sometimes failsDeveloping a culture of InnovationTools for fast-tracking Creativity and InnovationCreative Theme: Pipelines (because ideas go in one end and new products and processes flow out the other)Duration: 2 days, including time for learning and practising the toolsNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Organisations seeking a culture of Innovation. Managers and staff who want to streamline their working procedures and avoid wasting time on the job. Especially relevant to those in Management, Marketing, R&D, Production, Human Resources, and Strategic Planning. In fact, any individual or organisation looking to improve its performance or competitive edge through the right balance of ideas, innovation and implementation.Innovation Pipeline is a trademark of Allsorts.
No Frame

SOCceR

Strategic Thinking - SOCceR

Objectives: Everyone's job requires some level of Strategic Thinking. This workshop provides participants with the skills and tools necessary to tackle any Strategic problem no matter how large or how small. And to do it in a creative way.

Topics include:Strategic Thinking. What is it? And what does it entail?Establishing focused, actionable and measurable goals.Investigating and questioning the issues; gathering information for the strategic thinking process.Identifying the internal and external factors that may help or hinder.Using Creative Thinking to develop and evaluate alternative directions.Spotting flaws in your thinking to enable correction before it's too late.Proposing your strategic recommendations in a persuasive manner.Creative Theme: Soccer (because it is a game of strategy as well as a mnemonic for our strategic thinking method)Duration: 2 days; day 2 includes practice with "live" applicationsNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Staff who want a winning approach to developing strategies. Perfect for mid-level staff who have to develop strategic plans or proposals for senior management or client approval.SOCceR is a trademark of Allsorts.

The Ten Commandments

Digital Marketing - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Objectives: To understand the technological drivers that are changing Marketing, build an understanding of how Digital Marketing works and provide a basic framework for developing a Digital Marketing programme.Topics include:The changes in technology that led to the arrival of Digital MarketingThe 10 key changes that are required to move from Traditional to Digital MarketingUnderstanding the consumer of the Future (she's here today!)Building a Digital Marketing programmeThe typical mistakes made in Digital MarketingAction PlanCreative Theme: Prophecies and Commandments (because ignoring them has grave consequences)Duration: 2 days, including time for practice and "live" applicationsNumber of participants: 16 to 20 Target: The workshop is designed for Agencies, Media, Marketers and others in the Marketing Communications industry who are trying to cope with the changes in the way Brands are marketed and are striving to understand and master the techniques of Digital Marketing. The Ten Commandments is not a trademark of Allsorts.
No Frame

The MAChINE
No Frame

Selling Ideas - THE MAChINE

Note: This is an Advertising industry-specific workshop developed and facilitated by experienced Account and Creative people. It can be applied to selling Creative or selling Media ideas.Topics include:The importance of selling your best ideasBuilding trust at a company level: agency to clientEstablishing and using a personal relationship in sellingHow to ensure the client sees the creative is relevant to the target market (rather than to him/herself)Establishing criteria to judge creative in order to reduce client subjectivitySeparating the Idea from the ExecutionUsing The MAChINE approach to maximise your chances of selling great creative ideasPractice sessions with professional coaching for each personCreative Theme: Machines (because the mnemonic for our proven sales technique is The MAChINE)Duration: 2 daysNumber of participants: up to 12Target: All Account Management, Creative and Media people responsible for selling the creative product. Especially valuable for those with difficult clients. There are specific MAChINE workshops for Creative Agencies, Media Agencies and Media Owners/Representatives.The MAChINE is a trademark of Allsorts.

Pitching to Win
No Frame

New Business - PITCHING TO WIN

Clarifying the brief

Understanding what the client really wants

Establishing judging criteria

Researching clients' personalities to enable a tailored approach

Recognising your strengths and creatively differentiating yourself

Anticipating competitors' strategies

Getting the winning idea

Pre-empting clients' preconceptions

Controlling the venue

Rehearsing

Structuring for comprehension and persuasion

Making it creative; making it memorable

Connecting with the audience

Handling questions and objections

Getting the audience involved

Creating effective leave-behinds

Developing a structured follow-up strategy

Showing commitment

Tell it Jell it Sell it
No Frame

Presenting Creatively - TELL IT, JELL IT, SELL IT

Topics include:The essentials of creative delivery, including vocal delivery and body languageHow to use a structure that keeps the audience focused and interestedHandling questions effectivelyHow to involve the audienceMethods to make your message stick in people's mindsHow to use the power of creativity to maximise impact and memorabilityCreative Theme: Hands/Gestures (because body language speaks louder than words)Duration: 2 daysNumber of participants: up to 12Target: Anyone who needs to present with impact. We tailor the workshop to the level of the participants to push everyone to achieve a new level of expertise.Tell It, Jell It, Sell It® and TJS® are Registered Trademarks of Allsorts

