Posts tagged Creativity & Innovation
Schussler Creative’s 11 Commandments
Apr 11th
My 11 Commandments for creating successful themed attractions, restaurants, and retail stores are Entertainment, Education, the Environment, Earning a Return on Investment and our Employees along with the five senses; Sight, Sound, Smell, Touch and Taste. The most important is PASSION. I talk about this in my book, It’s A Jungle In There: Inspiring Lessons, Hard-won Insights, and Other Acts of Entrepreneurial Daring.
The Dulcimer Medical Center had their 5 year anniversary and to celebrate, Dr. Parnell and his partner Dr. Denise Shavey closed their clinic for the day and provided a fun-filled day for their employees. They came to visit our Creative Laboratories to give their staff a unique experience and to energize them to make their own dreams become a reality.
Dr. Steven Parnell and his partner Dr. Denise Shavey have a passionately unique and creative approach to their center and utilizes the 11 commandments in their clinic. The name Dulcimer Medical Center was inspired by the musical instrument of the same name and comes from the root words dulce’ meaning ‘sweet’ and ‘melos’ meaning ‘song.‘ In skillful hands the hammered dulcimer produces beautiful music with sweet melodies and pleasing harmonies. As one of their core values, harmony is the inspiration for the center’s design and operation. Their focus is Harmony between the patient and the therapy prescribed, harmony in treatment options and locations, harmony in internal health and harmony among the staff.
Their environment enhances health utilizing entertainment, education and the five senses with each of their patient and procedure rooms in different and unique themes. Children love the Jungle, Dinosaur and Dr. Seuss rooms. Teens enjoy the sports room that highlights all the area schools. The Paradise Beach or The Garden of Serenity are ideal for relaxing. Dedicated to the overall well–being, along with being equipped with the latest technology, they have state of the art equipment, and a team of experienced professionals.
Congratulations to Dulcimer Medical Center on their 5 year anniversary. We see many more years of continued success due to The Dulcimer Difference, where Harmony enhances health.
Upping Your Game
Jan 12th
In Chapter 11 of my book, I talk about how important it is to Make Improvements – Before and After.
Remember to never stop assessing, enhancing, and learning all you can about your creations. My grandfather used to say, “You learn, and you learn, and you learn, and then you die…and when you stop learning, you die.
My friend Mitch Modell of Modell’s Sporting Goods is a great example of a businessman who never stops learning and improving. He oversees the nation’s oldest family-owned and operated retailer of sports goods, sports apparel and athletic footwear, a near 150 store chain.
Even after he recently spent a fortune revamping his flagship store in Times Square, Manhattan, New York, he asked me what changes I would make. Putting his ego aside, he not only listened to my recommendations but immediately implemented them. He has been rewarded with a major improvement in sales.
View the Stores article about the improvements to Modell Sporting Goods and also a letter from Mitch Modell about the results.
Commencement Guest Speaker for Minneapolis College of Art & Design
Apr 19th
Commencement Guest Speaker for Minneapolis College of Art & Design
http://mcad.edu/
Saturday, May 7, 2011
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(Private)
Change, Courage, Unity, Innovation and Hope
Mar 1st
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of being a Keynote Speaker at the SATO Leadership Conference in Orlando, FL. I was given five words to base my speech around; Change, Courage, Unity, Innovation and Hope. I’d like to talk a little about these five words because I feel they are important to remember and initiate in day to day business or activities. We always hear the saying, “Change is good.” I agree with this saying. If it wasn’t for change we would have never been able to advance in technology or the medical fields. Courage is a word I know well, and talk about in my book, It’s A Jungle In There. I talk about how it takes Courage to live out your dreams even if people tell you you’re crazy. Unity is a word that everyone has been a part of, whether it’s working on a business project or making dinner there is always someone there to give you a helping hand. Innovation is the key to new ideas and contraptions. Without Innovation we would not have the light bulb or Twitter. Last but not least I’d like to talk about Hope. Nothing can be accomplished without Hope. Hope is the fuel that drives you to Innovate and Change. Hope brings people together and gives you the Courage to keep moving forward day after day. Please feel free to share your comments on this blog. Steven Schussler
Steven Schussler: ‘I’m not one who gives up’
Jan 16th
Steven Schussler: ‘I’m not one who gives up’
Creative stunts helped Steven Schussler launch his career and later get Rainforest Cafe off the ground.
By WENDY LEE, Star Tribune
Before Steven Schussler created and sold the Rainforest Cafe, his neighbors thought he was into black magic.
Schussler spent nearly $400,000 turning his St. Louis Park home into his concept, with sound systems, waterfalls, 40 tropical birds, two 150-pound tortoises and other exotic animals.
