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Innovation

How to … Declutter Your Organizational Ship

September 30, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Ditch Tradition: Decluttering for a Brighter Future One phrase I’ve grown to detest in my professional life is, “We do it this way because we’ve always done it this way.” Some things just don’t make sense anymore. Many organizations find themselves burdened with outdated rules, processes, and traditions that are no longer relevant. It’s high time to shed these relics of the past and embrace a more agile and responsive approach.

  • Gain a Fresh Perspective. Sometimes, we’re too close to the forest to see the trees, and the truth remains hidden. To break free from the status quo, imagine yourself as an outsider and challenge the “we’ve always done it this way” mindset.
  • Involve Everyone. Liberating your organization from wasteful bureaucracy is a group effort. Each of us must simplify, cut through complexity, and shed unnecessary formalities. It’s how you sculpt a responsive and agile organization, one step at a time.
  • Ditch the Unnecessary. Examine your procedures, customs, and requirements. Are you holding on to outdated practices simply because they’ve always been there? It’s time to unravel these mysteries of tradition and revamp or remove habits that no longer serve us.
  • Supercharge Decision-Making. When decisions take forever or procedures become too convoluted to comprehend, it’s a sign of trouble. It’s time to band together, reinvigorate your approach, and simplify for a brighter future.

Idea for Impact: Shed Your Old Skin and Adapt

Don’t let tradition and outdated regulations hold back your future success. Break free from the chains of bureaucracy and embrace agility and flexibility.

A culture that discourages change stifles innovation and opportunity. To cultivate a culture that welcomes and supports change, lead by example and eliminate negative attitudes. It’s time to set sail towards a more adaptable and prosperous future.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Starbucks’ Oily Brew: Lessons on Innovation Missing the Mark
  2. How Toyota Thrives on Imperfection
  3. Question the Now, Imagine the Next
  4. Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence
  5. Frontline Creativity: Small Ideas, Big Impact

Filed Under: Leading Teams, MBA in a Nutshell, Mental Models, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Decision-Making, Innovation, Leadership, Performance Management, Problem Solving, Winning on the Job

The Arrogance of Success

May 22, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

The Arrogance of Success: Contentment Often Leads to Stagnation 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 to assume that what you did yesterday will be sufficient for tomorrow. Contentment often leads to stagnation.

Have a learning mindset. After every win, be critical—even faultfinding—and try to understand what made you successful in each case with brutal self-honesty. Was it luck? Was it skill?

Idea for Impact: Let success be a brilliant teacher in the areas where weaknesses must be addressed.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Turning a Minus Into a Plus … Constraints are Catalysts for Innovation
  2. Overcoming Personal Constraints is a Key to Success
  3. Van Gogh Didn’t Just Copy—He Reinvented
  4. You Can’t Develop Solutions Unless You Realize You Got Problems: Problem Finding is an Undervalued Skill
  5. Finding Potential Problems & Risk Analysis: A Case Study on ‘The Three Faces of Eve’

Filed Under: Business Stories, Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Assertiveness, Critical Thinking, Discipline, Innovation, Introspection, Luck, Mental Models, Parables, Thinking Tools, Thought Process, Toyota

Pretotype It: Fail Fast, Learn Faster

May 20, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

'The Right It' by Alberto Savoia (ISBN 0062884654) Inundated with promising ideas but craving a quick method to distinguish the gems from the duds? Consider Pretotyping, an idea validation technique, championed by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Alberto Savoia.

Think mockups, landing pages, conjectures, or role-playing. Unlike prototyping, where you build functional or semi-functional versions of your product- or service-idea, pretotyping keeps it cheap and low-fidelity. It’s all about figuring out who your idea’s really for and getting their take on it pronto.

