Categories
innovation leadership startup

The need for labs …

(img source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/89157267601160497/)

It is becoming increasingly evident that companies should be establishing labs inside their entities, for exploring new deep tech independently.

  • The labs should have the autonomy to go far-out into futuristic new deep tech without having to worry about current limitations.
  • The research function should be independent and should encourage creativity.
  • To a large extent the labs work should not have time pressures.
  • Productising these research ideas would be the key to differentiating the companies offerings in this hyper-competitive space.
  • These labs should not be led by architects or EMs. They should be led by people who have experience in doing research, preferably PhD.
  • Research rigour is important.

Some companies have been doing this for a very long time – Mercedes, Airbus, Sabre etc. Ixigo Kitchen Sink is a classic example from a few years ago. I am hearing of more newer companies starting to do this – Amadeus Labs, Rivigo labs etc.

It would be refreshing to see this happening in all the unicorns. For instance, I would imagine Swiggy would benefit immensely — so much funky stuff can be done on IoT, route planning, kitchen optimization etc. Similarly Go-MMT does a lot of research along with the day-to-day work. I believe that this is not the right approach. You should separate these two out – for best optimality. Else, engineers and PMs are permanently at a conundrum to see which is more important – long term research drivers or short term revenue drivers.

What do you guys think?

Categories
innovation technology

Solar-Electrifying the world

Awesome TED talk by Bunker Roy. Wow.

Don’t listen to the world bank. Listen to the people on the ground.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qqqVwM6bMM]

Categories
innovation productivity

PillPack – Another Great Ideo Idea

Another super idea from Ideo – the design firm. Basic premise is to help folks take their medicines correctly at the right dosage at the right times. Without having to sort through medicines by yourself and figure what to take in the morning, afternoon, or night, pillpack works with your prescription and gives you these small tearable pouches with the date and time printed on them. You just tear the appropriate pouch and take the pills in the pouch. Nice. Another real world problem solved.

(via fastcodesign)

Categories
innovation Management productivity

Brainstorming


Brainstorming is often mis-understood as open discussion – which it is not. This short animation/video shows how brainstorming, not done right, would not generate any ideas.
(via themuse)

Categories
innovation

World’s Best Pizza Box

Mumbai businessman rethinks the pizza box. Rather than thinking outside the box, he rethought the box. Apparently the reason why Pizzas arrive soggy is because, they dont have a way by which the steam can be ventilated out. This box has been judged the worlds best pizza box by the renowned Scott Wiener (author of a book called Viva La Pizza – The Art of the Pizza box).

It’s the biggest challenge of pizza box designers to design something that retains heat without trapping steam and I think this box has just achieved that” – said Scott.

Gotta love this guy. Check out the full story here -> [link]

Categories
design food innovation

More Coca-Cola Innovation – Ice Bottles

Coca-cola is on a roll. Wow. This is my third post on this topic. (Others are here and here).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_o-z6JLugWE

Yes. The bottle is made of ice. How much more eco-friendly can you be? It is also perfect for a hot day at the beach. Wow. Think outside of the glass bottle.

Categories
Opinion technology

Of Rectangles and Rounded Corners

“Today’s verdict should not be viewed as a win for Apple, but as a loss for the American consumer,” the South Korean electronics firm said after news of the $1 billion patent infringement award by a California jury.

“It will lead to fewer choices, less innovation, and potentially higher prices. It is unfortunate that patent law can be manipulated to give one company a monopoly over rectangles with rounded corners, or technology that is being improved every day by Samsung and other companies.”

Statement from Samsung after Apple won the Patent case in a jury in California. I love the statement about rectangles and rounded corners. So true. I firmly believe, Apple played on the sentimental value of the jurors and the people by playing the “Made in America” card. I cannot believe how silly some of the patent charges are.

Categories
misc

pizza box of the 21st century

.. has arrived. It is completely recyclable. The pizza box top tears down into 4 plates. The bottom can find very neatly into another closable box – for storing leftovers in the refrigerator (if you are like me — this would really not be of much use – but it is a good idea none the less. Check out the youtube video below:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQBjJjpkjl0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1]

(source: GAS)

Categories
leadership Management misc

Disney on money and movies …

Walt Disney’s mantra was, “I don’t make movies to make money—I make money to make movies.”

I  just read this in an interview with Brad Bird of Pixar, on innovation and creativity. Disney’s quote is a beautiful one. Shows that, one cannot focus on money and innovation. at the same time.