Tag: Innovation

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democracy Uncategorized

Dissenters: The Guardians of Democracy

Rajesh Soundararajan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshsound

I had earlier written earlier on “Why Cultivating a Culture of Dissent is Crucial for the Future of Work”. But then dissent is as crucial for democracy as for corporates.

In today’s world, as much as it has always been in the past, dissent is often seen as a threat to the established order. Those who challenge prevailing assumptions and speak out against injustice or unfairness may (do) face opposition, ostracism, or even persecution. However, despite their challenges, dissenters play a crucial role in promoting progress, protecting democracy, and preventing the rise of authoritarianism.

Dissenters: The Guardians of Democracy

Dissenters are individuals who hold views that differ from those held by the majority, and are willing to express those views in the face of opposition. They may be motivated by a range of factors, including

  • personal convictions,
  • commitment to progress,
  • empathy and concern for others, and
  • intellectual curiosity.

While dissent may (will) require courage and may (will) be met with resistance, it is a vital component of a healthy and thriving society.

One of the key roles of dissenters is to challenge prevailing assumptions and promote critical thinking. By offering new perspectives and ideas, dissenters can help to spark innovation and progress, driving society forward and improving the lives of individuals and communities. In some cases, dissenters may be motivated by a desire to bring about social or political change, and may be instrumental in advocating for the rights of marginalized or oppressed groups.

Dissenters also play a crucial role in protecting democracy and preventing the rise of authoritarianism. In a healthy democracy, diverse perspectives and opinions are valued, and individuals are free to express their views without fear of persecution or retribution. However, in situations where dissent is suppressed or punished, there is a risk of erosion of democracy and freedom, as people may become discouraged or intimidated from expressing opinions that differ from the status quo.

“Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.”

Barbara Ehrenreich

In recent years, we have seen a rise of authoritarianism and populism in many parts of the world. In this context, dissenters are often viewed as a threat to the established order, and face persecution, violence, or censorship. However, it is precisely in these contexts that dissenters play a crucial role in safeguarding democracy and protecting human rights.

History has shown us the power of dissenters to bring about positive change and prevent the rise of authoritarianism. From civil rights activists to environmental advocates to social reformers, dissenters have played a vital role in driving progress and promoting justice and equality. Even in situations where their views are initially met with resistance or hostility, dissenters have the potential to make a lasting impact on society, influencing the trajectory of history and shaping the world in profound ways.

Throughout history, dissenters have played a crucial role in driving progress and promoting social change. From civil rights leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., to social reformers like Jane Addams, to political activists like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, dissenters have challenged the status quo and brought attention to important issues that might otherwise have been ignored or suppressed. These dissenters were often met with resistance, ridicule, and even violence, but they persisted in their efforts to promote change and left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire and inform us today. By speaking out against injustice, advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, and challenging prevailing assumptions, these dissenters made a profound impact on the world and helped to shape the course of history.

“Dissent is essential in any democracy. Without dissent, we risk slipping into complacency and conformity, and losing sight of the values and principles that underpin our society.”

– Helen Clark

In recent years, with the rise of social media and technology giants like Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix, and Google (FAANG), we’re supposed to give a platform and make it easier for dissenters to share their views and connect with like-minded individuals. However, this has also given these companies tremendous power and influence over the flow of information. They have often been accused of using their clout to silence dissenting voices. In the current digital landscape, dissenters face the challenge of raising their voices and not getting cowed down by powerful corporations that control the platforms they use to share their messages. As social media platforms continue to play an increasingly important role in shaping public opinion, it is more important than ever to safeguard the right to dissent and to promote a culture that values diverse perspectives and encourages respectful dialogue.

In conclusion, while dissenters may not rule the world, they are instrumental in preventing a collapse of world order and authoritarianism. By promoting critical thinking, advocating for progress, protecting democracy, and speaking out against injustice, dissenters play a vital role in shaping the future of society and ensuring that our world remains a place where diverse perspectives are valued and human rights are protected.

