Innovation, Sports, and Life

Reading as a habit is relevant today for both professional and personal development. In the attention war amid other distractions, it can lose out. This is a conversation with Aniket Rai on reading and cultivating it as a habit. Here are the highlights of this podcast episode ➡️How we lose touch with reading as professionals➡️We are competing against ourselves to cultivate a reading habit. Guess who are the other competitors.➡️Book reading records and how you should prepare ➡️Value of community and accountability groups for cultivation ➡️How to use your organisation thank you points ➡️Creative act by Rick https://amzn.to/4aEaBb4➡️Why you should give more books to friends and family ➡️When to use speed reading➡️How to use pens to help you read better ➡️Layered approach to reading - read, highlight,➡️Star Framework - Share, Think, Action, Research ➡️ReadARs Club➡️How reading in your personal life helps your professional successFollow Aniket Rai at https://lnkd.in/g4D5fJDnFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Sharing a conversation on Innovation with Robyn M. Bolton. She has collaborated with Prof Clayton Christensen and has transformed numerous industries. In this conversation, Robyn Bolton, Founder and Chief Navigator at MileZero, shares insights on innovation.We talk about the following:How to navigate ambiguous problems for innovationHow creativity thrives under constraintsGoal setting and revenue targets for innovation projectsWhat growth gaps are and how identifying them propels you to successStakeholder management and getting the team to see the joint visionThe portfolio approach for innovationHow you can use Generative AI for innovation programsRobyn shares practical insights and this is one conversation that gets into a bit of depth.Do listen and share your thoughts.Follow Robyn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton   Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This is a conversation with Garima Bharadwaj, Co-founder and CTO of Enlite Research. In this free flowing discussion, Garima shared insights about the Building Management Systems industry. Here are the key areas covered:How Garima discovered the problem to address at EnliteDifference between customers and usersHow Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns are adopting tech solutionsRamping up on technology when transitioning from FMCG to IOTTrue state of a hotel's functioningInnovation systems at EnliteGarima's recommendations for tech founders-------Follow Garima at https://www.linkedin.com/in/garimabharadwajFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Grab a tea or coffee for this one. We are discussing an insight on Scenario Planning drawing examples from cricket. I came across this interesting article by Rick Lynch and Jay Galeota in the Harvard Business Review Guide on Strategy. It discusses 4 ways to bullet proof your strategy. However, I chose to spend time on the first one on scenario planning. We will cover it's importance, what to consider, and how to practice.Let me know of your thoughts.#strategy #scenarioplanning #whatif #insights Link to the paper: https://hbr.org/2018/10/4-ways-to-pressure-test-strategic-decisions-inspired-by-the-u-s-militaryFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Paul is a season executive in the cpass and mobile services. He has worked as a lobbyist and has a comprehensive strategic consulting background. He's also a skiing coach for more than 25 years. I truly had a fun discussion with him ranging from sports to business strategy to books and how emerging economies are spurring new innovations. This is an extended conversation with him on the following topics:·       Journey into skiing·       Hemang's experience with Downhill Mountain Biking in Colorado – Girl Scouts Trail·       Negotiating tricky slopes when skiing·       Skiing Coaching levels·       Crafting your strategy for complex situations·       Difference between German and American armies during World War II·       Bringing audacious goals to reality·       Books·       Reverse Innovation·       Working with an open mind for projects spanning geographies Books Paul RecommendsThe Art of War by Sun Tzu: Ancient Chinese text provides profound insights into strategy, tactics, intelligence gathering and leadership. Relevant not just in war fighting but all aspects of decision making and conflict. The “OG” of strategists. The Mind of the Strategist by Kenichi Ohmae: Pivotal work by Japanese management consultant, book illuminates art of business strategy from Eastern perspective. Emphasizes a comprehensive, integrated and holistic approach to problem solving. Competitive Advantage by Michael Porter. Seminal text on business strategy, introduces the concept and structural rubric of the “value chain” framework for analyzing and optimizing the various elements of a business. Key to HBS (Harvard Business School) case study methodology. Innovator's Dilemma, plus Innovator's DNA, by Clayton Christensen. Ground breaking works exploring how even when successful companies do everything right, they can still loose market leadership to smaller, innovative companies with disruptive technologies, usually by targeting segments or adjacencies the larger “incumbents” overlook. Innovator's DNA is a map as to how anyone can become the disruptive market innovator. Every entrepreneur should read both. The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli. Thought as exclusive to political strategy, it offers great insights into the dynamics of power, leadership and psychology, with insights of morally complex, strategic decision making. Playing to Win: How Strategy Really Works by A.G. Lafley. Penned by former CEO of Procter & Gamble, provides an “in  the trenches,” insider perspective on what it takes to create and execute a winning turnaround strategy in a complex corporate environment. Sea Power: The History and Geopolitics of the World's Oceans, by Admiral James G. Stavridis, US Navy. (Stavridis was four star Admiral who became Commander of NATO, later Dean of Tuft's Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.). Provides an extensive exploration of the strategic significance—economically, politically, and geo-security—of the world's oceans.  Examines how naval power, and global logistics, has shaped the history of nations and international relations.  Delves into current strategic issues such as the rise of China's naval power, piracy, importance of maritime trade routes and the environmental challenges from cFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

