What we could all really use in our work is a scratch track. In recording it's a running back up, a live reference mark. You use a scratch track to record a rough expected outcome that guides the finish work. If you're lucky, it's a lightening in a bottle. You may find yourself with a spectacular new idea. You press record knowing that there's a much higher (almost expected) rubbish outcome to be achieved on that track, that the focus is the finish work. Doesn't matter. It's muscle memory to do it. It's the process you trust. It's through that process that you make room for the really good stuff. Most creative activities have some version of this.

Social collaborative tools offer a scratch track. Our trail of serendipitous breadcrumbs. A bubbling of an idea that someone, or some group can align with and get excited about. I often wish we realized how creative seemingly rigid corporate roles really are. Especially through times of shift. I believe its part of what we talk about when we cry for innovation in corporate spaces. When we exercise that muscle memory and build a trail of breadcrumbs we see trends, opportunities, and flaws faster. With that intelligence we might not be so married to the oft repeated, not-so best practices and wasteful habits large enterprises tend to assume as operating norm. We also open the door to lightening in a bottle ideas that rigid processes often close.

Image credit:dave.kobrehel