"Brainstorming and Beyond describes the techniques for generating ideas verbally, in writing, or through sketches. The first chapter focuses on brainstorming, the foundation method for ideation, which is a complex social process building off of social psychology principles, motivational constructs, and corporate culture. Brainstorming is commonly portrayed as an easy way to generate ideas, but in reality, it is a complex social process that is often flawed in ways that are not self-evident. Chapter 2 discusses Brainwriting, which is a variation on brainstorming in which each person writes ideas down on paper and then passes the paper to a new person who reads the first set of ideas and adds new ones. Since there is no group shouting out of ideas, strong facilitation skills are not required, and more often than not, Brainwriting results greatly exceed those of group brainstorming in a shorter time because ideas are generated in a parallel, rather than serial, fashion. Brainwriting is useful when time is limited, groups are hostile, or you are dealing with a culture where shouting out wild or divergent ideas might be difficult. Finally, in Chapter 3, readers learn about Braindrawing, a method of visual brainstorming that helps practitioners generate ideas for icons, other graphics, user interface layouts, or Web page designs. Each of these methods provides readers with ways to generate, present, and evaluate ideas so they can begin building a strong foundation for product success"--Amazon.com, viewed April 23, 2013.

"For 20 years, the Great Place to Work® Institute has been developing the annual ranking of the best companies to work for in the US and in 39 countries around the world. In the US, the ranking is published by FORTUNE and is best known as the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For. In 2010, the list included among its finalists: SAS, Google, REI, Scripps Health, Hoar Construction, DreamWorks Animation, Zappos.com, Salesforce.com, Cisco, Marriott Interntional, American Express, Mayo Clinic, Microsoft. Drawing on the Institute's wide and deep body of knowledge acquired in the process of producing this ranking, Institute senior consultant Michael Burchell and research fellow Jennifer Robin reveal that what separates the great from the good companies to work for is the leader's ability to create Trust, Pride and Camaraderie in their companies. THE GREAT WORKPLACE explains the concept of a Great Place to Work--defined as one in which employees trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do, and enjoy the people they work with--and demystifies the Institute's Great Place to Work model, developed in 1984 and validated through its enduring resonance in both the United States and in 40 countries around the world. It also answers the fundamental question, "What is the business value of creating a great workplace?" and brings the definition of a Great Place to Work alive with anecdotes, best practices, and quotes from employees working at the best workplaces in the US (and ranked in the list). Companies featured in the book include: General Mills, Google, Gore, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, SAS, Scripps Health, Wegman's and S.C. Johnson. As organizations grapple with the complexity and challenges of leveraging human capital in today's hyper-competitive work world--and as the Institute increases its presence across the world--THE GREAT WORKPLACE will be the "must read" source for understanding the essential ingredients in and trends of great places to work"--