There are a lot of traditional industries where tech can play a huge role in its transformation. Using innovative approaches, the customer experience can be greatly improved. For a startup, traditional businesses are an exciting opportunity to increase market sizeWhen the mere thought of death unsettles us, carrying out the final rites of a loved one feels unfathomable. A subject we often tend to shy away from, get to know the innovative tech startup that is changing how we approach this delicate process. Meet Faisal, the visionary mind behind what some call the 'Uber for funerals.' His journey is not just a story of entrepreneurship; it's a tale of compassion and innovation. In this episode, we'll delve into his vision and explore the innovative problem-solving techniques he's brought to an industry that is often overlooked but deeply significant...................................................................................................................Connect with Faisal at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalabid/Connect with me atLinkedIn-           https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangTwitter-               https://www.twitter.com/hemangjshahinstagram-         https://www.instagram.com/hemangjshah/Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Innovation frequently emerges from the act of reimagining the commonplace. What happens when you create an export supply chain around an everyday Indian commodity like bananas? Join this captivating conversation as Aryamman Agarwaal unveils the remarkable journey of Trident Foods, illuminating how they are spearheading the transformation of Indian bananas into a globally valued commodity while empowering Indian farmers with knowledge and technology. We dive into product positioning, tech enablement, logistics issues and opportunities, and more.Aryamman Agarwaal's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aryamman-.....................................................................................................................Connect with me atLinkedIn-           https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangTwitter-               https://www.twitter.com/hemangjshahinstagram-         https://www.instagram.com/hemangjshah/Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

In a world where the marketplace is becoming more democratic, developing a product mindset and creating valuable solutions for people is crucial. Meet Mr. Vishal Purohit, the co-founder and CEO of Wooqer, a platform that helps business processes go digital with a do-it-yourself approach.Vishal shares important insights on what product managers should focus on and how to foster a product-focused culture. Join us in this podcast as he simplifies complex ideas, making innovation and customer value the centre of it all.Follow Vishal at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vishal-purohit-1a812aFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Podcast Interview with Vinod Bhat, CFA the author of The Financial Independence Marathon https://amzn.to/3E1VRF6In this podcast, Vinod Bhat takes us on a journey towards achieving financial independence and building a prosperous future.Chapter 1: 0:00 Speaker IntroductionGet acquainted with Vinod Bhat, a Certified Financial Analyst (CFA) and a highly experienced professional in the field. Discover his extensive knowledge and passion for helping individuals achieve financial stability.Chapter 2: 01:07 Financial Mindset: Sprint vs MarathonLearn how having the right financial mindset can make a significant difference in your wealth-building journey. Vinod delves into the differences between a sprint mindset (short-term focus) and a marathon mindset (long-term strategic thinking) and how they affect your financial success.Chapter 3: 07:15 Investment RhythmUnearth the secrets of maintaining a consistent and disciplined investment strategy. Vinod shares valuable insights on establishing an investment rhythm that aligns with your financial goals, allowing you to navigate market fluctuations and achieve long-term growth.Chapter 4: 11:20 Target CorpusDiscover the importance of setting a target corpus for your financial aspirations. How to create effective investment plans, ensuring you stay on track to achieve your goals.Chapter 5: 18:45 How to use The Financial Independence MarathonLearn the tool kit approach towards your financial goalsChapter 6: 22:00 Comparing Scorecards and ScreenshotsShould you look at others' screenshots? How to avoid FOMO? How to take care of your mental health for your financial goals. Chapter 7: 28:15 Financial Mindset of Young IndiaGain valuable insights into the financial mindset of today's youth and the challenges they face in building a solid foundation for their financial future. Vinod shares practical advice on how young individuals can adopt an investor's mindset and take control of their financial journey.Join Vinod Bhat on this educational and insightful Financial Marathon, and let's strive together towards financial independence and a prosperous future. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from one of the industry's brightest minds in finance!Get your copy today of The Financial Independence Marathon at https://amzn.to/3E1VRF6Follow Vinod at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinod-bhat-cfa-2bb12a/Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Learn how Design Thinking and Quality Management frameworks intersect. Questions answered:1. Does Quality Management apply for startups and SMEs2. Example of how a startup can approach quality management3. Plan Do Check Act framework4. Design Thinking and Quality Management5. How you should think about both topicsFull Episode with  @manage-better https://youtu.be/5BLgea4i9I0Books:Quality Fables by Suresh Lulla https://amzn.to/3pXW9cXQuality is Free by Phil Crosby https://amzn.to/470GQ3EArchitect of Quality https://amzn.to/470GQ3E Quality planning and analysis https://amzn.to/3rNY0RSGoal https://amzn.to/43JV1Hr Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Join us in this captivating podcast conversation as we delve into the inspiring journey of Shajan Samuel, a Corporate Ultra Runner. Through a series of insightful interviews, we explore the mindset, motivation, and preparation behind tackling difficult terrains, staying motivated for a 100 km run, and the challenges faced by an "aam aadmi" (common man) in preparing their body for such arduous targets. Chapter Headers:0:00 Get introduced to Shajan Samuel, a remarkable corporate ultra runner who has conquered the most challenging terrains. Discover the person behind the incredible accomplishments and learn about his journey towards becoming an exemplary athlete. 02:06 When you run difficult terrains, what goes through the mind? In this chapter, we dive deep into the mind of Shajan Samuel as he reveals what thoughts and emotions he experiences while traversing difficult terrains. Discover the mental fortitude required to overcome obstacles and push oneself to the limit. 07:33 How to stay motivated for a 100 km run? Discover the secrets to maintaining unwavering motivation for a 100 km run. Shajan Samuel shares his insights, personal strategies, and tips to remain determined and driven throughout the challenging ultra-run journey. Discover how dedication and a strong mindset can contribute to success. 11:48 As an "aam aadmi", how does one prepare the body for taking on such difficult targets? In this chapter, Shajan Samuel sheds light on how an average individual can prepare their body to take on unthinkable challenges. Learn about the training techniques, physical conditioning, and lifestyle adjustments necessary to excel as an ultra-runner. 23:09 What did your recovery and diet look like during a normal, working day? Discover the crucial role of recovery and proper nutrition in Shajan Samuel's journey as a corporate ultra runner. Gain valuable insights into his recovery routines, balanced diet plans, and the strategies he incorporates into his daily life in order to stay at peak performance, even while juggling a corporate career. 27:49 Turning point for cracking the ultra runs: In this captivating chapter, Shajan Samuel shares the pivotal moment that transformed him into a successful ultra-runner. Explore the challenges he faced along the way and how he overcame them. Be inspired by his journey to conquer unimaginable feats and discover how it can ignite your own aspirations. Join us on this remarkable and motivational journey as we explore the incredible story of Shajan Samuel - Corporate Ultra Runner. Through his experiences and wisdom, you'll gain valuable insights, inspiration, and practical strategies to push your own boundaries and achieve greatness.Follow Shajan at:https://twitter.com/IamShajanSamuelhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shajansamuel/Connect with me atLinkedIn-           https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangTwitter-               https://www.twitter.com/hemangjshahinstagram-         https://www.instagram.com/hemangjshah/Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This is a conversation with Anshuman Tiwari - TIQS Professional. We discuss the following Quality management for startupsIs Quality Management an after thought?How innovation and quality management are interlinkedDo they intersect?Confusing innovation with artistic creativity?Quality professionals outlook to lifeBook recommendationsFollow Anshuman at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshumanFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This is a conversation with Sucheta Deb Burman. In this podcast, we discuss the following1. Long distance swimming2. Her swim across the Palk Strait (Ram Setu), from India to Sri Lanka and back3. Water, creatures, and challenges in open water swims4. Her training plan for ultra swims5. Diet and nutrition, what's carb loading and how regular Indian food helps athletes6. Mental toughness amd building it7. Open Water Swimmers Foundationand more.About SuchetaSucheta Deb Burman is an open water swimmer and coach. She was certified by the NIS (National Institute of Sports)/SAI (Sports Authority of India) as a Swimming Coach. 

