Comments on: Learning from Jazz http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/ Helping Business Navigate the Social Web. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 03:13:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: learningfromjazz.com » Everything I Know About Life… http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3564 learningfromjazz.com » Everything I Know About Life… Mon, 22 Sep 2008 03:16:33 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3564 [...] jazz as a metaphor for life. A little while ago I published a post on my companies blog called Learning from Jazz. The response I received has inspired me to continue the theme, not only with respect to [...] [...] jazz as a metaphor for life. A little while ago I published a post on my companies blog called Learning from Jazz. The response I received has inspired me to continue the theme, not only with respect to [...]

]]> By: Rob Moore http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3563 Rob Moore Thu, 15 May 2008 17:35:56 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3563 +1 ... Wes is the greatest ever! I like the analogy. When Wes called out "Four on Six" in Gm the band knows its a blues in Gm with some uptown substitutions on the Four chord and they play the changes. So the framework is established, everyone knows the "head" and each contributes their special approach within the framework of the tune. In the context of business and program/project collaboration, this once again highlights the need for planning, training, and self awareness. Regardless of your organizational improvisation skills, fundamental preparation in knowing potential frameworks, knowing your tools (your "axe"), and a common understanding of desired outcomes is still key to successful collaboration. +1 … Wes is the greatest ever! I like the analogy. When Wes called out “Four on Six” in Gm the band knows its a blues in Gm with some uptown substitutions on the Four chord and they play the changes. So the framework is established, everyone knows the “head” and each contributes their special approach within the framework of the tune. In the context of business and program/project collaboration, this once again highlights the need for planning, training, and self awareness. Regardless of your organizational improvisation skills, fundamental preparation in knowing potential frameworks, knowing your tools (your “axe”), and a common understanding of desired outcomes is still key to successful collaboration.

]]> By: Sam Lawrence http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3553 Sam Lawrence Thu, 15 May 2008 06:31:24 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3553 It's funny you should bring this up. Not a lot of people know where "Jive" got it's name. It's from Jazz. :) It’s funny you should bring this up. Not a lot of people know where “Jive” got it’s name. It’s from Jazz.
:)

]]> By: Paul Caplan http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3552 Paul Caplan Tue, 13 May 2008 16:26:58 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3552 And it's about the simple too. As the great Bird said: "It’s playing clean and looking for the pretty notes." It's about knowing where your voice is and concentrating on that, bouncing off others rather than always taking the lead... a bit like we commenters are doing here. You soloed, we all picked up the tune. And it’s about the simple too. As the great Bird said: “It’s playing clean and looking for the pretty notes.” It’s about knowing where your voice is and concentrating on that, bouncing off others rather than always taking the lead… a bit like we commenters are doing here. You soloed, we all picked up the tune.

]]> By: Anonymous http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3560 Anonymous Mon, 05 May 2008 04:49:52 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3560 Kevin, As I read your post, I was listening to an incredible song called 'Accidentally Pissed' by Australian jazz outfit, the Sam Keevers Nonet! Fantastic stuff (both the song and the post!). I'm a huge believer in using jazz as a metaphor for the development of PR and marketing communications campaigns. In other words, the bass and drums represent the strategic 'anchor - without them, the jazz combo would be reduced potentially to directionless nonsense, while a campaign that is not underpinned by a sound strategy would also be pretty messy and directionless. The trumpet, sax, piano etc weave in and out and create the magic that is associated with hot jazz. These instruments, in marketing terms, represent the 'magic' of creative ideas that have the potential to turn ordinary campaigns into successful ones. Kevin,

As I read your post, I was listening to an incredible song called ‘Accidentally Pissed’ by Australian jazz outfit, the Sam Keevers Nonet! Fantastic stuff (both the song and the post!).

I’m a huge believer in using jazz as a metaphor for the development of PR and marketing communications campaigns. In other words, the bass and drums represent the strategic ‘anchor – without them, the jazz combo would be reduced potentially to directionless nonsense, while a campaign that is not underpinned by a sound strategy would also be pretty messy and directionless.

The trumpet, sax, piano etc weave in and out and create the magic that is associated with hot jazz. These instruments, in marketing terms, represent the ‘magic’ of creative ideas that have the potential to turn ordinary campaigns into successful ones.

