The Medici Effect

What Elephants and Epidemics Can Teach Us About Innovation

By: Frans Johansson

Narrated by: Frans Johansson

Length: 6 hrs and 44 mins

Publisher's summary

Why do so many world-changing insights come from people with little or no related experience? Charles Darwin was a geologist when he proposed the theory of evolution. And it was an astronomer who finally explained what happened to the dinosaurs. Frans Johansson's The Medici Effect shows how breakthrough ideas most often occur when we bring concepts from one field into a new, unfamiliar territory, and offers examples on how we can turn the ideas we discover into path-breaking innovations.

©2006 Frans Johansson (P)2017 Tantor

Expect the unexpected

Approach is a game changer. One challenge is applying this approach in federal government with tax payers' dollars.

Big Idea

Just wanted to share this story with y’all. I was with my therapist and we were catching up on my week, the usual. But i had recently finished this book and decided to bring it up, “Have you read the Medici Effect?” keep in mind this was a women with 2 master degrees. I wasn’t expecting much from her answer considering she has much more education than me. She shakes her head and i continued to explain in few words what this book was. She cut me off and said “So it’s a book about how to think outside the box?” I hesitated but eventually nodded my head, in my mind i’m thinking, sure you could put it like that.. then she goes, “Then I won’t read it.” I shrugged as if to say, “Fair” and we continued. Jokes aside I really enjoyed this book and would read again!

Great read on intersectional innovation

Provides a nice perspective on how great innovation cones from intersectional innovation and thoughts on how to achieve it.

Great concept that applies to any industry.

It’s a nice way to change the way we think about every problem we face. No matter the industry, I think you’ll find the ideas in this book enjoyable.

Inspiring

The Medici Effect will inspire you to think differently and encourage you to chart a course to The Intersection.

What are you waiting for!?

The ideas in this book can change the way you do anything & everything. if possible, have a notebook nearby because The concepts presented & your resulting ideas will not all fit in your head at the same time.

Great work Frans!

A game changer for those looking to innovate

Fantastic- Frans takes you on an incredible journey of innovation at the intersection of ideas. An engaging and we'll balanced combination of inspiring examples and practical application for all who read it

Learn Something New - and - Different Every Day..!

I modified my goal of learning something new every day, thanks to this book.
Another modification is surrounding myself with excellent people - from many fields and walks of life. Diversity is Key!
Mr Johansson makes a convincing case that learning everything about my field of expertise may bring me only so far. I need to continue looking left and right forward and backwards, up and down to innovate. The more complex my goal, the more I will need diverse people around me.
I immediately listened twice to the book. This is worth it. Good thing is, that in the modern times of the Internet we can diversify excellent wisdom easily - when we open our minds to different fields and ideas!

Worst Narrator Ever.

I’m sorry. It’s read by the author and he makes a slightly better writer than narrator. His diction and phrasing is terrible. Luckily, the book repeats itself enough that if you miss it the first time, he’ll probably say it again so you have a chance at catching it.

The material is interesting, but seems a little more common sense than I expected. There were a couple surprises backed by other research but not enough to justify the purchase.

The Medici Effect?

Intersectionality? The Medici cornered markets by investing and collecting big payoffs. Their spoils afforded investments in the arts and sciences as well as their massive egos. That union of divergent ideas is intersectionality. Using something in a new way. Maybe. A few examples good about leaving jobs. But operationalizing this? Move to a country where you don’t know language or customs. Fall in love. That’s better!