In this episode, we are joined by Pro Indian Golfer Rahil Gangjee. We dive into the world and life of a pro golfer. This episode touches upon the following:1. Rahil's introduction to golf2. How he manages training, travel, and competitions3. Keeping himself physically and mentally fit4. Golfer's life5. How a coach and caddy help a golferTune in and learn about the golfing life.-------------------------------------------------Join a free course on Design Thinking by Dr. Hemang Shah. Join at https://turnipletters.com/hemang-design-thinking-----------------------------------------------------Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This is a conversation with Ved Krishna, the founder of Pakka Inc. At Pakka, they build and invest towards sustainable packaging (bags, flexible packaging and moulded products) from agricultural residues. We talk about their innovation process, company culture, sustainability, and more. This was a very insightful conversation and Ved shares some wonderful points for life.5:20 – 8:35 Innovation in sustainable packaging for the food industry12:08 – How to develop an innovation culture14:37 – 20:57 Management tips for success in Sustainability 20:58 – 29:41 Sankhya Pranali for Family businesses to scale up 29:42 – 33:06 Four Key Lessons by Ved Krishna              33:07 – FIP Focused Improvement Plans for InnovationFollow Ved at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ved-krishna-54b37625/Follow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

In this episode, we learn about sustainable ceramics from Shashak Nimkar.The podcast discusses the following:Origins of Earth TatvaResearch process at National Institute of Design Recycling of ceramicsInnovation process used to finalize the processLinear vs circular ceramic productionSustainability impactSupporting Earth Tatva About Shashank NimkarShashank is the founder and CEO of Earth Tatva and is a multi-award winner designer who practises circular design through industrial design, animation and policy framing. He is recognized as a circular economy pioneer by Ellen MacArthur Foundation and has been felicitated with some prestigious awards at Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival and James Dyson Award. His work has been featured in more than two dozen national and international prestigious publications like Forbes, UNDP and events like Global Grad Show where only 100 best graduation projects from around the world are exhibited in Dubai every year.He is highly passionate about materials, their application and how they can be kept in use for multiple cycles to accelerate implementation of circular economy. He is currently on a mission to raise awareness about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students so all of us can together make meaningful creations today that would make our tomorrow better.Earth Tatva Websitehttps://www.earthtatva.com/Follow Shashankhttp://linkedin.com/in/ssnimkarhttp://instagram.com/ssnimkar1811http://facebook.com/ssnimkarhttps://www.behance.net/SSNimkarFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

