The Ten Steps to x10 Thinking

In the mid-80s, when Jack Welch launched GE x10 he said: I would love to have a management team that really understood the cvsx10=bvs equation. Its the value-added role in the management process.

At that time GE was a USD35 billion manufacturer of everything from locomotives to light bulbs. By the time Jack left in 2001 GE market value had maximised to USD484 billion making it the most valuable company in the world.

Today, the most valuable company in the world is Google. In February 2013, WIRED Magazines Steven Levy interviewed Larry Page of Google and wrote:

Larry Page lives by the gospel of 10x. Most companies would be happy to improve a product by 10 percent. Not the CEO and cofounder of Google. The way Page sees it, a 10 percent improvement means that youre basically doing the same thing as everybody else. Thats why Page expects his employees to create products and services that are 10 times better than the competition.

MICHAEL HEWITT-GLEESON designed GE x10 for Jack Welch and is acknowledged as the father of x10 thinking. He is the author of The x10 Memeplex: Multiply Your Business By Ten! (Prentice Hall, 2000). Michael talks about x10 thinking here …

Introduction

Thinking, in any situation, is escaping from your current view of the situation (cvs) and searching for a better view of the situation (bvs) …

1. Universal Brain Software

… the switch is the universal brain software known as cvs2bvs.

2. Switch Parallel Universes

… the universal brain software allows the brainuser to switch from one parallel universe to another.

3. NOW is a cvs

… at any particular NOW moment in spacetime the brainuser has a cvs.

4. Two cvs Options

… two cvs options are DEFEND the cvs or ESCAPE the cvs

5. IF escape THEN search

… if the brainuser can ESCAPE the cvs then he, she or it can search for a bvs.

6. cvs x10 = bvs

… a bvs can be ten times better than a cvs.

7. The Thinking Switch

… cvs2bvs is the x10 thinking switch from cvs to bvs.

8. Hop Sideways with 10 Power

… cvs2bvs allows the brainser to hop sideways across parallel universes using tenpower, the power of 10.

9. Explore the cognos

… cvs2bvs empowers you to explore the cognos, the multiverse of possible thoughts and x10 thinking.

10. Flip the x10 Switch!

… Flip the x10 switch from cvs to bvs!

312 thoughts on “The Ten Steps to x10 Thinking

  1. I was introduced to CVS to BVS last year in a session with Michael. It has become an important tool in my daily life both on a personal and professional level. When I find myself feeling overwhelmed or anxious about a situation, I take the time to reflect on cvs to bvs and it always calms me and allows me to then engage more positively with the challenge that I am facing. For example, rather than feeling powerless to help my aging parents with their health problems, I’ve been able to find different ways to assist them.

  2. I applied CVS to BVS without realising it when I was 17 and chose to move to Melbourne and go to university instead of staying in the town where I grew up and marrying a farmer

  3. There is always a better alternative view.
    cvs2bvs is still very new to me and I am still getting used to using it!

  4. The insight (and challenge) is the escape and search for the better view.

    I have been able to apply this concept and sort out the issue that had bothered me and my fellow colleague for months.

  5. for me, the insight is around the the time and energy that is expended in defence of one’s view. Since I first learned about cvs to bvs, I am so more aware of when myself and others are stuck in a cvs and all the thinking is focussed on defending. Not on improving, just proving!

    I have used it in my personal life as a great way of moving forward from an impasse of opposing views! Neither party has to accept they are wrong.

  6. I have had the pleasure of watching collegues use the term CVS to BVS for some time and my biggest learning has been the feeling of “parking” my CVS and actively creating a BVS.

  7. Challenging us to not just accept what is there but to go to a another place and push the boundaries to get a better result.
    I’ve been using this in our Call Centre, pushing the Team Leaders to take the team from ordinary to great. It is all running smoothly and would be easy to leave it running like that but taking a look at it from outside we are opening up our doors to a new view and possibilities of increased performance, customer service enhancements and cost reductions whilst lifting quality to new levels. There is nothing like a challenge to get creative with everything we do and step outside, challenge old ideas and bring in new ones.

  8. The insight is the pause. To not allow the automatic thinking process to remain unchallenged.

  9. 1. It opens so many doors to so many pleasures and enhances everything in life. every day is exciting – not routine – exciting!

    2. I turned 65 and decided I wanted to be here to see my grandchildren grow to 21 – they were 2 and 6 months old. I am now 66 – 26 kilos lighter doing a masters in innovation online and now pursuing a dream that will change my and every baby boomers life for the good. Oh and I am learning to play the guitar, sing, back to veteran’s hockey, riding my bike all over the place, doing website development course , upgrading my skill in marketing and getting to know my family better. Sadly my cognition course is showing me how many of my cohort are shrinking mentally as I watch – it doesn’t have to be that way in my BVS x 10

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