He painted his ceilings black, so that when the greenery couldn’t cover all parts of the wall the rainforest facade would look more real. He spent nights crying and at times, even he questioned whether he was psychotic.
read more…http://www.schusslercreative.com/press_articles.html
The 5 P’s of Entrepreneurial Success
Jan 10th
In any economy, in any job market, whatever the size of the initial budget you just can’t keep a good entrepreneur down. No one knows that better than Steven Schussler, the man behind the Rainforest Cafe and a host of other wildly successful projects.
Learn more about the 5 P’s of Entrepreneurial Success in his book “It’s A Jungle In There” Personality: The Role of Risk-Taking in Entrepreneurial Success: Many people prefer to play it safe when it comes to business matters. Are you willing to take risks in the pursuit of entrepreneurial success? Steven Schussler
CCIM Speaking Engagement Success
Jan 7th
The CCIM Presentation last night was a huge success – what a great group! Thank you Carol Ebert, and Brad Pfaff for hosting this event and thank you Robert, Wendy, Brad, Gene, Carol and others for all your great questions! Thank you for your support of buying my book “It’s A Jungle In There” 100% of the sale of my book go to Smile Network International, a Minnesota-based humanitarian organization that provides reconstructive surgeries to impoverished children and young adults around the world.
Enjoy the read and the rollercoaster ride. Remember, “Sweat the Small Stuff”, “No is a Yes waiting to happen!” Steven Schussler
ROI Leader Forum Announcement for January 14, 2011
Dec 23rd
ROI Leader Forum Announcement for January 14, 2011
Topic: “A Guide to Entrepreneurial Success”
Speaker: Steven Schussler, Founder and CEO of Schussler Creative, Inc.
Entrepreneur, Motivational Speaker and Author of the National Bestseller “It’s A Jungle In There” Inspiring Lessons, Hard-Won Insights and Other Acts of Entrepreneural Daring.
Time:
7:30 a.m. – 7: 45 a.m. Continental Breakfast
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Presentation and Networking
Location: Lurie Besikof Lapidus & Company LLP
2501 Wayzata Blvd., Minneapolis, MN 55405
COST: Free!
To reserve your place at one of these seminars, please contact Jean LaPlante.
Passion and imagination—two of the most powerful engines of success—combined with persistence and an unwavering belief in his dreams, has compelled Steven Schussler for decades. Well-known as the creator of the Rainforest Cafe ®, A Wild Place To Shop and Eat™ launched at the Mall of America in 1994, Schussler and his team have built 45 Rainforest Cafes in seven years on three continents winning more than 40 awards in the process! A premier branding expert™, he founded Schussler Creative in 2000 and has recently published his inspiring lessons, hard-won insights, and other acts of entrepreneurial daring in a national bestseller, “It’s a Jungle in There.” Come listen to his tales about being a restaurateur, branding expert and creative consultant, as well as a speaker and author. Leave with insights into the Five P’s for Business Success: Personality, Product, Persistence, People and Philanthropy.
STEVEN SCHUSSLER, started his entrepreneurial career at age 9 with a paper route. He became a television and radio executive, and eventually embraced his passion for conceiving theatrical environments that appeal to the masses—in his restaurants, retail attractions, and entertainment venues worldwide. A living example of entrepreneurial social responsibility, Schussler is dedicating 100% of the authors sales benefit Smile Network International, a non-profit organization and their mission of surgically repairing cleft lips and palates of impoverished children and young adults worldwide. In addition, he teaches an entrepreneurial class at the UMN Carlson School of Business Management, and writes a monthly column, “Back Talk,” for Minnesota Business Magazine. For further information, visit www.schusslercreative.com.
Small Biz America with Steven Schussler It’s A Jungle In There
Nov 12th
Listen to this episode http://www.smallbizamerica.com/sbb/detail/its-a-jungle-in-there-with-steven-schussler/
ajungleintherebook.com/endorsements”>Donald Trump says, “His story is not only compelling, it’s fun, inspiring and full of sound business advice.”
Harvey Mackay says, “If anyone is king of the jungle, it’s Steven Schussler. Entertaining and inspiring, a must-read for aspiring entrepreneurs!” -#1 New York Times best-seller….
Without a college degree, Schussler became the CEO of a company twice named by Fortune Magazine as one of the top 100 fasted growing companies in America.
Here are some of the questions guiding our discussions:
1. You had some major challenges in the beginnings. Tell us about the process that lead to the success of RainForest Cafes…
2. You have said the importance of researching a new product or service concept is paramount to success. How does an entrepreneur approach the matter of getting market validation for a new concept?
3. So much of doing business is about relationships. Let’s talk about the power of a first impression. I think you have a story to share around this theme.
4. We’re sitting together in late 2010. What is your sense about the current business-startup environment. How can entrepreneurs overcome the tight credit markets and low consumer spending headwinds.
