Capitol Creativity Network Blog

Our "Dialogue with Dan Pink" event is tomorrow in DC!

2010-03-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

Join us on Thursday, March 11 for an interactive dialogue with NYT best selling author of A Whole New Mind and Free Agent Nation, Dan Pink, on his new book, DRiVE: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us, which uses behavioral science to overturn the conventional wisdom about human motivation and offers a more effective path to high performance.

This is a content-rich and audience-participatory - and fun! - event. Hear about what motivates us; learn techniques for action; and engage in dialogue with Dan about autonomy, mastery, purpose, creativity, performance and more. The afternoon's format is designed to offer maximum real-time participant engagement with Dan, one of the most prolific voices of our time on the changing world of work.

Date & Time: Thursday, March 11, 3:00-5:30pm
Address: CDIA - Center for Digital Imaging Arts
1055 Thomas Jefferson St., NW, Washington, DC 20007

Register online at http://dialoguewithdan.eventbrite.com/

Creativity in Business Conference in DC - Oct. 4th

2009-08-03T09:37:00.001-07:00

http://www.creativity-conference.com

Join applied-creativity thought leaders, pioneering entrepreneurs and business innovators from around the country - in the fields of creativity and innovation, organizational change, social media and transformational leadership - for a full-day event focused on:

* Harnessing and focusing individual, group & organizational creativity
* Organizational structures/business models conducive for creativity & innovation
* The integration of creativity, purpose, business & serving the greater good

New ideas, new innovations, new systems and new structures depend on accessing new levels of creativity. At this event, we will explore different facets of creativity as the key driver in navigating and thriving in the new work paradigm.

Conference: 9:00-5:30 Festival: 5:30-7:30

CONFERENCE: - Lively, Content-rich, Experiential Break-out Sessions each with a different focus related to the theme of Applied Creativity in Business - Engaging Thought Leader Panels explore the creativity-centered work paradigm through the lens' of leadership, social media and creative thinking and improvisational strategy

FESTIVAL: Comedy, Live Music, Networking, Book Signings, Give-Aways and hors d'oeuvres from award-winning Mie N Yu restaurant

ALSO INCLUDED: Arts and Business Services Silent Auction - all proceeds from the auction go to ProjectCreateDC. For more info on how to donate a work of art or a business service, email info@creativeemergence.com.

REGISTRATION: Earlybird discount through August 31: $149 ~ Regular rate after August 31: $197 ~ Sponsorship: $500. Seating is limited - early registration is recommended. http://www.creativity-conference.com

SPONSORS: - The Center for Creative Emergence - Capitol Creativity Network (CCN) - Center for Digital Imaging Arts (CDIA) - Teratech - Timothy Flatt Studios - Mie N Yu - Over The Horizon Consulting, LLC - Associated Producers - Brandwithin - Integral Company - Ecoprint - Riding the Wave - Shinyheart Ventures

ALL THE DETAILS: http://www.creativity-conference.com

Hope you can join us! :-)

April CCN Event: Visonary Leadership with Seth Kahan

2009-03-26T12:10:00.000-07:00

Visionary Leadership: It's More Than Having a Great Idea
Presented by Seth Kahan at http://www.VisionaryLeadership.com

Date and time: Wednesday, April 8 ~ 7:00-9:30PM

Location: Cleveland Park Club House ~ 3433 33rd Place, NW ~ Washington, DC 20008
Directions: CCN website: http://www.capitolcreativitynetwork.com
Registration: $20 at the door
RSVP: Michelle@CreativeEmergence.com

Visionary leadership is about more than having a great idea, it is about engaging the right people in the right ways to create the traction, buy-in, and enthusiastic engagement that leads to success. In this interactive, hands-on workshop, we will explore five ways visionary leaders create success for big ideas, and apply them to you and your work. The five ways are:

> Capturing your idea in a compelling, easy-to-communicate statement
> Identifying your Most Valuable Players, the people who can make or break your vision
> Mapping the territory of change through strategic story-listening
> Creating communities that accelerate the evolution of your idea
> Generating dramatic surges in progress through strategic events

Seth Kahan helps leaders get change right: engaging the right people in the right ways to create extraordinary success. He has worked with the president of the World Bank, director of the Peace Corps, senior managers at Shell both in the US and the Netherlands, and CEOs of over 100 associations. He was designated a Visionary by the Center for Association Leadership, received Board Approval as an exemplar and thought leader in Change Leadership by the Society for Advancement of Consulting, and inducted into Alan Weiss' Million Dollar Consulting Hall of Fame. Seth is the author of the Fast Company blog, Leading Change; the book, Building Beehives: A Handbook for Creating Communities that Generate Returns; and the forth-coming book, Getting Change Right, due in early 2010. Seth has also authored numerous publications available for free download on his website: www.VisionaryLeadership.com

Plus 2 Visionary Books for our Give-away!

