Jobs for the Future (JFF)’s Post

Adding to my earlier post on the #UnitedWeTransform event this week, here are some key takeaways I left with: Entrepreneurs are missing that feeling of connection. Even with great organizations like Coalition9 adding safe places for self starters to get together, there are many that are missing a cohort to discuss challenges and opportunities ACROSS disciplines and industries. People are concerned that gatekeepers are stunting the growth of Minnesota's economy and ecosystem. The large companies are believed to be investing more outside Minnesota than inside Minnesota and information about economic opportunities are not being shared in way that they can be acted upon. I have always believed the value in most ideas is execution. Share your ideas and your problems and I think you will get more input on how to best execute from our community. AI will have a major impact on our ability to scale in the coming generations. As we move away from the machine learning and into an AI atmosphere, there will be many more effective ways to improve our processes and operations. This should both mitigate risks and provide opportunities for scale. We need to embrace improvement within our organizations and really focus on effective communication in the deployment of new technologies with our frontline teams. Healthcare was brought forward as a major issue on this front. Glad I was able to attend.

From the book "How to Create a Future That is More Star Trek Than Terminator" by Joshua Gans and Andrew Leigh. These are proposed ten ideas for boosting innovation: 1. Encourage healthy competition between research funders. 2. Grants should foster moonshot innovation. 3. Bring intellectual property laws into balance. 4. Build innovation training for everyone. 5. Use promises and prizes to encourage innovation. 6. Beware of tax breaks. 7. Reduce barriers to entry entrepreneurs. 8. Build catalytic networks and entrepreneurial ecosystem. 9. Free up public sector and university science for innovation. 10. Update the national statistics. In an uncertain world, we need systems that will encourage everyone to keep acquiring new skills. But we also need to build a world in which people can follow their hearts and chase their dreams with the knowledge that failure won't bring disaster. #innovation #equality #joshuagans #andrew

If you think that radical innovation is only for young entrepreneurs, think again. A new study shows that older founders are more likely to introduce market novelties that change the way business is done. Whether you’re a young coder or a seasoned professional, this article will inspire you to challenge the stereotypes and unleash your inner innovator. https://lnkd.in/estM35V6

In his insightful piece, "Why It’s So Hard to Scale a Great Idea," John A. List identifies five critical factors, or "vital signs," that determine whether innovative ideas thrive or falter as they scale: False Positives: Misinterpreting early successes as proof of viability, akin to the pitfalls seen with flawed drug prevention studies or hyped-up technologies like Theranos. Biased Representativeness: Ensuring that early adopters and test samples represent the broader population accurately, preventing the selection bias that affected McDonald's Arch Deluxe launch. Non-Negotiables: Assessing whether key success factors can be replicated at scale, avoiding reliance solely on exceptional talent or unscalable regulatory and resource constraints. Negative Spillovers: Anticipating unintended consequences, such as market readjustments or operational inefficiencies, that may escalate during scaling efforts. The Cost Trap: Balancing customer demand with operational costs to avoid financial strain, exemplified by the cautionary tale of Arivale's bankruptcy despite promising healthcare innovation. John List emphasizes the importance of leveraging economies of scale, as seen in Elon Musk's ventures, and designing models resilient to escalating talent costs. Let's learn from these insights to navigate the complexities of scaling innovation effectively! Read John A. List's full article for deeper insights into overcoming scaling challenges. #ScalingInnovation #BusinessStrategy #Entrepreneurship #EconomiesOfScale #InnovationManagement #StartupSuccess #LeadershipInsights #LinkedInLearning Read more : https://lnkd.in/gttEFHNr

At the 25th anniversary of the Superformula (dynamic math and radically better innovation) and the huge efforts of Johan Gielis with his biomimicry and technology teams, I want to share one business concept about economies of scope, economies of scaling, start-ups, scale-ups, technology readiness levels, and market readiness levels that I entered into a consultancy meeting for a government today. What is whose responsibility? How do you change to healthy systems? - Radical Personal Responsibility - Radical Protector Responsibility - Radical Entrepreneurial Responsibility Have a look at this illustration, including the valleys of death that entrepreneurs have to face. There's a lot of talk here about consumerism and commons. And this is the truth too. Radical innovation requires entrepreneurial vision. It requires government vision. And the biggest and fastest impact can be had in Business 2 Business fields and sectors. #business #technologyreadiness #marketreadiness #entrepreuneurship

Ever wondered what it takes to turn academic knowledge into entrepreneurial success? 🌱 Meet Vatsal Ananthula, a Cognitive Science major who's making waves in AI and healthcare. Learn about his transformative experiences at the UCI ANTrepreneur Center, and get inspired by his journey from UC Irvine to becoming a tech innovator. Join us in exploring how mentorship, innovation challenges, and a supportive community are empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gdYREJez