Idea for Impact: Try pretotyping—it’s the quickest way to learn how not-so-good your ideas really are.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Question the Now, Imagine the Next
  2. Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence
  3. Overcoming Personal Constraints is a Key to Success
  4. Creativity & Innovation: The Opportunities in Customer Pain Points
  5. What the Rise of AI Demands: Teaching the Thinking That Thinks About Thinking

Filed Under: MBA in a Nutshell, Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Customer Service, Innovation, Problem Solving, Thinking Tools, Thought Process

HP’s “Next Bench” Innovation Mindset: Observe, Learn, Solve

April 29, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

HP's In the early days, founders William Hewlett and David Packard embedded a culture of innovation, customer focus, and respect for individuals at HP. Their philosophy, famously documented in Packard’s memoirs, The HP Way (1995; my summary,) emphasizes the founders’ unwavering dedication to their principles and values.

Following their humble ‘garage’ beginnings, HP’s team developed electronic test and measurement devices. At their workshops in Palo Alto, every worker was encouraged to observe their colleagues at the ‘next bench.’

They weren’t just being nosy; they were on a mission to check out how their experimental gadgets were performing, discuss any issues, and lend a hand where needed.

The underlying ethos was clear: if one technician’s idea resonated with a nearby colleague, it could likely resonate with customers too, potentially opening up new markets.

Initially conceived as a problem-solving exercise for new ideas, this practice heightened technicians’ awareness at HP. They became attuned to their colleagues’ challenges, which sensitized them to the potential needs of engineering customers.

Idea for Impact: Want killer feedback from your customers? Keep a close eye on them using your products. Figure out what they like and what bothers them. Identify those pain points, and you’re on your way to building a customer-focused culture that just clicks.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren’t Just for Tech Companies
  2. Your Product May Be Excellent, But Is There A Market For It?
  3. Innovation: Be as Eager to Stop Zombie Projects as You Are to Begin the New
  4. How FedEx and Fred Smith Made Information the Package
  5. What Virgin’s Richard Branson Teaches: The Entrepreneur as Savior, Stuntman, Spectacle

Filed Under: Business Stories, Mental Models, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Customer Service, Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Mental Models, Parables, Problem Solving

Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren’t Just for Tech Companies

April 22, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Kickstart Big Initiatives: Hackathons Aren't Just for Tech Companies In the late 1990s, hackathons emerged as compressed events on university campuses. Open-source software teams organized these gatherings to bring together enthusiasts and drive progress forward over a few days. Yahoo! introduced its inaugural “Hack Day” in December 2005.

In its early days, Facebook popularized the concept by hosting daylong hackathon events every four to eight weeks. At each event, around 300 employees gathered in the morning to brainstorm and form teams. By the day’s end, these teams churned out 50 “first-stage-done” prototypes, ranging from backend engineering upgrades to small product features that could be easily implemented. Notably, Facebook’s iconic ‘Like’ button originated from one of these hackathons.

Internal Hackathons Unleash the Innovation Mode

Hackathons offer clear advantages over traditional innovation management processes, bringing a sense of urgency and focus that stems from working under strict deadlines. This intensity ensures that motivated individuals come together to refine their ideas into actionable plans.

Sometimes referred to as “FedEx Days,” a term popularized by the Australian enterprise software company Atlassian, hackathons encourage creativity by allowing employees to team up quarterly and work on ideas outside their regular duties, such as fixing bugs or developing new features. Teams are expected to deliver proof-of-concept prototypes overnight, hence the reference to the quick delivery service FedEx.

Hackathons have become mainstream, with organizations using them as an enjoyable and cost-effective way to drive innovation. For instance, in 2011, New York hosted a “Reinvent NYC.gov” hackathon to redesign the city’s official website. Similarly, in 2014, toy company Hasbro held a with 150 designers, generating 45 new ideas in just a few days. More impressively, in 2018, the Vatican organized a three-day hackathon to address global issues such as social inclusion, refugees, and interfaith understanding.

Why You Should Give Hackathons a Try (& Advance Your Side Projects)

Try a Personal Hackathon---Conquer 'Someday' Projects Now 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 lingering “someday we’ll get to this” projects—like spring-cleaning, organizing, refining processes, and enhancing best practices.

