The Future of Work with Subbu Iyer

Episode 8: Information & Digital Technology; Not the same

IT and Digital are not one and the same. The former has progressed this far from the concept of collecting and processing data. It essentially made the manual process for enterprises and industries more efficient. And was called Management Information Systems (MIS) for heaven’s sake.
 
Well, it relied on the Internet and progressed into Web 3.0 with Mobile Applications and a little bit of self-help. But predominantly forms based where someone was collecting the same data for various things, again and again.
 
Digital on the other hand is shifting that power to create, connect, curate, contextualize and collaborate data from enterprises to individuals. There are no forms. The creation of data is continual and contextual and therefore incremental. The needle is moving from Processing of Data to Automating and Orchestrating the data.
 
Who in the world is there yet? Well, this is a paradigm shift and the usual suspects like Alphabet, Apple and Amazon are already there with the technology. But Digital will be successful only when the controls shift to individuals. And that is a lot of Work In Progress (WIP). We need People to believe that this is Possible and Potentially Life-Changing. It is their Participation that will encourage the adoption and democratization of systems.
 
Despite the current recessionary trends, this is a committed and evolutionary part for humankind. And it has so little to do with perpetrating or continuing with the past. In fact, it is a complete breakaway from the past and a new way of Life Systems being established. The challenge is to find the conviction to cut the cord to the past and anchor to the future with renewed Structures, Synergies and Systems.
 
In this episode, we explore with Prof. Rahul De, the intricacies of this shift with Dr. Rahul De who is the Professor of Information Systems and teaches courses in Artificial Intelligence and Information Systems at IIMB. His primary research interests are in AI Ethics, e-Government systems, Open Source, Digital Payments, Tele-medicine, and ICT for Development. He is also the Chairperson, the Office of International Affairs.

Episode 9: Innovation; Mind & Time to Market

We must understand the fundamental difference between an Enterprise and a Business. The former frames questions and provides the inputs for Conceptualization and Engineering in the Context of Life while the latter enquires about the Cohort and Segmentation to deliver Industrialize Applications that take the shape of Products and Services. In essence, there is a need to connect the four stages of Conceptualization, Engineering, Industrialization and Commercialization.
 
Because Innovation is not magic but rather a deliberate process of Simplification, Modernization and Disruption. Which mutually includes both the Mind 2 Market known as the Invention to Innovation Cycle and Time 2 Market known as the Innovation to Improvisation cycle. Imagine the front and the back wheels of a bicycle that helps a bicyclist stride forward.
 
You need to take charge of the journey of your life through the roles you play in them. Traversing through the 0 - 5 scale of Innocence; Awareness; Understanding; Definition; Competence; & Excellence
 
As an Individual or an Industry you need to navigate this scale with minimum dysfunction to accomplish success; with a minimum threshold of a score of 3. Definition to remain relevant at Pursuing Excellence. Remember, as you are Transforming, so is the environment around you.
 
Your rate of Learning has to be greater than the forces of change around you.
 
This is the onset of the Creator’s Economy. And it starts with Data about you. And it also ends with you Consuming it. Everything in between is the work that gets executed by different roles that you and others play in this newly connected ecosystem that is Globally Local.

Episode 10: Advancement of Science

Science is at a critical fork on our planet. It has the potential to leap forward exponentially.
 
First, the science deniers have to be confronted and persuaded to be reasonable with their arguments.
 
Second, the approach of science must be an integrated one starting early at the age segments of 08 - 18 and 18 - 25.
 
Thirdly, Learning mechanisms must inform the advancement precisely marking the progress from Innocence to Awareness, Understanding , Definition, Competence and Excellence.
 
Scientific Education must start early with a connected understanding of Concepts / Theories to Engineering and Life Applications. What is lacking in our global ecosystems is the connected transportation of Intellectual Property from Conceptualization to Engineering Industrialization and Commercialization in a Continuum. Rigor is demanded in developing a pipeline with Artifacts being Authored with Security & Privacy provisioning Title for the rightful creators in an open ecosystem.
 
Scientific Minds must be developed early to frame questions and seek the aspirational; not just sense for opportunities or see only what is convenient. A sense of urgency is required to improve the rate of Innovation and the basic threshold of Sustainability because the existential threats and challenges that life faces have the potential to implode quickly if we did not do something about it.