Keywords: Dissenters, Democracy, Critical Thinking, Free Speech, Innovation, Progress, Social Change, Activism, Resistance, Accountability

#Dissenters #Democracy #CriticalThinking #FreeSpeech #Innovation #Progress #SocialChange #Activism #Resistance #Accountability

Categories
The AI Machine

ChatGPT in Academia: Navigating the Resistance to a New Era of Knowledge Sharing

Rajesh Soundararajan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshsound

The integration of new technologies in academic settings has always been met with resistance. ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI, is no exception. Despite its potential to enhance communication and knowledge sharing, it has been labeled as plagiarism by academicians and professionals. This article examines the resistance to ChatGPT and its implications on the concept of plagiarism, the limitations of current academic methods, and the importance of adaptation and evolution in the face of change.

Introduction

As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, it is no surprise that new innovations are met with resistance. One such innovation that has recently encountered resistance is ChatGPT, a large language model developed by OpenAI. Despite its potential to enhance communication and knowledge sharing, it has been labeled as plagiarism by academicians and professionals.

Plagiarism, the act of using someone else’s work without giving credit, has long been a contentious issue in the academic world. The concept of originality and the ownership of ideas has been debated for centuries. However, with the advent of new technologies such as ChatGPT, the relevance of plagiarism is once again being called into question.

ChatGPT is a language model that has the ability to generate human-like text based on a given prompt. It has the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate and share knowledge. However, its use raises ethical concerns, specifically in the academic setting where originality and proper citation are highly valued.

In this chapter, we will examine the resistance to ChatGPT and the implications it has on the concept of plagiarism. We will also explore the potential benefits of this technology and the ethical considerations that must be taken into account. This chapter serves as an introduction to the topic and sets the stage for further discussion in the following chapters.

The Flawed Concept of Originality

One of the main arguments against the use of ChatGPT in academic settings is that it undermines the concept of originality. However, it can be argued that the idea of originality itself is flawed. Every idea is built upon the ideas of others and the concept of plagiarism has evolved based on context.

It is important to understand that no idea is built in isolation. Ideas are built upon the foundation of previous knowledge, and it is the combination and synthesis of these ideas that leads to new discoveries and innovations. Therefore, the concept of originality is not absolute, but rather a relative one.

Furthermore, the idea of plagiarism has evolved over time. In the past, plagiarism was seen as a moral issue, as it was considered a form of intellectual theft. However, today it is seen more as a legal issue, with copyright laws in place to protect the rights of the original author.

The concept of plagiarism is also closely tied to the idea of credit and citation. In academic settings, proper citation is considered a sign of integrity and is essential for building trust in the work being presented. However, the concept of citation itself is not without its flaws. In some cases, the line between plagiarism and citation can be blurred, leading to confusion and inconsistency.

It is important to understand that no idea is built in isolation. Ideas are built upon the foundation of previous knowledge, and it is the combination and synthesis of these ideas that leads to new discoveries and innovations. Therefore, the concept of originality is not absolute, but rather a relative one.

Rajesh Soundararajan

The concept of originality and plagiarism is a complex and nuanced one. It is essential to understand that ideas are built upon the foundation of previous knowledge, and the concept of plagiarism has evolved based on context. Additionally, the importance of credit and citation in academic setting is undeniable, but the concept of citation itself is not without its flaws.

Current Academic Methods

The resistance to ChatGPT in academic settings can also be attributed to the limitations of current academic methods. These methods have their own flaws, including economic and social inequalities in access to technology.

ChatGPT in Academia: Navigating the Resistance to a New Era of Knowledge Sharing

One of the main criticisms of current academic methods is that they often rely heavily on memorization and recollection as a measure of knowledge. This approach can be deterministic, as those who cannot memorize may be at a disadvantage. Furthermore, it fails to take into account other important qualities such as curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Standardized tests and multiple choice questions, which are often used as a measure of knowledge, have also been criticized for their limitations. These methods are designed to provide an equal metric for comparison, but they often fail to measure qualities such as curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and willingness to learn and adapt.