During a hackathon, you can pursue initiatives that fall outside anyone’s core responsibilities and often get overlooked amid the chaos of schedules and deadlines. In the week leading up to the event, gather for a whiteboard session to brainstorm and refine ideas that might not have surfaced otherwise. A hackathon provides a fun opportunity to recognize talent, promote cross-team collaboration, and accomplish tasks quickly.

Similarly, could you benefit from a personal hackathon? Consider dedicating a full day or even just an afternoon to clear backlogs, reorganize your space, kickstart a passion project, or tackle something you’ve been putting off.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Innovation: Be as Eager to Stop Zombie Projects as You Are to Begin the New
  2. Small Steps, Big Revolutions: The Kaizen Way // Summary of Robert Maurer’s ‘One Small Step Can Change Your Life’
  3. HP’s “Next Bench” Innovation Mindset: Observe, Learn, Solve
  4. Restless Dissatisfaction = Purposeful Innovation
  5. Optimize with Intent

Filed Under: Business Stories, Leading Teams, Mental Models, Project Management, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Discipline, Getting Things Done, Goals, Innovation, Mental Models, Motivation, Parables, Problem Solving, Procrastination

Big Wins are Rare

April 19, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Big Wins are Rare: Small, Consistent Steps Are Your Secret Weapon Most people look for big wins. Most people want rapid progress. Most people aim to knock it out of the park. This is a common trap that folks fall into.

Sure, these big wins happen, but rarely. Big wins are elusive. And big wins aren’t the only path to achievement.

Big wins often stem from the accumulation of numerous smaller wins. In sports, only a few athletes stand as champions after relentless training and countless setbacks. Entertainers strive for acclaim, yet only a select few experience the euphoria of widespread recognition. Entrepreneurs face fierce competition, economic challenges, and unforeseen obstacles in their quest for success. Academic breakthroughs are scarce, demanding years of research and experimentation.

Idea for Impact: Work on the small things, which most people don’t want to do. Embrace the grind, cheer for small wins, and keep at it. Every step counts toward hitting it big.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Question the Now, Imagine the Next
  2. Small Steps, Big Revolutions: The Kaizen Way // Summary of Robert Maurer’s ‘One Small Step Can Change Your Life’
  3. How to … Declutter Your Organizational Ship
  4. Innovation’s Valley of Death
  5. Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution

Filed Under: Mental Models, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Change Management, Decision-Making, Discipline, Innovation, Life Plan, Persuasion, Problem Solving

Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence

April 15, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence Ever wondered how industries where safety and quality are paramount conduct vulnerability assessments to ensure their systems are always up to the task in critical situations? “Defect Seeding” is a method that intentionally plants faults to test system integrity and reliability of protocols, technology, and personnel.

Planting defects isn’t about causing trouble; rather, it’s a proactive assessment to ensure readiness under real-world conditions and guarantee reliable detection and rejection of faulty items. For instance, aviation security agencies conduct covert testing by planting security scenarios to assess personnel, procedures, and equipment effectiveness in spotting and handling threats.

Idea for Impact: Try Defect Seeding to furtively spot vulnerabilities, ensure everything’s up to par, and inform adjustments to protocols. It’s a great way to boost confidence in your systems.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Question the Now, Imagine the Next
  2. The Solution to a Problem Often Depends on How You State It
  3. Be Smart by Not Being Stupid
  4. Finding Potential Problems & Risk Analysis: A Case Study on ‘The Three Faces of Eve’
  5. What the Rise of AI Demands: Teaching the Thinking That Thinks About Thinking

Filed Under: Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Decision-Making, Innovation, Problem Solving, Quality, Risk, Thinking Tools, Thought Process

How Toyota Thrives on Imperfection

March 25, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Toyota's Reflection Ritual: Perfecting Success with 'Hansei' 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 ad infinitum and consistently. It’s vital for personal and professional growth, both individually and collectively.