In this episode, we sit down with Coach Jiwanjot Teja, who has won the prestigious Dronacharya award for coaching in India. Coach Teja shares his top tips for training, nutrition, all-weather conditioning, and controlling heart rate for competitions. He also shares his journey to becoming India's top archery coach and the challenges he faced along the way. Whether you're an archer yourself or just looking for some motivation and guidance, this episode is not to be missed.इस कड़ी में, हम कोच जीवनजोत तेजा के साथ बैठते हैं, जिन्होंने भारत में कोचिंग के लिए प्रतिष्ठित द्रोणाचार्य पुरस्कार जीता है। कोच तेजा प्रतियोगिताओं के लिए प्रशिक्षण, पोषण, सभी मौसम की अनुकूलता और हृदय गति को नियंत्रित करने के लिए अपने शीर्ष सुझाव साझा करते हैं। उन्होंने भारत के शीर्ष तीरंदाजी कोच बनने के अपने सफर और रास्ते में आने वाली चुनौतियों के बारे में भी बताया। चाहे आप खुद एक तीरंदाज हों या बस कुछ प्रेरणा और मार्गदर्शन की तलाश में हों, इस एपिसोड को मिस नहीं करना चाहिए।Time Stamps0.50 - Winning in Punjab's Archery competitions | पंजाब की तीरंदाजी प्रतियोगिताओं में जीत1:40 - Initial days as an archer | एक तीरंदाज के रूप में शुरुआती दिन4:00 - Key support provided by Punjab University | पंजाब विश्वविद्यालय द्वारा प्रदान की जाने वाली प्रमुख सहायता5:00 - Athlete travel in the 90s | 90 के दशक में एथलीट यात्रा6:40 - His coaching journey | उनकी कोचिंग यात्रा9:00 - Indian vs Korean archers, ***training at high altitudes*** | भारतीय बनाम कोरियाई तीरंदाज, ***ऊंचाई पर प्रशिक्षण**11:20 - how nutrition affects archers | पोषण तीरंदाजों को कैसे प्रभावित करता है14:40 - Body type required for archery | तीरंदाजी के लिए आवश्यक बॉडी टाइप17:20 - Heart rate in archers | तीरंदाजों में हृदय गति18:50 - How to be still in archery | धनुर्विद्या में स्थिर कैसे रहें20:00 - Always practice against tough competition | कड़ी प्रतिस्पर्धा के खिलाफ हमेशा अभ्यास करें21:00 - How to handle big moments in archery competition | तीरंदाजी प्रतियोगिता में बड़े पलों को कैसे संभालें22:00 - All weather conditioning | सभी मौसम कंडीशनिंग24:10 - Practicing for time crunch in archery competition | तीरंदाजी प्रतियोगिता में समय की कमी के लिए अभ्यासFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

Today on #InnovationSportsLife we have someone who runs insane distances. She recently ran 100km non-stop (about 11 hours), and holds three Guinness world records. In 2019, she ran from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, The Trans India Run Challenge. She covered almost 4000 km in 87 days (13 days before the world record timeline), became the fastest female runner to run from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, and set a new world record. In 2021, she completed her 2nd world record running challenge, The Golden Quadrilateral Run Challenge; it was 6000 Km long. She not just completed the challenge but broke the previous record by 82 days. After Golden Quadrilateral Run, she ran on one of the world's most challenging roads, The Manali to Leh Highway. She completed that Manali-Leh Running challenge in 6 Days and 12 hours. In July 2022, she completed her 4th expedition, The Siachen-Kargil Run (470 KM in 6 days and 8 hours). It was a tribute run to our army Bravehearts on the Kargil Vijay Diwas. Get ready to hear from Sufiya Sufi. Watch the full episode now.01:31 - Running for 11 hours straight03:45 - How India appears to an Ultra Runner05:45 - The Zone for a runner06:15 - Music while running07:15 - Planning nutrition and rest during runs08:05 - How villages help runners08:40 - A beautiful moment in Kashmir10:30 - Himalayan ultrarun - Manali to Leh16:24 - What not to do for Ladakh runs19:37 - Food in remote areas21:15 - Bio breaks for ultra runners face24:00 - How to keep going for tough targets26:00 - Qatar ExpeditionSupport Sufiya's expeditions at https://www.ketto.org/fundraiser/support-sufiyas-next-fkt-running-challenge-fastest-run-across-qatarFollow Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangJoin his FREE newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This is a discussion with Bob Burg, the author of the book The Go Giver https://amzn.to/3FkwHnlWe talk about the following in our conversation

The investment industry moves at a breakneck speed. Information of all levels from highly-specialized sources to the WhatsApp university hits you in the face. How does a mutual fund strategist navigate through these waters?I learned a bit about this world from Vinod Bhat, CFA, a  Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager at a leading AMC. In this conversation, we dive into1. A day in the life of a mutual fund strategist. How he scans the markets, fluctuations, etc.2. How to prioritize among global market cues3. Keeping yourself sane in dealing with the stock market chaos4. How to determine if a long terms strategy is working out5. Working with information overload6. How to consciously ignore areas7. Activities that help him return to the centerThere are aspects from his world that can help us become better planners and leaders.You can follow Vinod at https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinod-bhat-cfa-2bb12a/ Follow Dr Hemang Shah at https://www.linkedin.com/in/hemangsSubscribe to his free newsletter at https://www.InnovationSportsLife.com

In this episode, Ramit Tandon joins us right before he left for the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. He is India's top squash players while leading a corporate life simultaneously. At the time of recording, Ramit is India's ranked at #2 for India and #36 in the world.We discuss the followingPreparation for a high level squash tournamentStrategies for playing at the highest levels of sportMindset trainingBalancing work, diet, and staying in game shapeHow sports helps his corporate careerFollow Ramit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramit-tandon-14a630133Subscribe to the Innovation, Sports, and Life newsletter at https://www.innovationsportslife.com/

This episode is a conversation with Udit Goenka on SaaS, Ideal Customer profiling, Three Stage Ideation process, and more.Udit is the founder of PitchGround his most successful startup to date, currently valued at $20M as of 2022. PitchGround is a SaaS Marketplace that bridges the gap between early-stage SaaS companies and early adopters, small-medium-sized businesses. In this conversation, we dig into the following:Understanding who your customers are, what you're building up, and what are you selling? Where are you selling? How are you selling? And why are you selling the why part is extremely important. Because if you don't understand the why you will not be able to scale up.The three stage ideation strategyHow to get the risk reward in your favor before launching a productIdeal Customer Profiling (ICP) and Vertical ICPHow to build SaaS productsLiving up to the service element of SaaSSelling without sounding salesyLearning from YouTube and iterating his process over timeYou can follow Udit on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/uditgoenka/

