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HarbertMagazine
Harbert
Magazine Fall 2016
C
cr eativan the e spark be cap tured?
Our Fall 2016 issue focused on how we ignite and nurture the creative spark in everything from ideation and planning of a project to the spaces we occupy. We posed a question to you—what processes do you use to enable fresh ideas to flow in your workplace?
» Anthony Alford, D.O. ’02
“I sit and watch how people do/perform tasks and see how technology can make those tasks obsolete. Also, I look at common tasks, and think how adjacencies can expand those tasks.” » Lawrence A. Martin III, ’07
“Make time to read on industry new trends and developments, stay up to speed on latest and greatest in your area, and block time off on your calendar to focus on developing something new.” » Renata Gallyamova ’08
“Challenge and empower the young and newly assigned personnel because they are the most objective and unbiased. Additionally, rotate or temporarily assign personnel to other organizations to gain access to other approaches and ideas.”
Joe McAdory Editor, HCOB Communications & Marketing
Created by The Media Production Group Bruce Kuerten Director, Media Production Group at Auburn University
Media Production Group at Auburn University
“We focus on flexible work schedules to maintain a work/life balance and mix in monthly company-wide ‘happy hours,’ encouraging everyone to stop working at 3 p.m. to socialize with their coworkers.” » Brent Hexkart, ’04
“I am not a naturally creative person, so I have to make efforts to research online and lean on business colleagues for inspiration. I often have to remind myself to take the time to branch out and try a new approach to a project, and I’m learning to appreciate the creativeness of the new generation of recent college graduates!” » Amra Boucher ’03
“I love having coffee or lunch with colleagues in different departments. A lot of times that shows me an opportunity for us to collaborate, create more efficient ways of working, and helps me see things from a new perspective.” » Caitlyn Summer Stafford ’10
“I schedule several hours each week to go to our prototype shop and build new products to see how they work. In reality, nine out of ten don’t work out as well as I had hoped, but knowing what doesn’t work is extremely valuable information. The key is to make a commitment to a specific amount of time each and every week which is devoted to experimentation.” » Steve Goodson ’72
» Col. Courtney Cote ’91
In our last issue, we incorrectly identified a Harbert College faculty member. At the request of
our University of North Carolina alum friend, we offer the following correction: “Avery Abernethy is Torchmark Professor of Marketing at Auburn. We regret incorrectly listing Dr. Abernethy’s title in the last issue. We are especially glad that we did not claim Dr. Abernethy attended Dook.”
6 HM, Spring 2017
Troy Johnson Director, HCOB Communications & Marketing
Jim Earnhardt Editor,
Here’s what you had to say: “My leadership approach has been to involve the workforce, treat all fairly, be approachable and visit all areas of the workplace, hold everyone accountable, and frequent town halls with employees for questions/ feedback. Give department leaders running room to perform at their peak and encourage innovative/critical thinking. [Be] willing to try any reasonable plan and not criticize if things don’t work out. Ask what we could do different or better, involve employees in strategic thinking/planning, constantly communicate activities and actions so employees are not in the dark or surprised.”
CREDITS
Art & Design/Production Jason Adams Jenni Hunt Tiffany Smith Illustrations Jason Adams Contributors John DiJulio Bailey Kimbell Jessamyn Saxon Larry Shaw Tiffany Smith
Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business Office of Communications 216 Lowder Hall Auburn, AL 36849 (334) 844-8847 harbert.auburn.edu cobletters@auburn.edu Auburn is an equal opportunity educational institution / employer. © 2017 Auburn University Raymond J. Harbert College of Business