HINT #1 by Hult Think Tank

AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON:

INNOVATION

ADVICE TO FUTURE ENTREPRENEURS BRIAN SMITH, FOUNDER OF UGG @HTTBOSTON

DOING BUSINESS IN DUBAI: STARTUPS DAMU WINSTON @HTTDUBAI

GLOBALIZATION IN A BOTTLE DR. ALAN HERTZ @HTTLONDON

HINT Founder and CEO Viviane Menna Barreto Editor in Chief Giulia Ubertallo

Editor: Whitney Sims-

Editor: Mark Missirlian,

Editor: Edward Canada

Rucker, American

American @HTTBoston

IV, American @HTTBoston

@HTTBoston In this issue Adeoti Mayowa, Nigerian @HTTDubai

Constantin Sinowski, German @HTTSanFrancisco

Raghav Balasubramanyam, Indian @HTTBoston

Dr. Alan Hertz, American @HTTLondon

Damu Winston, American @HTTDubai

Ram Narayanan, Indian @HTTDubai

Arnaud Baczkowski, French @HTTBoston

Debra Chromy, American @HTTBoston

Reet Sen, Australian @HTTBoston

Ashish Bondia, Indian @HTTBoston

Ebuwa Igho-Osagie, Nigerian @HTTBoston

Rubina Khan, Singaporean @HTTBoston

Barry Donalson, American @HTTBoston

Giulia Ubertallo, Italian @HTTBoston

Sabrina Premji, Canadian @HTTBoston

Brad Mak, American @HTTBoston

Manish Ranjan, Indian @HTTBoston

Stephen Kramer, American @HTTBoston

Brian Smith, Australian @HTTBoston

Manu Makker, Indian @HECMontreal

Viviane Menna Barreto, Brazilian @HTTBoston

Cathy Wissink, American @HTTBoston

Dr. Melissa Willby, American @HTTLondon

Chris Schelzi, American @HTTBoston

Moyra Llaguno, Belgian @CreativeClubSanFran

The views and opinions expressed by Hult Think Tank do not necessarily represent the oﬃcial policy or position of Hult International Business School.

FOREWORD How does a journal take form? The first, fundamental, critical ingredient is passion. We are people with passion, here at Hult Think Tank. Even better said, we are people with a lot of diﬀerent passions. This issue is the result of the tireless work of amazing people, whose ideas, thoughts and opinions longed for receiving a visual representation.

Giulia Ubertallo Editor in Chief

Think. Solve. And, above all, Share. This journal aims at becoming a true vortex of ideas and insights, and we decided to call it “HINT” since we truly hope that our opinion pieces, podcasts and content will inspire other excited inhabitants of this marvelous, complex, inter-related world. Month after month, we will provide our readers with an array of perspectives on globallyrelevant topics, in a continuos endeavor to satisfy every appetite. We are proud of HINT, and we are proud of each other. Without our contributors and board, this magazine would not have been possible. Thank you, everybody. You did an amazing job.

Globalization in a Bottle by Dr. Alan Hertz

Originally a Video

My fellow swimmers in the Hult Think

I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to add to the superficiality, the

Tank, my producer on the other side of the

glibness, the sloganeering and the point-

camera wants me to devote 5 minutes to

scoring that I hear all around me these

being controversial, provocative, even a lit-

days. So I decided to rebel, I decided to

tle outrageous. They want me to upset you

shock my producer, not you. I decided to

with some heterodox political or religious

talk about important stuďŹ&#x20AC;. I decided to talk

or cultural views... that sounds like fun, but

about... Ketchup.

I only have 5 minutes and politics and religion are complex.

K-E-T-C-H-U-P or is it C-A-T-S-U-P? Both the word and the substance are interest-

ing. The word comes from the version of

dangerous to eat uncooked. To make to-

mandarin used by Chinese living in what is

mato ketchup, you had to simmer them for

now Malaya. It meant table sauce made

hours, so that was accepted as safe.

from the liquid that fish had been pickled in, mixed with spices. Sounds disgusting, but apparently it was delicious.

By the early 18 hundreds, ketchup was the American rural housewifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pride. Each had their own secret recipe, which required home-grown tomatoes, secret ingredients, hours of cooking time and great skill. Then two great national events intervened. One was the Civil War, hundreds of thousands of troops had to be fed, and an enormous food preservation industry, canning and bottling developed to feed them. The

In the late 16 hundreds, English traders, seeking those spices, also discovered the sauce and brought it home. The idea of a table sauce was new and exciting in England and people here began making it with

second was industrialization, which took millions of women oďŹ&#x20AC; the farms and into towns and factories. They no longer had land to grow tomatoes or time to make ketchup.

local ingredients, particularly mushrooms

Enter H. J. Heinz, the housewifeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friend.

and walnuts, and some of these people

The son of German immigrants to Pensilva-

went to the new world, taking the idea with

nia took the new technology of industrial

them. And there they discovered toma-

food bottling and the idea of tomato

toes, which had been brought north from

ketchup to create the signature product of

Latin America.

his company. Heinz tomato ketchup was

Well, tomatoes were very controversial in the 17 and 18 hundreds. Many authorities

marketed as a blessed relief for mother, who could no longer make her own.

thought they were poisonous, others thought they were aphrodisiacs. Pretty much everyone agreed that they were too

Heinz soon triumphantly invaded England,

Oh, why are there two spellings of

and lately, of course, thanks vastly to

ketchup? Because Americans didn’t just

American fast-food chains, has returned to

declare political independence from Britain

the lands of ketchup’s birth.

in 1776, they declared linguistic independ-

So lets sum up. What do we have here? A Chinese idea and word, discovered in Malaya by English sailors, who took it home, reinvented it and re-exported it to America, where it was re-invented again, using a South American main ingredient, popularized, industrialized and re-exported. Four continents, and a round-the-world

ence too. For over a century afterwards. And ketchup was so distinctively American, that like colo(u)r, like globaliz(s)e, it needed it’s own spelling. So some Americans, including Hunt’s and Del Monte still spell it C-A-T-S-U-P. Thanks for listening and I hope I whetted your appetite for more.

tour. In short, globalization in a bottle.

Retrieved from Heinz.com

Cathy Wissink Director of Technology and Civic Engagement at Microsoft Originally a Podcast

Keys to Success

Be a critical thinker and question things in a polite and productive fashion. Make sure you really understand what you are woking on. It is not about being smart or getting the right grade. It is about being thoughtful and being able to drive a process.

Make sure you are focusing on the outcomes as opposed to activities. Often people get confused in terms of running around and getting hectic. But are they doing things that accrue job success?

Have an emotional quotient, (EQ). We hire a lot of people in the company who have very high IQs, who are very, very smart. But being able to work with people, have empathy, negotiate, manage conflict... and really be able to not be a jerk. It’s very easy to be the smartest person in the room, but if you can’t work with others, you’re not going to be successful.

Technology That Changes Behavior

Originally a Podcast

Reet Sen went to tech startup Pavlok and interviewed Marketing Director Chris Schelzi. What is Pavlok? Pavlok is the first ever wearable that actually helps you to break bad habits and form good ones using a combination of beeps, vibrations and chocks. The way that it works is, it pairs negative behaviors with negative stimuli, which can be personalized or even entirely disabled. Habits occur automatically -- The point of

Reet: Can we just use myself as an example? If I were to use the Pavlok on my wrist. Letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s say that I want to wake up earlier. How can I ensure that it will change my behavior? Chris: Pavlok has an alarm system built into it to help people wake up on time. Say you want to wake up at 6 oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock. Around 5:45 it will start to vibrate on your wrist. If you get up and start walking around, the accelerometer will acknowledge that you got up, silence the alarm and reset for the next day.

this product is to bring awareness to people as opposed to causing them pain.

But if you snooze it, then at 6 o’clock,

pain with the act of smoking, and that is

when you want to get up and start moving,

how you sever the habit.

if you don’t get up, it can shock you.

Additionally, there is the matter of eﬃ-

Reet: What if someone wants to quit

ciency. Students for example, sometimes

smoking?

don’t even have the intention to go on to Facebook. It just happens. Pavlok has an

Chris: The Schick Shadel Treatment Cen-

extension where you can download it and

ter performed aversion therapy studies,

add it to Chrome, and you can plug in your

where they took people who were smokers

blacklisted sites, whether it’s Facebook or

and every time they smoked, they would

some adult sites that you want to curb

have to shock themselves. This program

away from... you can set the hours that

lasted for 4 to 8 weeks and they found that

you don’t want to get into those sites...

a year later, those people had a 50% chance of not smoking again. This is a

The first couple of days you will get the

massive amount of people to quit smoking

shocks. With time, whenever you type

in that amount of time.

“fac”, you will loose your desire to get into this website.

Again, we are using the same idea of giving the self-administered shocks. The

Reet: The basis of this product is the re-

brain associ-

search conducted by Ivan Pavlov. Pav-

ates the

lov would asso-

ciate a positive behavior with a positive

Chris: Studies show that the easiest habits

reward and a negative behavior with a

take about 22 days to form. So, for exam-

negative reward.

ple, “after breakfast take a glass of water”. Super easy habit. 22 days later, it will

Chris: Pavlov’s research concerned dogs.

reach its maxim level of automaticity.

He would ring a bell and then the dogs would come and get a bowl of food. He

The hardest habits take about 88 days.

did it enough times that he would ring the

The beauty of that is that within an aver-

bell and the dogs would start salivating in-

age of two months of doing something, it

stantaneously. They began to associate

will become a habit.

the sound with the reward. Associating a stimulus with an action.

The research behind Pavlok entails that in two months you can become the type of

Reet: So Pavlok is essentially a device

person that goes to the gym every day, the

that helps you change your behavior in

type of person that does not go on Face-

the long-run in a way that it becomes

book during class. The type of person that

second nature. You are instinctively wak-

wakes up early.

ing up an hour earlier, instinctively going

It’s incredible that you can change the per-

to the gym three times a week...

son who you are by changing your habits.

Reet: That really is incredible. Do you

ing “i need to build a company today”, say

use Pavlok yourself?

“I need to call this investor”, “I need to write this amount of lines of code”... if I get

Chris: Yes. I use it specially for waking up.

two of these done, I can say that this was

Even just having that vibration waking up

a good day.

in the morning... it’s a nice, gentile way to pull you out of sleep. After a couple of

What we have in terms of habits that goes

days getting shocked, you stop getting the

along in the same way is, instead of saying

reflex of hitting the snooze button. The

“I’m going to go to the gym seven days a

part of your brain who doesn’t want to get

week”, you say “this morning, for the next

shocked is like: “it’s time to get up, Chris!”.

two weeks, I'm going to put on my gym

That’s something I definitely love about it. I

clothes, step outside the door and lock the

will continually use it until I don't have this

door. After that I can do whatever I want.”

problem anymore.

