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Jack's Notebook: A business novel about creative problem solving
Problems! Jack Huber has his share. But when he is introduced to the creative problem solving process from an unexpected source, life soon changes . . . drastically. Jack Huber dreams of being a professional photographer and starting his own business. He has a few ideas but doesn't know how to process them to make his dream a reality. That is until an unlikely mentor stumbles upon Jack's path and shares a whole new way of thinking through problems. In Jack's Notebook , Gregg Fraley, an innovation consultant to Fortune 500 companies, illustrates a well-kept secret of corporate the Creative Problem Solving process. "If you are struggling to move ahead in your career, if you're an executive with a thorny corporate challenge, someone trying to solve a messy community issue, a family trying to sort through an emotional conflict, or an entrepreneur looking for ways to make the most of limited resources-this book is for you. If you have a 'mess' on your hands, you have found a useful tool." -from the Introduction
260 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
7 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 19, 2016
Great CPS strategy book. Since I'm new to the field I really enjoyed it. Don't have any other to compare but I believe it's one of the best in the field considering the simple language and best explanatory samples :)
February 17, 2018
Rather like The Game, this is an interesting way of getting a business approach across through a novel.
Although the story is a little thin, it serves as a clearly understandable illustration for the matter in hand - creative problem solving - and the author's approach is effectively and simply put across.
I will be recommending this approach and book to many people.
Although the story is a little thin, it serves as a clearly understandable illustration for the matter in hand - creative problem solving - and the author's approach is effectively and simply put across.
I will be recommending this approach and book to many people.
January 4, 2022
I love the mixture of fiction and non-fiction. Not only does the author walk the reader through a powerful methodology with clear examples, but he uses a story with relatable characters to do so. And the story was far more interesting and engaging than I expected.
February 18, 2010
A business novel about Creative Problem Solving
Guess what? You can judge a book by its cover! At least this one. When it arrived, I carefully opened the package, and was pleasantly surprised. Seems everyone is an author today, but not every author has a real publisher like Thomas Nelson behind them.
First, it is hard bound. The jacket cover is very well done. It sets the mood, as does the chapter break cover pages. Each sets up the coming chapter with a few words and a distinctive style that says, "Hey, pay attention. This is important!"
Content
This is first and foremost a book about problem solving. Fraley wants to share how important the creative process is to that larger goal. And he pulls it off very well. The perfect blend of business to personal story telling, much like Eli Goldratt did in, The Goal. So few people want to acknowledge that families are as much an ‘organization’ as IBM. Maybe even more complex!
The graphics hit the perfect balance. I hate books that are full of charts and graphs. They break my concentration! Fraley also takes advantage of his speaking talents by following (in book form) the three concepts applied by great speakers: 1)Tell ‘em what you are going to tell them; 2) Tell ‘em; 3) Tell ‘em what you told them.
The CPS (Creative Problem Solving) model seems well documented, however, this is my first formal introduction. I love the fact that Fraley suggests that the best use involves “jumping around” in one’s application of the key components as necessary, given the dynamic nature of the challenges facing business organizations today. One note, this is not just for, “for profit” businesses. Hence his including a very robust set of personal distractions in the book, that, imagine this, need solved!
At 242 pages, it is a little long for my attention span. But methinks each page was necessary. That is my biggest compliment to Gregg Fraley: I am convinced that the content is perfect for the task of sharing CPS and the importance of creativity in problem solving.
Need a breakthrough?
Buy and read, Jack’s Notebook.
Guess what? You can judge a book by its cover! At least this one. When it arrived, I carefully opened the package, and was pleasantly surprised. Seems everyone is an author today, but not every author has a real publisher like Thomas Nelson behind them.
First, it is hard bound. The jacket cover is very well done. It sets the mood, as does the chapter break cover pages. Each sets up the coming chapter with a few words and a distinctive style that says, "Hey, pay attention. This is important!"
Content
This is first and foremost a book about problem solving. Fraley wants to share how important the creative process is to that larger goal. And he pulls it off very well. The perfect blend of business to personal story telling, much like Eli Goldratt did in, The Goal. So few people want to acknowledge that families are as much an ‘organization’ as IBM. Maybe even more complex!
The graphics hit the perfect balance. I hate books that are full of charts and graphs. They break my concentration! Fraley also takes advantage of his speaking talents by following (in book form) the three concepts applied by great speakers: 1)Tell ‘em what you are going to tell them; 2) Tell ‘em; 3) Tell ‘em what you told them.
The CPS (Creative Problem Solving) model seems well documented, however, this is my first formal introduction. I love the fact that Fraley suggests that the best use involves “jumping around” in one’s application of the key components as necessary, given the dynamic nature of the challenges facing business organizations today. One note, this is not just for, “for profit” businesses. Hence his including a very robust set of personal distractions in the book, that, imagine this, need solved!
At 242 pages, it is a little long for my attention span. But methinks each page was necessary. That is my biggest compliment to Gregg Fraley: I am convinced that the content is perfect for the task of sharing CPS and the importance of creativity in problem solving.
Need a breakthrough?
Buy and read, Jack’s Notebook.
February 10, 2008
I had the privilege of working with this author in the last innovation session at my company. This book is a great companion to really owning something you've always wanted to do but feel intimidated trying, or don't know how to get past a certain obstacle in life. It's an easy read as well.
September 4, 2007
Fantastic book...Great problem solving skills are fleshed out in a novel-format. Excellent read.
March 31, 2012
This book got me excited about new opportunities and gave me a few great ideas on how to reframe some of the challenges in my life.
March 29, 2013
A should-read book on decision making and problem solving, which are two critical competencies in business life.
July 21, 2013
A great way to learn about Creative Problem Solving, and a cracking story about stoking hope by putting the CPS framework into practice.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews