About

creativityland inc offers creativity-thinking and innovation consulting services, executive team building, training and products, methods and related services, conference presentations and keynotes, as well as course design, trainers, facilitators and consultants.  The company began as Creative Problem Solving, founded by Marci Segal, in 1984. Its name changed to creativityland inc. in 2001. Located in Toronto, Canada, creativityland inc provides service to client organizations throughout the world.

creativityland inc’s egg-opening logo symbolizes freeing leaders’ thinking (and potential) so they can create new futures, this is the purpose for the company, all its projects and undertakings which include:

• Passport to Innovation™ programming: Management development action-learning program that to embeds innovation every day on-the-job, over time, and its two-day derivatives – PTI facilitation (to free new thinking for new solutions on a current project), PTI process (learn how to  solve problems creatively) and PTI facilitation tools and techniques (boot camps for new solutions facilitators).
• Executive team-building and transformation facilitation with conversation and collaboration
• Conference keynote and seminar presentations on creativity language, practices and research that are interactive, engaging and refreshing
• Conference designs for full participant engagement

Passport to Innovation™ could be creativityland inc’s most successful management and leadership training program. It creates innovation for the organization as leaders learn tools, methods, and approaches and use them with their colleagues, peers and reports.

Through blended-action-learning executives take steps to embed creativity-thinking and innovation everyday on the job. Leaders strengthen support systems for communication, connection and collaboration and enable transformation; they create new futures for the organization.

Passport to Innovation™ helps leaders regain the creative confidence they had when they were kids and let’s them enable others to use theirs in the business too, for results. Through a series of classes and projects they surprise themselves with how creative and innovative they are. They experience new tools, frameworks and methods to lead and manage the organization’s growth edge. During the program they develop creative-thinking and action disciplines to deliver remarkable results.  Accountabilities are built into the program.  Interested?  Let’s talk.

Clients include: NASA, PHD Canada, Ricoh Americas and Ricoh Canada, Agnew Peckham and Associates, SPM Learning, CIBC, the Ontario Public Service, Robert Bosch LLC, Nike, Rich Products, JAN Kelley Marketing, Scotia Bank, Johnson & Johnson, Tetra Pak AB, Ryerson University, United Way Toronto.

Marci Segal, MS, could be the most passionate creativity expert because even in her off hours, she does her best to free people’s thinking so they can create new futures. Organizations contact her to speak about, train and lead engaging programs related to transformation: creativity methods, understanding ways to leverage people’s styles, and innovation processes, tools and systems.

Marci has worked with thousands of senior executives, managers and team leaders in Canada, the US and abroad transforming their traditional notions about creativity in the workplace, so they can use it to fuel innovation, for close to 30 years. She is known for her concrete approach to creative thinking, problem solving and innovation. Marci facilitates, educates, creates and presents tools and techniques clients can apply immediately to see positive results.

An expert facilitator for team building, she’s been called on throughout the US, Canada and Europe to build senior teams responsible for leading transformation and innovation in their organizations.

A wide range of companies depend on Marci for insight into what works best for innovation today, she curates creativity research, frameworks, methods and techniques  as support for consulting with: NASA, PHD Canada, Ricoh, Agnew Peckham and Associates, SPM Learning, Peace Office Standards and Training in California, CIBC, the Ontario Public Service…are a few. Their needs are as diverse as each organization is unique

Marci’s creation, Passport to Innovation®, could be the most successful innovation management program because it embeds innovation day-to-day on the job, including tools, attitudes, collaboration, communication, connection, creativity-thinking practice and real-time learning, so that everyone immediately uses what they learn on a real opportunity/challenge for the organization. The curriculum is custom fit to address specific needs of the organization.

Marci’s potential continues to grow.

Marci is founder of World Creativity & Innovation Week April 15 – 21, a volunteer-run tradition begun in 2001 to encourage people to use their creativity to make the world a better place and to make their place in the world better too.  It began in 2001 and has participation of at least 50 countries. Marci has served on the National Board of Directors for the American Creativity Association and as President of the Ontario Association for the Application of Personality Type.

Marci is internationally recognized as a pioneer in creativity and innovation; she received awards from: the Creative Education Foundation (US), the International Center for Studies in Creativity (US), the Innovation Forum (Ukraine) and the Innovation Summit (India) both for her work linking creativity with her other area of expertise, personality type, and for creating and sustaining World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 – 21.

Marci might be a great presenter for your conference when you want a speaker with a bias for audience engagement and participation. She structures sessions to work with people’s brains, not against them, making sure their experience includes learning, networking and fun.

Marci often presents conferences such the World Future Society, the American Psychological Association, Creative Problem Solving Institute, American Society for Quality, Creativity Expert Exchange, CREA, and the Association for Psychological Type International.