Additionally, economic and social inequalities in access to technology can further exacerbate the limitations of current academic methods. Those who lack access to technology may be at a disadvantage in terms of the knowledge and skills they can acquire, further widening the gap between the haves and have-nots.

The current academic methods have their own limitations, including a heavy reliance on memorization and recollection as a measure of knowledge, and a failure to take into account other important qualities such as curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. Additionally, economic and social inequalities in access to technology further exacerbates these limitations. As a result, it’s not surprising that new technologies like ChatGPT may be met with resistance in academic settings.

The Denial-Resistance-Exploration-Commitment Cycle

It is important to remember that new technologies and tools have always been met with resistance. In the past, there were instances where the use of calculators, Google, dictionaries, thesauruses, log tables and computers were not allowed in academic settings. These technologies and tools were seen as a threat to traditional methods of learning and were often met with skepticism. However, over time, as the benefits of these technologies became more evident, the resistance to them dissipated and they were eventually accepted and integrated into academic practices. This is a pattern that can be observed throughout the history of education and technology. Similarly, ChatGPT is currently going through the resistance phase, but as the benefits of this technology become more clear, it is likely that the resistance to it will also dissipate and it will be accepted and integrated into academic practices.

The resistance to ChatGPT in academic settings can be understood through the lens of the Denial-Resistance-Exploration-Commitment cycle. This cycle is a classic example of how new technologies and innovations are initially met with resistance before being accepted.

In the denial phase, individuals and institutions are not aware of the new technology or innovation and are not yet affected by it. In the resistance phase, individuals and institutions become aware of the new technology or innovation and actively resist it, often due to fear of change or the perceived threat to their current way of doing things.

In the exploration phase, individuals and institutions begin to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks of the new technology or innovation. Finally, in the commitment phase, individuals and institutions commit to using the new technology or innovation and integrate it into their current practices.

It is important to note that this cycle is not linear, and individuals and institutions may move back and forth between phases. Additionally, the length of time spent in each phase can vary greatly depending on the technology or innovation in question.

Academicians, who often preach about the importance of change and evolution, are unfortunately also the most resistant to change in pedagogical practices. However, it is important to remember that those who adapt will survive and thrive, while those who resist will perish. This is the basic principle of Darwinism at work.

Hence, the resistance to ChatGPT in academic settings can be understood through the lens of the Denial-Resistance-Exploration-Commitment cycle. It is important to remember that change is constant and evolution is necessary for survival. While resistance to new technologies and innovations is not uncommon, it is important to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks, and ultimately, commit to using it in current practices.

Conclusion

The use of ChatGPT in academic settings has been met with resistance from various circles, primarily academicians and professionals, who have labeled its use as plagiarism. However, it can be argued that the concept of plagiarism and originality is flawed, and every idea is built upon the ideas of others. Additionally, current academic methods have their own limitations, including a heavy reliance on memorization and recollection as a measure of knowledge and a failure to take into account other important qualities such as curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

As with any new technology or innovation, resistance to ChatGPT can be understood through the lens of the Denial-Resistance-Exploration-Commitment cycle. It is important to remember that change is constant and evolution is necessary for survival. While resistance to new technologies and innovations is not uncommon, it is important to explore the potential benefits and drawbacks and ultimately commit to using it in current practices.

It is important to note that the acceptance and integration of ChatGPT in academic settings should not be done blindly, but rather with careful consideration of ethical considerations. The use of this technology raises important questions about the role of technology in education and the responsibility of educators to ensure that students are not at a disadvantage.

