Here’s one on productivity for those of us who use lists as part of planning. I have been guilty of taking older notes and adding unfinished tasks to the latest list. And not often enough, I try to wonder why some of those tasks that have gotten carried forward for too long, keep making it…
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…
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.
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.
Most of us see learning as a necessary chore—something to check off for promotions or resume building. But a rare few approach it with true passion, immersing themselves to not just survive, but excel—an admirable mindset to cultivate.
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…
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.
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.
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.
In continuation of yesterday’s post (link here), which was about why involving users on either extreme of the bell curve (as opposed to innovating for the bulk majority) facilitates in creation of a more innovative and inclusive solution; another example came to mind from many years ago. Around 2015–16, I was tasked with identifying affordable…
Focusing on the “average” majority often leads to oversimplified, generic solutions. But by innovating for users at the extremes, you create more flexible, inclusive products that better meet everyone’s needs.
What if the analytics you obsess over isn’t even close to the whole picture? Put differently, what if you ignored it and focused on something better? I took a leap, disregarded the pressure of numbers, and focused on quality over consistency—and it made a difference.
Yesterday, I mentioned an odd human behaviour in some (most likely most) of us where we consciously add great movies or series to our favourite streaming service watchlist; only to almost always pick something completely different to actually watch, whether right then or later. Post here. Very counterintuitive, considering how our choices to add to…
Ergonomically designed products are often comfortable for short use but can become more uncomfortable over time compared to plain designs. For instance, while sleek bike grips or beautifully designed wireless earbud cases feel great initially, they may be less practical for extended use.
I was recently at a few car showrooms, just browsing.. And I noticed something. Many of the popular brands tend to keep a higher or top end variant of different models on display. And interestingly, Toyota, at least the showroom I went to, had base variants on display. We could look at this in two…