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Backstory
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You can call me Matt. I'm a blogger for the American Express OPEN Forum Ideas Hub, which I reprint here. I've written three books, with the fourth, The Laws of Subtraction, coming out in a few months. I run a small ideas agency called Edit Creativ (formerly Shibumi Creative Works...practicing subtraction...and no, it isn't a typo in the name).
I spent 8 years as an independent advisor to the U.S. corporate headquarters of Toyota. It changed my outlook on work and life. I learned how to learn and solve problems. I learned to "think lean". I learned the power of less. I took those lessons on the road to other organizations. Now I write, speak, coach others on creativity, innovation, and design strategy.
You can read more on my About page, or connect with me on my Contact page.
Why Subtraction?
Lao Tzu said: "To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day."
When you remove just the right thing in just the right way, something good happens.
That's my go-to philosophy, and this blog is dedicated to sharing it along with all the amazing things that amazing people are doing to improve the world by waging "war on more" through subtracting from our collective experience anything obviously excessive, wasteful, complicated, unnatural, hazardous, hard to use, or ugly. Or better yet, refraining from adding those things in the first place!
I've just finished a new book entitled The Laws of Subtraction, which are these 6 simple rules for winning in the age of excess everything:
#1: What isn’t there can often trump what is.
#2: The simplest rules create the most effective experience.
#3: Limiting information engages the imagination.
#4: Creativity thrives under intelligent constraints.
#5: "Break" is an important part of any breakthrough.
#6: Doing something isn’t always better than doing nothing.The book will be out October 26, 2012. I've asked some of the most brilliant people I know to contribute short insights on these laws. Almost everyone said yes...54 to be exact. You'll be amazed and inspired by their stories of how subtraction has played a role in their work and life.
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Monthly Archives: February 2011
Notes from My Zappos Visit: It’s Not About the Shoes (Or is it?)
I had the chance to do a bit of knowledge exchange last week with Zappos. Specifically, Zappos Insights, which is the group responsible for tours and the Zappos 2-day bootcamp. I remember when Zappos boxes began arriving…and leaving…my house in … Continue reading
Toyota’s Ideas for Good…Your Ideas Welcome!
Toyota has produced a number of great videos demonstrating their commitment to creating social value by using their ingenuity for the good of the world. It’s visible evidence of their core value of Respect for People. And they want you … Continue reading
Are You Overconnected?
This post was originally published HERE on OPEN Forum. When I picked up Overconnected: The Promise and Threat of the Internet, by William Davidow, I almost put it back down. Given the title, I thought it might be just another … Continue reading
Innovation’s Most Important Question
This column was originally published HERE on OPEN Forum, based on material in The Elegant Solution. Inventor Thomas Edison had it right when he urged, “There’s a way to do it better–find it.” At the heart of every innovation big … Continue reading
Guru Review: Eat People
This review was originally published HERE on OPEN Forum. WARNING: Do NOT read this review if a passage like this gives you pause: “Get rid of humans and you have probably found a rich vein of productivity and therefore wealth…That’s … Continue reading
