7 Trends for the Museum of the Future

May 10, 2012 • Business and Management • 4 comments

Interactive and educational gaming at the Maritime Experiential Museum & Aquarium

I’ve just read very quickly the Center for the Future of Museums (an arm of the American Association of Museums) well written report called TrendsWatch 2012 which outlined key trends in the development of museums. With lots of links to examples and highlights of cutting edge ideas in American museums, the report provides lots of food for thought for museum and attraction professionals.

Let me highlight the seven trends that they have identified and provide a local context to them.

Extreme Focus: A Book Review

May 8, 2012 • Book Reviews • no comments

Michael Jordan: a proponent of Extreme Focus (source of image)

How does one truly achieve one’s dreams? What are the secrets behind ultra-successful folks who make a “dent in the Universe”?

The answer according to NBA Orlando Magic’s Senior Vice President Pat Williams and author Jim Denney is “Extreme Focus”.

Marketing – Fact, Fantasy or Fallacy?

May 6, 2012 • Blog • 2 comments

Too bad marketers don’t have growing noses like Pinnochio! (source of image)

In the world of marketing, there are three schools of thought.

The first is the school of facts. Proponents of this idea hinge much of their marketing on bread and butter issues, focusing on very tangible aspects of their products or services such as cost, value, features, utility, convenience and savings.

Mickey’s 10 Commandments for Theme Parks

May 3, 2012 • Blog • 1 comment

Disneyland provides lots of photo opportunities for kids!

Thanks to Bob Rogers, I recently learnt about the 10 rules of theme park design which were created by Disney legend Marty Sklar, Vice Chairman and Principal Creative Executive of Walt Disney Imagineering. These rules are designed to help anybody developing or designing a theme park to create memorable experiences for their guests.

So what are these precepts modelled after the “happiest place on Earth”?

Steve Jobs: Lessons from a Legend

May 1, 2012 • Book Reviews • 7 comments

Image from Mashable.com

Everybody knows Steve Jobs.

Icon, innovator, brilliant entrepreneur and creator of “insanely great” products, Jobs was the founder and CEO of Apple.

Creator of legendary products like the Macintosh computer, iPod, iTunes Store, iPhone and iPad, Jobs founded the Disney beating Pixar Animations (which was later sold to the behemoth), and opened the much lauded Apple Store.

Adapt by Tim Harford: A Book Review

April 29, 2012 • Book Reviews • 1 comment

“Undercover Economist” Tim Harford’s latest book Adapt – Why Success Always Starts with Failure blends economics, psychology, evolutionary biology, and anthropology to explain why trial and error is preferred over grand strategic plans. Touted as “Britain’s Malcolm Gladwell”, Harford’s central thesis is that countries, companies and individuals should embrace an evolutionary and empirical approach in determining what works and what doesn’t.

Using analogies from evolution such as variation, selection and adaptation, Adapt uses far flung examples ranging from the Iraq War, Global Warming, 2007’s Financial Meltdown, to 3rd World Development efforts to prove its point. Some of its stories – such as the invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg – date all the way back to the middle ages. Others, such as the almost accidental success of Google (which purportedly has no corporate strategy) are more recent.

10 Rules for Great Storytelling in Attractions

April 27, 2012 • Blog • no comments

The Melbourne Museum provides a great immersive experience

In the world of information-rich visitor attractions like heritage buildings, museums and corporate attractions, spinning a great tale is imperative to success.

Having an exciting story which connects and resonates with your visitors makes all the difference. What should one do to create those magical moments?

Leadership Lessons from the Sinking of the Titanic

April 25, 2012 • Business and Management • 1 comment

Source of image

Considered the finest vessel of her time, the RMS Titanic was known as a “Ship of Dreams”. Designed and built with care by an army of engineers, ship builders and workers, she was the largest ocean liner afloat during her time.

Her sinking a century ago on 15 April 2012 left an indelible mark in the collective consciousness of millions around the world. More than 1,500 perished in the freezing North Atlantic arctic waters, dragged down to the icy bottom after hours of struggling fatigue.

How To Build Better Attractions with Storytelling

April 19, 2012 • Business and Management • no comments

Bob Rogers (source of image)

What is the magic behind creating truly memorable and delightful guest experiences at visitor attractions?

According to renowned experience designer Bob Rogers, the secret lies in finding the right story, shaping it for the right audience, and ensuring that it is an original tale.

How Storytelling Transforms Visitor Attractions

April 17, 2012 • Business and Management • 2 comments

Bob Rogers with ASA Chairman Kevin Cheong

The founder of BRC Imagination Arts, Bob Rogers, has cut his teeth in designing and building numerous theme parks, museums, brand attractions and other thematic experience destinations.

Rogers’ 33 year old firm, BRC Imagination Arts, received over 250 international awards, including two Academy Award nominations and 17 Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) “THEA” Awards for “outstanding achievement in themed entertainment”.