In conclusion, while ChatGPT may be met with resistance from some circles, it is important to remember that change is constant and necessary for evolution. Those who adapt to new technologies and methods will survive and thrive in the long run. As educators and professionals, it’s time to accept and adapt to the change faster and explore the potential benefits of ChatGPT in the educational setting.

Keywords – 

ChatGPT, academicians, professionals, plagiarism, knowledge sharing, originality, current academic methods, Denial-Resistance-Exploration-Commitment cycle, technology, education, ethical considerations, integration, innovation, resistance, evolution, adaptation.

#ChatGPT, #Academia, #Plagiarism, #KnowledgeSharing, #Originality, #AcademicMethods, #Innovation, #Education, #Ethics, #Technology, #Evolution, #Adaptation

Rajesh Soundararajan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshsound

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Leadership Lesson

Leadership Matters: The Interplay of Good Companies and Good Leaders

Rajesh Soundararajan on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajeshsound

When building a successful business, the age-old question arises: Are good leaders the key to building good companies or vice versa? The answer, as it turns out, is a bit of both.

A case for ‘it depends’.

Good leaders are essential for any company because they set the tone for the entire organization. They provide direction, set goals, and inspire their employees to work towards a shared vision. Good leaders also create a positive work culture, which is crucial for employee engagement and satisfaction. A good leader will also be able to navigate the company through difficult times and make tough decisions that will benefit the company in the long run.

On the other hand, good companies also play a vital role in developing good leaders. A good company will provide opportunities for employees to grow and develop their leadership skills. They will also have systems in place for mentoring and coaching, which will help to develop the next generation of leaders. A good company will also have a clear vision and values that align with the leader’s, which makes it easier for them to lead the company in the right direction.

A case of how leaders built companies – 

In my view, I tend to believe that good leaders make good companies. While good companies may attract good leaders or groom some, ultimately, it is the leadership at the top that sets the direction and tone for the organization. Good leaders have the vision, drive, and ability to make tough decisions that will benefit the company in the long run. They also create a positive work culture, which is crucial for employee engagement and satisfaction. This, in turn, leads to a more productive and efficient workforce and, ultimately, to a more successful company. While a good company can certainly provide opportunities for employees to grow and develop their leadership skills, it is ultimately the leader that is responsible for leading the company to success.

One great example of this is Amazon. Jeff Bezos, the founder, and CEO, are widely considered one of the best leaders in the world. He has set a clear vision and values for the company and has created a culture of innovation and customer focus. This has allowed Amazon to become one of the most successful companies in the world.

Another example is Apple; under the leadership of Steve Jobs, the company was able to create a culture of innovation, design, and focus on customers. He was able to lead the company through difficult times and make tough decisions that ultimately led to the company’s success.

Yet another example of a leader who has had a significant impact on their company’s success is Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and Twitter. Musk is known for his ambitious vision and ability to think outside the box. He has led Tesla to become one of the most valuable car companies in the world and has revolutionized the way people think about electric cars. Additionally, his leadership has also led to SpaceX becoming a leader in the private space industry with its reusable rockets and satellite launches. Even with Twitter, much as there have been different views on style, clearly, Twitter today is a lot more agile and a lot more shipping new stuff than the sumber it was in for almost 7-8 years. 

Musk has also implemented a unique management style in both companies, where he sets very ambitious goals and encourages (pushes ;)) his employees to work towards them. This approach has led to rapid innovation and development, allowing Tesla, Twitter, and SpaceX to achieve milestones that were once thought impossible. His leadership has also been vital in fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking within the companies, which has been a key driver for their success.

Bezos, Jobs, and Musk are prime examples of leaders with completely different leadership styles who have had a significant impact on the success of their companies. They have a clear vision, super ambitious goals, and an ability to think outside the box, which has led to rapid innovation and development. Their leadership has also been key in fostering a culture of innovation and risk-taking within the companies, which has been a key driver for their success.