This conversation is about high-performance training. We are all striving to perform at the highest levels in our domains. What can we do to improve our mental faculties. That's where Aditi Surana comes to the rescue. Recently, she coached the Femina Miss India 2022 finalists.In this conversation, we talk about the followingHow a dyslexic became a handwriting analystLearning from movies, Bollywood to understand your inner strengthBuilding and honing skills as a writer, podcasterThe Flow stateWhat's a high performance mindsetMental workoutsOur trigger points - mental and emotionalMental gymsAbout Aditi SuranaShe started early, first just seeing patterns in people's writing that corresponded to behavioural traits, almost 'reading between the lines' instead of on the line (didn't make her popular with school teachers) as she's dyslexic. Then analysing the handwriting for friends and family, and shortly thereafter, borne by her pioneering spirit, the regional management of a very popular coffee shop chain invited her to set up at their locations across Mumbai. She captivated her audience of students, professionals, businessmen and housewives alike, referred primarily by word of mouth, and later on her very own radio talk show (on Radio City) aged 22. ​​​As she honed her skill (& intuition), she realised that she could not only decipher a person through their handwriting but also objectively identify psychological constraints, and provide corrective measures. One thing led to the next and the HR head of IBM India & ISPAT (now JSW), gave her an opportunity to use this knowledge to better corporate practises like hiring, mentorship & coaching. ​​​ Overtime her bond with CEOs, CFOs and COOs strengthened and many interesting opportunities came her way, one of her favourites being the re-design of company logos to create a tangible shift in their growth. She's been featured in print, and on television media in India & globally, loves to travel (and does so quite often), currently resides in Mumbai and has clients all across the world. www.aditisurana.com

This is a conversation with Priyal Keni, an athlete who has represented India at International Shooting competitions. She is a Chartered Accountant by profession.Having won +117 medals & broken three national records, she represented the great Indian athlete story across four countries & multiple international championships, with career-best performances at International Shooting Competitions & World Championships. Consistently ranked #1 in +40 matches during her 7-year stint with the Indian shooting team, Priyal was conferred the Shiv Chatrapati Award in 2015 (the highest honour for sport in Maharashtra).In this conversation, we dive into the following:Her origin in the world of Rifle SportsExperimenting with multiple sports and using different skills to competeInitial wins and the turning point that put her on the fast track for rifle shootingPhysical requirements and reflexes to compete wellSituational and mental preparation for competitionsLearning from othersThe first time she broke a National recordWhat is the zone, and how does it worksHow to stay focusedHow sports influences other areas of life especially learning in childrenHer work with the Play & Shine FoundationPriyal's BioIn an international rifle shooting career spanning seven years, Priyal has rewritten social perceptions with her quintessential "woman with a gun & on a mission" image. Having won +117 medals & broken three national records, she represented the great Indian athlete story across four countries & multiple international championships, with career-best performances at International Shooting Competitions & World Championships. Consistently ranked #1 in +40 matches during her 7-year stint with the Indian shooting team, Priyal was conferred the Shiv Chatrapati Award in 2015 (the highest honour for sport in Maharashtra).Priyal is a community change-maker on a mission to foster a sports culture in India. Her 2018 founded non-profit initiative, "Play & Shine Foundation", has actively worked with +500 volunteers across 10 states pan India & touched lives of 4,000+ children from underserved communities. Given her meteoric rise as an Indian sociopreneur, Priyal spearheads sport for development projects with the TATA Sustainability Group, Teach for India, Decathlon, Robin Hood Army, C.R.Y & the Education Board of Maharashtra to solve the issue of access to sport at the grassroots. She aims to reach a transnational impact of 1 million children by 2030. Selected as a McKinsey NGWL Women Leader 2020, Priyal is 1 of India's top 15 women social entrepreneurs handpicked for SHAKTI's Incubation Program founded by a Harvard alumnus & funded by Facebook.A 3X TEDx speaker, she was the 1st Indian to speak on "Sports for Sustainability" on TEDx, & has delivered lectures to over 200 students at the National Academy of Sports Management & the MBA-ESG Business School. A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Priyal enjoys creative problem solving and working on consulting projects at the intersection of finance & digital transformation at Deloitte Consulting. She was the sole Indian spokesperson at the Global Woman in Consulting event organized by Deloitte Netherlands. During her free time, Priyal mentors students via LinkedIn & Unacademy (India's largest edtech platform). Passionately working in sport and sustainability ecosystems, she has been an advisor to JSW Sports, UPACA, Sangath & the United Nations Youth India.  Media Mentions: India Today, ToI, Hindu, Hindustan times, Deccan Chronicle, Forbes.Priyal can be reached at priyal.keni@gmail.comhttps://www.priyalkeni.com/

In this episode, Rajiv Vaishnav shares the behind the scenes for his writing. Rajiv has been a stalwart in the Indian IT and Startup space. Rajiv has a talent to merge different domains into stories that connect. His writing covers philosophy, startups, movies, personal matters, and more. Its profound and yet pratical.You can read his work at his blog http://www.rajivvaishnav.com and follow him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rajivvaishnavIn this episode, we discuss how Rajiv weaves his carpet of words.We cover the following in our conversationWhat writing means to himManagement by storytellingMotivating startups through storiesWriting for yourselfPerspectives in writingOsho and his worksListening and how to create an idea bankHow to write for the readerAbout RajivInvestment Professional and Entrepreneur:Rajiv is a co-founder and Managing Partner at Cornerstone Venture Partners Fund. (CSVP Fund) (www.csvpfund.com) invests primarily in early-growth (B2B SaaS models) : Consumer & Enterprise business solutions. We are building India's frontier ‘Enterprise SaaS' fund!Rajiv has over 40+ years of solid experience in building brands, developing teams, expanding the market share and building organisations from grass root upwards. He is a Member of General Body and Governing Council of Maharashtra State Innovation Society. He is on the National Advisory Board of SME Chamber of India and the Honorary Executive Chairman of Start-ups council of India. Rajiv is an Independent Director on the Board of Lumina Datamatics Limited. He is the Hon. Member of Board of Corporate Advisors of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan's K.M. Munshi Institute of Advanced Studies, Member Of The Board Of Advisors, Bhagwan Mahavir University, Surat, Hope Foundation & Research Centre, Pune. He was heading Ecosystem & Partnerships at RIL's GenNext Venture Fund and Jio-GenNext Innovation Hub.Rajiv was an integral part of NASSCOM's senior management team, initiated path breaking initiatives such as Cyber Safety with enforcement agencies, Emerging IT SMEs and Product companies, start-up incubators with State Govts under 10K Startup programme, evangelised Animation & Gaming sector, lead ISO Standards initiative to establish a Global BPO & Product Quality Framework Standards out of India.He was the first Director & Co-founder, TiE Mumbai and played a key role in establishing the organization in India.In 2000, Rajiv was invited by the U.S. Government to participate in their International Visitors program on ‘US Trade and World Market.'Rajiv is a Science graduate from Mumbai University. He is passionate about music and literature. is blog: www.rajivvaishnav.com