1. Seth's book, Building Beehives: A Handbook for Creating Communities that Generate Returns: http://visionaryleadership.com/Store/default.aspx

2. Michael Strong's book, Be the Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists can Solve All the World's Problems: http://www.amazon.com/Be-Solution-Entrepreneurs-Conscious-Capitalists/dp/0470450037

CCN on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=20567331752

CCN listserve: http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativityNetwork

March CCN event ~ Develop a Creative Content Strategy: Make Your Books, Blogs and More Come to Life

2009-03-09T12:37:00.000-07:00

Presented by David Bernstein, Principal of Able Press Consulting and Publishing Director of The New Pamphleteer

When: Wednesday, March 11~ 7:00-9:30PM

Changes in technology mean that everyone can publish their own book, launch their own website, create podcasts, produce email newsletters, and more. That's wonderful, but it also means that we are all inundated with more content than we could possibly ever digest-in the US alone there were about 500,000 books published last year! In this crowded environment, how do you develop content that people actually want to read, view or listen to?

In this interactive, hands-on workshop, we'll explore how to apply the creative process to developing unique and compelling content that stands out from the crowd. You'll learn:

> How to think strategically about what content you develop
> Tips for utilizing emerging technologies as part of the content creation process
> How to make your content serve your business needs-while distinguishing it from pure marketing copy

David S. Bernstein runs Able Press Consulting. He has worked in book, magazine, and web publishing for most of his professional career. His editorial expertise spans a wide range of genres, including business, current affairs, history, politics, coaching, psychology, religion, and popular culture. He has worked with many well-known people, but his passion is taking lesser-known talents and developing them into commercially successful authors. David has worked for large publishing companies and publications, including Wiley, McGraw-Hill, The Free Press/Simon & Schuster, and SmartMoney magazine. In addition to running Able Press, David is the Publishing Director of The New Pamphleteer (www.pamphletguys.com) a venture that publishes pamphlets and in other innovative formats. Previously he was Executive Vice President of web-based publisher iConnect.com, and the founder and editor of Diversity & Division, a political journal. David holds an MBA from New York University.Reach David at www.ablepress.com or david@ablepress.com.

Book Give-away!

At this event, we will be have a book give-away for the book, written by CCN member, Bill Smith:

The Creative Power: Transforming Ourselves, Our Organizations, and Our World

CCN member (and brilliant man!), Bill Smith, has written an incredible new book. This book gives new insights into the source of your creative power, and how you can use that creativity to transform yourself, your organization and your world. The book contains a fascinating instrument that revels to you your own pattern of creative power. This work is truly ground breaking! It will give you an original lens to view and experience your creativity. We will be giving one book away at the March gathering...AND Bill has generously agreed to give the rest to those at the meeting for cost (about 20% off the regular price). Visit the Creative Power website at http://sites.google.com/site/creativepowersite/

CCN is co-sponsoring the Art of Change Inaugural Celebration!

2009-01-13T17:41:00.001-08:00

The Capitol Creativity Network is delighted to be a sponsor for The Art of Change celebration event! http://www.artists-ball.org/

From their website: "The Art of Change, an inaugural celebration of DC's creative communities! The Art of Change will be held the night of January 20th, 2009 at 8:00 PM at the Warehouse Complex at the corner of 7th St and New York Ave NW in the heart of Washington, DC. Come celebrate this unique event with the most creative people in the nation's capital!

"To create this event, volunteers have come together from all over Washington, DC's creative communities to collaborate in an event that will meld together art, music, and performance to show the District of Columbia the most original and creative inaugural event ever held.

"Spend your Inaugural evening dancing to music from some of the hottest DJs on the East Coast while the variety stage showcases the greatest performers in DC and beyond."

