Saturday, December 22, 2012

Thinking like a designer can inspire more innovation

By Nadia  Goodman at Entrepreneur.com

We could be innovative just like the late Steve Jobs if we think like a designer (Making a dent in the universe or mouthing "Be foolish just wont do).  The thought came from Bill Burnett, executive director of the design center of Stanford University in California, one of the leading design schools at USA.  The training that I got at Bangkok from one of their professors probably started in their school.

Some of the tips:

l. Observe the customers on how they use the product.

2.  Find the right problem.  For example, in the finding the right problem for infant deaths, it is not the absence of incubators, but the need for low cost incubators to transport babies from babies born in huts to the hospital  (made from aluminum tin foil or ceiling insulators -  reflectix materials?)

3. Brainstorm and come out with a hundred ideas/options

4.  Prototype -  there is no entrepreneurship/innovation unless you have a protype/working mode/ or even a mock up.  The idea will just remain an idea.  The prototype mock up will give a you a feedback on #1 and what must you do further to come out with the right product

How a designer mindset could make a hundred flowers bloom

Entrepreneur cafes to launch new ventures

From entrepeneur.com

A number of events (dubbed as entrepreneur cafes) have been held somewhere in USA to help launch entrepreneurial ventures.  It is a sort of gestation/germination events, where pitches are made for a new venture.  The funds that may be raised maybe small but that could be enough germ/seminal effort to start the venture.  We know that sometimes start ups are launched by amounts less than it costs a basic cellphone.

These events are characterized by "pitch".  In my entrep class, I ask for the students, to make a pitch - not just make a presentation but to make a pitch -  ie, to convince the audience to act, invest, or buy the product. Just talking wont do;   convincing, making  the sales pitch is the only way to go.

In the PHL, we should have this too;  perhaps colleges, internet cafes, vendors of coffee, Starbucks, Figaro, or fast food:   Jollibee, Mang Inasal, McDo could sponsor such entrepeneur cafe forum.

How about our business?  (memorial park?)

More factors on Entrepreneurial Leadership Qualities

 From B2C

One of the first papers to be submitted in the Ateneo GSB Entrep classes is "What Factors Do you possess that make/does not make you an entrepreneur"  (Factors Paper) We see a lot interesting answers which I post here at this site, so that non MBA students, other entrepreneur wannabees, could learn from their reflections.

Most take on line questionnaires, analyze the results and make conclusion as to their entrepreneurial inclination.  Some just do an experiential, effectuation analysis.

Here is an interesting post on what traits you must possess to be an entrprenuerial leader

Please read on if you want to know more