The Road to Negotiation

Negotiation Skills - THE ROAD TO AGREEMENT

Objectives: To enable managers to negotiate more effectively with clients, suppliers and staff. This workshop is especially valuable when negotiations are between parties in a long term relationship. Participants learn the benefits of more creative approaches to negotiation rather than the typical bargaining methods that leads to less effective win/lose results. Topics:Our workshop is a road trip from Chicago to Los Angeles along the famous Route 66. Along the way, we visit nine states that represent the nine key negotiation topics. Like this:Illinois: Reaching the DestinationMissouri: Uncovering Interests Workshop ObjectivesKansas: The Can-Do AttitudeOklahoma: RelationshipsTexas: The TacticsNew Mexico: Options and AlternativesArizona: Agreements and CommitmentsCalifornia: Powerful OppositionCase studies and role plays help to make the learning real and practical.Creative Theme: Route 66 (because negotiation is a journey, not an event)Duration: 2 days (not negotiable)Number of participants: up to 12Target: Key personnel who find themselves negotiating internally or externally. Suitable for all levels, although mixing levels isn't recommended.
No Frame

Show Me the Money

Business Finance - SHOW ME THE MONEY

Objectives: To improve the company's profitability through wiser money management by front line personnel. Also to broaden participants' own financial skills to prepare them for more senior roles.Topics include:Understanding the company's financial systemUsing the correct terminologyUnderstanding your own role in company finance and profitabilityThe impact of poor cash flow, write-offs, late billing, and delayed payments, andFormulating ways to combat themCreative Theme: The Movies (because there are so many parallels between movies and money)Duration: 1 dayNumber of participants: up to 16Target: This is finance for non-finance people. It is for everyone who needs an understanding of the money side of the business. Especially junior to mid-level staff whose actions may have a direct impact on the bottom line.

The Big Picture

CRM - THE BIG PICTURE

Objectives: To provide participants with an understanding of the value of customers to a business, and skills and tools to analyse their customer base. A key outcome is the SMART customer action plan which helps establish meaningful outcomes on how customer relationships should continue.Topics include:Reviewing our attitudeThe who, what and why of CRMWhat customers really wantSTAR (and accompanying tools):Study customersThink about their needsAct accordinglyRecord the resultsCase studiesAction PlanCreative Theme: The Movies (because so many of them are about relationships)Duration: 2 daysNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Anyone who has a role in managing and/or developing customer relationships - ideal for people in finance, operations, customer service, etc. This programme can be adapted for a senior management audience.

Superheroes

Account Management - SUPERHEROES

Objectives: To equip Account people to deal more effectively with clients through stronger relationships, better need-anticipation, and more focused client leadership in order to produce superior results for both the client and the servicing company.Topics include:The essentials of Key Account ManagementPeople Management - Relationship-building; Collaboration; Talent/Skills developmentBusiness Management - Your business; Client's business; Marketing managementResults Management - Personal motivation; Being proactive; Influencing othersIdea Management - An Ideas attitude; Innovation; Big picture thinking.Creative Theme: Superheroes (because sometimes we need super-powers to deal with clients)Duration: 2 or 3 days, depending on depth and topics chosenNumber of participants: up to 16Target: We have senior, middle and junior-level versions of this Super workshop.

Myths Legends and Tall Tales

Business Communication - MYTHS, LEGENDS AND TALL TALES

Objectives: To separate the myths, legends and tall tales from the New Truths of communication to enable people to communicate more effectively face-to-face, in writing and on the phone. 'Topics include:The Ring of SendingBody languageWordsVocal DeliveryPhone and Email EvilsThe Ring of ReceivingStimulus and ResponseDirect versus IndirectListening SkillsThe Ring of IndividualityEveryone's DifferentThe Concept of ModalitiesCreative Theme: Lord of the Rings (because the effective business person must be master over the three rings of communication)Duration: 1 or 2 days, depending on depth of contentNumber of participants: Up to 16 peopleTarget: Let's just say that if you're in business, you need to master communication.
No Frame

Licence to Thrill

Professional Image Development - LICENCE TO THRILL

Objectives: To provide middle managers with the basics in personal and business etiquette so they can mix and work with others in the international arena without making the fateful faux pas. Topics include:Making a brilliant first impressionGetting big results from small talkOperating with perfect mannersWatching for signs that reveal the truthBeing sensitive to local differencesThe eight communication essentialsBonding with othersCreative Theme: James Bond (because he's a smooth operator in every sense)Duration: 2 days Number of participants: Up to 16 peopleTarget: All those who work and/or socialise with clients and suppliers in an international setting.

