NORTHERN PLANNER

I was reminded last week that the internet grew out a US military drive to increase security.

That’s right. It’s not up there with moveable type of course, but the internet has still created a seismic shift in freedom of information and control of content.

Out of a drive to limit it. 

Whereas the World Wide Web was one the unexpected by-products of setting CERN to send atoms whizzing around and smashing into each other.

Which goes to show that when you set out to do stuff, not only do you not know where it all may end.

If you open your mind to the possibility, all sorts of wonderful things can tumble out along the way.

It can be the exact opposite of what you intended in the first place.

I guess that’s why science funding is so important. Just by trying to do all sorts of improbable stuff, we often get far more unexpected value.

Perhaps that’s an argument for more learning for learning’s sake and a subtle swipe at those who see education only in terms of economic ROI. But let’s not go there.

Looking at the day job, it’s why I think pitching is healthy, even if you don’t win.

 The tight deadlines, adrenalin and the way they bring teams together can bring other benefits.

Great ideas can develop along the way to save for later, along with the main crux of your pitch.

Moreover, if you put together a pitch team of folks that don’t usually work together, it’s great for creating an even closer knit agency, while the getting used to other views and frames of reference develops everyone’s world view and skill set.

It’s also why planners should be as interested in as much non-work stuff as possible.

Great ideas are as much about drawing new connections between things as ‘bolts from the blue’. The more fodder you have, the more likely you’ll produce the goods.

Put another way, read, watch and experience as much as you can, you never know when it might come in handy.