This episode is a conversation with Kuntal Joisher, the first vegan to summit Mount Everest. I've known Kuntal for many years – we went to the same college and later took different paths. Thanks to social media, I've been able to follow his work. Kuntal is a computer engineer turned mountaineer who's accomplished four summits of 8000'ers and 20+ summits of 6000'er mountains. The most surprising part – Kuntal was scared of heights. Go figure!It's refreshing to hear a different voice to understand the process of achieving challenging goals.  His idea of climbing mountains is to ensure success in a healthy state. Kuntal shares his preparation techniques, both mental and physical, to conquer our inner Everests.HighlightsSummiting Mount Everest twice without having the expressed ambition to do so. 3:02Does being cautious work against you in high-risk situations? 9:32Difference between preparing and training for a mountaineering expedition 16:54What mental preparation looks like? 20:20How does one determine a hand-over for events when their mind doesn't work clearly? 28:28What it feels like at the top of the world 35:06Difference between South Side vs North Side Summit expeditions on Everest 39:20Vegan diet and mountaineering 41:50Climbing with equipment that's vegan-friendly 44:29Where to follow KuntalInstagram: Kuntal A. Joisher (@kuntalj) • Instagram photos and videosFacebook: (20+) Kuntal Joisher | FacebookLinkedIn: (2) Kuntal Joisher | LinkedInKuntal's BioKuntal Joisher combines the distinction of being both an accomplished mountaineer and a high-end, computer science professional. He is an alumnus of Vivekanand Institute of Technology, Mumbai, and USC Viterbi School of Engineering, Los Angeles. His insatiable passion for mountaineering has led him to climb mountain ranges across the world, including the Western Ghats near Mumbai, the Northern Icecap in Chile, the Andes in Argentina, and the Nepalese and Indian Himalaya. Joisher has climbed to the top of Mt. Everest from both Nepal side (May 2016), and China side (May 2019). Some of his other notable climbs are the ascent of Manaslu (October 2014), Lhotse (May 2018), and Aconcagua (Feb 2020) among others. He is a well-respected photographer, and his work has been published in National Geographic, BBC Earth, Space.com, Himalayan Journal, The Outdoor Journal, Time Out, Traveler Trails, Indian Mountaineer, and several other newspapers and magazines across the world. Joisher has been named one of India's top 30 fitness influencers, has been featured on cover of magazines across India and the world, and has also been featured on the TEDx platform multiple times. Joisher is an athlete ambassador for the Italian company “Save the Duck”, and represents them while mountaineering across the world.Joisher regularly travels across the world to speak about his life transforming journey of climbing Mt. Everest in hopes to inspire his audience to pursue their dreams and passions. Joisher continues to train hard both mentally & physically, and his latest project is to compete in a natural bodybuilding competition, and follow it up by climbing the 7 summits - both in a 100% #Vegan fashion in the next 2 years. In addition to his dedication to mountaineering and bodybuilding, Joisher is passionate about three causes: raising awareness about the disease of Dementia, spreading the message of Veganism, and education of the underprivileged in Nepal.When Joisher is not climbing, he works as a nutrition and fitness coach helping people make smarter choices, build better habits, and overall lead a healthy and fit life!

In this episode we learn about tennis and how it inspires startups with Vaniya Dangwal. She picked up tennis when she was 12. Soon she made the Top 10 rankings of Indian junior tennis, turned pro and achieved a WTA ranking of 1031. She now helps startups in India reach the next level. More about her below.We spoke about her tennis story and how it inspires other work. Here are the broad things Vaniya shared:Individual ChallengesThe world of sport athletes in India especially at the junior levelsHow she dealt with moments when she wanted to give upCarving a way despite the lack of an ecosystem and no blueprint.The area she worked the hardest to improve her game - the dreaded serveImportance of the mental aspect of the gameData she had access to for match preparationEcosystemThe world of a budding sportsperson - daily travel, coaches, support system.The gaps at the junior levels of tennis around mental coachingTendencies of Indian players including solo travel compared to international players who benefit from a group setupShe now uses her experience to help the Indian startup ecosystem. If you're a startup, listen in to know what's the equivalent of the serve in tennis for your world. About Vaniya DangwalShe started playing Tennis when 12 and soon played her first tournament. She was in the India top 10 for junior tennis and had a world ranking of 434. She's won the All India Inter university Championship for Delhi University and Inter state Women's National championship for Delhi on 2016. Vaniya also held a WTA rank of 1031 and has travelled the world for tennis. She's an economics grad from Delhi university and MBA in Marketing from Goa institute of Management. She has worked with Citibank and Mindhouse (now Shyft), founded a F&B company by the name of Mike's Hotdogs. Currently, Vaniya works with Headstart, helping startups build and reach the next level while also enabling the enablers of the ecosystem.