A case of how companies building leaders – 

While it is true that organizations like Unilever, GE, and IBM have built great leaders, it is less common that those leaders have gone on to build great companies. These companies are often established and have a long history, with well-established systems and processes in place. While the leaders of these companies have certainly had a significant impact on their performance, they are often working within the framework of an already successful organization.

For example, while leaders at Unilever have been instrumental in shaping the company’s strategy and direction, the company itself has a long history and has been successful for many years. Similarly, while leaders at GE have been able to drive growth and improve performance, the company has been a leader in its industry for decades.

It’s not to say that these leaders haven’t had a significant impact on their companies, but it is a rare case that those leaders have built great companies from scratch. Building a company from scratch requires a different set of skills than managing and leading an already successful one. It requires a more creative and innovative approach and a willingness to take risks.

Needless to say, while organizations like Unilever, GE, and IBM have built great leaders, it is less common that those leaders have gone on to build great companies. These companies are often established and have a long history, with well-established systems and processes in place. While the leaders of these companies have certainly had a significant impact on their performance, they are often working within the framework of an already successful organization.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the relationship between good companies and good leaders is a complex one. While both elements are important for a successful business, they play different roles. Good leaders provide direction, set goals, and inspire their employees to work towards a common vision. They also create a positive work culture which is crucial for employee engagement and satisfaction. On the other hand, good companies provide opportunities for employees to grow and develop their leadership skills; they have systems in place for mentoring and coaching. They have a clear vision and values that align with the leaders. Building a company from scratch requires a different set of skills than managing and leading an already successful one. It requires a more creative and innovative approach and a willingness to take risks. Both elements are needed to create a successful business, and one cannot exist without the other.

Hashtags:  #LeadershipMatters #GoodLeadersGoodCompanies #BusinessSuccess #CompanyCulture #EmployeeEngagement #LeadershipDevelopment #Innovation #RiskTaking #LeadershipExamples #JeffBezos #SteveJobs #ElonMusk #Unilever #GE #IBM

Keywords – Good companies, good leaders, business success, company culture, employee engagement, leadership development, innovation, risk-taking, leadership examples, Jeff Bezos, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Unilever, GE, IBM, interplay of good companies and good leaders, building a successful business, good leaders key to building good companies, managing and leading successful companies, creative and innovative approach, leadership matters, building a company from scratch, key to business growth, key role of leaders in a company, relationship between good companies and good leaders, importance of good leadership in companies, impact of good leaders on companies, company success and leadership, developing leadership skills within a company, company vision and values alignment with leaders, company mentoring and coaching for leadership development, key elements for a successful business.

Tags: Leadership, Business, Success, Companies, Culture, Employee engagement, Development, Innovation, Risk-taking, Examples, CEO, Vision, Values, Mentoring, Coaching, Building a company, Key to growth, Impact of leaders, Company and leadership, Skills development, Alignment, Key elements, Business growth, Management, Business strategies, Entrepreneurship, Organizational development.

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ZMOt.ly

Marketing in the times of Corona

CarpeDiemMarketing_1

Carpe Diem!

What #Marketing, #Sales, #BusinessDevelopment and #ChannelManagement teams can do in the times of #Corona

(Part 1 of n – This is the first in the multi-part series on how business can thrive in these times)

With COVID-19, the world is passing through extraordinary times. Companies require super-extraordinary approaches to survive and thrive in such situations. In this multi-part series, I will address what an organisation can do to lead the industry and leave the competition far behind.

Businesses will be restored to normalcy in due course; only the innovators with innovative marketing organisations will survive. The rest will perish and fall by the end of this pandemic. What remains hence is the impact that you have created in the coming weeks and months. Towards that goal, we will see and share a few tips in marketing and business development.

With the partial to a near-total shutdown of businesses worldwide, the domestic and global companies are facing a watershed moment. Their inbound marketing leads and enquiries have dried up. The social distancing norms constrain the sales team and outbound team. Many businesses are working from home. Revenues are barely trickling in.