Toyota exemplifies this approach. Even after success, every team holds reflective “Hansei-Kai” meetings, akin to After Action Reviews (AARs.) The notion of everything being flawless is actively discouraged; instead, the culture stresses that “no problem is a problem.” If the team fails to identify any issues, it suggests they didn’t exert enough effort to meet expectations (highlighting areas for improvement,) lacked critical or objective analysis, or perhaps needs to cultivate more humility.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Learning from the World’s Best Learning Organization // Book Summary of ‘The Toyota Way’
  2. Lessons from Toyota: Go to the Source and See for Yourself
  3. How to … Declutter Your Organizational Ship
  4. Defect Seeding: Strengthen Systems, Boost Confidence
  5. How Smart Companies Get Smarter: Seek and Solve Systemic Deficiencies

Filed Under: Business Stories, Leading Teams, Mental Models, The Great Innovators Tagged With: Critical Thinking, Decision-Making, Innovation, Japan, Leadership, Mental Models, Problem Solving, Quality, Toyota

Unpaid Gigs for ‘Exposure’—Is It Ever Worth It?

February 21, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Unpaid Gigs for 'Exposure'---Is It Ever Worth It? As a freelancer, you’ll constantly receive requests to write blogs, help with videos, provide ‘expert’ advice, perform a show, or attend events—all without pay, but with promises of experience, prestige, or that ever-so-alluring “exposure.”

But should you say ‘yes’ to these unpaid gigs?

It’s utterly unfair for people to assume you’re desperate for attention just because you’re starting out. And it’s downright rude if these organizations have the budget to pay only some individuals while leaving you high and dry.

For many new freelancers, doing freebies feels like a rite of passage. But speak to the old-timers, and they’ll likely warn you that unpaid gigs often lead to more unpaid gigs with zero real payoff. Plus, those promising “exposure” might not even have much exposure themselves.

So, is it ever worth it to hustle for “exposure”? Maybe, but only if it’s for a cause, charity, or group you’re genuinely passionate about.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Why Investors Keep Backing Unprofitable Business Models
  2. The Loss Aversion Mental Model: A Case Study on Why People Think Spirit is a Horrible Airline
  3. Flying Cramped Coach: The Economics of Self-Inflicted Misery
  4. Consumer Power Is Shifting and Consumer Packaged Goods Companies Are Struggling
  5. What Taco Bell Can Teach You About Staying Relevant

Filed Under: Career Development, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Career Planning, Entrepreneurs, Innovation, Marketing, Negotiation, Persuasion

Pitch Problems, Not Ideas

January 4, 2024 By Nagesh Belludi Leave a Comment

Many teams impede innovation because they center innovation on ideas and not problems.

Ideas make people rush to solutions—problems make people identify with them and commiserate. Ideas are easier to kill; problems aren’t.

When you anchor a proposal in a truly great problem, you’ll find that colleagues are more likely to build on it rather than attempt to destroy it. Problems promote listening and building reciprocal trust.

Idea for Impact: Innovation should be centered on problems, not ideas.

Encourage everyone to pitch problems, not firm proposals.

Sell the problem, and you’ll get less resistance.

As I’ve mentioned previously, the best marketing minds work on creating a customer—previously unaware of a problem, the customer becomes interested in considering the opportunity and finally acts upon it.

Wondering what to read next?

  1. Make ‘Em Thirsty
  2. Restless Dissatisfaction = Purposeful Innovation
  3. Creativity & Innovation: The Opportunities in Customer Pain Points
  4. Fall in Love with the Problem, Not the Solution
  5. Constraints Inspire Creativity: How IKEA Started the “Flatpack Revolution”

Filed Under: Business Stories, Mental Models, Sharpening Your Skills Tagged With: Creativity, Innovation, Persuasion, Problem Solving, Thinking Tools

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About: Nagesh Belludi [hire] is a St. Petersburg, Florida-based freethinker, investor, and leadership coach. He specializes in helping executives and companies ensure that the overall quality of their decision-making benefits isn’t compromised by a lack of a big-picture understanding.

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