Peter Cook

Creativity starts with a question, an itch to be scratched, some sand in your joints etc. This book started with twenty questions. I would like to share some of these with you: How does creativity link with innovation? Where are the opportunities in my company for increased performance? How can more creative approaches help? Can creativity be contrived or does one have to wait for it to pounce? How does culture, leadership style and values support or limit creativity and innovation? How can I get people in my company to let go of the habits of a lifetime? What techniques and processes can help develop ideas such that they become successful innovations? If I could have 202 ideas about making my company more creative, what would they be? “I enjoyed this practical guide to creativity. I also enjoyed the author’s sense of humour, light touch, use of rock’n’roll metaphors and the concept of mixing the disciplines of business, art and music to enhance creativity. This book is a stylish, valuable guide to creativity and a useful reference tool for anyone working inside organisations and trying to make new things happen. Sean D’Arcy, Shell, The Independent “I have read your book cover to cover. It is only the third management book I have ever done that to. You are in good company as the other two are ‘Witchdoctors’ (Wooldridge and someone) and ‘Circle of Innovation’ (Tom Peters)” – Ian Thornton

“Scientists tell us our brains are wired to live through stories. Stories are not just a natural way to communicate; they are used to boost engagement and well-being. This books offers managers practical tools and guidance on:

>How stories keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on
>How to design stories to target motivational needs
>How to tell high impact stories for optimal effect
>How to breed stories in an upward spiral of positive cultural effect.”

Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll cuts through the jargon of leadership and personal development. It offers a real world source of inspiration and provocation in areas such as: creativity, innovation, relationships, motivation, leadership, high performance, learning and reinvention. A unique mix of leading edge concepts with the streetwise wisdom of the music. Served up in a quirky, challenging but intelligent way. The World’s greatest business author and speaker, Tom Peters said of it: “Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll is a marvellous book, which closes the door on the tidy, hierarchical, know-your-place ‘Orchestral Age’ and ushers in a new, creative era of challenge and change. Hooray!” Read Professor Adrian Furnham’s review in The Sunday Times.

Our book for Bloomsbury “Leading Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise” offers a unique synthesis of theory and practice in the art and discipline of creating great ideas and converting them into even greater innovations in business, society and the world. The book is a product of some 20 years fermentation and incubation of ideas, experiences and practice in the field. Drawing upon leading edge research from academia but expressed clearly and concisely for the busy person seeking to inform and illuminate themselves with a depth of pragmatism and wisdom. Featuring interviews with Sir Richard Branson, Sir James Dyson and numerous case examples from companies such as Pfizer, Nokia, Metro Bank, Innocent Drinks, Fender, 3M, Johnson and Johnson, Fuji Film and many more to ground the ideas and relate to busy people seeking practical inspiration.

Brain Based Enterprises offers a unique synthesis of intelligent thought fused with pragmatic and pithy insights on the art and discipline of leading enterprises, where intelligence, ideas and innovation are the currencies of Sustainable Coopetive Advantage (SCA). From the first signs of intelligence through making axes and fire, we now have access to unprecedented powers of creation through the convergence of humanity and technology. Rapid and dramatic advances in our understanding of genomics, biotechnology, computing and robotics make it possible for us to create a better world or destroy what we have created. The author explores both sides of the Man-Machine dynamic so that you can choose wisely. Expressed clearly and concisely, this book is essential reading for busy people seeking to inform and illuminate themselves with a rich mixture of pragmatism, inspiration and wisdom. Featuring numerous micro case-ettes from enterprises ranging from biotechnology to banking and bots, Brain Based Enterprises grounds the ideas for people seeking to make the most of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