Yet, this provides one of the perfect opportunities for a savvy marketer. Here are a few things that you can do –

[1] Reset and recalibrate the internal marketing

Lockouts and quarantine times, such as this is an ideal time to set the internal house to order. The marketing team can now experiment with things that you always wanted to do but never found adequate time. Some of the areas could be

  • Create ‘stock’ content like blogs, white paper, case studies
  • Revisit the calendar for ‘flow’ content like posting blogs and social media.

[2] Reach out to currently engaged prospects

Today is an excellent opportunity to reach out to prospects and customers that are engaged with you presently. The trick is reaching out to them, ‘not with a sales pitch but with ‘hacks’ or ‘tips and tricks. Such a sharing of high-value content that truly eases their lives can add tremendous value to their businesses and organisations. Your customers have all the time in the world now, and you can even reach out to them with web sessions like Zoom or Facebook / Instagram Live. Here are some examples of topics that you can use –

  • Everything you need to know about X.
  • Why most Y strategies today are destined to fail.
  • Three steps by that Y can do to stop Z
  • COVID-19 – How X can change the future of Y.

[3] CRM, Database clean up, and customer segmentation.

One of the vital things a sales team (and the marketing organisation) must have is a well-segmented target audience. It would be best if you used this time to look at the database of current opportunities in your CRM system. If you have not updated the customer database/ CRM, use this time to reach out to sales teams to update the CRM. You can then segment / re-segment the prospect and customer data. You may want to customer lists into categories or based on the sales cycle or with tags that your company is comfortable with. You would need to have a specific plan of engagement for each type.

Let me know your thoughts, and I shall continue to build on these on my next posts in the series. You can also reach out to zmotly@futureshift.com.sg, and I will be glad if I can be of help /Rajesh

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Futureshift ZMOt.ly

What a simple pencil sharpener can teach you about big ‘I’ Innovation vs. small ‘i’ Innovation

What a simple pencil sharpener can teach you about big ‘I’ Innovation vs. small ‘i’ Innovation
What a simple pencil sharpener can teach you about big ‘I’ Innovation vs. small ‘i’ Innovation

As a parent, with young children, while I go around doing routine stuff, I usually keep a watch on how small and subtle changes are happening in the world of stationery – of pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, glue sticks, and such mundane stuff. I am childlike when getting hold of these things and often stumped with subtle innovations that are happening in the industry.

#Innovation happens at multiple levels. There are the big ‘I’ innovations that happen once in a while that make headlines and get some multi-million-dollar funding, and the world talks about them to no end. Then there are millions of small ‘i’ innovations that go under the radar, many of which we use and yet one talks about them.

Unlike big Innovations, small innovations happen daily and impact life significantly and make life easier its own small little ways. We seldom discuss them, and in many situations, we do not even observe that innovation, let alone acknowledge or amplify that innovation. Small innovations are under the radar, but I believe, when put together daily, they impact the quality of life and save us time and money significantly.

Here is one such innovation – on a pencil sharpener. As a child and over the last 40 years, we have experienced this is the situation, thousands of times, yes, thousands of times While sharpening a pencil the lead gets stuck at the far end of the sharpener. I have personally spent, and I am sure if you are someone like me who is a millennial generation, we have spent countless minutes,  time trying to use a sharp instrument to pull out the stick lead. If it happens to be a color pencil, the lead is so soft that it gets stuck far more and it is much more difficult to retrieve.

Now, imagine this innovation (in the picture attached). There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.

There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.
There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.

Now about the business value and thus money that could be made by the innovator – Even if the innovator or the product marketer charges ₹2 (or 20c) extra per sharpener vs. ₹5 (or 50c) otherwise, the innovator would be amply rewarded. This does not happen in real life. That small innovator is not able to market that innovation, let alone price it at a premium. The user, on the other end, is unable to comprehend the significant value that innovation brings to them. Imagine, in this case, that extra minute the user has in trying to remove the stuck lead and that would have at least happened 100 times a month. That is a good 2 hour extra for just ₹2 (or 20c).