Episode 11: Recap 1-10

In this episode, we briefly go over episodes 1-10. Find the links to the episodes below:
Episode 1: Education & The Future of Work: https://youtu.be/Na18UNrpZjc
Episode 2: Human Capital: https://youtu.be/AAiFtrLQpSg
Episode 3: Innovation: https://youtu.be/cMMV2mofzJM
Episode 4: Leadership: https://youtu.be/16RC0wzui64
Episode 5: Rural Development and Livelihood: https://youtu.be/WWIsERYm4f0
Episode 6: Work Culture: https://youtu.be/NDZW4Empshk
Episode 7: Startups and Investments: https://youtu.be/GlmnKjy99vc
Episode 8: Information & Digital Technology; Not the same: https://youtu.be/DXhTvh2ybaw
Episode 9: Innovation; Mind & Time to Market: https://youtu.be/KBv9g5WRFSM
Episode 10: Advancement of Science: https://youtu.be/Gc1xQlBdPow
 

Episode 12: Emergence of the New Era

There can be no denying that we are on a Strategic Inflection Point (SIP) on our Planet. McKinsey Global Institute has produced a Discussion Paper asking the Question if the World is on the Cusp of a New Era?. The paper traces life post World War 2 that gathered momentum for the Industrialization and Globalization processes to the current day when we have arrived to the point of Commercialization or what they call the era of the markets.
 
The Four Pegs used to examine this shift from the current market driven era to a new era are:
The World Order
Technology Platforms
Demographic Forces
Outgrowing Debt
 
The Path to Progression needs a break from our past and a clear sense of excellence must drive the intent to cross the chasm to the future. This demands both an accurate understanding of the status quo and the desired state as well as the urgency to make it real.
 
Both Individuals and Industry must arrive at the future by design and not by accident; as life has at this point in time. The new era should be marked by a Conscious Process of Shifting from:
Exploitation to Empowerment
Building Access to Aspiration
Connecting Creation to Consumption with Value
 
This will establish the foundation of a New Era that is Sustainable and the Planet a better place for life to thrive and flourish.

Episode 13: The Virus of Mediocrity

One would have thought the Covid was the most dangerous pandemic the world had ever encountered. It turns out that is not true. The Virus of Mediocrity has been far more potent with no Vaccine and no Process to Track, Trace, Test and Treat. In the case of the Corona Virus it was more severe on People with prior conditions of core-morbidity. In the case of the mediocrity virus, it impacts the educated and privileged.
Giggr Technologies is announcing a digital documentary “Design Thinking a New Era” for changing this narrative.
1. Create Practitioners who are Certified through the right process.
2. Advance the Creation of Solutions with the Intellectual Property (IP) rights vested with the Creators.
3. Create a new class of Entrepreneurs, Intrapreneurs and Solopreneurs who will bring about Social Justice, Increased Rate of Innovation and Sustainable Platform, Products, Processes and Projects to life in our Societies.

Episode 14: Cusp of A New Era

According to World Economic Forum’s (WEF) latest Chief Economists Outlook, economic discontent has been fuelling “febrile political dynamics”. Such sentiments are echoed by United Nations (UN) and International Monetary Federation (IMF). A recently published index found that more than 198 countries surveyed at increased risk of civic unrest tied to the cost of basic amenities. Aristotle described Poverty as “The Parent of Revolution and Crime”. This economic crisis has been brewing for the past 8 decades and has seen many boom and busts. But what is coming is unlike any of the previous ones with the Covid Pandemic pushing the buttons of intolerance beyond the limits. Reason demands that we find a new way to Create and Consume:
1. Where a New World Order Learns to Unlearn the Past and Creates Business Models of the Future.
2. Using Transversal Technologies that create a Human Ecosystem that brings access to more people to contribute to a greater Rate Of Innovation (ROI) in our Societies.
3. Addressing the Demographic Shifts and equipping the Future Generation of GenA and GenZ with the power to realise their Potential
4. Using Resources and Materials that enable the accomplishment of the UN Sustainability Development Goals (UNSDG).
5. Funnelling Financial Capital that is defined by the Sweet Spot of Value, Intellectual and Human Capital.
This is a complex subject and needs a tools such as Design Thinking to drive engagement in societies, institutions and enterprises covering all spheres of life. “If we are indeed in the early throes of a Seismic Shift - as the evidence appears to suggest - Leaders must both Prepare for the Possibility of a New Era and Position themselves to Shape it.” McKinsey OnPoint At the ground level, this must manifest in three connected points that includes:
1. Product Market Fit
2. Innovation
3. Go - To - Market (GTM)
This episode examines through the lens of Four Founders how they are addressing these three dots in their Business Models and also follows up with advise on the two different paths available; The Path of Regression: The need to get rid of the Conditioning of the Past. The Path of Progression: The need to embark on a Learning based Transformational Journey.

Episode 15: The Future of Motorsports

Motorsport has come a long way over the course of its 154-year history, from 8 mph steam carriages puttering around the outskirts of Victorian Manchester to aerodynamic £10 million Formula One speed machines flashing down straights at 220 mph.
 
