Once again, Flash Point was a resounding success, offering intriguing ideas that had attendees continuing the conversations long after the mini-sessions. 

Kristin Glenn and Shannon Whitehead, founders of {r}evolution apparel, discussed how each decision we make in business can impact future generations. "What if we could live with a little less so the future could have a little more?" Glenn and Whitehead asked attendees.

Hans van Grieken talked about how innovation today is much more about agility and ability to bring innovation to market quickly, rather than to come up with bright ideas yourself.

Jon Petz, who also played Flash Point host, shared how life is about taking action, and that you should stop holding yourself back and not be a "just - a."

Misha Glouberman told a personal story about a noisy bar that opened next door to him and the lessons he learned about communication, negotiation and getting what you want in situations of conflict.

Tonya Surman shared an insider's view on the emerging collaborative economy, where it's going an how your organization can benefit and participate. 

Howard Rheingold introduced five essential Web literacies of attention, participation, collaboration, crap detection and network know-how.  

Douglas Rushkoff closed Flash Point and shared 10 "commands" that give parents, businesses and individuals control over the new technologies they are using.

The TED phenomenon is changing the world and the way we meet. I’m not, of course, alluding to the new Seth MacFarlance comedy or the seemingly related Teddy Ruxpin (seen in the above photo bringing joy to an audience of one), rather the fabulous idea fest TED and it’s regional offshoots, TEDx (dig the One+ feature of TEDx planners and our profile of Lakshmi Pratury, TED India host and founder of an idea fest for the subcontinent).

The New Yorker, that bastion of high-ish-brow storytelling (and bland cartoon humor), has called out “Five Key TED Talks.” I agree the talks cited are all great, but I can think of other game changers—Bill Gates releasing mosquitos into the crowd during his malaria talk immediately comes to mind.

What are the most important or eye-opening TED videos you’ve seen?

Image (CC) Hendricks Photos

I would say that I'm an ideas man. I have tons of them, and I'm not afraid to share my work-related ones with my boss. 

Apparently, I'm not alone, because  most employees claim they regularly propose ideas to their boss, according to a survey by Right Management. Half of the survey respondents claim to make 20 or more suggestions each year and another quarter between 10 and 20. 

The survey was conducted in January and February, and 497 North American workers responded to the question:

How often do you offer suggestions to your boss at work?

• 54 percent—More than 20 suggestions each year
• 24 percent—Between 10 and 20 each year
• 15 percent—Fewer than 10 each year
• 7 percent—I don’t offer suggestions at work

“Despite research that indicates workers are disengaged, on the whole they want to be helpful and have their say on issues or problems that arise in the workplace” said Monika Morrow, senior vice president of Career Management for Right Management, which provides talent, career and outplacement services to Fortune 500 companies. “We find again and again that employees want to contribute. By making suggestions they demonstrate that they’re thinking about getting the job done, and done well.”

Morrow advises employers to take advantage of workers’ ideas. 

“Of course, the boss has to judge which suggestions are worthwhile, but employee concern or enthusiasm should be encouraged and their willingness to participate in problem solving is the sign of a healthy workplace,” she said.

At a time when many employees feel stifled in their job, it is even more important that employers show that they are listening. 

“Make sure employees know they have a voice and a say in what happens at work," she said. "Be proactive in seeking their input and sharing ideas. It should be more than a gesture, but a genuine effort to reach out. Tap them for fresh ideas that could improve productivity or customer service.”

The best employers know how to unleash the potential in people, Morrow says. 

“This is a crucial management skill when talent so often is what provides a company with its competitive advantage,” she said.

What about you? Do you offer up lots of ideas throughout the year? Do you feel that your ideas are listened to and seriously considered? What's the best idea you have for our industry? Please let us know in the comments. Thank you.

One+ Columnist Douglas Rushkoff penned a piece for CNN this week on key learnings from the Occupy Wall Street movement. "What does this have to do with my business or my meetings?" you may ask. The details have yet to be realized; your meeting tomorrow won't necessarily be influenced, however, the future of meetings will be.

It is not a protest, but a prototype for a new way of living. The urban survival camps they are setting up around the world are a bit more like showpieces, congresses and "beta" tests of ideas and behaviors the rest of us may soon be implementing in our communities, and in our own ways.

"Beta test of ideas" sounds an awful lot like the exceedingly popular and mainstream TED (and TEDx) events ("ideas worth spreading"). This notion of "beta test of ideas" also rings true as a descriptor for the actions now filtering out of Rushkoff's own Contact event, which occurred in NYC last week.

Before you dismiss the value of those seemingly disorganized masses (albeit sometimes "clumps" is more appropriate) of Occupiers taking residence in parks and downtowns of more than 1,500 cities worldwide, consider the larger messages and lessons we can all take away from their actions. Then start testing in your own domains.

Image: Creative Commons (CC) Another Believer