THE FANCY WORD: ADHOCRACY This term was coined fairly recently, in 1968, by Warren Bennie, an American scholar who is considered to be a pioneer in leadership, judging by his book entitled Temporary Society. Subsequently, this notion has evolved into a business model that has been adopted by a series of Internet organizations. Originally, it derives from the Latin” Ad hoc,”( for this) which has been utilized frequently with the meaning of “for this situation only,” in other words, for a special purpose but without anticipation. Generally speaking, Adhocracy represents an organization or business management that has little or no structure, contrary to bureaucracy which is based on well-defined rules and hierarchies. In addition, it stands for the need of the moment, individual initiative, flexibility, or self-organized enterprises. This type of American culture resonates well with creation and innovation through tech companies and most start-ups. To be more specific, this corporate culture which offers the opportunity to adapt and act quickly, in terms of changing conditions, can be seen at Apple, Facebook, and Google without omitting Tesla. All of these companies prosper with adhocratic values and by the same token help maintain the American socio-economic standard. To illustrate, NASA exemplifies that business whose main purpose was to land on the moon under a deadline. But without much ingenuity, brainstorming, flexibility, and rapidity it would have been far-fetched as a pressing endeavor. In the end, Adhocracy is almost always successful where the money is from the outset, which allows the acquisition of young and fresh entrepreneurs at their pic who are not reticent to push the envelope, so to speak. Ordinarily, adhocracy involves individuality and risk-taking. However, the latter can be risky because not all Enterprises are successful. Another word of caution is the lack of formal structure which could make the work environment somewhat messy. If you are satisfied with this piece, please share it with your loved ones and friends. Today’s funny English word is Sozzled ( adj. meaning very drunk). #ah24477

Free market fans, check out this opportunity! The American Capitalism Seminar is a graduate-level course in Washington D.C. examining the role free markets play in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. Learn more here: https://hubs.la/Q02zXYlM0

I recently experienced a compelling and thought-provoking session with Peter Thiel, renowned entrepreneur and investor, at the Cambridge Union. Known for his pioneering work with PayPal and Palantir, Thiel shared his unique perspectives on the intersection of technology, economics, and education. His insights are particularly relevant for entrepreneurs navigating today's complex landscape. Here are the key takeaways that can help us drive meaningful progress in our ventures: 1. Focus on Fundamental Economics: Thiel emphasized that campus debates often distract from addressing core economic issues like housing and employment. As entrepreneurs, we must keep our focus on creating real economic value. 2. Questioning Technological Progress: Thiel challenged the notion of rapid technological advancement, suggesting that true innovation has slowed in many fields. This is a reminder to critically assess and push for genuine breakthroughs in our ventures. 3. Balancing Regulation and Innovation: He warned against excessive regulation stifling innovation. As we develop new technologies, it’s crucial to advocate for a balance that allows for progress while safeguarding liberties. 4. Reflecting on Educational Shifts: Thiel discussed his experience in campus culture wars, noting that while some debates were dismissed as trivial, they occasionally addressed significant issues. He highlighted the need for education to focus on substantive, foundational knowledge rather than politically charged discussions. Peter Thiel’s perspectives offer a compelling critique and roadmap for driving meaningful progress. Let’s leverage these insights to create impactful solutions. #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Economics #Technology #Education #PeterThiel #CambridgeUnion

We have built a reputation for hosting one of the world's leading technology investment conferences. Every year, we start over and think about how to make this year different and how to raise the bar. We are only six weeks from The Montgomery Summit 2024, and I believe it will be our best conference to date.    This year, we have curated a program that should provide tremendous insights into the investment landscape, which companies might emerge as winners, and why. With the market correction, we will see private investment opportunities that we have not seen in nearly two decades.    We have created a rich tapestry of panels, keynotes, and presentations. We want to put the significant issues into context (e.g., Capital Allocation from Sovereign Wealth Funds & Endowments, the Rise of India, Insights into the Middle East, and Cyber Threats) and provide deep insights and fidelity into specific areas that impact the success of emerging technology companies (e.g., 2024 IT priorities, investment in AI from the strategics, competition between AI platforms, and the evolution of cloud & data platforms). We anticipate that Summit attendees will walk away with better insights and appreciation for the nuances of the current investing environment.   Every year our guests tell me that the Summit is big enough to provide early access to breakout companies and thought leaders, yet intimate enough to build meaningful relationships with a community of industry leaders, investment professionals, strategic partners, and fellow entrepreneurs who join us. I trust you will find this the case. Visit The Montgomery Summit website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gcMyTDYt #montysummit #innovation #technology #investmentlandscape