Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity

Rating:
Summary: Uhhh, Jam Session Turns to Durge?
Review: Don't waste your time. I wrote a long review, then deleted it when it occured to me that I don't like wasting time... so I won't waste yours.

The jazz metaphore flags, the cheerleader-like tones grow monotonous, the new-age recommendations are laughable, and the lack of research is deplorable (especially from someone with JK's letters).

For twice the money, you can find a hundred times more information in, CORPORATE CREATIVITY by Alan G. Robinson, it's even organized in chapters, and Robinson throws in a little research to boot.

Sorry for the terse review. The subject is extermely difficult to write about - I'm trying it myself. I think John can do better than this. The book is weak.

Rating:
Summary: Somewhat interesting premise, but bit flat overall
Review: Heard the taped version of JAMMING, written and read by John
Kao . . . the author works with companies around the world to help them move ahead of their obsolete competitors.

He uses the metaphor of jazz to show how managers must
master the skills of creativity--like jazz musicians in a jam session (playing off each other to create new sounds, at once unpredictable and harmonious) to reap unprecedented returns.

I once had the pleasure of seeing Kao present in person . . . for some reason, he was better then . . . these tapes were somewhat interesting, but they seemed to contain too many lists . . . I would have liked to have seen some more real examples, particularly based on companies that he had assisted.

However, he did use one example that I really liked . . . in talking about Steven Spielberg, he mentioned how Harrsion Ford had once approached him with an idea when filming INDIANA JONES
AND THE TEMPLE OF DOOM . . . Spielberg was not crazy about
what he had heard, but rather than reject it outright, he said: "I like that a lot. But let's just explore one other option."

This technique, according to Kao, provides an opportunity to
double and even redouble ideas. The key: Don't automatically
judge, evaluate or criticize everything you hear.

Rating:
Summary: I wasted my time & money on this book!
Review: I was searching for some insightful material to help me re-define that somewhat false dichotomy that exists in our thinking about business thinking and (vs.) creativity. I just read Clayton Christianson's "The Innovator's Dilema" and wanted to find a way to develop creativity in my company's culture. After reading "Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity", I see that I have wasted my time & money on this book. If you are like minded in your search, look somewhere else! I rate the book two stars simply because the author has discovered a very worthwhile subject - not for its content.

Rating:
Summary: I wasted my time & money on this book!
Review: I was searching for some insightful material to help me re-define that somewhat false dichotomy that exists in our thinking about business thinking and (vs.) creativity. I just read Clayton Christianson's "The Innovator's Dilema" and wanted to find a way to develop creativity in my company's culture. After reading "Jamming: The Art and Discipline of Business Creativity", I see that I have wasted my time & money on this book. If you are like minded in your search, look somewhere else! I rate the book two stars simply because the author has discovered a very worthwhile subject - not for its content.

Rating:
Summary: Actually, Two and One-Half Stars
Review: In the final paragraph, Kao claims that in his book he has proposed "a way of managing creativity in an intentional and systematic fashion." Intentional perhaps but certainly not systematic. In fact, apparently wishing to demonstrate the improvisational approach of a jazz musician, he plays fast and loose with all manner of generalizations about creativity without developing any of the ideas in depth. The core concept is clever: Kao asserts that there similarities between a jam session during which jazz music is performed and a brainstorm session during which new ideas about doing business are generated and evaluated. Had he developed that concept in an article for publication in a business journal, it may well have attracted much more favorable responses than has his book. What's the problem? Actually, I think there are two. First, in terms of innovative thinking, Kao's Jamming suffers significantly in contrast with other books written by authors such as James L. Adams, Guy Claxton, Edward de Bono, Doug Hall, Lynne Levesque, Michael Michalko, Roger Von Oech, Michael Ray and Rochelle Myers, Joey Reiman, and Stephen Shapiro. Also, it is unclear (at least to me) how anyone can proceed from various general ideas in Jamming to specific applications of them in the business world. For example, "Success depends on your ability to infuse, imbue, and instill a respect for and belief in the power of creativity throughout your organization." O.K. but how? "The first step in making your company a happening place [sic] is to kick out the crutches that support a creativity-deadening culture." O.K. but how? Eliminate reliance on "obfuscating paper....Throw away the sheet music. Start creative conversations." Obviously, this brief excerpt is taken out of context but upon close examination, the context itself is fuzzy. At one point, Kao quotes Jerry Welch, a former American Express executive: "The most important precondition for creativity is to believe in it." O.K. but then what? "Belief also begets discipline." Mind you, I am not disagreeing with any of Kao's various prescriptions. Once acknowledging their validity, I just don't understand what specifically he would have his reader do with them.

Rating:
Summary: Name that Tune
Review: Jammin' is a valuable read. A non-musician may find the extended metaphor of the musical jam a bit trying, but stick it out. Although already somewhat dated in its representation of organizational behavior in technical industries, it accurately encapsulates a class of thought about the management of creativity and innovation in a business setting. Kao attempts to correlate some of the trends in physical environments, management structures, communications tools, and outsourcing to the need to engage in sustained innovation. Agree or disagree with the conclusions drawn, you will certainly encounter the premises in practice and expounded in theory by key decision makers in the marketplace. Kao presents the structure and direction of the theory in a way that will inform your choice to sit in, or sit out, on this particular riff.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful, inspiring handbook for the age to come.
Review: John Kao's book is a mentor and a friend for the artist, the entrepreneur and for all those who are longing for transforming the landscape of information technology, the new economy and even life.

Finally, a book that allows creative, intelligent and sensitive people to unfold their potential as entrepreneurs as it strengthens their *unfair*, creative advantage.

The book gives business people the precision of the artist and the artist the passion of the business-minded entrepreneur. A must-re-read for the one with the beginner's mind.

Rating:
Summary: you gotta be kidding me
Review: John Kao's jazz metaphor for business creativity is attractive. He offers valuable thoughts on stimulating creativity. However, listening to his book on cassette, I often found myself wishing he had had a stricter editor. There were many long strings of similar descriptive words giving the impression that the author did not trust himself to be able to convey his thoughts with one word. Many of the points were made by declaration. This book is a worthwhile read, but requires some patience.