Or, “I’m just going to go to the gym and swipe my card.” That’s it. I don’t need to

Reet: What kind of advice would you give to someone who has an interesting idea, but doesn’t want to put into ac-

work out. The hardest part isn’t working out. Is get-

tion?

ting there. If you manage to do this, some-

Chris: My advice would be: whether you

only takes 30 seconds, once you are in the

are trying to form a habit or start a busi-

gym you’ll think... “Im here already.. I might

ness, start small and set measurable

as well work out...”.

goals. It is important to have long term goals, but also have micro goals; things that you set in your daily goals, like in the night before: you say ”these are the three big wins that I am going to accomplish tomorrow, and that’s what i’m going to do”.

thing that you will reason with yourself that

That is completing the micro habit; breaking it down in smaller parts. It’s so much easier. BY REET SEN, Australian

If I don’t get anything else done, or if I just get two of these done, then today is a success. Instead of putting a huge amount of responsibility or stress on yourself, by say11

Why Women Need to Be More Delusional Differences in Public Speaking Between Men and Women

Consumer Electronics Show, 2014 Look at the picture above.

On the left side, Marissa Mayer: 38, CEO of Yahoo! (USD 4.61 billion in revenues). On the right side, David Karp: 28, CEO of Tu m b l r ( o w n e d b y Ya h o o ! ) . What do you see? 12

Based on my own personal experience,

date” desk. But I wonder...if she is so ac-

whether directly or indirectly, it is clear to

complished and intelligent, then what is

me that there are distinct diﬀerences in

holding her back from creating a “wow mo-

public speaking performances from a gen-

ment” herself? What is keeping her from

der perspective.

being as colorful and dynamic as Cham-

But don’t just take my word for it. Take a

bers? And if she can’t, how can we?

look at what Carmine Gallo, contributor to

The late 14th century poet John Gower

Forbes Leadership, wrote when assessing

while talking about love, once wrote:

Cisco CEO John Chamber’s performance

“There is no deception on the part of the

during the 2014 Consumer Electronics

woman, where a man bewilders himself: if

Show in Las Vegas:

he deludes his own wits, I can certainly ac-

“Within two minutes of taking the stage literally running on stage - he stepped oﬀ and walked right up to people as if he were having a conversation one on one, even though he was speaking to thousands. (...) he uses strong hand gestures and energetic body language”. Gallo then commented on Mayers’ performance. He said: “Yahoo! CEO Marissa Mayer created a wow moment in her keynote presentation when, while introducing Yahoo! as the top digital archive for the best of Saturday Night Live, she brought out two of the show’s cast members who were seated behind a ‘weekend update’ desk”. The wow moment of the Stanfordeducated 38-year old CEO of Yahoo!’s speech was an artifice, a “weekend up-

quit the women. Whatever man allows his mind to dwell upon the imprint his imagination has foolishly taken of women, is fanning the flames within himself -- and, since the woman knows nothing about it, she is not to blame.” Truth is, even though men are perhaps just as delusional as women regarding love, their delusion is unparalleled at work. In my own experience, I have encountered many delusional peers: there are the ones with the ever-ready catch phrases, the ones with the dramatic tones of voice, the ones who think they are god’s gift to the world and the selectively friendly alpha males... But somehow, they always seem to have been doing better at public speaking than my female peers. Whether it is getting their points farther across, engaging the audience, or making them laugh (even 13

though on most occasions they

the Equal Employment Opportu-

were less prepared than their fe-

nity Commission was estab-

male counterparts).

lished, we can see that society

At Girls: A No Ceilings Conversation, a project led by the Clinton Foundation, a girl and competitive chess player from the Seattle Girls School, Asha, was asked the question: “What do you think is holding girls back?” She replied: “In this field there are not many girls and it gets really scary because you go out there and play in a competition

has come a long way. Today, in most Western countries, men and women are equal under the law, and this should indeed be celebrated. Nevertheless, is being equal under the law suﬃcient to guarantee equal opportunity for performance? Also, are women doing enough to break their own constrained values and limited self-perceptions?

“Is being equal under the law suﬃcient to

where you are facing a boy that

Personally, I think that women

is maybe better at it than you…

are still stepping on egg shells

and boys tend to be cocky on

when set in public environments:

opportunity for

the chess field. It is scary I

even though there is a great

performance?

guess, sometimes intimidating,

movement to “Lean In”, women

and it makes you kind of want to

are not yet comfortable with

hold back.” Secretary Hillary Clin-

claiming half of what is available

ton added that not only does

- be it job opportunities, time un-

this happen in the chess field,

der the spotlight or compli-

but also in politics, stating that

ments. This, consequently, leads

she has dealt with her fair share

to ‘poorer’ public performances.

of “cocky”, delusional men.

guarantee equal

Public performance is all about

Going back to 1920 when

selling a story. However, without

women were granted the right to

the appropriate confidence and

vote in the US or to 1965 when

posture, no stories will ever be

Delusional: brave, notwithstanding, self-confident, light, cocky; perception of being perfect, or of deserving of being on the spotlight. 14

sold. For that, we need the element of delu-

women should strive to be more delu-

sion.

sional. To come invariably prepared, of

Beyoncé’s song Flawless features the Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who says: “We teach girls to shrink themselves. To make themselves smaller. We

course, but to actually believe that we are fantastic, phenomenal; flawless. Because rest assured, that is exactly what the guys are doing (or at least portraying).

say to girls, “you can have ambition, but

No more apologies, no more holding back,

not too much. You should aim to be suc-

no more over-self-assessment or self-

cessful, but not too successful.” To which,

judgment, no fear of appearing arrogant,

Beyoncé answers that we are all flawless

or of being wrong. No maybes and surely

no matter what or where or when.

no more CEOs needing artifices to make

On the same note, Dr. Maya Angelou

their audience happy.

wrote: “when you see me passing, it ought

Maybe we are only missing a little bit of de-

to make you proud. I say, ‘it’s in the click

lusion to Run The World. And even if run-

of my heels, the bend of my hair, the palm

ning the world is not the point, to play the

of my hand, the need for my care. ’Cause

same game, we need not only the same

I’m a woman; phenomenally. Phenomenal

rules, but access to the same skills and

woman, That’s me.”

the same “equipment”. Only then this will

It is not Marissa’s business that Chambers is the way he is. It’s not Asha’s, Hillary’s, or mine neither. But that doesn’t mean that

be a fair, though perhaps delusional, but certainly phenomenal field of play. BY VIVIANE MENNA BARRETO, Brazilian

there is nothing we can do about it. Maybe

The Answer To The Bottom of The Pyramid Lies With The Top A Refreshing Approach On The Role Of Business Leaders In The Advancement Of Society

Bottom of the pyramid as it is popularly

design of the world. Design we can

called in the fanciful economic and market-

change, but the mind is ones own responsi-

ing literature, can also be bluntly called the

bility. This is where education helps.

poor half of the world. I would suggest using the later as it adds a level of urgency to solve the issues at the bottom of the pyramid. The term “Bottom Of The Pyramid” makes it sound as if, it is a necessary evil. After all, where will the top stand if the bot-

The problems of the poor are obvious and needs no explanation as most press media and long form articles from the who’s-who of the news industry have covered it, to the point of saturation. What has NOT

tom isn’t there?

been done -- is the creation of political,

The poor can neither solve hunger, nor

would drive solutions that may not directly

solve the problem of poverty. But the rich

eradicate poverty, but can at least give the

could and they should, in their own best in-

other half of population greater choice and

terest. It is by design of how the world

freedom – in simple words ‘a life’, so that

works, that poverty still remains and will re-

they could join us in our grand economic

main. If there is riches and wealth accumu-

welfare.

lating on one end, it’s got to be dwindling

governmental or technological will, that

somewhere else right?

This is the basis of inclusive economic

The reason I say that poverty cannot be

perhaps they should be doing it for their

eradicated is because it is not a disease.

own selfish reasons. Either ways, it’s a

The reason I say that poverty cannot be

win-win. So, why not just plan our busi-

solved is because it is not a problem. Pov-

nesses and moneymaking endeavors to be

erty is a product of state of mind and the

inclusive of the other half of the world. It’s

growth. If the rich don’t do it for the poor,

selfish because, once you have sold to the

The ones intending to stay on like a going

first half, the second half is all that re-

concern. The other ones that are here to

mains.

make a quick buck and leave -- can leave

With Great Power Comes Great Social

--thank you, for making more room for the better ones among us.

Responsibility The world is waking up to Corporate SoWith great power comes great responsibil-

cial Responsibility, governments around

ity, not just for our beloved Spiderman, but

the world range from ‘suggesting CSR’ to

also for corporations & even governments.

‘mandating CSR’, for the companies that

This kind of responsibility has come to be

are planted in their soils. So let’s take a

called “Corporate Social Responsibility or

break and stop looking at everything as a

Social Responsibility”. The same holds

pyramid, as our management theories

true for wealthy individuals too. With great

have taught us faithfully over the years.

power, Spiderman saves his friendly neighborhood. How much of our neighborhood

“We can’t solve problems by using the

has our businesses changed?

same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” – Albert Einstein.

“Businesses that are better do better” The reality of the world is a sphere; circles That’s a multi-million dollar question to be

come back to where they started. There is

asked in the boardrooms, as this is a literal

no bottom or top in a circle. May be that’s

multi-million dollar question, which can

why the Earth is a sphere. If the pyramid

bring multi-millions back to the business, if

model was so damn right, the Earth must

the Social Return on Investment (SROI) is

have been shaped as one giant pyramid.

kept in mind. If the Social Impact Assess-

But it is not.

ment (SIA) is done before a project is deployed, if the CSR work closely with Non-

The answer that lies at the top of the pyra-

Profit sector. There are a lot of ‘ifs’ and

mid, is in people realizing that there is no

every ‘if’ is an uncertainty, but after the ‘if’

pyramid or hierarchy, but is rather one gi-

comes then’, which is forward looking.

ant sphere. This is the answer -- Take it to

Looking forward is a great quality.

the last human standing on the top.

But the above suggestion is for the busi-

BY RAM NARAYANAN, Indian

nesses that are here to stay in business. 17

New Profit Evolution Lessons from the Brazilian NGO Associacao Saude Crianca

One day, I heard Felek

tion was not always about

concept of bottled water.

