Zoka Institute Newsletter

Click here to visit the Zoka Institute website for the above pages.

Larry Blumsack
Founder, President

Zoka Institute Services

Arts-based training for business growth

Zoka Training® focuses on individuals, work groups or specific business or product challenges through a
hands-on, highly interactive and experiential based program through

* Training
* Coaching
* Consulting
* Facilitating
* Workshops
* Keynote Speaker

About Zoka Institute

For critical thinkers, creative problem solvers and collaborators Zoka Training teaches individuals a skill set
that can influence any organization's bottom line - the fine art of developing creative solutions through collaborative, upside/down thinking. By focusing on exploring ideas rather than identifying problems, Zoka Training unlocks hidden creative potential by showing individuals how to think outside their
preferred styles and focus their creative energy – thus turning knowledge workers into inspired thinkers and solutions-driven contributors.

Volume 2 Issue 8 12/08

Hello %%First Name%%

21st Century Skills is the new buzzword quickly replacing innovation in the business world. Let's examine how good your 21st Century Skills are. And consider that in the 21st Century you can teach old dogs new tricks.

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 the highest what is your 21st Century Skills level? What is the 21st Century Skills level of your organization?

First of all, education reform task forces driven by business needs are now recognizing the importance of fostering critical thinking, creative problem solving and collaboration skills throughout out the K-12 education process. Skills in part derived from experiential learning through the visual and performing arts integrated into the curriculum K-12.

Secondly, thanks to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) we now know that the brain can be rewired at any age. Through new experiences and new challenges new neurons will form. It is called neuroplasticity. Yes, you can teach baby booming, knowledge workers how to think out-of-the-box – how to turn limiting habit energy into creative and innovative energy. Yes, you can teach old dogs new tricks.

Unfortunately, our educational systems still focus on the Industrial Age skills of analytical, sequential and logical thinking – "left brain processing." From K-PHD the "right brain's" intuitive, non-linear, holistic and creative thinking skills are neglected and still considered touchy-feely. For too long – at least a century - creativity has been strip-mined from our students and workers.

In this global economy the ability to move and adapt nimbly – to be innovative in a world of uncertainty is the antithesis of "left brain" thinking.

Welcome to the innovative world of whole brain thinking, a world where both left and right hemispheres of the brain are working in sync. A world where many people's ideas, energy, talent and expertise are encouraged. A world where there are only great mistakes.

We think about the world through all of our senses. We think about the world kinesthetically, abstractly – in so many "right brain" ways that the visual and performing arts address. Start celebrating human imagination and creativity by teaching old dogs new tricks.

Follow the path of the Fortune 500 companies who are bringing in visual and performing artists to increase their workers ability to think creatively, to be facile and nimble, and to provide them with 21st Century Skills so that they can competitively compete in the global economy.

To learn how to develop 21st Century Skills in your company please email me at

lblumsack@zokainstitute.com.

Click here to go to the website.

Regards,

Larry

617-489-1933

If you prefer not to receive future e-mail from Zoka Institute, please unsubscribe here.

Larry Blumsack, President | 9 Concord Avenue Suite 2 | Belmont, MA 02478