For nearly 20 years now, I have been writing, speaking and consulting about the parallels between the business universe and the world of music, be it rock, jazz, classical etc. This follows my much longer involvement with three passions that have fuelled my career: Science, Business and Music. Many other leaders around the world have also seen the parallels. “The Music of Business” offers a powerful dose of business intelligence mixed with the wisdom of pop and rock’s monarchy. What can Lady Gaga, The Kaiser Chiefs and Andy Warhol teach you about Business Strategy? What can you learn about creativity and innovation from The Beatles, Prince and David Bowie? How can your company accelerate its growth through the wisdom of Meatloaf, Madonna or Motorhead? Can Jazz help you beat the competition? What can Punk Rock, Deep Purple and Led Zeppelin teach you that an MBA cannot? Can Britney Spears and Spinal Tap help your company become a learning company? “The Music of Business brings together world class thinking on business with parallel lessons from music, be it jazz, rock or classical. “This book is a great tool for people in business” Harvey Goldsmith CBE – The man behind Live Aid “It was the first business book I have ever managed to finish, or indeed get beyond the first chapter” Larry Elliot, The Guardian. Read the full review in The Guardian

Punk Rock People Management strips down HR to the bare essentials for busy managers that believe in the power of people. In the spirit of punk, each chapter is just one page long, which means that you can read a chapter in less time than it takes to pogo to a Sex Pistols or Linkin Park song! Punk Rock PM is organised using the “well-known” Life, Sex and Death HR cycle, in other words Hiring, Inspiring and Firing. If you have to get things done with people and can’t get no satisfaction from an HR textbook, try “Punk Rock PM” for a refreshing difference.

Help the Aged

Demelza Hospice Care for Children I have done a variety of things for Demelza Hospice over the years: Fundraiser party Two music projects - a tribute to Prince with all proceeds going to the Hospice

Drawing upon cutting edge research from academia but expressed clearly and concisely for the busy person seeking practical inspiration, Leading Innovation, Creativity and Enterprise will feature numerous case examples from companies such as Virgin, Pfizer, Roche and Fuji Film.
The book deals with questions such as:
What are the roots of creativity and imagination? · How can we create the physiological and mental states under which creativity happens naturally rather than having to rely on creative thinking tools?
· What kind of leadership is required to make creativity and innovation business as usual behaviours in your enterprise?
· What is the role of technique in engendering creativity within teams? What are the most effective and reliable recipes for team based creativity?
· What ensures that creativity turns into innovation? What stops it?
In exploring these questions, the book will show you how to produce and lead creative teams, as well as build an innovative company culture.

I read a great post by Richard Branson recently where he discussed how Leadership Lessons Begin At Home. He invited people to share their story of learning from family members in a competition to win a copy of his new book “The Virgin Way”. I won the competition, met Richard and subsequently wrote for Virgin for five years and delivered exclusive events for the brand. Richard gave me an exclusive interview for my 8th book as a result of all this work over many years. Here is the story that started the journey:

Television piece for one our Business Excellence meets Rock Music events. To book us for a corporate keynote or masterclass contact us via http://www.academy-of-rock.co.uk

Special thanks to Guy Cresswell of Promuseast for his help with event management. Contact him via http://www.promuseast.com

Try our books: “The Music of Business”, “Sex, Leadership and Rock’n’Roll”, “Punk Rock People Management” and “Best Practice Creativity”, acclaimed by Professors Charles Handy, Adrian Furnham, Tom Peters and Harvey Goldsmith CBE at http://www.academy-of-rock.co.uk and on Amazon

Slide deck from one of our masterclasses : The Virgin Way
A review of some of the strategies and practices of The Virgin Group and observations on the leadership approach of Sir Richard Branson.

We help you address ‘wicked problems’, characterised as VUCA in nature (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous): We can envisage the world of business challenges in a number of categories characterised by the levels of uncertainty over ends and means, ranging from ‘tame’ to ‘wicked’, or ‘black and white’ to ‘grey’:

Gone are the days when you could hire the talent you need and then use it for the employee’s ‘shelf-life’ without a development ‘pit-stop’. Continuous change requires continuous learning and development. There is plenty of training available, but less of the type that turns into long term learning and organisation development. Our approach is built on thorough preparation, interactive delivery / engagement and after care. This ensures that your investment converts into returns.

For conference or corporate events, we provide a range of ‘serious fun’ inputs, through highly participative events or keynotes / longer masterclasses with practical, valuable, engaging and ‘sticky’ take away messages for long-term value. Below are some examples of sessions we have given:

Human Dynamics offer a powerful cocktail of coaching and business experience backed with MBA level ideas and relevant psychologies of personal excellence. This combination provides personal success tools to facilitate lasting change.