Jachimowicz define innova-

technological advance-

His reasoning was pro-

tion as ‘being positively dif-

ments. He analyzed that it

found; it was true! Innova-

ferent from the competi-

was innovation that al-

tion, indeed, is the art of

tion’. In the brief lecture,

lowed for water to cost

achieving goals by being

he declared that innova-

more than gas through the

diﬀerent from the others. 18

Being of a scientific background, I ex-

psychological support. Dr. Cordeiro’s meth-

tended this reasoning to evolutionary the-

odology, the Family Action Plan, creates a

ory. The birds that developed longer

customized two-year support and educa-

beaks, and the aquatic organisms that

tion system for families referred to Saude

evolved streamlined structures were the in-

Crianca.

novators of pre-historic times. In today’s world, the most relevant organisms seem to be the non-living ones – corporations. I soon turned my thoughts to ponder how corporations, specifically the ones involved in implementing social rights, innovate in ways that underline Mr. Jachi-

In it, the children are treated, but the parents are also trained in vocational skills and educated on how to maintain the health and to prevent illness in their children. This very innovative approach has seen outstanding success in Brazil and in

mowicz definition.

neighboring countries.

One Organization that may encapsulate

The success of this approach is shown by

this definition is Saude Crianca, the Brazilian NGO also known as Brazil Child Health, which focuses on the treatment of children with chronic medical conditions. Its founder, Dr. Vera Cordeiro, became disturbed about the re-hospitalization rates of chronically ill children from poor families. In response to this social challenge, she created an organization that cared for this demographic by targeting the root causes of recurrent hospitalization among these children, namely poverty, care giver illiteracy and low social status of parents. Using a pioneering approach, Saude Crianca addresses the need for wellness among sick children by focusing on these five aspects of social life – health delivery, education, income generation, legal and

research conducted by Georgetown University and published in The New York Times. Researchers followed the progress of 300 families with children that had chronic diseases. They noted that compared with families in similar situations which had received no support, families benefitting from the work of SC had up to 85% reduction in re-hospitalization rates; and a 92% increase in family incomes. Three to five year follow-ups on benefitting families showed increased and sustained wellness among the children with chronic conditions. In a sector where stakeholders shy away from assessing the long term impacts of the work of NGOs, Saude Crianca is seen to be so successful that the Family Action Methodology has been replicated in seven states of Brazil, and has become 19

public policy in one of the largest states in

and stakeholders were worried about the

that country. In light of the impact on poor

future of CSOs in the country. Recent politi-

Brazilian families in the past 23 years,

cal developments in Brazil have seen the

Saude Crianca’s work is outstanding. Its

diversion of funds formerly given to these

innovativeness may just lie in the fact that

organizations to other causes and Brazil’s

its uses the very depressing situation of

changing status as a recipient of interna-

chronic illness as an entry point to aﬀect-

tional had begun to impede cash flows to

ing not only the sick child but also the fa-

these organizations. The future for NGOs

ther, mother and the entire household on a

was worrisome! But the study showed that

permanent basis.

while there was a viable source of funding in receiving of donations from individuals, CSOs were yet to tap into this relationship. In fact donations to NGOs accounted for only one percent of donations made in the country. Saude Crianca, however, is not with the rest of the NGO/CSO crowd. Whereas individual donations are seen as an untapped source, Saude’s models have been based largely on individual donations from the outset. And where the research cites crowdfunding as a ‘new’ means of ensuring sustainability of social enterprises,

Successful innovation, however, does not lie in the ideas alone. Ideas must be backed by eﬀective sustainability strategies and high marketability. In these, Saude Crianca is also seen to be blazing the trail. A 2014 research study by the Centre for Public Administration and Government Studies of the Getulio Vargas foundation, in Brazil, showed that researchers

Saude Crianca is already on its second year of using the Hollywood backed crowdfunding site, crowdrise.com, to raise funds for its operations. An announcement on the crowdrise.com site shows that the organization has so far raised about 136,000 USD (350,000 Brazilian Reals) from the site alone. But while Saude Crianca is showing innovation in sustainability strategies and by its partnerships with corporate organiza20

tions like Johnson & Johnson and McKin-

the world remains the same (we know it’s

sey, one disadvantage it faces is its deci-

not) even though organizations as Saude

sions not to accept assistance from the

Crianca are said to be doing great things in

government in form of grants or aid. In de-

diﬀerent sectors. People could also argue

veloping countries, government aid is usu-

that the things being done by this, and

ally an assured means of guaranteeing sus-

similar organizations, are only drops of wa-

tainability as released funds are usually in-

ter in an ocean. In my reflections on this

corporated in national budgets and are dis-

and other similar arguments, I tie the word

bursed unhindered.

of Felek Jachimowics to my understanding

In refusing to make such government ties, the organization may be shooting itself in the foot and losing funds that could guarantee more impact. A counter argument to this, and one that is held by some big players in the CSO sector is that in accepting government assistance, organizations are unable to maintain political neutrality and could face the danger of a loss of reputation among its constituent populations. And, in this case, the avoidance of a loss of reputation is a huge sustainability strategy by itself. In addition, the strength of the decision against receiving government aid is exemplified in the success of Green Peace, a world renowned environmental NGO, which has a strict policy against government backed donations, but currently

of evolutionary development: “All fish did not emerge with sophisticatedly streamlined structures at the same time. In diﬀerent corners over time, little innovative improvements were made, and soon the design was the status quo and soon no fish was able to survive without these previously ‘little’ changes.” The same holds true for Saude Crianca and the rest of the business world today. In conducting business by tweaking, or, in some cases, overhauling entire business models, organizations are securing their place in the future. With its novel approaches to social entrepreneurship and problems solving, Saude Crianca seems to be at the forefront of social innovation and business sustainability. BY EBUWA IGHO-OSAGIE, Nigeria

runs about 60% of its operations in Brazil on the donations of individuals within Brazil. Sometimes, there is the tendency to play the role of the skeptic. One could ask why 21

Brian Smith Founder of UGG Originally a Podcast

Reet Sen interviewed Brian Smith and Barry Donalson at the Harvard Leadership Conference. Brian gave his advice to future entrepreneurs:

2. You cannot give birth to adults. Brian: Every company, big or small, started with someone conceiving an idea. It took the first action, the first product, or the first service... then it goes through this infancy period, in which every company

1. No billion dollar company that did not

goes through: people don’t know what the

start out with USD1,000 exists in the

product is, its niche... this product seems

world.

to just lie there. No amount of shaking the cradle, or over-feeding the infant helps - It

Brian: The reason why UGG took so long

can’t get up and go to college. You have to

to catch on here, was that Americans

hang on to this infancy period and your

didn’t understand sheep-skin as Australian

product will hit the toddling stage, where

do. They thought it was delicate and

the customer will start to be aware of it

couldn’t get it wet and muddied, so it took

and want a piece of it.

a long time to get momentum here. Ultimately that will end up in youth, where Our first year of sales was 28 pairs. 28

orders are consistent, production is consis-

pairs exactly happened to be $1,000 just

tent and everything is clicking along. But if

by a fluke. Now, 30 years later, the com-

the product is really good, that could be

pany is doing a billion dollars for the last

dangerous when it hits teenage years, be-

three years, but if I haven't had started that

cause it wants to be out everywhere; every-

thing out and made my first $1,000, proba-

body wants to have it in stock... you will

bly no one within America would under-

eventually hit maturity, and that’s where all

stand what UGG boots are.

the controls come in. Having a company is like having a child. 22

Barry Donalson Senior Vice President at 5Linx Originally a Podcast

Barry focused his ad-

your organization. If you

products and services,

vice on “leverage”:

grow everyone’s mind, you

and the other is talent.

grow your business.

There are a lot of people

Reet: Here at the Harvard Leadership Conference,

Reet: The key takeaway

that I have in my companies that have a lot greater

for me from your seminar

talent than I do. I learned

is to invest in yourself.

to gravitate around the

Once you do that, be-

skills of other people to ele-

yond the formal educa-

vate my company as a

tion that you get in col-

whole. If you can leverage

lege, that Is the key of

the talent of other people

Barry: personal develop-

continued development

with humility, you will be a

ment is the key compo-

and success. The second

great success at American

nent to success. When you

part you spoke about lev-

business.

build your mind and the

eraging other people.

mind of others, anything is

Can you tell us a little bit

possible.

about that?

Learning can’t stop in col-

Barry: I became success-

how you delegate tasks.

lege. It can’t ever stop.

ful in the distribution and

Obviously one would ex-

This is what these semi-

networking business.

pect that you would do

nars and workshops are all

There is a couple of diﬀer-

that with humility. I re-

about: is growing your

ent ways i did that. One is

cently just read in a book

mind, and growing the

through building networks

called “Never eat alone”

minds of the people in

- being able to market our

with Keith Ferrazzi. One

you talked a lot about personal development. Reflecting on your personal life, how does that make you feel?

Reet: Speaking about humility; you talked a lot about gatekeepers, and

of the things he said was to build a rap-

of times, people already have customer da-

port with the gatekeepers, because

tabases that you can tap into. Your job is

when you get to know the gatekeepers,

to make sure that this database, or list for

you get to know the leader. Can you tell

the information business, is responsive.

us about what’s the best way to ap-

When you know that a person has a re-

proach a gatekeeper and how to treat them with humility? Barry: In selling, that’s a big challenge that a lot of people have, because they want to go straight to the decision-maker.

sponsive list, then you can revenue share, or oﬀer your product to their list. They buy your product and you share the revenues. When a person buys from some one else’s list, you revenue share only on the first sale. If they decide to buy something else,

I teach a course class called Speak Easy.

that’s all yours. They are your customers.

In it, I teach people to build a rapport rela-

Also, if you have a list, you can oﬀer your

tionship with the gatekeepers. That’s more

list to other people with products. Let’s say

important than a specific decision-maker,

that you have a coﬀee and a have a busi-

because most times they have this relation-

ness that sells coﬀee cups. You can oﬀer

ship already built. And most times, the

your coﬀee to my list of people who buy

gatekeeper gives answers to the

coﬀee cups. We share on the revenue of

decision-makers.

the first sale of your coﬀee.

