Part 1: A bit about my journey for Young Change-makers
Starting broad and following your instincts can lead you to your true niche. Instead of rushing to define yourself, embrace the exploration process—it can open doors you never expected.
The God of Thoughtful Design
When companies create products, focus often tends to be on maximizing perceived value and profitability (within the respective value category). It’s like they are looking outward, being reactive (to competitors), and playing their part in a herd. Yet every once in a rare while, comes a product that has been built so thoughtfully, you begin…
How Should the Pedestrian Cross the Road?
Many Rolls Royce cars have a sheer vertical drop front design. And while they are extremely powerful and can go fast, they normally don’t, because they are meant to transport their occupants safely, in luxury, and in a refined manner, not to indulge in drag races. And so the vertical drop might be alright on…
Investing, an Art
I worked in venture capital from 2006 to 2010, and over time, noticed an increasing presence of core finance professionals and Chartered Accountants in top roles at VC firms. It seemed concerning to me, though I probably couldn’t initially figure why, given they were right where they should be, predicting explosive growth and chewing through…
Product Names — What’s in a Name?
When naming a startup or product, many settle for the first decent option, while others obsess over finding the perfect one. But as a WWII life-saving invention revealed, sometimes the name can make all the difference between success and failure.
The Simple but Brilliantly Designed Bisleri 5L bottle
In a world of mundane everyday products, it’s rare to find one that catches your eye for its thoughtful design. The Bisleri 5-litre bottle, with its curved sides for easy pouring, is a surprising example of clever, practical design that makes you appreciate the beauty of function.
Time and Price in B2C businesses
Time and Price form interesting aspects of current B2C businesses. Uber for instance, has its routes generally optimized for speed (recommends a shorter route even if it is more expensive). Ola, on the other hand, at least used to have routes optimized for price (recommends a slightly longer but the cheaper route). One sees an…
Gravity and Angle of Approach
Ever had your phone fall on your face while lying down, or been nearly spilled on by a waiter’s odd angle of serving? These everyday examples of gravity and Angle of Approach (AoA) reveal how design flaws can impact our experiences—imagine how much smoother life could be with a little more attention to both.
For a humankind trying to make sh!t happen
With 30–40% of seniors facing constipation, could the design of modern toilets be contributing to the problem? The squat toilet, long used across cultures, may offer a solution that’s often overlooked in favor of more “comfortable” Western designs.
Same Same but Different
Netflix keeps its content feeling fresh by changing thumbnails and preview clips—something other platforms could learn from to maintain user interest. But while it works for entertainment, it’s a strategy that might backfire on apps like grocery or food delivery, where simplicity is key.