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LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

This issue of the gotoreport is focused on the concept of getting Unstuck. Developing a methodology or solution around this concept is an evolving challenge, which begins by identifying what it means to be stuck in the first place. To help inspire our thinking, my unstuck Swedish colleague Kristian Bengtsson and I decided to meet in Barcelona and tour the city - moving from one wireless locale to the next. We created and brainstormed, diagrammed and discussed and came up with the beginnings of a collaborative theory around this concept. We toyed with different concepts such as 'unfolding' and 'shifting' as well as 'transitioning' which are relevant, but not quite accurate. In the end, we determined that even though there is a popular book (called "UNSTUCK") on this topic, we cannot think of a more relevant term for what many colleagues and companies are currently experiencing. So we "stuck" with it.

For this edition of the gotoreport, we begin with a column by Dave Rogers, The Keys to the Kingdom, where he discusses the promise of Web 2.0 as a set of parables. Moving into a completely different (but not unfamiliar) environment, I interview Kristian Bengtsson, the unstuck Creative Director of one of Sweden's top design and innovation consultancies, FutureLab. In our discussion, he describes some of the thinking behind "Action Spaces" which is an approach as well as a methodology. gotomedia strategist Leigh Duncan delivers an inspiring essay, Unstuck, about her personal experiences after a 6-month sabbatical from the corporate giant allowed her to reframe her thinking. Finally, a podcast broadcast of a SXSW panel on "Getting Unstuck" featuring Jeffrey Zeldman (unstuck since 1995), Luke Warblowski, Chris Messina and Kristian Bengtsson, moderated by Liz Danzico. This conversation gives us exciting insights and wisdom, from industry and individual perspectives. A special thanks to these individuals who responded with very short notice under some prodding by yours truly when I discovered I would be unable to attend SXSW this year.

As always, we welcome your feedback.

Kelly Goto,
Principal,
gotomedia

ARTICLES

The Keys to the Kingdom

By Dave Rogers
Dave takes a look at one of the fundamental principals of Web 2.0, the handing over of content directly to users without restriction. According to Dave, this giant leap in user participation from Web 2.0 has languished due to a lack of corporate willingness to fully embrace experimentation and the reluctance of companies to truly focus on end-user needs. The promise of Web 2.0 is going to remain unfulfilled until a few companies are brave enough to give away the keys to their well-fortified Web kingdoms.
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Unstuck

By Leigh Duncan
In this inspiring personal account, Leigh Duncan describes how she found the strength to make drastic life changes and become truly unstuck. Several years ago Leigh found herself possessing "what everyone tells you is required for happiness," but still felt fundamentally unfulfilled. After falling ill, Leigh was forced to take a leave of absence, an event which marked the beginning of her journey towards becoming "unstuck" and discovering what truly inspires her.
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Interview with Kristian Bengtsson

By Kelly Goto
Kristian Bengtsson, the Creative Director of FutureLab, one of Sweden's top strategic communication agencies, explains how he continually strives to be unstuck. Kristian details how the FutureLab team breaks away from rountine by putting themselves in unfamilar territory and taking risks. He also explains the Action Space Grid, a technical platform specifically designed to support and empower the team's way of thinking and working.
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Getting UnStuck

By Kelly Goto
Unstuck has made it's way to Vegas, where we're presenting the panel and session at the MIX conference this week. Chris Messina (Citizen Agency), Larry Halff (ma.gnolia) and the gotomedia crew have put together a web site designed to (initially) capture stuckUnstuck moments via web and Twitter. It's a collaborative work in progress, and one that will evolve.
Read More

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