Time Out

Time Management - TIME OUT

Objectives: To provide the tools staff need to be more productive at work and in their daily lives.Topics include:Time wasters and procrastinationSetting Goals and ObjectivesPrioritising tasksMore productive meetingsMaking the phone, email and sms work for youEffective delegationAn action plan for better personal managementCreative Theme: Basketball (because how you manage the clock is crucial in the games of basketball, business and life)Duration: 1 very time-effective dayNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Up to mid-level, especially Client Service staff whose lives seem to get hijacked by clients - whether internal or external.

Improving Performance

Performance Management - IMPROVING PERFORMANCE

Objectives: To build a performance culture, commencing by appraising staff in a fair and consistent manner.Specifically to:Set and agree performance objectivesProvide accurate, productive feedbackAddress performance issues before they become major problemsPlan and structure the appraisalAvoid common appraisal problemsCreative Theme: Performing arts (because managing people performance is an art)Duration: 1 dayNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Everyone responsible for appraising and developing staff.

Developing Deputies

Training the Creative Trainer - DEVELOPING DEPUTIES

Objectives: A Train the Trainer program to provide managers with the tools they need to build and conduct effective in-house training sessions on technical and practical subjects.Topics include:Setting behavioral objectivesUnderstanding how adults learnFacilitation skillsPlanning and structuring a training workshopMaking training practical and memorable through creativityPractice sessions with personal feedbackCreative Theme: The Wild West (because the sheriff [the training director] needs the help of responsible people to be his/her deputies)Duration: 2 daysNumber of participants: A small focused group... up to 8 peopleTarget: Managers who are knowledgeable about their own subject area yet need to learn the skills to pass their knowledge on to others. Could be from any department. Generally mid to upper level.

Take Me to Your Leader

Leadership - TAKE ME TO YOUR LEADER

Objectives: To develop stronger leadership skills (without alienating others). A very practical approach to building leadership skills, delivered by facilitators with years of Leadership experience.Topics include:Defining leadershipUnderstanding ourselves and our natural leadership styleHow leadership style affects business climate and ultimately business resultsWhen each style is most appropriateHandling staff with different personalitiesPractical tips for building leadership skillsHaving a clear purposeDefining procedures and responsibilitiesConsistency; providing feedback; involving othersPlanning aheadCreative Theme: Aliens (because sometimes people behave like aliens. And sometimes managers alienate others)Duration: 2 or 3 days depending on the level of staff and depth of programme requiredNumber of participants: up to 16Target: Team leaders and potential team leaders from any area would benefit from this workshop.
No Frame

The Inner View

Consumer Insights - THE INNER VIEW

Topics include:Defining Insights and why they are fundamental to effective Communication Identifying Insights in existing communications How to find relevant Insights for specific target markets (three methods are discussed and practiced) How to express an Insight in order to inspire better communication Five unmistakable global trends Local market trends and predictions Live cases where teams can explore Insights related to their specific clients target market.Creative Theme: The Inner View is about seeing whats inside people, not what they necessarily show others. Duration: 2 days; day 2 includes practice with "live" applications.Number of participants: up to 16.Target: Staff who need to understand the hopes, fears, needs and aspirations of their target market in order to develop effective strategic and creative communication. The Inner View is a trademark of Allsorts.

What's Cooking!
whats cooking.png

Advertising Essentials - WHAT'S COOKING?!

Our Objectives are: To learn the basic ingredients to effective advertising To recognize ideas and their power to persuade a target market To be able to inspire better advertising To be able to judge advertising more effectively.Topics Include: The Digestive System - How Advertising Works The Key Ingredient - An Idea The Chef versus The Customer - Agency versus Client Passing the Taste-test - Judging ads A Matter of Flavour - Consumer Insights You're the Chef - Cooking Up an Idea!Creative Theme: Who isn't interested in food? To spice up the content and make it more memorable, the workshop theme is food.Duration: Two very interesting and involving days, facilitated by a seasoned advertising professional.Number of Participants: Up to 16.Target: This workshop is of particular value to people in Marketing Communications who currently have only a rudimentary understanding of the advertising industry but who could benefit by seeing the big picture. It is therefore ideal for Clients, Media, PR, Direct and Sales Promotion people.