What are your thoughts?

What do you think about small innovations versus big innovations?

Is there merit in small innovations? How can they be monetized?

Are there any small innovations that you think have gone unnoticed?

Please share in the comments section. I would like to hear from you.

Categories
Leadership Lesson

What a simple pencil sharpener can teach you about big ‘I’ Innovation vs. small ‘i’ Innovation

What a simple pencil sharpener can teach you about big ‘I’ Innovation vs. small ‘i’ Innovation

As a parent, with young children, while I go around doing routine stuff, I usually keep a watch on how small and subtle changes are happening in the world of stationery – of pencils, erasers, pencil sharpeners, rulers, glue sticks, and such mundane stuff. I am childlike when getting hold of these things and often stumped with subtle innovations that are happening in the industry.

#Innovation happens at multiple levels. There are the big ‘I’ innovations that happen once in a while that make headlines and get some multi-million-dollar funding, and the world talks about them to no end. Then there are millions of small ‘i’ innovations that go under the radar, many of which we use and yet one talks about them.

Unlike big Innovations, small innovations happen daily and impact life significantly and make life easier its own small little ways. We seldom discuss them, and in many situations, we do not even observe that innovation, let alone acknowledge or amplify that innovation. Small innovations are under the radar, but I believe, when put together daily, they impact the quality of life and save us time and money significantly.

Here is one such innovation – on a pencil sharpener. As a child and over the last 40 years, we have experienced this is the situation, thousands of times, yes, thousands of times While sharpening a pencil the lead gets stuck at the far end of the sharpener. I have personally spent, and I am sure if you are someone like me who is a millennial generation, we have spent countless minutes,  time trying to use a sharp instrument to pull out the stick lead. If it happens to be a color pencil, the lead is so soft that it gets stuck far more and it is much more difficult to retrieve.

Now, imagine this innovation (in the picture attached). There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.

There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.
There is a small opening at the far end for the broken lead fall away. A circular design, a little ide than the size of the lead that lets the broken lead automatically fall off. This, I believe, is a phenomenal small ‘I’ innovation.

Now about the business value and thus money that could be made by the innovator – Even if the innovator or the product marketer charges ₹2 (or 20c) extra per sharpener vs. ₹5 (or 50c) otherwise, the innovator would be amply rewarded. This does not happen in real life. That small innovator is not able to market that innovation, let alone price it at a premium. The user, on the other end, is unable to comprehend the significant value that innovation brings to them. Imagine, in this case, that extra minute the user has in trying to remove the stuck lead and that would have at least happened 100 times a month. That is a good 2 hour extra for just ₹2 (or 20c).

What are your thoughts?

What do you think about small innovations versus big innovations?

Is there merit in small innovations? How can they be monetized?

Are there any small innovations that you think have gone unnoticed?

Please share in the comments section. I would like to hear from you.

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3X3Learning BetterBhavishya Contact.ly Futrlabs Futureshift Pados Shoppeazy Strike-a-Deal ZMOt.ly

#Futrlabs – Some Disruptive Products

Futrlabs is the technology hub that dishes out innovative solutions to our clients, both enterprises and social sector alike. Here is a glimpse of what is cooking.

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Futrlabs

#Futrlabs small enough to innovate, big enough to disrupt

Futrlabs is our Innovation Hub that develops Intellectual Property on disruptive technologies to positively impact outcomes.

Technology is the bedrock for success. Picking the right solution for the right problem is critical. Futureshift’s Mobile, Cloud, Social and Analytics platforms will help you achieve success, instantly with the right tools.

At Futrlabs cutting-edge innovation happens because we are focused ground up with solutions that impact business and real problems. We are bunch of tech-savvy people who meet and talk to real people almost every week. That is what keeps the creative juices flowing with feet on the ground.