In 1981, Rangaswamy Srinivasan, a chemist at IBM Research, and his colleagues embarked on a mission to identify an organic substance suitable for testing an ultraviolet excimer laser—an innovative tool capable of etching intricate designs into polymers for computer chips.
On November 27, in a moment of inspiration, Srinivasan brought some leftover Thanksgiving turkey into his laboratory for laser experimentation. After a series of trials and adjustments, he successfully produced clean, precise incisions in the turkey’s cartilage without causing any thermal damage to the surrounding tissue.
This serendipitous discovery of ablative photodecomposition paved the way for LASIK eye surgery, a procedure that requires precise alterations to the cornea’s shape to correct various vision problems. This groundbreaking technique has since transformed the lives of millions, providing a painless solution for myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Idea for Impact: The more you plunge into exploration and nurture that curious spark, the more you turn curiosity into a regular habit. To up your odds of those delightful “aha!” moments, don’t shy away from a bit of uncertainty and experimentation every now and then. Embrace the art of intelligent floundering—give new ideas a whirl and toss around a few “what if” questions. Frame your thoughts with a touch of experimentation by musing, “What if I tried it this way?” or “Why wouldn’t that work better?” You never know; your next big breakthrough might just be lurking in the leftovers, waiting for you to discover it!

While serving as a management advisor at Rexall Drugstores in the 1950s, Coulombe, a Stanford Business School graduate, delved into .jpg)
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Ibuka concentrated on research and development, and Morita took charge of obtaining funding and managing sales, as well as overseeing marketing activities from an abandoned department store. Despite
Morita’s strategic foresight, coupled with Sony’s dedication to quality and creativity, positioned the company as a trendsetter, influencing the global perception of Japanese goods and cementing its legacy as the trailblazer of the early technological era. Morita even went to lengths like designing special white shirts with oversized pockets for salesmen to showcase the Walkman’s portability during its American launch.
Embarking on a new role presents a host of challenges, and discovering unethical or potentially illegal practices within the organization can be a pivotal moment. The real question that emerges is whether you will be the catalyst for change in the face of such issues.
When military leaders are prepared for a mission or operation, they’re furnished with key information and discussion topics in advance. This prebriefing ensures thorough familiarity with mission details, objectives, and potential challenges, ensuring they’re well-informed and able to effectively lead their teams during the operation.
Don’t look in the rearview mirror and expect that what led to past success can lead to new success. Human nature is such that we don’t like to contemplate letting go of the skills and behaviors that “got us here.” The arrogance of success is
In the early days, founders
In the late 1990s, hackathons
Could your organization, community, or home use an internal hackathon? It’s an excellent way to shake things up, break routines, and foster innovation. A hackathon can also tackle those
McKinsey, the renowned management consultancy firm, is celebrated for its rigorous problem-solving methodology, famously known as the .jpg)
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The Japanese seamlessly blend their way of life with business, offering valuable lessons for the rest of us. Central to their culture is “Hansei“—deep self-reflection to acknowledge mistakes and plan prevention strategies. Hansei is practiced