Barbara Stennes, CEO of de Bono Consulting, today announced that the

deadline for Dr. Edward de Bono's new global Innovation Competition has

been extended until December 31, 2009. Dr. de Bono, European Ambassador

for Thinking 2009 and author of over 75 books on innovative thinking, has

launched a global search for those who have achieved outstanding results

using the lateral thinking techniques that he is famous for inventing.

     Anyone who uses Dr. de Bono's tools successfully for innovation is eligible for

the contest. Both individuals and organizations may enter. Dr. de Bono

himself will read and judge the entries. Ten innovation winners will have their

stories showcased on Dr. de Bono's websites and will meet personally with

Dr. de Bono to accept their awards. Winners may also wish to publish journal

articles or book chapters based on their innovative accomplishments.

     "This competition can be used by organizational leaders as a

powerful incentive," Barbara observed. "It's an ideal goal-setting device to

focus employees on achieving significant gains in innovation. We're here to

help organizations seize the opportunity.

     "We are now assisting clients in planning their use of the tools this fall and

tracking their results. We can provide virtual or live de Bono training,

refresher courses, facilitation, project management, and documentation. In

other words, we can be the extra hands that leaders need to implement their

strategic plans."

     de Bono Consulting is regularly the top performer in a global network of

distributors and trainers who conduct de Bono training courses and

facilitations for corporations and governments. Based in Des Moines, Iowa,

de Bono Consulting supports several hundred certified instructors in North

America and Mexico. Barbara Stennes, CEO, has been named a Lifetime de

Bono Master Trainer, one of only four in the world. She was among the first

12 trainers ever certified by Dr. de Bono, in February of 1992.