20 August 2007

Working like a dog? Say hello to CATS

Global best-selling author Stephen Lundin who penned the management phenomenon FISH! has collaborated with the Australian Institute of Management on a new way to approach the workforce – working like a CAT.

Following the success of FISH! which has sold over 7 million copies worldwide, Lundin's latest book CATS: The Nine Lives of Innovation allows readers to take a personal prowl through innovation as a meaningful concept.

CATS is based on the philosophy that all innovation is personal. Each of the nine lives includes actions or perspectives that individuals can adopt to boost their ability to innovate, likening situations to the life of a cat.

Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Institute of Management and contributor to the book Carolyn Barker said CATS would prove an engaging read for managers the world over.

“Steve's work in CATS is founded in the belief that innovation is multi-faceted,” Ms Barker said.

“Using the lives and imagery of a cat as a vehicle for explaining the concept was a natural progression for a working creative like Steve. It is such a timeless metaphor that cleverly captures that innovation is enduring,” she said.

Stephen Lundin who has been an expert on workplace innovation and creativity for over 40 years said he is determined to break down the love-hate relationship between business and the ideals of innovation.

“Businesses are often quite uncomfortable with elements of innovation and while many seminars and workshops on innovation are rich in exciting concepts they lack methods for application and structure,” he said.

“Steve has had a life long dream of creating a framework for innovation that both honors its heritage while simplifying the structure and clarifying its uses,” Ms Barker said.

CATS: The Nine Lives of Innovation is also accompanied by an activity-based Personal Guide also authored by Steve and published by Management Press, to be released September 2007.

CATS: The Nine Lives of Innovation is available from Management Books and all good bookstores. Budding cats can also gain an insight into Steve's work during Steve's Australian exclusive book tour hosted by AIM in September 2007.

For more information or to arrange interviews contact Helen Thomas from Sequel Communications on 07 3251 8133 or 0438 500 412.