When you’re selling, you want to get into

Reet: So three very important levels of

the gatekeeper first. When you’re leading,

how to leverage your resources:

as a decision-maker, you want to train the gatekeepers so they can come to you with the right decisions. Reet: You also talked about leveraging your business and about sales channels - traditional versus contemporary approach of revenue sharing. Can you tell us about revenue sharing? Barry: revenue sharing is very simple. If you’re trying to grow your business, a lot

1. Leverage yourself: continuously invest in yourself, even outside of formal education. 2. Leverage other people: gatekeepers, networking, leaders... 3. Leverage your business: use already existing databases. BY REET SEN - Australian

Creating Tech Products That Work 90% of real innovation lies in achieving a

around the world. But why is it so? Why

thorough understanding of the problem in

are so many smart minds so eager to jump

its right social, cultural, economic and be-

onto developing products without spend-

havioral context.

ing the first few months understanding the

There are two simple, yet deceptively com-

problem?

plex, questions that all tech-entrepreneurs

The fundamental reason, I feel, is in the

face at some point during the beginning of

way we are wired. And the fact that the

their entrepreneurial journey.

ones who know how to answer the first

1. What product should I make? 2. How should I design and develop it?

question well were never really trained to answer the second, and vice-versa. But surely, for tech-entrepreneurs, both design thinking and software product develop-

I first pondered upon these questions in

ment methodology have to dovetail seam-

2009 while planning my first start-up. My

lessly in order for them to be able to de-

first impulse at the time was to just try dif-

velop products that work. Few design

ferent ideas and see what sticks. Why not, I

school grads learn how to code, and there

thought. The idea is to not be shy of mak-

arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t too many technology schools that I

ing mistakes, right?

know of that incorporate user centered thinking into their instruction.

Young entrepreneurs, especially Techentrepreneurs, are often eager to quickly

The result? Well naturally, young entrepre-

go ahead and build the products they think

neurs feel eager to get on to doing what

could sell, without putting much time into

they know best. Code. It is just basic hu-

researching the problem that they are try-

man tendency. Interest is often a function

ing to solve. This is an unfortunate and bit-

of knowledge. You are never really inter-

ter reality easily visible in most young

ested in things you know nothing about.

start-ups in incubators and accelerators

And so, the typical Tech-entrepreneur usu25

ally thinks, let me just go ahead and de-

This Tech-Innovation Model, although still

velop that app, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure people will buy it.

work-in-progress, aims to capture within a

And that is the fundamental pitfall. That is why we see so many tech products, brilliant in design, but unable to be monetized. Over the last few years, drawing inspiration from the learning I have had while working with a user centered design firm, teaching at an innovation school, together with all I picked up during my time at software engineering and business

single model, the essence of Design Thinking as well as Agile Product Development Methodology. It defines how to apply user centered thinking to understand the real need in its rightful context, and then how to apply agile product thinking to iteratively and quickly create market-tested solutions to fulfill the targeted need. The first challenge is to understand what to create.

schools,Â Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve begun to visualize for myself a model for Structured Tech-Innovation.

• Identifying the need: A good innovator is often also an avid user of the solution. It is important to immerse oneself in a field environment and face challenges like a user would, in order to develop an in-depth understanding of the context of the problem. • Mapping the Problem: The applicability and adoption of a solution often depend on a number of environmental drivers and external influences. Therefore, while creating a solution concept, it is critical to take into account the relationships, the interdependencies, the behaviors, the players, the power structures, the need drivers and the communication systems that define the context of the problem at large. However tedious to itemize, all these aspects have to be mapped out and visualized as part of the design analysis. • Breaking It Down: Selecting the ideal functionality set for the product is always a trade oﬀ. Each new feature, alongside fulfilling a need, adds complexity and cost to the product. Breaking down the entire problem into numerous use-cases and determining the main points of failure in the system can help prioritize which problems to solve. The top 5 items on this prioritized list can form the funda-

mental requirement specification for the product. The next challenge, once we know what the key objectives are, is to design and develop a solution. • Defining the Minimum Viable Product (MVP): It is critical to be quick and basic at the start; and address the central need first. Defining and building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a scaled-down nofrills yet functional and releasable version of the envisioned larger solution can help prove and verify the core solution concept. • Creation of a Basic, Deployable Module: Keeping the product development iterative and agile has huge upsides. Putting out a basic working version of the product within the first 2 months allows for the core features to be market-tested. This allows for the ability to validate the product applicability in live environments with real users before investing time in adding the bells and whistles. • Releasing and getting feedback: The key is to co-create, to get the real users to try it out, to observe them use it, to ask them for their feedback, and to see if

it actually works in the real world. Co-

have long shelf lives. It is, therefore, key

creating with real users in live environ-

to use the early years during a product's

ments and incorporating changes quickly

lifecycle to become a key part of the eco-

ensures product acceptability at launch.

system. Getting partners to integrate

• Integrating changes in the following

their services and product with yours can make the product integral to the entire

Iteration: The insights from users of the

value chain in the industry. The idea is to

MVP should dictate the order of priority

use this product to create a start-up that

for the next iteration of product develop-

is well positioned and ready to create the

ment, the next sprint. A reprioritization of

next product before the need evolves. Be-

product features at this stage allows for

ing an active and integrated part of the

real time adaption of the product to the

larger ecosystem can take your start-up

user’s preference. Adding or changing

from being promising to performing.

limited number of features per iteration keeps the cycle time low. This MVPrelease-feedback cycle can be repeated

BY MANU MAKKER, Indian at HEC Mont-

several times until the priority list stabi-

real

lizes. The product now is getting close to being market-ready.   Commercializing the Product • Launching: It is paramount to get a critical mass of early adopters and create evangelists out of some of them. Curating discussions on the subject, sharing testimonials and war stories to influence other adopters, and focussed marketing can help to build on this early success. • Monetizing: Digital landscape is a dynamic place. Products these days don’t

Keeping Journalism’s Role Through The Development Of New Ideas Margaret Sullivan is the Public Editor of the

the foundations of the information delivery

New York Times. In the spring of 2014, Sul-

so far.

livan published an article - Lodestars in a Murky Media World - that conveyed her wide, general reflections about what is changing in the job of journalism, along which a perspective on the role of media and of all entities producing information. Especially two things, Sullivan writes, deserve a deep discussion. The first is the state of uncertainty of the contemporary journalism. The second is the certainty that some values will last. Brand new start-ups are gaining momentum, breaking some of the common trends that have represented

The digital era has penetrated the media industry, so that the old, classical form of the daily printed newspapers needs to be rethought. Exotically-tasting words such as “subcompact publishing” and “longform publications” are peeping out from behind the usual lexicon associated to magazines and newspapers. A multi-facet challenge is taking shape at a faster pace than every reliable forecast could have predicted. When applied to the world of information, Darwin’s theory of Origin of Spe-

cies appears to be particularly appropriate.

news and information (output) to serve the

This theory explains that it is not the

public interest (social role).”

strongest of the species that survives; instead, the species that survives is the one that succeeds in adapting and re-shaping to the changing environment in which it

The transition made possible by the transformation of the media industry in all its formats (text, audio, video) has opened up ex-

finds itself.

periments focusing on new forms of story-

What has information delivery become

models for publishers has arisen as a re-

nowadays? How can journalism slough oﬀ

sult of this information’s “nouvelle vague”.

the dust from itself in order to face the new challenges and pitfalls that undermine its foundations? Which kinds of strategies can the publishing industry adopt in order to take advantage of the new opportunities and in order to thrive in the insidious forest

telling. Moreover, a new wave of business

Following the disruptive tsunami that has undermined the basis of the music and the television industries, newspapers and magazines have been severely struck by the terrific availability of cultural content on

of communications?

the web. News and analysis can be easily

The chameleonic nature of journalism

an amount that challenge Newton’s rule of

The American Press Institute defines Jour-

read, saved, downloaded, with a pace and velocity as the ratio of space and time.

nalism as “the activity of gathering, assess-

And, in most cases, they’re amazingly free.

ing, creating, and presenting news and in-

It seems unnecessary to back up the old-

formation”. Journalism “is also the product

style information’s industry diagnosis with

of these activities”. Media lawyer and uni-

facts and figures. Nevertheless, researches

versity of Dayton assistant professor Jona-

flown into “The State of the News Media”,

than Petres and Edson C. Tandoc Jr., of

released by The Pew Research Center’s

the Missouri School of Journalism, oﬀered

Project for Excellence in Journalism, are

a second kind of perspective, by underlin-

pretty meaningful. Those data show that

ing the social added value promoted by in-

“newspaper print advertising is now just

formation “A journalist is someone em-

45% of what it was in 2006. The growth in

ployed to regularly engage in gathering,

online ad revenue has been slow”. In addi-

processing, and disseminating (activities)

tion, “more than three-quarters of print classified revenue has been lost since

2000”. Amazon founder Jeﬀ Bezos, whose

munications lie outside the purpose of this

purchase of the Washington Post newspa-

article’s attempt, since, as decreed by

per has led to a plethora of comments,

many observers and insiders, the future of

epitomized the current, thorny state of the

the information industry probably sits in

journalism industry by pointing out that,

the online digital publishing.

from a reader point of view, buying a newspaper for the purpose of reading one of

Storytelling adaptation: new trends, new

the investigative stories uncovered by the

strategies

Washington Post simply doesn’t make sense anymore. If a reader can easily find the key points of that report in a summarized and accessible for free form anywhere else on the Web, Bezos argues, why should he, or she, be interested in reading the Post?