Lynne Feingold on Organizational Storytelling

2009-01-10T09:50:00.000-08:00

Capitol Creativity Network member (and the person who got us our Cleveland Park Club House location!), Lynne Feingold, has been pioneering the use of organizational storytelling in the government for years. See an article in which she shares her wisdom:

http://talentmgt.com/talent.php?pt=s&sid=204&mode=preview

Thanks, Lynne, for helping creative change happen! :-)

January 2009 CCN Event: Innovative Leadership

2008-12-29T14:05:00.000-08:00

Innovative Leadership Approaches: Tap into your Creative Authenticity to Grow Your Business
Presented by Suzi Pomerantz, CEO of Innovative Leadership International, LLC

Are you using your authentic, creative strengths to get clients? Do you know what it takes to seal the deal? Is rainmaking a mystery? Do you consider selling to be anything other than playful and fun? Do more than dream about a business full of ideal clients! The secret to building and sustaining your business lies in your leadership skills of being able to creatively integrate the three key domains of Networking, Marketing, and Sales. In this dynamic, interactive, play-based session, you will learn how to take inspired action to get the clients you want...and stay motivated while doing it. This session is ideally suited to solopreneurs, entrepreneurs, speakers, facilitators, consultants and leaders. Participants will:

~ Distinguish between the three key domains of Networking, Marketing and Sales ~ Play with identifying current mindsets that impede action in each domain ~ Replace limiting mindsets with practical, actionable options in each domain ~ Replace struggle and scarcity with ease, joy, and freedom around growing your business ~ Access your innovative leadership and creativity to "do" business development authentically

Suzi Pomerantz, MT, MCC is an award-winning, international master executive coach, speaker, facilitator, and author working with leaders and teams internationally. Suzi is the CEO of Innovative Leadership International, author of Seal the Deal: The Essential Mindsets for Growing Your Professional Services Business (HRD Press, 2006) as well as 22 publications about coaching, ethics, and business development. Suzi was the Founding Vice President and Executive Board Member of the International Consortium for Coaching in Organizations and currently serves on the Advisory Board. She also serves as an Editorial Board Member of the International Journal for Coaching in Organizations. Suzi serves as faculty and guest speaker at top coach training schools. www.suzipomerantz.com

Details on CCN Website: www.capitolcreativitynetwork.com

Special Thanks to Veronica Adams

2008-12-16T14:22:00.000-08:00

One of the unsung heroes of our Holiday Festival was Veronica Adams, who orchestrated the seamless food display and its navigation. She got there to a table full of food boxed, bagged, and piled...and she did her alchemical magic to transform it into a work of art. Talk about applied creativity in real time! This creative muse is returning to the DC area in search of training and organizational development work with her company, Riding the Wave, and we're delighted to have her creative organizational talents back. Thanks to Veronica for donning her event management hat (she has a side gig: Magic Happens! Event Planning) to help bring our event to life!

The Holiday Festival Rocked! Thanks to All!

2008-12-12T11:43:00.000-08:00

Dan Pink and the Social Media Innovation Panel informed, entertained and inspired a packed house on Wednesday night! The emails keep flowing in with positive feedback - thanks guys! In addition to the AWESOME presenter and panelists, there are so many other to thank who helped make this event happen:

Presenter: Dan Pink
Panel: Jesse Thomas, Frank Gruber, Nick O'Neill
Panel Moderator: Jeremy Epstein
Event Organizer/Host: Michelle James

Event Team
Veronica Adams, CEO of Riding the Wave
Jennifer Abernethy, CEO of The Sales Lounge
Patricia DiVecchio, CEO of International Purpose, Inc.
Rasul Sha'ir, CEO of Vosica
Halelly Azulay, CEO of TalentGrow

Live Music Ensemble

Anthony Hyatt, Founder of Moving Beauty
Gergg Hammond, Founder of DC Guitar Lessons
Rick Kakareka, Co-founder of Fiddlers Chocolate

Sponsors
The Center for Creative Emergence

Center for Digital Imaging Arts
The Sales Lounge

Jobmatchbox.com

Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship
Fiddlers Chocolate

More on the Social Media Innovation Panelists

2008-12-04T19:07:00.000-08:00

We are thrilled to have three of the DC area's social media gurus as our Social Media Innovation Panel at our upcoming Holiday Festival next Wednesday. Here's a little more about them:

Frank Gruber – Panelist. Founder & Editor, SOMEWHAT FRANK, Co-founder, TECH cocktail, Social Media & Product Development Strategist at AOL. His past AOL successes include the my AOL personalized startpage (http://my.aol.com) rolled out globally in 2007. Frank is well known for his blog and his analysis on Web 2.0, social media and emerging technologies. He speaks at conferences nationwide and has been featured in multiple national publications. He also advises and consults businesses in the social networking and social media space. He co-founded TECH cocktail with Eric Olsen - a community building startup which offers events and community-powered projects in under served technology communities around the country. www.somwhatfrank.com and www.techcocktail.com

