Serendipity and Learning

The added benefit of reading this book was a bunch of good movies to watch out for - Bird box, Icarus, Roma and Mighty Little Bheem. The last one is pertinent since Netflix has really invested in bringing up the quality of animation of Chotta Bheem.  That apart, the book is a fantastic read. Though everything that Netflix has managed to implement - not every company can - like no company can really become another Amazon.  But some parts stood out and can be done for the most part. Candor and honest feedback for instance. Leading by context, not control as a next step. And the innovation part.  But what comes in the way is 1, the existing culture and 2, the investment of time and effort required in moving these existing cultural icebergs. And most companies fail at 2, because the day to day hustle always comes in the way.  All in all a fantastic read for anyone interested in corporate culture and a lot of things we take for granted as "culture". 

Every company wants to be an Amazon or a Netflix (regency effect because of the two books which I read recently), but few are willing to actually walk the talk in making it happen. Sort of in personal life I suppose - we all want a six pack (or some other goal), but are not very willing to go through the trouble to make it happen. Or even a BHAG - like creating something unique and going to market with it.  A few months back, I had a short coaching conversation with someone. At some point, I said, “Well, I want to do this and I want to do that” and pat came the response “What are you willing to do in order to get that?”

Somewhere in February last year I thought I should write a book. This is not a new thought. Like the seasons this thought comes and goes. I start with a lot of enthusiasm and then the enthusiasm fades away - because of the enormity of the task.  This time though, somehow, I was able to stick to it. Partly because someone pushed me to think about writing seriously and then proceeded to give some tips and hacks to make it happen and followed up on it. Partly because we were all stuck at home without too many distractions or needed something to focus on because we were stuck at home.  Whatever be the case, I managed to write close to 35000 words. I was happy. Thrilled.  Then I began to edit. If writing was tough, editing was killing. It was like a trek where you climb the first two hills and begin to feel good that you managed a tough climb. And then the guide points to a misty hill much higher up and says, that is where we have to reach.  But I plodded. A page a day. A...

A few weeks back I received this image. I saw it on Twitter and then someone forwarded it to me as well and I couldnt help but agree with it. While this is about writing, it is true about any other project as well. I love this graphic because of the simplicity with which it tackles the topic! This is the emotional journey of creating anything...Currently with a couple of projects in that swamp of despair, I can so relate to it.   

 Recently, I worked on an assignment for a youngish audience. The audience was just out of college and getting used to corporate life for a year or two in most cases. These would be people who are in their mid twenties. Born in the late 90s - this audience is our first experience of the generation gap. The generation gap is a big one for facilitators. For many reasons, but the outcome of that is that the audience doesnt connect with you.  By the time the 90s kids were in school - they would have had access to the internet and have been largely techno savvy.  That was the problem statement. How do we build content in a way that it resonates with this audience.  And thats when it struck us - to use gaming as an analogy. And showed corporate life from a viewpoint of a game that they need to play, collect coins, gain power ups and move up levels.  This simple construct, resonated so well with the audience - we had not imagined it striking such a strong chord.  ...

  A few days back I received a mail asking me to download an app for customer learning that promised to teach me to invest wisely. Being the curious types, I actually downloaded the said app and decided to take it for a spin. Here are my observations : First, it asked me for my personal data. Now already, for me, this is not customer education any more - it is about creating a sales pitch. #Fail Then it introduced a rabbit as a mascot. Why rabbit? There did not seem to be any logic. Atleast nothing that did anything for me to recall the purpose of a rabbit and associate it with investing.  Then it promised to show me interesting videos. I saw two videos. Topic 1: Inflation - and asks me to beat investments by investing in mutual funds. The rabbit came and offered me a badge - well begun. Topic 2: Compounding: Using the example of a mango tree - asks me to invest in mutual funds. The rabbit came and offered me a badge yet again. And a quiz. And a debutant badge somewhere along ...