First of all, it’s important to identify the protagonists. If the need of innovation is higher than ever, this imperative should be grasped by those who are able to adapt best to the changing environment: the outsiders. Outsiders analyze existing problems with fresh eyes, and no prejudices. Outsiders don’t re-use any exploited model, they just start from scratch, and this is probably the best strategy to face the challenge of communications’ sudden veer. Many diﬀerent players geared with a bunch of smart digital technologies are reshaping, when not reinventing, the process of telling stories. How are they doing that? By adjusting their product plans according

Retrieved from the Business Insider

to the new trends. And, of course, by elaborating and testing smart, innovative,

Let’s state an assumption, in order to nar-

business models.

row the potentially huge analytic field that needs to be explored; the following consid-

Let’s begin with the new trends in the adap-

erations will inspect only the world of the

tation. In order to thrive in the new environ-

digital information. Printed sources of com-

ment, old and young publishing companies are more and more aware of a set of 31

influencing factors. Social networks are

ance looks quite poor. The new strategy in

considered as a powerful axe, because

this case deals with visibility; online pub-

they generate a huge number of money-

lishers must make sure that customers see

making page views. Facebook is only an

a display ads for at least a second. The

example, which accounts for 25% of the

user scrolls down the page, and some ads

web traﬃc. Another key element is the role

would move down the page simultane-

of the platforms, instead of the old-school

ously.

websites. Since it’s necessary to provide adequate scale in order to produce the

Storytelling creation: the subcompact

amount of content or pages required to at-

power

tract the advertising inventory, it suddenly becomes essential to build a “platform experience”. The publishing tools need to be

Despite the relative importance of adaptation, new innovative business models stand at the core of the storytel-

made accessible to a wide array

ling reshaping. “A new mentality, of creators of online information contents. In addition, the con- which will need Subcompact publishing, whose cept of sharing increases its potential up to the highest levels.

to be backed by a manifesto has been written by

Users and readers want to let

new business

their social contacts know

model”

about the articles and the news

independent writer, designer

and publisher Craig Mod, is a method of digitally publishing based on the following features:

they devour, and publishing protagonists

small issue sizes, small file sizes, HTML

must play up to their audience’s needs and

based, scrolling instead of pagination, fluid

expectations. Some key factors penetrate

publishing schedule, digital-aware sub-

the complex sphere of advertising tech-

scription prices. In a nut, a smart, innova-

niques; for over a decade display ads used

tive, minimalistic, easy-to-use reading ex-

to appear at the top of the digital screen,

perience. Each issue may be free or sub-

since that was the area where internet us-

ject to a small payment. Monetization hap-

ers’ eyes happened to gaze the most.

pens basically via Apple’s Newstand and

Now, things have changed. Readers scroll

Amazon’s Kindle platform.

down the page faster than ads can actually load on, so that many of those luring

The product of the above features embod-

golden geese are not seen. The result is

ies a new mentality, which will need to be

that industry-wide click-through perform-

backed by a new business model. The lat32

ter has to incorporate digital-only publish-

Subcompact publishing can be utilized as

ing, with low operational costs. The idea is

a vehicle for another new trend in the on-

to create an information product that

line media, which is the return to a new life

works properly, elegantly, that fits its con-

of the long-form storytelling (i.e. online plat-

tent and purpose naturally, with no dubi-

forms such as Medium and Long form).

ously useful features, excess or complication. This view strongly clashes with the way online newspapers and magazines, designed upon heavy graphics and dense

A research led by Slate illustrates that only one person out of eight read past the midpoint of a 2,000 pixel-tall Web article. This

contents, have been conceived so far.

result could represent an argument proving

Some examples of subcompact publica-

taste of most of people. Nevertheless, the

tions are Marco Arment’s The Magazine,

lenght-fobia has been tackled by Cowbird,

the digital online publication Quartz – dis-

a publishing experiment that provides read-

tributed by Atlantic Media Company -, the

ers with an inspiring collection of story

magazine Epic.

units, by combining photos and text. Each

that digital long stories do not appeal the

of these units – called “sagas”- contains one or more photos along with brief essays. The result is a deeply personal narrative that can be navigated via smooth horizontal scrolling. When exploring the diﬀerent online publishing models, one cannot overcome the multimedia storytelling. Despite its inner potentials, this format, epitomized by the New York Times’ Snow Fall and The Jockey, which mixes diverse modes of expression Retrieved from Quartz.com

(text, video, photos, audio) never really took oﬀ, since it was an “additive” model

Now, let’s think again at Darwin’s Origin of

more than an innovative way of thinking.

Species. The power of the subcompact

Walking through an unknown path. Ei-

model relies on its adaptability to forms of

ther Adaptation or Creation?

publishing other than the short articles.

Is there any light in the midst of the forest?

not and cannot belong to the adaptation’s

Even though these business models pro-

stream. Design Thinking means creation,

vide encouraging inputs, there still remain

via smart imaginative tools. Design Think-

doubts upon whether quality journalism

ing implies passion, excitement, craving

will be commercially sustainable and viable

for the marvelous power associated with

in the future. The Washington Post, as re-

the information sharing. If there’s a light in

marked above, prided itself on producing

the wood, the former emanates from those

amazing investigative reports. Will this kind

outsiders who are likely to become the

of expensive, high-quality journalism find a

proud protagonists of the new era of jour-

place in the online digital subcompact pub-

nalism. The outsiders, whether the term re-

lications? Can the innovative business

fers to a startup or a single individual, will

models support those activities? And, last

have to accept the great challenge of bring-

but not least, will the subcompact publish-

ing it on, making tries, experimenting,

ing be cursed by the extreme, dangerous

maybe getting wrong, at the beginning.

proliferation when everyone can begin a publication and charge web users? Adaptation is certainly a smoother, easier strategy than the one repre-

“Design Thinking means creation,

The way those people adapt, comes through the process of creation. The task is tough,

via smart imagina- but the stakes are higher than tive tools”

sented by what it’s called “creation”. For established publishing businesses, developing a new oﬀensive advertising tactic or embellishing a website with link-me buttons connecting to the huge world of social networks is doubtlessly

ever. Creative initiators, sons and daughters of a generation

where journalism still kept its noble role of an untouchable truth-revealer, will hopefully be able to restore the inner soul of the publishing world, by starting to develop new ideas.

less costly. Yet, the current trend experi-

Subcompact publications have already

enced by journalism and publishing indus-

showed their immense potential. As for the

tries requires fresh air. New ideas. New

other models, both those already experi-

products.

enced and those that still wait for being

It is the whole chain that needs to be rethought, starting from the so-called “Design Thinking”, which, by definition, does

conceived, we’re eager to know what will happen. The future of journalism, aside from the rise of innovative business models, is still greatly unknown. The shadow of 34

governmental subsidization, as the answer

powerful, encouraging connection that

to the audience fragmentation and dilution

links journalism and the way it aﬀects the

of advertising money, darkens the perspec-

whole human society. “Integrity. Challeng-

tives of what used to be a bright and pros-

ing the powerful. Truth and fairness. No

perous industry.

matter what the technological changes,

The independence itself of the publishing sector from influential patrons who can back and sustain the former is in the running. What seems to be true, is that while models change, values endure over the time. Margaret Sullivan is quite optimistic about this point. At the end of her analysis,

these are never going to go out of style. And neither are the reasons that talented and idealistic young people continue to be attracted to journalism: their compassion for society’s underdogs and their desire to make the world a better place.” BY GIULIA UBERTALLO - Italian

she insists more then ever on the strong,

Retrieved from Slate.com 35

“Where do you see your-

niques that companies

and timeless of all tech-

self in 10 years?”

have added to their recruit-

niques. Fail at an interview

ment processes over the

and – depending on the

years.

job – even an exceptional

“Tell me something interesting about yourself – what makes you tick?” These questions are standard and ostensibly well understood –some might even say cringe-worthy—

These techniques can range from interviewing

Beyond answering ques-

case study analyses and

tions however, a whole

even psychometric tests.

host of other interactions

Yet it appears that even in

candidates time after time.

the age of the psychomet-

the arsenal of hiring tech-

enough.

and background checks to

but still manage to stump

Today, they are just part of

test score may not be

ric test, the interview remains king, most robust

can shape outcomes during the hiring process: the entire journey, from first impression to contract signing, is a carefully choreo-

graphed dance between

found and delivered every

them to the client and

candidates, recruiters and

single time?

eventually helping to nego-

enterprises.

Global talent surveys have

tiate a good oﬀer.

In general, an organization

revealed that a significant

In reality, a recruitment pro-

wants to hire an individual

percentage of employers

fessional has to adopt a

for two main reasons: to

report talent shortages.

highly consultative ap-

make them money, or save them money.

This in turn causes them to face diﬃculties in meeting

proach and be skilled in numerous areas including research, sales, interviewing,

Ask any hiring manager

their clients’ demands and

about the type of senior

remaining competitive. Is

practitioner they want to

there really a shortage of

hire and the response is

talent or is there an inade-

Some might say that it

simple: the best.

quacy in finding and luring

takes a certain kind of ani-

them?

mal to do this job for a

Many organizations oper-

and coaching a candidate through the process.

long time – one that is con-

ate under the assumption

In fact, determining the fit

that hiring the best people

of a candidate for an or-

means that those people

ganization and presenting

would also hire the best,

them accordingly is where

They are right: it takes

setting in motion a ‘virtu-

recruitment consultants en-

someone who is able to al-

ous cycle’ of top talent ac-

ter the picture.

ways be in the know and

quisition that would ideally remain part of the company culture. To this end, CEOs and senior business leaders almost universally name ‘hiring the right people’ as one of their most important responsibilities. But can the best talent be

Recruitment and Executive Search firms have been engaged by clients seeking the best talent. Many assume that a recruitment consultant is tasked with simply understanding the job, screening candidates, introducing

stantly hungry, alert and possesses a killer instinct.

constantly dig deeper to find out the social or political factors surrounding people and the organizations. Executive Search firms work on the basis that a candidate is not someone who applies for a job. It is assumed that anyone is a 37

candidate, almost all of the

cant part of the recruit-

market and becoming an

time – identifying their rele-

ment process in terms of

industry expert would al-

vance regardless of

finding talent, it is the re-

low the recruitment profes-

whether or not they are

cruiter’s finesse and skill

sional to adopt a highly

looking for a job is ex-

that will bring the talent to

consultative approach

tremely important.

the table and determine

which has been and will

whether or not he/she

continue to be a key value

signs the dotted line.

add oﬀered to both clients

The ability to source such candidates and then entice

and candidates.

them enough to want to

The recruitment industry is

meet with you or your cli-

challenging as a whole – it

Ultimately, if the recruit-

ent therefore becomes a

is one of the few jobs in

ment industry itself can

skill in high demand, for

the world where both the

continue hiring the right

the sophisticated selling it

client and the merchandise

blend of people internally,

entails.

are empowered with the

then servicing clients and

ability to say no. Looking

helping them keep up with

ahead, the industry itself

the talent acquisition war

has to continue focusing

will ensure the longevity

on hiring strong practitio-

and success of the indus-

ners. These strong practi-

try.

