Innovation often comes from asking the right questions, according to best-selling author and church leader Rick Warren in his talk at TEDxOrangeCoast. Warren referred to his list of essential questions as the “Eight Nations of Innovation”:

1. Termination- What do I need to stop doing?
2. Collaboration – How do we do it faster, larger, cheaper, or with a team?
3. Combination - What can we mix together to make something new?
4. Elimination - What part could we take out in order to make something similar?
5. Reincarnation – What has died that we can bring back to life in a new format?
6. Rejuvenation - How can we change the purpose for why we are doing it?
7. Illumination – How can we look at it in a new light?
8. Fascination – How can we make it more interesting?

“Never stop learning. Leaders are learners. Always ask the right questions,” Warren told the more than 1,000 attendees at TEDxOrangeCoast on May 19th. Check our Facebook page,  TEDxOrangeCoast, for notification of when video from the talks is available. In the meantime, a little question asking may be in order…

Tags: Rick Warren, TEDxO, The Eight Nations of Innovation
Categories: Innovation Without Borders, Rick Warren, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

You’ve heard the proverbial light bulb joke… “How many (name your victim) does it take to turn a light bulb?… In the case of TEDxOrangeCoast, we will really never know for sure how many people it took to turn on the light. The TED movement came first. It was created, nurtured and sustained by countless passionate people with wonderfully altruistic ideals. People who understand that making a human connection, and sharing great ideas can enlighten and give birth to change. TED pioneers were followed by equally passionate people who honored the ideals of TED and were entrusted with the concept of TEDx, where the x = independently organized events. Thousands of people have worked tirelessly to bring TEDx to local communities all over our Earth. By respecting the ideals of remaining non-political, without commercial bias or individual gain, these people have grown TEDx to more than the creators of TED could have ever imagined.

TEDxOrangeCoast rests on the shoulders of the thousands of people who have gone before. Amir Banifatemi stepped forward and sought the license for TEDxOrangeCoast. He believed that in less than six months he could bring TEDx to his community, and make a difference by encouraging a discussion about innovation without borders. Following his vision and tireless campaigning, a small group of volunteers have worked along side him doing lots of heavy lifting. An advisory board of influence makers shared their contact lists and evangelized the TEDx ideals. Companies stepped up with financial support to pay for the day. Tomorrow, twenty four speakers, and nearly 1,200 people will pause their busy lives and be present and participate in “ideas worth spreading”. And as they do, the ranks of TED and TEDx devotees will expand even more.

To all those who have gone before us, to those who have worked so tirelessly to arrange the day, to the speakers who have worked hard in preparing, to sponsors, and most importantly to those who will attend. Thank you for believing.

Tags: TEDxOrangeCoast
Categories: Alice Shin, Amy Purdy, Ann Marie Calhoun, Carl St. Clair, Daniel Amen, Danny Sullivan, Donald McKayle, Dondeena Bradley, Harry West, Innovation Without Borders, Jean DeKervasdoue, John Jolliffe, Joseph Maciariello, Lindsey Duncan, Lisa Sparks, Matthew Peterson, Michael Gerber, Mohamed A El-Erian, Richard Matthew, Rick Warren, Shelene Bryan, Sheron Wray, Sid Mohasseb, TEDxOrangeCoast, Uncategorized, Zao Yang | Leave a Comment »

What TEDxOrangeCoast will be remains to be seen. Each attendee and speaker will play a part in how the experience materializes. Collectively, we will determine the outcome. Each individual will impact TEDxOrangeCoast. We’ll know what that means in less than 48 hours. In the meantime, we know what TEDxOrangeCoast is not:
…For profit. A team of volunteers who believe in promoting ideas worth spreading have contributed time and resources to make the event happen.
…Dull. No talk is longer than 18 minutes, which means each speaker’s talk is honed and polished.
…Commercial. There is no selling, promoting or stumping for political or religious agendas. TEDxOrangeCoast could not have produced  without the support of a dedicated group of sponsors, but you will see that they understand the importance of being low-key and quietly allowing the ideas and program take the lead.
…A networking event. If you are planning on planting your business card in everyone’s hand, you are in the wrong place. You will make connections, but not because you hustled yourself or your business.
…Perfect. There is always room for improvement, and as TEDx enthusiasts, let’s be collectively interested in improving and expanding on this inaugural TEDxOrangeCoast event. We even have a platform in place so you can share your input anonymously. It’s called Voxopolis and you can access it here.

We look forward to seeing what part you play in bringing, sharing and spreading innovative ideas right here in Orange County.

Tags: TEDxOrangeCoast, What TEDxOrangeCoast is NOT
Categories: CNN Heros, Daniel Amen, Danny Sullivan, Donald McKayle, Dondeena Bradley, Harry West, Innovation Without Borders, Jean DeKervasdoue, John Jolliffe, Joseph Maciariello, Lindsey Duncan, Lisa Sparks, Matthew Peterson, Mohamed A El-Erian, Richard Matthew, Rick Warren, Shelene Bryan, Sheron Wray, Sid Mohasseb, TEDxOrangeCoast, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

In honor of Earth Day, we present one of our favorite TED talks about the environment:

Human growth has strained the Earth’s resources, but as Johan Rockstrom reminds us, our advances also give us the science to recognize this and change behavior. His research has found nine “planetary boundaries” that can guide us in protecting our planet’s many overlapping ecosystems.

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It’s unlikely that most people would put the name of one of the world’s largest soft drink bottlers in the same sentence with the word nutrition. Dr. Dondeena Bradley is responsible for designing new solutions for PepsiCo that target special nutritional needs of consumers with diverse health issues, like obesity and diabetes. As Vice President Global Design and Development, Nutrition Ventures, she is committed to the company’s leading R & D initiatives which include what kinds of products and approaches should PepsiCO develop to meet the needs of the world’s one billion under-nourished people? Join us at TEDxOrangeCoast Innovation Without Borders on May 19th and hear Dr. Dondeena Bradley’s passion for innovation.

Categories: Innovation Without Borders, TEDxOrangeCoast, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Successful innovation is a resilient force. It has to push past endless daunting forces such as prejudice, fear and ignorance. In order to affect change, innovation must hurdle physical barriers, technological boundaries, goverments, languages and cultures. Innovation must blow through visible and unseen borders, emerging in many forms. It can change countries or just one life. Without it we stagnate. Want to take a good hard look at making change? Join us for TEDxOrangeCoast Innovation Without Borders on May 19th at Segerstrom Concert Hall. Click here to request an invitation.

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Yesterday marked a significant milestone in the history of the TEDx movement when the third TEDxUSC took place at the University of Southern California. As Derek Sivers told attendees via the broadcast of his TED Talk video, How to Start a Movement, it takes a leader to start something and at least one follower to make it a movement. That is what happened three years ago at USC. The first group stood up and danced. (Watch the video and you’ll see what we mean) Today, groups of TEDx organizers around the globe have joined the movement and are shaking up the way people think and act.  Thank you to the team at TEDxUSC for hearing the music. If you’d like to read one of the best reviews of yesterday’s event, visit Linda Constant’s blog.

TEDx comes to Orange County via TEDxOrangeCoast Innovation Without Borders. Visit our site to request an invitation.

Tags: Online Content Producers, TEDxOrangeCoast, TEDxUSC
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