Prior to founding creativityland inc, Marci was the first Canadian graduate of the International Center Studies for Creativity programs. She holds their Master of Science degree in Creativity and Change Leadership, as well as their undergraduate minor with a major in  cultural anthropology.

Her company, creativityland inc, resulted from Marci’s ability to parlay understandings of personal and team dynamics, problem finding, strategic foresight, problem solving, creativity-thinking and behaviours, cultural practices, systems and innovation with personality style differences, obstacles and synergies into a specialized management-consulting firm, to realize her passion to free leaders’ thinking so they can create new futures.

Marci wrote several books, published by Telos, including

• Creativity and Personality Type: Tools for Inspiring the Many Voices of Creativity (2001)
• A Quick Guide to the 16 Personality Types in Organizations (2003, with others)
• A Quick Guide to the Four Temperaments and Creativity: A Psychological Understanding of Innovation (2006)

Marci lives in Toronto, Canada and enjoys biking and hiking in the Rocky Mountains just outside of Banff, Alberta.

She hopes you enjoy reading her blog, and looks forward to connecting with you on Facebook, Twitter and Linked-in.

Education

• M.S. (Master of Science) in Creativity and Change Leadership, International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State College
• Certificate in Creative Studies, International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo State College
• B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) in Cultural Anthropology, with a minor in Creative Studies, Buffalo State College
• Qualifications: Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® instrument, Insights Discovery, Firo-B®, FourSight, Kirton Adaptor Innovator Inventory, Keys, Situational Outlook Questionnaire

Faculty Positions

• Peace Office Standards and Training Command College, California (since 2009)
• Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto – sessional instructor, design (2005-6)
• Interstrength Associates, Huntington Beach, CA – associate instructor Type and Creativity (2002 – 2010)
• Type Resources, Louisville, KY – Qualifying instructor for MBTI® instruments (1993 – 2006)
• Universidad de Santiago de Compostela, Spain – Masters in Creativity program instructor  (2001)
• Univerisdade Federal de Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – MBA program instructor (1999)

Memberships

• American Creativity Association, Board Member
• Creative Education Foundation, Life Member
• Ontario Association for the Application of Personality Type, former President
• World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 – 21, co-founder
• World Future Society

Books

• Creativity and Personality Type: Tools for Understanding and Inspiring the Many Voices of Creativity, Telos Publications, 2001
• A Quick Guide to the 16 Types in Organizations, Telos Publications, 2003
• A Quick Guide to the Four Temperaments and Creativity: A Psychological Understanding of Innovation, Telos Publications, 2006

Awards

• Distinguished Leader in the Field of Creativity, Creative Education Foundation
• Inspired Leader, Creative Education Foundation
• Service and Commitment Award, Creative Education Foundation
• Proclamation of Service, Creative Education Foundation
• Excellence in Innovation Award, India Innovation Summit
• Creative Studies Alumni Achievement Award, Buffalo State College
• Gold Medal for Social Innovation, Salon of Inventions and New Technologies, Ukraine

Conference and Keynote Speaker (selected)

• ACRE: International Creativity Conference – South Africa
• American Creativity Association
• American Psychological Association
• American Society for Quality
• Association for Psychological Type
• CHRA – Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés – Québec City
• CREA: European Association for Creative Problem Solving and Innovation – Italy
• Creative Problem Solving Institute
• International Society for Professional Innovation Management
• Mindcamp, Toronto
• National Speakers Association
• State Legislative Leaders Foundation
• World Future Society

Guest Lectures (partial list)

• Canfield University, Milton Keynes, UK
• Goizueta School of Business, Atlanta
• International Center for Studies in Creativity, Buffalo, NY
• Rotman School of Management, Toronto
• York University, Toronto

Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, MBTI, Myers-Briggs are trademarks or registered trademarks of the MBTI Trust, Inc., in the United States and other countries. FIRO-B is a registered trademark of CPP, Inc.

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Keynote presentation at Pfizer Consumer Health for World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 – 21, 2006

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Interviews

Ordre des conseillers en ressources humaines agréés, CRHA October 2011, Quebec City Creativity and Innovation: What’s Style Got to Do with it?  Key points for Human Resource Professionals.(6 -minute video clip)

Innovation Tools Interview with Michelle James, March, 2010 Creativity is an essential change management tool for effective leaders, says Marci Segal (on-line)

Globe and Mail, Report on Business, Feb 2010 Workplace Creativity Shrivels on the Vine (print)

Igniting Imagination Blog Talk Radio with Host Nellie Jacobs

• Optimizing Your Creativity (audio)
• Meet WCIW co-founder Marci Segal: Let’s Keep the Conversation Going (audio)
• Creativity & Innovation in Our Homes, Schools & Workplaces part 1 (audio)
• Creativity & Innovation in Our Homes, Schools & Workplaces part 2 (audio)