The value and future of recruitment are both very closely tied. Moving forward, it appears that the industry will be centered on 2 things: the intelligent and savvy use of technology and sophisticated human skills. Notable leaders in the recruitment industry

tioners are those who are not just technically savvy, but also have the ability to

BY RUBINA KHAN Singaporean

network and build relationships.

argue that a recruitment

Communication (both ver-

firm is paid for 2 things: to

bally and in writing) will

find talent and deliver it to

also be a very important

the client safe and sound.

factor in selling and pre-

While technology and so-

senting to both clients and

cial media such as Linke-

candidates. In addition to

dIn have become a signifi-

that, focusing on a niche

New Trends in Global Consulting A Generation of Freelance Consultants and Small Consulting Firms Management Consulting

First of all, the industry is

Booz, in Germany, share

was born in 1886, with the

constantly looking for new

projects, revenues, market

first management consult-

profit and they are opening

power and ideas when the

ing firm, Arthur D. Little,

new branches in locations

work is too important to

Inc. This field has been fol-

where the economy is flour-

risk loss and both firms

lowed by the wave of

ishing. For instance, Shenz-

benefit from the agree-

growth in the 1980s with

hen, in China, is the most

ment.

the demand for strategy

recent city in which to do

and organization consultan-

business and one of the

cies, then by the IT indus-

best for consultancy in

try. This period saw the be-

Asia (and especially in the

ginning of the big account-

new first world-economy:

ing firms (now Big Four)

China). Thanks to cities

with PwC, KPMG, E&Y

like this, management con-

and Deloitte.

sulting businesses can as-

Forward to 2014: the world

sure new revenues and an

Moreover, consulting firms are getting ready for new industries. Nowadays, the trend is based around the Internet; the demand for IT consultants, social media and online businesses is always growing. PwC, De-

important net growth.

loitte and McKinsey, to

from the global economic

We could think that, due to

ones, are now looking for

crisis. However, the billion-

globalization, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a war

employees with new aca-

dollar industry of Consult-

to get clients in the jungle

demic talent. Graduates

ing is still increasing, with

of consulting firms; but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

specializing in new tech-

an overall average of 10%

only partially true. Now,

nologies and digital devel-

growth, per annum. How is

more than ever, not all

opment are amongst their

this possible?

firms are competing with

most preferenced new

each other; some actually

hires.

is just beginning to recover

mention only the biggest

work together. PwC and

There is one particular

wouldn’t need help, as

lancer due to the attractive

thing about the consulting

they are worth billions;

lifestyle and high profit mar-

industry that we can ob-

however, this is not the

gins.

serve when the economy

case. These companies

is bad: the industry can ac-

are new and a special

tually enjoy a global crisis.

thing about them is that

Firms in the consulting

they don’t know how long

field are using these crises

their success will last. New

to thrive. During these bad

trends and technologies

times, companies need to

are emerging every month;

reduce costs, change

some are disappearing

strategies and sometimes

and are being replaced by

they have to merge if they

new ones. These compa-

want to stay in business.

nies need to ensure their

And this is where manage-

next move is profitable and

ment consultants come

secure. This is why they

into play. Companies are

need the help of consult-

ready to pay a lot of

ants.

bigger than ever. It can be

So what’s the next big

essentially an asset for the

thing? A generation of free-

entire industry, keeping it

lance consultants and

alive and stronger than

small consulting firms. This

ever.

money for innovative advice and ways to expand t h e i r r e v e n u e . C o n s equently, it’s no surprise that during the global financial crisis, from 2008 to

will occur due to the high

To conclude, the future of management consulting is stable and predictably growing. Global companies are expanding to new cities and they keep specializing in new fields by following the new big trends and ensuring new revenue and new ways of working. With the increase of consulting startups, the consultancy field is now a risk for big firms, but it’s

ARNAUD

fees charged by well-

were hiring more than ever.

known consultancy firms,

BACZKOWSKI - French

New technologies and ap-

limitations of startups and

plications also require the

small businesses.

2014, consulting firms

help of management consultants. We could think for example that Facebook, Dropbox or SkyDrive

coupled with the financial

Additionally, some consultants are deciding to start their own business as free-

Originally a Podcast

Mayowa Adeoti interviews Damu

Damu: I have a quote I live by, which was

Winston and uncovers insights

formulated by Jim Rowen: you work full

about the startup scene in Dubai. Damu Winston is an entrepreneur and a project manager. He has worked as an IT consultant for about ten years, and has been a founder of five startups. The first company he started was during his undergraduate degree, selling IT solutions to twelve clients. He then had the opportunity to become an entrepreneur for Bank of America on a brand refreshment project. Currently, he owns two businesses in Charlotte, North Carolina, and has underway plans for another startup in Dubai.

time on your job and part time on your fortune. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important to have a true passion and I think a passion project should be your first love, or your second love if you are married. I have spent many years in the corporate space for two reasons: 1. I like to receive a paycheck regularly. I know what to expect and I know what itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be. As an entrepreneur, money only comes when the company or client pays. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the reality up until a point where the income is consistent. Especially if your responsibilities lay elsewhere; for example having a family. 41

2. To learn from the industries, the experts.

Think of Facebook or Twitter, who knew

These are people and companies with a

there was a gap for social interaction? Be-

proven system that works. So in order to

fore Facebook there was already MyS-

be an entrepreneur, I need a successful

pace. Zuckerberg developed an idea.

mindset. That means I need to be able to learn what success looks like. By being in corporate America, I get to see some of the processes and I see how they act and think in overcoming obstacles. In Dubai, I am exploring ways to grow my businesses. Mayowa: How does an entrepreneur come up with a successful new product or solution?

Other companies like Unilever and McDonalds see an opportunity and go for it. Create a product or solution based on existing needs. A little known fact is that in China there are more than 300 million middle class people, or about the entire population of the US! So on the last quarter, Apple made more money in China than in all the US. They

Damu: There are two types of entrepre-

simply identified a gap and saw how to

neurs. The first type entrepreneur only fo-

place their product. That is why I believe

cuses on their own ideas â&#x20AC;&#x201C; they come up

Dubai is an international multi-port. A lot

with an ingenious idea and want to work

of companies come here and see that they

with them. I always say that they should

can create needs for their products and

go see if the idea is already taken in their

services here.

markets. If so they must modify their idea somehow, be innovative.

Nothing in life is easy, but one thing is for sure. If you take time, right work and build

The second entrepreneur sees the market,

the right relationships, anything is possi-

finds the growing sectors, and then looks

ble.

for opportunities. For instance, in Dubai, certain sectors like security have not been dug into. Create an idea that can support a new, growing industry. Create a product and create a demand, or identify a problem and create a solution.

Mayowa: Dubai is projecting 35 million contracts for the world exposition in 2020. How do you think this will impact the startup scene? Damu: Dubai has a very unique government. There is a very low unemployment rate due to the visa system that requires

for employees to have a job. As a US citi-

possible. Be impactful in the little time you

zen you have 30 days to get a job if they

have so that it stays even when you are

catch you after that you could get de-

long gone.

ported or arrested.

Foresight – Believe that something ex-

Right now there are only about 200 thou-

ists. Sometimes I close my eyes and try to

sand UAE citizens living in Dubai, a city

envision where I want to be. What type of

with an estimated 2 million residents at

people do I need around to get to this

any given time. Thus the contracts will gen-

idea? Then I can decompose it. Everything

erate income, but then after the expo, in 5

starts with seeing it in your head.

years, the people will leave. The industry that will suﬀer the most will be real estate,

4. Passion – do it well or not at all. Pas-

since people have to leave. So now Dubai

sion is what drives you and pushes

is working on 2025 wanting to send people

you. Find something you like to do and

into space. They are trying to increase sup-

you never have to work a day in your

port for the Qatar soccer World Cup and

life. If your part time is your passion,

other strategic alliances, that way after

and your passion becomes a fortune

2020 Dubai can still be a hub.

then you wont have to work.

Mayowa: Do you have any advice for entrepreneurs?

5. Don’t let your dreams go to the graveyard. Winners don’t do diﬀerent things. They do things diﬀerently. I truly

Damu: 1.

Emotional intelligence – Identify the

strength of your team, trust them, be approachable, understand your people, because what make a person successful are the people around you. You are only one finger, but if you add four more you make a fist. Every team should have 4-5 people to create better impact. 2.

believe that the graveyard is where the richest and wealthiest things on earth are. This is where you find some of the greatest ideas, the books never written, songs never sung and dreams never fulfilled because people didn’t act upon them. If you have an idea, believe in it and work to make it a reality. BY MAYOWA ADEOTI - Nigeria

Management eﬀectiveness – Be as

eﬀective as needed be in as little time as

Women in Business Is Good Leadership Gendered?

Originally a Video

Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, came to

of women as a major transformative force

Hult to take part in our Visionary Speaker

for any company’s bottom line.

Series last January (2014). And while I enjoyed his speech, there is one part that particularly stuck with me. He was forecasting business trends, which would weave into the 21st Century, and during this he stated that one of the key drivers for change was the rise of women into positions of leadership (and he meant this from the shop floor to the board room). He saw this elevation

Then I joined a “Lean In” circle. Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” circles, were originated in the US, but have now crossed the pond to the UK. These circles provide mentoring and networking for women and have as its main purpose to address inequalities in socialization between young men and young women. Sandberg sees these diﬀer-

ences, which start in childhood, and then

relation between an increase of gender

run on into adulthood, as the first cause of

equality and increase of gross domestic

workplace inequalities.

product. Per capita!

You may have recently heard about Lean

These statistics are interesting because

In from their “Ban-Bossy” campaign. It’s

they cut-cross cultural boundaries and dif-

hard to miss it, because it has been

ferent cultural norms. Most simply put, it

fronted by Beyonce. Any time you have a

means that women in the boardroom

discussion and a controversy surrounding

change business cultures.

a single word, fronted by a prime time entertainer, you should know that you have a

The theory often put forward to explain the

hot topic on your hands.

trend is transformational versus command

Groups such as SIMA and ACCA have

down to the heart of what leadership is.

stood alongside women in leadership groups. Organizations as large as TESCO hold special conferences for female employees, facilitating them into positions of power and of influence. There are conferences and courses in any number of talking shops on this specific topic. Female leaders are seen as more accommodating, more invested into personal dynamics and more likely to reward good work than their male counterparts.

and control leadership styles. It comes

Transformational leadership is described as inspirational and positive. It is based on role-modeling and mentoring. It is supposedly empathetic, even socially responsible. In command and control leadership, you have a single strong leader who puts forward an unified vision without the input of others, and that vision is what is delivered by the company without fail. The first leadership style is attributed to

Now here are some hard facts:

women. The second to men. However, the

The World Bank’s 2012 World Develop-

thinking about the world is starting to

ment Report finds that women with deci-

sound an awful lot like stereotyping itself.

sion making power, accelerate positive development outcomes. Studies from the World Economic Forum confirm strong cor-

problem for me is that this type of dualistic

As I both benefited from and occasionally suﬀered under both styles of leadership,

and done so, I’ve had great male transfor-

floor on mass, this debate will eat itself like

mational leaders that I worked for and

a snake swallowing its own tail.

equally eﬃcient command and control women.

When it’s no longer remarkable to have a

I would like to challenge some of the as-

unremarked, we will finally be making

sumptions on this thinking before we re-

some progress.

package the whole of the debate into it’s

women CEO, but a CEO whose sex goes

pretty pink and blue wrapping paper.

