Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity

by John J. Kao

For the past fourteen years, in his Harvard Business School lectures and executive seminars, John Kao has challenged management to exploit the most valuable asset in the the creative minds of its people. Like jazz musicians in a jam session - playing off one another to create new sounds, at once unpredictable and harmonious - managers themselves must master the skills of creativity to reap unprecedented returns.
In Jamming, Kao shows how high-performance companies around the world have learned the lessons of creativity to leap ahead of their obsolete competitors. They have learned to make creativity tangible and actionable, they practice a new managerial mindset, and they have learned to leverage information technology to enhance creative collaboration.
From clearing the obstacles to organizational creativity, to conducting a "creativity audit" that assesses the current value of creativity in your company, Jamming shows business leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs how to take their companies to an entirely new level of success and growth by fostering an environment that will anticipate tomorrow's needs. Undercut this potential and you endanger tomorrow's opportunities.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Leadership, Management

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 28, 1996

Reviews

[Kevin Doohan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I purchased this book based on a sign that a former boss made for me. It was a "Jam Rules" sign for a brainstorming session and it had three rules: 1) Think big, 2) Blurt, 3) No questions. I asked him where he got the ideas thinking they were maybe from a previous gig or another brainstorming session and he credited this book with the idea. I knew I had to get it. This book is also a fave of Josh Linkner, founder and CEO of ePrize. We discussed it at an ePrize client conference a while back...

I think the book is pretty good. It advises to use methods that are well know to jazz improvisation within the hallowed halls of business to stimulate creativity and ultimately, better results. It is a quick read and worth your time. It's tough to find these days. I think it has been out of print for a while. Not a "top 10" business or creativity book but a worthwhile read that can inspire you to bring more creativity to your workplace and provides some nice analogies to how successful jazz musicians work to guide you along the way.

[Eugene Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still relevant and timely

[Lori Grant · Rating 3 out of 5]

An optional-read book on creative ability in self development for knowledge workers, managers, executives, and entrepreneurs.