In this episode, we learn the power of micro habits from Amit Agarwal, the author of Small is Big.He discovered this principle during a painful experience in a meditation program. The discovery changed his life and he's on a mission to share it with the world.We can complete challenging exercises such as a marathon by focusing on one step at a time. I was more curious about learning approaches that can help with professional goals. How do I even identify a habit in the first place?Amit shares a doable approach to develop micro habits that strengthen family bonds and bring joy to your lifeFor professional lives, he provides an optimal way to schedule and run meetings. We discuss the most effective durations and how to get everyone's best input. His book shares various templates based on the purpose.We also discuss resonance and how it applies to all experiences, both positive and negative. Amit used this to achieve the highest sales quarter in his company's history. The interesting part was that this was when they were in a tough spot. Amit also shares how can prepare for raising capital by understanding resonance.This podcast was an idea to make yourself the best person you can be. Not by an overhaul. We make big things happen by matching with small steps.I truly enjoyed this conversation and am positive it will help you in your goals.

I had an opportunity to interview Michael Haase, the CEO and founder of Plant Jammer. They have developed an innovative AI solution to reduce food wastage at home. 33% of food is being wasted every day. Of that, our homes contribute to approx half of that problem.One way of solving it is by emptying the fridge. I've tried this but genuinely do not know how to be creative about it. It's hard to come up with dishes that will be palatable. That is not surprising. Michael's research indicates that an average person cooks just abouten10 recipes or so in a year. With such a limited diversity around what we can cook, it's a challenging problem. So how do you solve food wastage around these themes? We talk about the various innovation approaches that anyone can adopt. Listen in to the interview hereMy takeaways from the conversationHow to scope the problem space?How do you pick the right problem to attack? How do you bring tech to effect change at the personal level?What jamming means at work and how it builds an excellent team culture. What journey mapping is and how it helps uncover empathy?Book resource that we covered during our conversation is the The Mom Test 

A good football team in NFL, the American Football League, is known for how well it executes the two-minute offense. When its back is against the wall facing a time constraint, it has to march the troops across the field and score points. The two-minute drill defines a team and usually its performance in the playoffs. How does all this relate to innovations? Crunch time situations call for Mind-Blowing teamwork. Planning for these worst-case situations will bring out unique ways of solving the problem. In this episode, we dive into preparing teams for your two-minute drills. This scenario planning will add fire to the innovators in your crew.

Concussions are a very serious topic that affects both adults and children alike. As we expect, they occur during strong physical impacts including accidents or hard contact sports such as American football. However, they are prevalent in a larger variety of sports.In this episode, we talk to Dr Piya Sorcar, founder and CEO of CrashCourse and TeachAids. CrashCourse is a VR/HD video interactive curriculum by TeachAids to help athletes, parents, and coaches alike to better understand and evaluate concussions on and off the field. CrashCourse offers certifications in concussion knowledge and is partnered with 23 Olympic National Governing Bodies, Pop Warner Football, and more.CrashCourse is a true leader in nonprofit global education innovation. In the episode, we talk about the course, its design, and the innovations in educating people on concussions. In the episode, we talk about the course, its design, and the innovations in educating people on concussions.

An innovation exercise generally means an ultra-positive event. It's kind of like an all you can eat sugary, sweet experience. And as we all know, anything unbalanced is not stable. Today, I want to talk to you about criticism and the key role it plays in innovation. One common misconception is that innovation means only positive thoughts. Anything critical is perceived as unfavourable, something which weighs the group energy down. We differentiate between a negative input and a critical input. Criticism means that you are judging the merits and determining the faults of an approach. We also take a look at the design thinking framework and which phases call for critical thinking. 

In this episode, we talk about how you can capture attention of your customers of your consumers in the shortest amount of time. With the least budget. We analyze marketing at mega sporting events such as superbowl, and world cup finals for cricket and football. We draw examples from movie marketing. Finally, we derive the technique to increase your chances of gathering highest visibility for your products.

Every sports team has at least one standout player. This person is someone that every team member looks up to. When the team is doing well, it's easy to attribute the success to this person. However, I'm sure you realize that the crew matters a whole lot more.Similarly, in innovation projects you need to blend the talents of the creative thinkers with the teams perspectives. We dig into how to make that happen.

In this episode we talk about the principle of surprise - If you want to target new customers, want to offer than new products and services you must introduce a principle of surprise. Just the introduction of something new will not make then customers for life. There is a small nuance which we have to take care of and you will be successful in the long run.

In this episode, we discuss what do we mean by systems thinking and systems planning. This is a concept that a lot of businesses can benefit from. When it comes to entrepreneurs of small and medium sizes, adopting systems thinking can dramatically change your operations. You will eliminate most of the inefficiencies and this will directly impact your ROI.

 In this episode, we dig into how great companies are able to charge a premium that the customer is happy to pay. There's a very simple, clean, and straightforward process that they follow. We will discuss an amazing thing the blue bottle coffee company does. We also cover restaurants and car dealerships. The learnings will apply to other industries too.  

There's something uncanny about great sports teams. They figure out a way to get things done. There's something different about how they conduct their business. It's like wins show up for them even when they are not playing "hard".That's where the non-sports folks can draw good examples from. In this episode, we talk about how we can work on innovation projects. We discuss how to brainstorm and elevate ideas.We also look at superstar teams that fail and what we can avoid in our lives.