Good leadership needs to be taught freely.

Sandberg is right about the inequalities in

ership needs to become the assumption of

socialization and the on-going expecta-

our behavior as human beings. It will then

tions, which shape the role of young

be our saving and remove itself from being

women -- to the detriment of everyone.

thought of as a sex trait.

Nevertheless, she fails to tackle society’s

And by the way, what is the problem with

shaping, or better said, misshaping of

the word bossy? I rather thought it was a

young man. The question should not be

compliment.

about achieving transformational leadership by promoting women to the exclusion

It needs to be available widely. Good lead-

BY DEAN MELISSA WILLBY - American

of their male counterparts, but by challenging gender stereotypes, and command and control thinking wherever it is found. If transformational leadership in organizations, large and small is the key to success, then these three qualities: inclusion, facilitation and empathy should be taken up by everyone. Is good leadership gendered? It shouldn’t be. When enough women finally cut through the glass ceiling in large numbers, when they peel themselves oﬀ the sticky

In this fast-moving world,

Many of them are of such

and call such approaches

we often forget that the

a big scale that they are

sustainable. We take with-

things we do and the hab-

not only single society’s

out giving. We exploit and

its we form are mostly auto-

failures, but also problems

do not measure outcomes.

matic. The majority are hid-

with global span. I am ad-

We play god but cannot be-

den, subtle and subcon-

dressing extreme poverty

come the guardians of our

scious. And they are rhyth-

and global climate change,

world. We are blind to the

mic, shaped around the

as well as the extinction of

subtle reactions and on-

flow of our day, its key-

endangered species, rain-

goings that happen just be-

stones and obstacles.

forests and oceans.

cause we do not know, or think that we are not sup-

We are part of processes

Whole ecosystems have

and workflows that we are

been changed to the favor

often not aware of, but

of humans. We, the domi-

that influence and aﬀect

nant species, gain from the

Then we ask questions of

our lives dramatically.

loss of nature’s resources,

how we can influence our

posed to know about them.

environment, take charge

have social support, aﬀec-

rainforests - that would oth-

of our destiny and become

tion and self-expression.

erwise help to prevent a cli-

the creators and builders of our future. We question and doubt our tools, mindsets, skills, personalities, traits, items we consume, and materials we use. However, we do not realize that the problem is in the receiving end, not in the giving. We are given so much, but appreciate so little. We even blame external problems on our macroenvironment, such as natural catastrophes and cata-

But why do we choose to eat other animals that are

mate crisis - to grass pastures.

accelerating the increase

Moreover, the water usage

of methane gases and the

to sustain a cattle farm is

dreaded carbon dioxide

enormous. Meanwhile, half

a n d m e t h a n e ? C o w,

of the undeveloped world

sheep, chicken and other

is thirsty, starving or suﬀer-

cattle’s dung and digestion

ing from sever health prob-

produce 18% of all non-

lems because they do not

natural methane gas,

have enough access to

which accounts for more

fresh water.

than the transportation industry (13%) with air cargo, container ships,

It takes about 200 liters to take a shower and about

clysms.

trucks, trains and cars.

300 liters to do laundry. On

But the answer is right in

“Livestock and their by-

most 3000 liters to pro-

front of us. On our tables.

products account for at

duce a 200g beef steak for

On our plates.

least 32,000 million tons

a standard hamburger.

of carbon dioxide (CO2) The food we consume is influencing not only our beliefs, thoughts, and how we feel, but also how our

per year, or 51% of all worldwide greenhouse gas emissions.”

econoomy is built up -- be-

So why do we choose to

cause it is such an essen-

eat beef?

tial need. Animals need a sustainable food source, water; they need to rest, to

the other had, it takes al-

5% of water consumed in the US is by private homes. 55% of water consumed in the US is for animal agriculture. We pollute thousands of

Livestocks need wide

gallons of water to pro-

lands, which require the

duce milk, eggs and

transformation of ancient

pieces of steak, keeping animals alive that are des48

Retrieved from vegan-magazine.com

tined to die and robbed by their natural de-

ing our water and endangering our liveli-

sire to breed and thrive.

hoods?

We take it in our hands to be the most pow-

In the end, every company serves the cus-

erful being on this planet with the technol-

tomer. As an educated consumer, we have

ogy and the infrastructure to be the guardi-

the power to change the world by only buy-

ans of the only place we can live on. Yet,

ing products that will guarantee that we

we abuse the power and do not live up to

can live in a more eďŹ&#x192;cient, more sustain-

the possibilities of our potential.

able and more conscious life. Make the

We cannot aďŹ&#x20AC;ord to waste this opportunity. The return on a wrong investment accrues

right choice. - BY CONSTANTIN SINOWSKI - German

to more costs in the long run. We are already scarce on land and on water. Our oceans are already polluted with plastic and toxic waste. So why do we invest in an industry that is killing our forests, wast-

Originally Podcasts The views and opinions expressed by Ashish and Manish do not necessarily represent the oﬃcial policy or position of Hult Prize.

Viviane Menna Bar-

did you hear about Hult

for us to meet President

reto interviews Ash-

Prize? Why did you de-

Bill Clinton, earn USD 1 mil-

cide to participate?

lion in seed money and at

ish Bondia and Man-

the same time do some-

ish Ranjan, winners

M: We received an email

thing good for the society.

of the 2014 Hult Prize

late in the night from our

There were multiple

from the Indian Busi-

school, and that is how we

rounds. We went through

heard about it. We re-

one in our school - there is

searched about the compe-

an organization there now

tition and found out that

called Hult Prize at - then

there was an opportunity

we went to Sao Paulo for

ness School. V: Can you tell us a little about the process? How

the regional finals. At that

How do you take an idea

One of the best parts of

time we realized that we

from the paper?

our team was collectively

actually done something

we had about 40 years of

and had to work really

A: For us it was an incredi-

experience in diďŹ&#x20AC;erent verti-

hard to make sure that we

bly interesting journey. I

cals. The diversity in our

would do a great job at the

am a physician by training.

team led us to create a

Hult Prize finals. In be-

Manish is an engineer, we

business plan which was

tween, there was seven

have a finance guy, a mar-

well thrashed out. Proba-

weeks of Hult Prize Accel-

keting person and a tech-

bly that was what got us

erator in Boston, then fi-

nology person. Five of us

one round after the other.

nals in September. It was

got together to do this pro-

an once in a life opportu-

ject. We had a strong com-

V: What was the unique

nity and it was amazing.

mon link between the five

insight of your business

of us: a strong focus on

plan?

V: So you hear about it

healthcare. We wanted to

on an email and you de-

create something that

cide to join. You know

could impact healthcare

that you need to have a

delivery potentially across

great idea that other peo-

the globe. When this com-

ple havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t had before,

petition came along, we

and you need to find a

got together and come up

way to make it happen.

with this idea of NanoHealth.

M: Our challenge was chronic disease. We figured out that there is not one problem, but three problems: under diagnosis, poor treatment and poor compliance, which pretty much captures the entire breath of the dis-

ease progression. We were

Prize, but before I need

else. After President Clin-

told that this was too big

to ask: how were the fi-

ton announced that we

of a problem and that we

nals? Who did you meet?

were the winners, we be-

couldn’t solve it, but we

came overnight celebrities.

w e r e c o m p l e t e l y c o n-

A: I can barely remember.

It would be very hard to

vinced that if we wanted to

Every time I see the video I

pick one name, but the en-

solve this problem, these

see something new. It was

tire experience was incredi-

three issues had to be put

a surreal experience to

ble. But at the same time,

together. Solving just one

have been there and to ac-

we have a lot of responsi-

of these wouldn’t make the

tually have won is some-

bility.

problem go away.

thing that is diﬃcult to be-

This was out insight. V: Do you have any other advice to give to the future contenders? M: There are usually various pieces that you have to cramp into the eight minutes of the presentation. Of course the insight, the solution and the scalability. The insight, however, is what will make the judges believe that his is some-

lieve. The Hult Prize practi-

V: So what have you

cally changes your life

done since?

overnight. Now, our responsibility is to make our plan happen.

M: Actually, businesses always change as you learn more and more on-the-

V: What was the most in-

ground from the custom-

teresting person you met

ers. Thankfully, ours didn’t

that night apart from

change much. We are still

President Clinton?

going ahead with what we

M: It would be very diﬃcult

solve the problem.

to take one name. Apart from the judges, there were eight thousand people watching our presenta-

thought was required to

After the competition, it became something really real. A real organization,

tion.

real money, real custom-

Until you go out and make

you face are very diﬀerent

V: I will ask what you

your presentation you are

and require 130, 140% of

guys have been doing af-

in your own zone. You

you, but you have no other

ter you won the Hult

don’t think of anything

thing that is actually required for this world.

ers... the challenges that

option than give that 130, 140%. V: Are you guys still in India? M: Yes. We are currently doing our pilot in

400 billion fund. I have been in Finance for a long time, but I have also been in venture-philanthropy for the last decade.

India, but after that we will expand to other countries. A: You can check our website at www.nanohealth.in

V: What about Hult Prize appealed to you? B: Hult Prize is an innovative and dis-

During the Hult Prize Boston re-

ruptive model. In the simplest way

gionals, Viviane also interviewed

to say, it is the American Idol of find-

some of the judges:

ing the next social entrepreneur. It is a grassroots way to do it. I think that the multidisciplinary and the global aspects of it are what attracted me the most. V: What aspects of todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event stood out to you? B: I think the diversity of ideas, the

V: We are here with Brad Mak. He is one of the judges of Hult Prize. Brad, can you tell us a little about yourself?

collective spirit and the creativity of all the teams. V: What makes a winner for you? B: Number one is the team. Number

B: Sure. I currently work for an As-

two is the product or service, the

set Management firm called MFS In-

idea of it. How scaleable is it? Does

vestment Management. It is a USD

it address the challenge? Finally, 53

and most importantly, how much

on improving access to higher edu-

work has the team done to actually

cation, aďŹ&#x20AC;ordability of higher educa-

think through it in detail: pilot test it,

tion and helping students pay their

think through the financials... this is

student debt.

what diďŹ&#x20AC;erentiates a winning team. V: If you could pick an issue for next year, what would it be? B: I would say access to technology.

V: Why did you decide to participate as a judge? D: I think that Hult Prize is a fascinating way to go about solving major social issues of our time, putting together students from all over the world looking at very unique and innovative perspectives. And really this focus on social entrepreneurship. I am fascinated as I look at my experience at the Boston regionals with

V: Debra Chromy is the President

the diversity of ideas and ap-

of Education Finance Council and

proaches... I am so impressed by all

judge at the Hult Prize regionals.

of the teams.

