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DEL.ICIO.USIt’s a creativity lab.
DAVISON: Correct, correct. It’s a creative lab, with inspirational eye candy everywhere. So what happens is that everything that goes on outside this place disappears when you walk in the door. I know. I work here all day. No matter what is going on in the rest of the world, I come in here and get re-inspired. Nothing negative gets in. And that’s what the idea is. Protect and inspire the creative so that you have a substantial flow of newness.
Tell me why InventionLand matters to customers and the marketplace?
DAVISON: InventionLand matters because it lets us serve our customers when we are at our creative best. It matters to the marketplace because we have proven that environment matters and creative people do not belong in cubes, especially when you want your team full of high energy every day.
We’re fully integrated — from the first moment of brainstorming, to building concept models and having raw materials to do that, and the equipment to do that, to testing those concept models — that includes welding ultrasonically, producing our own circuit boards, programming those boards
The high energy matters for customers because they don’t have that? They come here to utilize your services and they can’t produce an InventionLand on their own? Are there companies who have this environment as well?
DAVISON: I don’t think there are any companies that have an environment like this. I have had wonderful worldwide press because I was the first person to invent an inspirational environment like this for creative people. Recently I had one of our largest corporate customers go out and build a “mini-InventionLand” as they call it in their company. Our facility inspired and impressed them so much that they built a piece of it for their internal creative staff, and it was like a big pat on the back to see them emulate what I built for our creative people.
InventionLand inspires our customers. That’s great, but it’s really not the reason why it’s here. I believe we’re able to create better products through people that are more inspired in their work environment. It’s really that simple.
Xerox, Apple, and MIT have well known research centers. So staying in that frame of mind, is InventionLand viewed as the R&D center that most companies who are in this industry don’t have?
DAVISON: Well, I’ve never been to Xerox’s nor the others you mentioned, but I can only imagine how much more creative they could be if they had a facility that was built to inspire and celebrate their creators.
You design and build in-house?
DAVISON: Yes. We do.
Can you give me some examples of that?
DAVISON: We’re fully integrated — from the first moment of brainstorming, to building concept models and having raw materials to do that, and the equipment to do that, to testing those concept models — that includes welding ultrasonically, producing our own circuit boards, programming those boards, et cetera. We can design it, invent it, test it, engineer it, and build it — including creating the graphics for the packaging, and building in the packaging. You want to do it in steel; we can do it in steel. Want to do it in plastic? We’ll do it in plastic and in rubber molds too. We can work at a small or large scale. We’re fully integrated, from the developmental side to the physical manufacturing side, so that when we’re finished we have an actual finished product sample. And we can also add to that a 60-second video. We have the largest green screen in three states. We have directors, sets, post-production, and a recording studio here. We have everything from soup to nuts to go from idea to a finished new product sample in your hands, and ready for corporate or retail presentation.
Has InventionLand been functioning the way you conceptualized it?
DAVISON: It’s a work in progress. I would say at any one point in time, it fills 80 percent of our needs. Certain things really work well and don’t change, but we have had construction going on here to make modifications from time to time. For example, we just added in new pieces to our media lab, so it’s functioning as we need it today. InventionLand will continue to evolve as we continue to push the envelope on the creative needs of the future.
5 responses so far.
William Kaper - May 9, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I definitely agree with many of Mr. Davidson’s points and views on fostering creativity in the workforce. Many large companies boast about investing in creativity and R&D, but wind up hindering creativity with group think, strict business processes, and rigid timelines. As markets and the economy as a whole move towards globalization, fostering creativity and inventiveness will be crutial in identifying and responding to market trends and needs.
Dee Angela - May 15, 2008 at 9:09 am
What a good inspiration this is with G. Davison. It seems that he understands the side of big business and that of the small businessman who is overwhelmed with government regs, taxes cash flow, no credit, and difficult suppliers always trying to out do you on something or another. Funny, you don’t think of the game of paintball as having anything to do business. You learn something new every day by talking to these type of people.
It is also refreshing to read something positive about people once in awhile.
Maybe Mr. Davison’s mentoring will reach others to start new businsees in the region and help the ecomomy.
rc willy - May 16, 2008 at 8:56 pm
[…] Factory and Disneyland, this is the place where ideas are born. Wish my company thought like this..
Teri - May 22, 2008 at 10:32 am
Paint Ball! How cool is that! Maybe more executives should take paint ball classes in order to know how to work well with their employees and actually be part of the team as opposed to just heading them. This guy seems to have it. It sounds like a great place to work. I know how hard it is to think up something and then actually follow through with a design and plans. Wondering what it is actually like to go through the process there and get your product to see the light of day?
teri
Vivian Martin - Dec 19, 2009 at 2:24 am
Mr. Davison is truly inspiring. I believe his struggle and his success. My problem is the people working for him doesn’t seem to share his enthusaism and values.
I submitted an idea nearyly two years ago along with nearly $15,000. I signed a contract that stated his organization would produce a product sample, summary, and infomercial in an effort to help my idea get licensing. The end of December will be two years and I have not received the product sample, an accurate summary, nor did I receive an infomercial that described my idea and product to my satisfaction. Instead, I have been calling and calling, feeling swindled out of nearly $15,000, and embarassed for falling for what appears to be a scam.
My representative name is Gary Yarber. We talked in detail about my idea. He was suppose to be working with the design team to ensure my idea is captured in the design phase accurately. I paid the amount of money necessary at each stage of the process. I received a virtual reality of my product. I questioned and stated, in writing, my concerns with the virtual reality and he assured me that my concerns would be addressed. This was repeated when I received my infomercial via email. Again, he was going to address my concerns. Months later, I received a summary that did not describe my idea/product. Again, I addressed my concerns with him. I am still waiting for the corrected summary. It’s been nearly six months, if not longer.
I’ve tried several times contacting Gary’s supervisor as well as George Davison but to no avail. Instead, I get a call from Gary Yarber offering more promises to address my concerns. I’m assuming that Mr. Davison, himself, do not condone this type of customer service and like most CEO’s is not aware of how some of his customers are being treated by his staff.
Tonight, via the application to submit your idea, I threatened to report the organization to the BBB and to turn this matter over to my attorneys to pursue a full refund of my money due to Davison Invention’s breach of contract. They did not produce any of the things they agreed to produce in the contract drawn between us.
I am a woman of faith. I believe that God will take care of me and answers prayers. I stepped out on faith when I submitted my idea. Though I am disappointed with Davison Inventions, I still believe that somehow my idea will come to fruition, if not by Davison Invention, then by someone who holds the values, integrity, insight, and creativity that Mr. Davison speaks about.
I have much respect for Mr. Davison. I just wonder what would be his thoughts regarding my situation if he was aware of it, assuming he isn’t aware of it.
Thanks for allowing me to tell my story and experience with Davison Inventions. Feel free to comment and/or respond via the email address I listed above.
Sincerely,
Vivian Martin
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