In this episode, we will talk about journey mapping, and how you can use it to bring about interesting innovations. Whether you are making a product or services, mapping a customer's steps is one of the best ways to learn their journey. Learn what their pain points are, where you have opportunities for improvement, and what to solve.

When it comes to prototyping, there is a common error all of us make. We spend a whole lot of time and energy and effort in the journey leading up to the prototype. We are so convinced in our process that we end up creating the best thing possible.  However, we have a huge blind spot - the user. The after-effects of this blind spot are huge.  The user may not like what you've made. You might be forced to start from scratch. The key question is if you have the time, money, and energy to do it all over again. That's where a lot of startup journeys also end, because they've given it their all in creating an amazing prototype, but one that did not resonate with their users. So prototyping has to be fast. It has to be cheap and you should try to get the user talking to you in the first place. 

Welcome to innovation sports and life. This is your friend Hemang.  First off, an apology with all of you. I then share why I like this intersection of innovation and sports and why do I think it really applies to how we live our lives.You see, any time we are involved in intense physical activity. For example, running. I used to be a long distance runner. And now again getting back to it. And I've run half marathons before I've done one full marathon, but I'm getting back to the, you know, roughly, say, five miles six mile kind of distance. To me that's a comfortable, average run, and always. Over the years, one thing has stood out. The first couple of kilometers, or the first couple of miles are the hardest. And it's all in your head, know the distance conversion from miles to kilometers doesn't really make a difference. The first two units of whatever distance you're going to run is where you are trying to get rid of the contents, you might be feeling no really low before you're starting your run. And then, then it takes your body some time to warm up before you're in the full flow of things. And overtime as you keep on running. You might get the feeling that I have to give up. Today is not the day it's either too hot. I'm not feeling like running. There's something bothering me, am I picking up a niggle, it's all these thoughts which are flooding your head. In terms of time. For me that is around the 10 to 15 minute mark. And once I crossed that. It's amazing. It's like I'm in the flow of things. To me that is the distance where I do not need to listen to any music. Most of my runs are when I'm just running by myself. I don't need a TV I don't need a screen. I've run in front of blank walls also. But, and always it is this first 10 to 15 minutes, where I've got to get rid of all the cobwebs in my head. And after that, I tend to enter a state of flow. That's where, sometimes I don't even realize how much I'm running until I happen to look at the clock, or if I'm on a treadmill, I haven't happened to look at the distance and the timer and all that. And it's kind of the same thing with other sports. Also, I've played different sports over the years, but the ones I've really enjoyed include tennis, squash, Dragon Boat Racing, which I'll share with you at a later date. But what makes that so special.And whenever you are me get involved in a deep physical activity. We all enter the state of flow. We are in unity with ourselves. We seem to be pushing doing as much as we physically want to. And often, that is paired with great, and a heightened sense of awareness. No most innovations tend to come out from a similar state of mind, your deepest work your best work tends to also come. When you reach this state, where you've gotten rid of all this junk in your head you filter through all that, and now you're swimming in clear water. That's why I really love this marriage of innovation and sports, why I believe sports is so helpful to understand how we work, how we operate in our daily lives. And once you get to that state in a physical activity. You figured out that if I have to do something better in my work. If I have to innovate a better way of working, or creating a better product. I have to get to that very state. I have to get rid of all the cobwebs, all the junk, which is there at the superficial level. And that's when I enter that deep area where magic happens. And our life. Also, is dependent on that, on us getting rid of all the junk getting past it, that we can connect with the things that truly matter to us in our hearts. To me that is what the marriage of innovation, sports, and life is all about. I wish you all very happy thinking. Take time to connect with yourself. Take time to get past the junk, because that's where magic happens. See you next time.

The customer discovery phase calls for a number of approaches to understand your customers. It is important for product developers to really understand what matters to their users. Survey forms are one of the frequently used tools to capture feedback. However, they must be used in a strategic manner because there are times when they may give incomplete or even misleading information. We dig into how you should consider the usage of surveys in your customer discovery process.

Let's look at how you can navigate a situation when an innovation problem has you stuck for a long time. When should you persist and when is it ok to call it quits.

Let's take an example to understand the difference between true, meaningful innovations and jugaads or hacks. Both are important and there is a key differentiator between the two.

The best racquet sport players always prefer a certain spot. No matter what the opponent does, they try to reach their preferred location on the court. Once there, they dominate the game. Their process is very much applicable to our lives and especially in the field of product management.

Let's take a look at reality shows, the Got Talent shows and see what they teach us about scaling up. We also analyze the business of sending someone glitter.

Picking ice creams is a fun challenge. I had one and chose an interesting flavor for some guests visiting over.I wanted to share my experience of how a brand missed out on an essential element for ice creams. How it, sort of, screwed up the customer journey and hence, the customer experience.Let's learn from this and how we can ensure customers will keep coming back for our offering.

Ever seen amateurs play tennis? Observe their game closely once and you'll see clues of how you might be living your life. I am an amateur and there are some harsh observations. We all share certain behaviors and they reflect in our products. Amateurs can also teach us a few things too :)

Small and Medium Enterprises can sometimes give up too easily on an innovation project. Test Cricket, the long format of the game, has certain elements that capture our life well. There are many instances where you have to persist to get the result you want. It's a game of patience and how we apply it to Innovation.

I love how the San Antonio Spurs play the game of basketball in a beautiful manner. Their brand is being unselfish. No matter which superstar they have on the roster, each one does the right thing.The way they play the game teaches us a lot to us too. We can implement some of these observations for all our projects. Especially for innovation projects, this approach can work wonders.

In this episode, we will look at how we all have left money on the table with our projects.Learn where in the innovation life cycle, we gave up and how we can ensure that we ensure success of our innovation projects.