Debra, can you tell us a about

V: Did you learn anything today?

yourself?

D: I am very impressed with how

D: I am the President of a National

folks looked at not only the issue of

Trade Association in Washington

education of children who are 0 to 6,

DC. My member organizations focus

but what that means in terms of the

college education. Not just here, but

family.

across the world. I am fearfull that

V: For you, what makes a team a winner? D: I think collaboration. Working well

there are a number of people today that don’t even think of going to college, because they think they can’t aﬀord it or are concerned about the

together. I think the teams who im-

amount of debt they would get into.

pressed me were the teams who

Is there a way to re-design what col-

were able to demonstrate how they were going to have a measurable impact. Also, I think that some of them were not complex. Sometimes the

lege looks like? Or how to communicate to high school folks about college aﬀordability?

simplest solutions are the ones that have the most impact. I think that sometimes people overt hink solutions and when it becomes complicated and complex, it gets very hard to figure out how to implement that. V: So today we had a myriad of solutions for just one challenge.

V: Stephen Kramer is the Chief De-

What do you think would be a

velopment Oﬃcer of Bright Hori-

good challenge for the 2016 Hult

zons. Stephen, can you tell us

Prize?

about yourself?

D: I am going to go with what I

S: I grew up in Boston area, I am

know and am all about. I am very

married with two young children, a

concerned about the high cost of 55

five-year-old and a three-year-old,

ultimately the development of a

and I work at Bright Horizons. The

child to an active adult. In addition

topic here today is very near and

to that, just the scarcity of access to

dear to my heart as I am incredibly

early child education. All the teams

passionate both in a personal and a

were incredibly focused on trying to

professional level about providing

create opportunities to solve this

great access to early child educa-

problem.

tion.

V: Then how do you choose a win-

V: What about Hult Prize appeals to you? S:

ner? S: So for me there were a lot of am-

I find that what appeals to me

bitious, bold ideas. It is important

the most is the focus on students

for me to find one that would have

and the idea of really gardening

tremendous impact. So impact is

great ideas, enthusiasm and thought-

really important. i would say that the

fulness of individuals that are cur-

second criteria was really finding a

rently in school, and their ideas for

team that has the knowledge and ex-

what the future brings to what re-

pertise, but also the ability to make

lates to early child education.

it happen, because we are looking

V: So tell me a little about these ideas. Any in particular stands out? S: We had the opportunity to see a number of great ideas today. What I saw as a common theme was the

here not only for a great idea, but a team that can ultimately solve this person through action. V: If you could chose the next topic for Hult Prize, what would it be?

general recognition that early child

S: Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a big question. I am very

education is incredibly important to

happy about this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme be56

cause it is a core challange. What I

V: Why did you decide to become

would love to see in the future is

a Hult Prize judge?

something around sanitation around the world.

S: Kidogo is featured in the case challenge this year as a social enterprise that is tackling early childhood education issues. That is how we got involved. We hosted a webinar just last week and it has been really awesome to be here in Boston. My business partner is actually judging the competition in Dubai. It is cool to be a part of this Hult community. V: We hope that the content that

V: Sabrina Premji is a social entre-

the teams have been raising

preneur and Co-Founder of Ki-

through this competition will help

dogo. Sabrina, could you give us

your industry in some way. Do you

a snapshot of your life?

think you have learned anything

S: I am the Co-Founder and Chief Exploration Oﬃcer at Kidogo. Kidogo is a social enterprise that provides high quality, aﬀordable early child care and education in African’s urban slums for less than one dollar per day. We work in a scalable and sustainable model and make an impact with kids under than 6 years old.

from the presentations? S: I have seen 16 teams today. I think the biggest insight for me is the idea that with just one case challenge (3, 4 pages long) and yet, you come with very diﬀerent solutions, depending on who you are, depending on your professional background, life experiences... every 57

team has approached the problem

hosted competitions on health,

in a very diďŹ&#x20AC;erent way.

education... what issue would you

V: As you said, there are so many solutions... but how do you decide which one is the best? S: Hult Prize is all about scale. In the past decade we have had so many small pilots here an there just in the community of social enterprises...

like for our future contenders to solve? S: Climate risk mitigation. It is a huge issue. We know that we are past our climate boundaries, but how do we find ways to solve this problem

everyone makes a pilot, but nothing

BY VIVIANE MENNA BARRETO,

gets big. So I think that Hult Prize, a

Brazilian

lot of it is about reaching. Reaching the number of children that are in need. Scaleability is a big component. But, at the same time, there is the idea of impact. Is that solution alone to improve the physical, mental and social development of a child? Probably not? But is that solution combined with capacity building, combined with something else... can that make a dent in this? Maybe. For me I look in a diagram between scalability and impact. It has to deliver both. V: What other themes interest you? Hult Prize has already 58

Ambassador Pinta Gama @HTTLondon

Hult Think Tank is an award-winning

the other on Assisted Suicide. We also of-

student-led organization with 80 members

ten play ice-breakers such as the Lifeboat

in four continents. Our purpose

game, in which the players need to con-

is to raise intellectual discussions, to in-

vince the judge of why they should be the

form people about pressing and current

sole survivor of a sinking boat.

matters and to deliver insights and solutions. THINK.SOLVE.SHARE.

Student Competitions

We accomplish that through the following

Our Intellectual Olympians work in teams

platforms:

to come up with solutions for imposed

Opinion Pieces

ments. We have hosted a competition with

Our Op-Eds are varied. All we ask from our Intellectual Ambassadors is to find a topic they love, expose a problem, and strategically identify a way out. For this reason, we have pieces about Economics, such as “Impact Investing in Emerging Markets” by Mark Missirlian, about New Media, such as “Innovation in Digital Storytelling” by Giulia Ubertallo, or about the Third Sector, such as “Non Profit Evolution” by Ebuwa Igho-

challenges from companies or governa Brazilian club on a Marketing Strategy for the iWatch in India, and one of our teams won. The members of this team received a certificate for outstanding performance signed by our Executive Director Tom Hall and our Dean Karen Phillips. The team was composed by Jamal Abisourour, Hengtao Zhang (in the picture below with Competition Manager Lies de Smit) and Aravindbabu Kumar.

Osagie. Debates Our Intellectual Gladiators fiercely, but craftily combat each other to identify which team has the better gasp of a topic, or the better soft skills. We have hosted a debate on the topic “Is Earth Flat?” and watched two debates by intelligence2, one on Genetically Modified Organisms and

Podcasts Our Media Consultants reach out to incredi-

engaged audience and knew that HTT would be successful from that day.

ble people inside and outside our school ecosystem to gather insights on all sorts of topics. In this issue, for example, we have an interview with the Founder of UGG, the Senior VP of 5Linx and a Director at Microsoft. To this day, we have a total of 16 podcasts - most of which are attributed to Reet Sen (in the picture below with Brian Smith and Barry Donalson).

Our second event was with the French Entrepreneur Gilles Blanchard, who preHTT Thoughts This blog is our newest platform. Here, our members can share shorter opinions on trendy topics. The first one was “Women as Fearless Innovators” by Alexandra Fantacchiotti. Lectures Our first event was a panel with Professors Alan Hertz, Daniel Rukare, Neil Fitzgerald and myself on the relationship between the US and Syria (2013). We had a wonderfully

sented a lecture on “If You Are In Your 20s, Why Work In Anything Other Than The Internet”. Our third event was with Ambassador Marcos Pinta Gama (picture at the beginning of this article), who spoke about “International Organizations”. Video Learning With the help of Leo Draxl, we filmed Professor Hertz talk about globalization (available in this journal). The video was such a success that other Professors decided to

participate. Today we have filmed Profes-

Where every Hult student and every Profes-

sors Rukare, Papadopoulos and Dean

sor from any campus, graduate or under-

Melissa Willby (also available in this issue),

graduate, can participate and share a little

and plan to start filming in our brand new

bit about what they know and love.

studio in Boston.

Where we can reach out to external guests to go to the source of the industry changes. Where we can display to the market who we are and what we know. Where we can expose our edge, of being innovative, entrepreneurial and international. Our hope is that future students will look at this and decide to keep our movement going; that future employers will be impressed by our work, or that companies will decide to partner with us. There are so many opportunities ahead... but it all started with an idea and an urge to do more. I created Hult Think Tank in London in October of 2013 and as I look back, I must acknowledge and give thanks for the inspiring work of my peers and partners, as well as the instrumental help from the Hult

HINT was born as a way to wrap all the amazing content that we have created in a cohesive and appealing manner. One that can reach more people and change more lives.

staﬀ. Without them, this journal would never exist. Since 2013, so many incredible things have happened: We won an award for “Best Publicity” (London);

Became accredited by the Royal Bank of

Created a website, available at

Scotland and the 21st best NGO in the

www.hultthinktank.com, that has over

world, Associacao Saude Crianca;

10,000 pageviews, having been accessed in six continents; Personally donated 50 milk crates to children in need (Brazil);

Partnered with Fundacao Estudar/Na Pratica, BRASA, PAVLOK and KarmaCircles, and secured sponsorship with the National Recruiting Group; Hosted a writing workshop with Anna Handley-Fierce, Editorial Manager at Skyword (Boston); 63

Had fun and gave back to our community (Beer Pong Tournament in Boston and Ice Cream Social in Dubai);

Expanded - Dubai, Boston, Shanghai and San Francisco respectively in the pictures.

Raised intellectual discussions not only with other students, but also with our faculty and staďŹ&#x20AC; through the Directors Cut Project, in which we meet to discuss books or Ted talks. This would never have hap-

pened without Executive Director Tom

For you, our reader, I would like to invite

Hall’s influence;

you to visit our website at www.hultthinktank.com. Every article presented in this journal is available there. The diﬀerence is that apart from text, we also have videos and audio. I would also like to welcome you to contribute. Join us in creating insights about the things you love. Welcome to a new perspective. Welcome to HINT.

But most importantly, we have learned and we have grown. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to

Viviane Boavista Menna Barreto

everyone that has been involved in this pro-

Masters of International Business (2015) Founder and CEO

ject. From our founding members, Nadiya Alinejadchatli, Amruthavarshini Shankar, Laura Salovaara, Flavien Caminati, Sara Villacis, Eirik Thomassen, Anne Marte Ring, Andile Mkonto, and Tomi Blanchard to our current 80 members all over the world. Thank you to faculty and staﬀ, specially Harry Picken and Ashley Willox - our Club Coordinators in London and Boston -, to our external contributors, friends and family. This journal is for all of you.