Nick O’Neill – Panelist. Nick is the industry expert on the social networking industry, providing no holds bar commentary and insightful analysis on social networking and social media. He speaks at conferences nationwide and has been written about in multiple national publications. With the opening of the Facebook platform, Nick saw a huge opportunity and has become fully dedicated to covering the social networking phenomenon and then expanding beyond with SocialTimes, Inc. Nick currently runs Social Times full-time and oversees daily content production as well as hosting events around the country. Nick graduated Cum Laude from American University in 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Finance. www.socialtimes.com

Jesse Thomas – Panelist. CEO of JESS3– a creative interactive agency based in Tysons Corner. Jesse is as much a entrepreneur as he is an innovator, designer, visionary and eager learner. When it comes to the worlds of branding and social media, Jesse is constantly pushing the limits and exploring new frontiers. JESS3 has recently completed interactive and branding work for C-SPAN, AARP, Pepsi/Tropicana, Dow Jones/The Wall Street Journal, Tsavo, Jeff Pulver, Brian Solis, Pfizer, Shopzilla, SnagFilms, Advertising.com, Busboys and Poets, IndieWire, New Media Strategies, Heritage Foundation and Blue State Digital. In addition, Jesse enjoys participating in the industry through partnerships with organizations such as WOMMA, Social Media Club, Barcamp, AIGA and Art Directors Club. www.jess3.com

Holiday Festival with Dan Pink and Social Media Innovation Panel

2008-11-21T11:58:00.000-08:00

The Adventures of Johnny Bunko: The Last Career Guide You'll Ever Need - A Dynamic Presentation with Dan Pink (www.danpink.com), NY Times best-selling author of The Adventures of Johnny Bunko, A Whole New Mind and Free-Agent Nation. In this provocative and entertaining presentation, Dan will discuss the medium and the message of his latest book, including how to convey ideas in a crowded, chaotic media landscape. And he'll discuss the book's six lessons - six crucial, creative and counterintuitive secrets to fashioning a successful and fulfilling career.
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A Creativity and Innovation Panel on Social Media will follow with Dan and leading social media industry experts who are part of a movement that is changing the business landscape and our career choices: Nick O'Neill, founder of www.socialtimes.com, Jesse Thomas, CEO and founder of www.jess3.com, and Frank Gruber, founder and publisher of www.somewhatfrank.com and founder of www.techcocktail.com. Moderated by DC's Marketing Navigator, Jeremy Epstein.
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Afterwards, stick around for socializing, networking, book signing and some book give-aways!
We'll have good food, music and fun!
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Date & Time: Wednesday, December 10th
7:00pm - however long you stay!
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NEW Location! Center for Digital Imaging Arts (CDIA) in Washington, DC.
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RSVP BY REGISTERING ONLINE
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Registration: Online: $25 ~ At the door: $35
We expect to fill up. Register now to reserve your space!
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Register Here: http://www.capitolcreativitynetwork.com/id6.html
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This event is sponsored by The Center for Creative Emergence, the Center for Digital Imaging Arts and Job Matchbox.

November Event: Creativity Drives Profit

2008-11-16T20:04:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Epstein gave a lively and compelling presentation last Wednesday at our Capitol Creativity Network gathering on Creativity as the Key Driver for Profit - transforming the seemingly mundane aspects of business into your remarkable brand - and story - by thinking creatively...and having fun doing it! Thanks to Diane Cline, of Over the Horizon Consulting, who captured the presentation with Graphic Recording, you can see the main points here - it's a whole-brainer!

Welcome to the Capitol Creativity Network!

2008-11-16T15:58:00.000-08:00

Hi. Welcome to the blog for the Capitol Creativity Network! Founded in 2004, CCN is a community of catalysts, explorers, leaders, and creative people - in business, the arts, science, healing, organizational and community development - in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. We're interested in creativity for personal and professional growth; applications in all areas of business, innovation and organizational development; creative projects; serving the community and the planet; and offering accessible top quality events.

Feel free to join us at any of our vibrant, experiential monthly events in the DC area...or just stop by online - here or on our Facebook group - and leave your thoughts and ideas. Anyone is welcome.

To join our CreativityNetwork listserve, click here.

To join our Facebook group, click here.

If you are in the DC area (or anywhere, actually) and would like to receive our monthly announcements, go to our website and join our mailing list.