Planning For Good: IdeaBlob

Here's another example of the idea of planning for good:

Ideablob, recently launched by Advanta Bank Corp., is a social networking platform that gives entrepreneurs and small business owners the space to share ideas and potentially win $10,000 to help their business grow.

" IdeaBlob is where entrepreneurs and small business owners can share and grow their business ideas – and have a chance to win $10,000 towards fulfilling them.

Great ideas are generated every day by people all across the country, and now these ideas have a place to live and grow. Eligible individuals with a good business idea can post it to IdeaBlob.com, and based on votes from the IdeaBlob online community – which includes other innovators as well as friends, family, colleagues, associates, teachers and mentors – one idea every month will win $10,000.

As individuals take part in IdeaBlob’s growth, their business has the potential to grow right along with it."

Advanta issues Mastercard credit cards for small business owners and has been in business for the last 50 years. After doing some brief digging, I found they were started by a schoolteacher who helped fellow teachers get loans. I'm curious as to what the rest of the story is behind the founder and how Advanta evolved to become what it is today.

As we're seeing over and over, there is power in community, and truth in authenticity. Ideablob has been added to my list of 'great new ideas' and goodness that aims to provide real things for people who need it.

See StyleStation for more information.

Inspiring Ideas

These quotes come from Bruce Mau Design's Incomplete Manifesto for Growth, which I find simple, yet completely compelling and authentic.

1. “Allow events to change you.”
As a planner (and thinker), I open myself to the possibility of growth through experiences and change. In fact, I seek it.

5. “Go deep.”
I will commit myself to dig deeper, knowing that if I do, I could be rewarded with valuable discoveries.

9. “Begin anywhere.”
The process of planning seems uncomplicated, yet it’s no easy task. I like the idea that anywhere is fair game for mining ideas and insights. It says jump in with no fear.

16. “Collaborate”
As I’ve found in Bootcamp at Miami Ad School, putting ideas and questions together in a bubble, as opposed to working alone in seclusion proves that collaboration creates more potential for great insight.