International Center for Studies in Creativity Forum on Cultural Connections and International Work: Panel discussion hosted by Dr. Susan Keller-Mathers (2009)

• Part 1: Creativity around the World (video)  3:40, the birth of World Creativity and Innovation Week April 15 – 21
• Part 2: What are alumni doing with creativity in their professions and endeavors? (video) Begins at 6:39
• Part 3 How do you get permission to use your brain?  (video) Begins at 4:41
• Part 4: What change do you see for your clients through your work? (video) Begins at 5:55
• Part 5: What are the differences in teaching, and the value of creativity in various cultures?  (video) Begins at 4:50
• Part 6: How does society need to be involved in creativity and innovation so that we are prepared after a recession? (video) Begins at 1:05

“If you have not met Marci, you simply must do so! She offers up endless inspiration, infinite ideas, and perpetual encouragement. With Creativityland Inc’s proprietary Passport to innovation™ program – Marci’s vision for a long-term senior staff training program (that had never been done before) – our organization has experienced a cultural change with creativity and innovation success at its core. If you are open to uncovering and creating new behaviours and dimensions of performance, Marci has the tools, resources, and most incredible know-how on to make it happen for you.” Zoryana Loboyko, VP Client Service Director, PHD Canada

“Marci did a wonderful job for us at one of our town halls.  Her seminar inspired our teams to look harder at maximizing the business value by brainstorming which has helped contribute to many good ideas that we have implemented.  She has a great touch with a tough crowd and really seemed to be the right person, at the right time, with the right topic.” – John Clinton, SVP and General Manager, Consumer Publications, Transcontinental Media

“We very much appreciated having you at our 2009 May Conference. You made your presentation fun and enjoyable and your material was applicable and relevant to everyone there. The audience was richer for having listened to your presentation, and it showed as you scored a top rating from 95% of participants in the feedback.” – Conor Houlihan – International Customer Service Association -Toronto Chapter

“Thank you for the great job kicking off our program in Chicago! Yours was one of the most creative sessions we’ve ever had and you have such a wonderful way of engaging the audience. You really got everyone energized and set the tone for the entire weekend. And hopefully they all went back home with lots of new ideas, new enthusiasm and new friends. You have a special gift – thanks for sharing it with us!” – Marcia B. VanderVoort, Vice President, State Legislative Leaders Foundation

“You made creativity accessible – even for those who are uneasy expressing.  I wish we had more time with you.” – Dana Francoz, Director of Sales, Publicitas Canada

“I found myself feeling creative while at the same time learning how to empower my audience.” – Pati Trites, CEO, Healthcare Compliance Resources

“Marci took creativity and put it into a logical way to understand and more importantly how to expand.” – Sharon Yoder, VP Operations, Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center

“Awesome session – you have a gift for stretching ordinary ways of thinking to become new and fresh.” – Suzanne Geretz, Director, Whaleback Publishing, Exeter, NH

“Outstanding!! Creative, engaging, and highly enjoyable learning experience. Marci ‘walks her talk’ and we end up being more creative in our thinking and decisions.” – Steve Lashansky, President, Success Dynamics

“Marci is passionate about creativity and has educated many people on overcoming their traditional notions about creativity in the workplace. Marci is a pioneer in her field. She has inspired me tremendously and I am so glad that I was able to take away such knowledge in the field. Thanks Marci for being a great inspiration!” Stephen Chan, Digital Marketing Specialist, Develop+Design creative management

 

Creativity 201 for Futurists: How to Further Integrate Creative Practices into Strategic Foresight to Sustain the Human Spirit. By Marci Segal, MS and Megan Mitchell.

This World Future Society (WFS) conference article supports using both rational, analytical reasoning with affective emotional insights when leading futures strategic foresight sessions.  It has content from the one-day WFS pre-conference session Megan and I created and led a few years ago.

You are Creative: A 21st Century Look at Creativity, and Support for Using it in Business. By Marci Segal, MS.

This paper provides rationale for using new methods, models, and frameworks to expand thinking. It shows what is known in the field of creativity and how we apply the research and principles in business and life  The leading edge of change is scary; its new.  What we know about creativity-thinking can help navigate through vulnerabilities of changing with resilience and strength.

Your feedback, reactions and other comments are welcome.

Interesting tidbits for people who like to play with symbols and meaning

Atalanta Fugiens: Michael Maier’s alchemical emblem book Atalanta fugiens was first published in Latin in 1617. It incorporated 50 Alchemical emblems with a motto, an epigram and a discourse.

Emblem 8

Take the egg and pierce it with a fiery sword.

Epigram 8

There is a bird in the world, more sublime than all, Let it be your only care to find its egg. The albumen softly surrounds the golden yolk, Attack it cautiously with a fiery sword, (as is the custom); Let Mars assist Vulcan; the bird arising from it, Will be a conqueror of iron and fire.