]]> By: Arthur Germain (@ahg3) http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3559 Arthur Germain (@ahg3) Sun, 04 May 2008 17:17:37 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3559 Kevin, Great point, also, Jazz musicians were/are great for riffing on another's theme. Lot's of great music created as a response to other great music. -- ahg3 Kevin, Great point, also, Jazz musicians were/are great for riffing on another’s theme. Lot’s of great music created as a response to other great music. — ahg3

]]> By: James McNally http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3555 James McNally Thu, 01 May 2008 19:17:01 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3555 I love analogies, and this is a great one. I'm not a huge jazz fan, but did come up with some thoughts a few years back regarding the one essential element of a jazz band, the drummer. Maybe this is analagous to a good project manager, but my metaphor (within a metaphor now!) was that the drummer was a lighthouse that kept the ship off the rocks. What I meant was that he kept the focus on the end result, even when the other musicians were riffing and noodling and showing off like mad. He didn't draw undue attention to himself, just kept the beat. More here, without the work tie-in: http://www.consolationchamps.com/2001/12/08/branford-marsalis-quartet/ I love analogies, and this is a great one. I’m not a huge jazz fan, but did come up with some thoughts a few years back regarding the one essential element of a jazz band, the drummer. Maybe this is analagous to a good project manager, but my metaphor (within a metaphor now!) was that the drummer was a lighthouse that kept the ship off the rocks. What I meant was that he kept the focus on the end result, even when the other musicians were riffing and noodling and showing off like mad. He didn’t draw undue attention to himself, just kept the beat.

More here, without the work tie-in: http://www.consolationchamps.com/2001/12/08/branford-marsalis-quartet/

]]> By: Kevin http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3562 Kevin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:18:05 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3562 Christophe, Thanks for the comment. I think a good platform is an essential ingredient in enabling collaboration but I still think that not all jazz is created equal. I know that people have been exploring the relationship between jazz and work for a long time and, given that this is IBM, I'm sure that the decision to call this new platform jazz was not taken lightly. I would love to see some of the thinking that went into it....I'm sure there are some real nuggets in there. Christophe,

Thanks for the comment. I think a good platform is an essential ingredient in enabling collaboration but I still think that not all jazz is created equal. I know that people have been exploring the relationship between jazz and work for a long time and, given that this is IBM, I’m sure that the decision to call this new platform jazz was not taken lightly. I would love to see some of the thinking that went into it….I’m sure there are some real nuggets in there.

]]> By: Christophe http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3561 Christophe Tue, 22 Apr 2008 01:07:38 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3561 ummm, I am wondering why IBM named its 'collaborative software development platform' jazz.... :D ummm, I am wondering why IBM named its ‘collaborative software development platform’ jazz…. :D

]]> By: Howard Lenos http://socialmediagroup.com/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/comment-page-1/#comment-3558 Howard Lenos Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:41:14 +0000 http://socialmediagroup.ca/2008/04/15/learning-from-jazz/#comment-3558 Kevin, I love the analogy! It highlights some of the underlying patterns that are essential for collaboration. To use another analogy, although we can't make the horse drink, by understanding these dynamics, we can definitely improve our ability to lead it to the water. Ironically, this requires direct participation, the journey to the stream requiring as much collaboration as the end goal itself. The patterns, and anti-patterns, as Andy Strote points out, are key learnings towards more predictable collaboration. One of my favourite sites that has "collaboratively" captured these concepts, is wikipatterns.com. By looking beyond the wiki adoption emphasis, I've found many helpful clues as to what encourages and what impedes collaboration. Kevin,

I love the analogy! It highlights some of the underlying patterns that are essential for collaboration. To use another analogy, although we can’t make the horse drink, by understanding these dynamics, we can definitely improve our ability to lead it to the water. Ironically, this requires direct participation, the journey to the stream requiring as much collaboration as the end goal itself.

The patterns, and anti-patterns, as Andy Strote points out, are key learnings towards more predictable collaboration. One of my favourite sites that has “collaboratively” captured these concepts, is wikipatterns.com. By looking beyond the wiki adoption emphasis, I’ve found many helpful clues as to what encourages and what impedes collaboration.

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