The development of motorsport has mirrored the technological advances of the modern age to continuously deliver faster and more thrilling racing spectacles.
 
The Future of Motorsport is Humanizing Technology to several notches higher with Virtual Designing, Changes in Engine led by Intelligent Machines and Alternate Fuels, Diversifying the Sport into New Categories such as Drone Racing and Robot Racing, generating New Markets and Fanbases.
 
New Sustainable Materials that are enabled by Nano and Bio Technology will continue to revolutionize the sport and bring a different kind of challenges to its drivers, teams and ecosystems to meet other than the skills of driving.
 
We feature Atharva Desai, an Indian Origin American Racer who is an emerging star in Formula Racing. Being inspired by his father, he took a fascination for the sport and started racing at the age of 9. Currently, in his third year at Oxford Brookes, UK, pursuing his Bachelor of Engineering (Motorsport Technology), Atharva has graduated experience in the world of motorsport from go-kart to Formula specification cars in a short period.
 
If one realizes, Motorsport is thrilling and yet has come through tremendous innovation in Humanizing Automotive Technology. With the advent of Digital, a New Era in Motor Sport is about to unfold.
 
We believe young athletes such as Atharva will be the leaders of that era. With his educational background aligned with his passion to being a Formula Champion, he brings the understanding of converting the Process of Education, Training, Practice and Performance with Learning to Realization. Even though he is the only one that races and climbs the podium, there is not just his team but an entire ecosystem that is helping prepare his journey towards a Championship. And every Championship is the beginning of a new journey in excellence. Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, Michael Schumacher, Aryton Senna or Nikki Lauda have all done their bit to bring the sport to the current day status. It is about to take a different trajectory with markets such as India, US, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia opening up new possibilities of bringing Athletes and fans together.
 

Episode 16: The Human Side of Innovation

Innovation and Design have been the subject of great abuse throughout history; mostly viewed through the lens of Industrialization and Commercialization. It is a refreshing change that we hear a celebrated designer Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer, PepsiCo abhor the term Consumer and exhort people to Create out of love for other People. Indra Nooyi calls the work at PepsiCo that Mauro and his global team have produced a Language and the Chairman & CEO Ramon Laguarta announced that design created reservoirs of Value for the Universe of PepsiCo.
The Journey in Excellence which is otherwise Innovation when centered in Love creates Engagement and Experience that is remarkable and soulful. More people need to embrace this approach to being led by Curiosity that informs Creativity to create products and services.
We are on the Cusp of a New Era where life is going to be very different from anything we have known until this point in the history of the planet. This Strategic Inflection Point (SIP) offers each one of us the opportunity to be a Creator. This needs Preparation of course. Hopefully, this episode will serve as that call that also shines a light on the book authored by Mauro Porcini titled “The Human Side of Innovation: The Power of People in Love with People".

Episode 17: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

President Joe Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act and with it brought this Social Inquiry right into the middle of a global discourse. This legislation and protection that the law is required to provide highlights that Governance is key in a Social Environment that is divided by discord. Unfortunately, the discord is not based on any Principles but rather on Parity. The history on the planet has evolved with a few Privileged and Powerful who have usurped the Power of Politics, Money and Position to control a majority. And that has been perpetrated with the conditioning of mindsets through the strategy of Collective Illusions to follow rather than lead with freedom.
 
We are on the Cusp of a New Era with the first of the five markers being A new World Order. There is no scope for negotiation that this must be a flipping of the conventional Financial Ecosystem led Societies to a Human Ecosystem led one. Where Humans are free to define their identity through their work and in the process find expression to their latent which we know as talent.
 
Diversity therefore should not be restricted to Gender and Sexuality but to Socio, Economic and Political Power. There is a need to break free of the Structures we have come to live with for Centuries. Because these Structures that manifest as Relationships are no longer relevant to the modern world. The jingoism of nationalism and regionalism can only be countered with every human being given the opportunity to Pursue Excellence where their Passion leads with Data Autonomy and Trust that enriches the Social Fabric. We need to consciously shape-shift the Conventional Structures with Synergies and Systems concurrently.
 
It is in this context that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion become very important tools of Social Change. The Respect for Marriage Act brings Access to New Rights for the LGBTQ+ communities that must find expression in systems not just locally in the US but rather globally. It would be absurd to restrict these communities locally. There is no retreating on globalization even from the perspective of the Financial Ecosystem. The War in Ukraine is a Posturing of Democratic versus Autocratic principles. And it appears the autocratic principles have brought the world to its knees simply because of the weakness in the principles of democracy being implemented. It is time we changed that.