C and the Box: A Paradigm Parable [Paperback]

Frank A. Prince (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1993 | ISBN-10: 0893842265 | ISBN-13: 978-0893842260 | Edition: 1

With a little encouragement, your employees can see challenges in a new light and find creative solutions to old problems. You can help them by using the story of C and the Box.

This parable reveals that people must break free of old assumptions and limitations if they want to grow and develop. By exploring outside of a familiar box, C?the leading character?becomes a role model for creativity and imagination, and shows that changing the old way of doing things is necessary for progress.

The message will help people to:
* Overcome the constraints of conformity and bureaucracy
* Find new ways to solve problems
* Discover inner strengths
* Motivate others by example


C and the Box is an inspiration for those concerned with opening up new opportunities in their lives. In times of change, it helps motivate everyone from the mail clerk to the CEO. It's also a great tool for training sessions on empowerment or problem solving.

This delightful, animated story is available on video and in a hardbound book. Inspire creativity and pave the way for change with this brief but powerful story. Order the video for training and copies of the book for everyone in the organization.

Product Details

• Paperback: 111 pages
• Publisher: Pfeiffer; 1 edition (March 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893842265
• ISBN-13: 978-0893842260
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,975,273 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Effective 10 Minute Cartoon on Thinking Outside the Box, July 8, 2000

By 

Donald Mitchell "Jesus Loves You!" (Thanks for Providing My Reviews over 110,000 Helpful Votes Globally) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: C and the Box: A Paradigm Parable (Paperback)

I often work with people to help them understand what stalled thinking is, and how to overcome it. One of the analogies that the majority of people get is thinking outside the box. I usually connect that thought to the old problem of how you connect the dots with fewer lines. Most people have trouble with that, until they start considering solutions that include drawing lines that go outside the apparent box formed by the dots.

This book takes a different approach. It explains how we become comformists, and comfortable with that comformity. Then it shows the downside of that conformity -- namely boredom.

The parable then goes on to show how hard it is to use resources that can get you out of the box, but how rewarding it is when you do, and share what you learned with others.

I find that most people don't see themselves in a box, which adds to their stalled thinking. I found the parable to be fresh and effective at addressing the issues, much like Who Moved My Cheese? does.

Although the book is short and can be read quickly, I see that as an advantage rather than a disadvantage. Be warned that the cost per word is high.

Be sure to read the two page epilogue. It has some ideas for helping you get out of the box. "Don't judge for a day." "Jump in a puddle." You will probably see one or two that will interest you, and that will help you out of the box.

Banish your stalled thinking! All you have to lose are your blinders!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learn to use what you have always had..., July 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: C and the Box: A Paradigm Parable (Paperback)

I showed this book to my boss. He took it home and let his whole family read it. He said it was the best book he had ever read. My customer liked it so much he bought his own copy and showed it to his new employees. It's a book that you can literally read in 5 minutes and could change the way you think for the rest of your life. It's really about finding the creativity that you thought you lost as you grew up.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Opens the door to creative thinking, March 18, 2001

By 

Tom Williams "Marketing Maven" (Albany, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: C and the Box: A Paradigm Parable (Paperback)

Opens the door to creative thinking

This parable is an enjoyable little story focused on creative thinking within an organization. The story is a short illustrated cartoon that can be read in less than an hour, and illustrates how easy it is to get stuck in the comfort zone and how powerful and rewarding it can be when one taps into their creative spirit. This is not a deep read, but is a great reminder.

As the author of two books on creative thinking, I am always looking for other material that can be useful in my firm's creative work. I have found that this book is particularly good at reminding people of the importance of creative thinking, and how easy it is to get stuck doing...instead of thinking. C and The Box is a fun way to remind yourself of the power of creative thought.

Jordan Ayan, author of "Aha! - 10 Ways To Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas" & "Ignite Your Creative Spark"