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New Age Leadership

Conscious Leadership: Mindfulness and Self-Awareness in the New Age

In the ever-evolving landscape of leadership, the New Age has brought forth a paradigm shift that emphasizes qualities such as empathy, self-awareness, and mindfulness. Traditional leadership models focused primarily on results and authority, but the New Age demands a different approach, one that centers on conscious leadership. This blog explores the significance of conscious leadership, how it incorporates mindfulness and self-awareness, and the impact it has on individuals and organizations in the modern world.

The Foundations of Conscious Leadership

Conscious leadership is rooted in a profound understanding of one’s self and a heightened awareness of the impact one has on others. This approach is characterized by several key principles:

  1. Self-Awareness: The foundation of conscious leadership is self-awareness. Leaders who are self-aware understand their strengths, weaknesses, values, and the impact of their actions on their team and organization.
  2. Empathy: Empathy plays a central role in conscious leadership. It involves the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Leaders who practice empathy build stronger, more connected teams.
  3. Mindfulness: Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment. It helps leaders remain focused, make better decisions, and respond rather than react to challenges.
  4. Integrity: Conscious leaders operate with a high degree of integrity. They align their actions with their values and principles, creating trust and authenticity within their teams.

The Impact of Conscious Leadership

Conscious leadership has a transformative impact on individuals, teams, and organizations:

  1. Enhanced Emotional Intelligence: Leaders who practice self-awareness and empathy develop higher emotional intelligence, which enables them to navigate difficult situations with grace and empathy.
  2. Improved Decision-Making: Mindful leaders make better decisions because they are less influenced by reactive emotions and more in tune with their intuition and inner wisdom.
  3. Strengthened Team Relationships: Conscious leaders build stronger, more connected teams by fostering an environment of trust, open communication, and mutual respect.
  4. Resilience: Mindfulness practices help leaders manage stress and maintain resilience in the face of adversity, setting a positive example for their teams.
  5. Organizational Alignment: When leaders and their teams are aligned with the organization’s values and mission, the result is a more purpose-driven, high-performance culture.

Practical Steps Towards Conscious Leadership

To become a conscious leader, one can take specific steps:

  1. Daily Mindfulness Practice: Begin or end each day with a mindfulness meditation to increase self-awareness and reduce stress.
  2. Regular Self-Reflection: Set aside time for introspection and self-reflection to gain a deeper understanding of your values and personal growth.
  3. Active Listening: Practice active listening in your interactions, giving full attention to the speaker and demonstrating empathy.
  4. Authentic Communication: Communicate openly and honestly with your team, admitting when you make mistakes and fostering an environment of trust.
  5. Lead by Example: Model the qualities of a conscious leader in your actions, inspiring your team to follow suit.

Conclusion

Conscious leadership is not a passing trend but a fundamental shift in the way leaders approach their roles. By focusing on self-awareness, empathy, mindfulness, and integrity, conscious leaders create a positive, purpose-driven workplace where both individuals and organizations can thrive in the New Age. Embrace this new leadership model to make a lasting impact on your team and organization, promoting growth, collaboration, and well-being in the modern world.

By Subasini Jena 0 Comments
Financing Options Beyond Venture Capital

Funding Your Startup: Exploring Alternative Financing Options Beyond Venture Capital

When it comes to launching your startup, securing the right funding is often the first and most crucial step on your entrepreneurial journey. While venture capital might be the most well-known method of raising capital, it's not the only option. In fact, alternative financing methods have gained popularity in recent years, offering entrepreneurs a diverse range of funding sources. In this blog, we'll explore these alternative financing options and why they might be the perfect fit for your startup.

Crowdfunding:

Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and GoFundMe have revolutionized the way startups raise capital. By presenting your idea to a wide audience, you can attract funding from individual backers interested in your project. Crowdfunding is particularly effective for products or projects that have mass appeal and a compelling story.

Pros:

  • Access to a large pool of potential backers.

  • Testing the market and building a customer base simultaneously.

  • Minimal risk as funds are raised from pledges, not loans.

Cons:

  • Competition for attention on crowdfunding platforms.

  • The need for effective marketing and storytelling.

Angel Investors:

Angel investors are individuals with a high net worth who provide capital to startups in exchange for equity. Unlike venture capitalists, angel investors often take a more hands-on, mentorship-focused approach. They can provide not only funding but valuable industry expertise and connections.

Pros:

  • Personalized guidance and mentorship.

  • Easier access to funding for early-stage startups.

  • Typically quicker decision-making compared to VC firms.

Cons:

  • May require giving up equity in your company.

  • Finding the right angel investor can be a time-consuming process.

Small Business Loans and Grants:

Government-backed loans and grants are available for entrepreneurs, especially those in specific industries or regions. These funds can be used for a variety of purposes, from research and development to expansion and job creation.

Pros:

  • Low-interest rates on loans.

  • No equity dilution with grants.

  • Support for businesses in various sectors.

Cons:

  • Eligibility criteria and paperwork can be complex.

  • May involve repayment of loans over time.

Bootstrapping:

Bootstrapping is a method where you fund your startup with your savings, revenue generated from the business, or contributions from friends and family. While it's not an external source of funding, it's worth mentioning because it allows you to maintain complete control over your venture.

Pros:

  • No equity or debt obligations to third parties.

  • Complete control over your business decisions.

  • Minimal risk, as you are using your own resources.

Cons:

  • Limited financial resources, which may slow growth.

  • Potential personal financial risk.

Corporate Partnerships and Strategic Alliances:

Forming partnerships with established companies in your industry can provide access to their resources, expertise, and customer base. This can be a non-traditional but highly valuable way to fund your startup.

Pros:

  • Access to resources and expertise.

  • Validation of your business concept.

  • Potential for joint marketing and sales efforts.

Cons:

  • Finding the right partner can be challenging.

  • Careful negotiation of terms and expectations is necessary.

Conclusion:

Venture capital is not the only route to financing your startup. Alternative financing methods offer a diverse array of options to suit your business's unique needs. From crowdfunding to angel investors, small business loans to strategic alliances, there's a solution for every entrepreneurial vision. Explore these alternatives, weigh their pros and cons, and choose the funding option that aligns best with your startup's goals and trajectory. Remember, the right source of funding can make all the difference in your entrepreneurial journey.

By Subasini Jena 0 Comments
AI in Supply Chain

Unlocking Efficiency and Innovation: AI Applications in Supply Chain Management

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are constantly seeking ways to optimize their supply chain processes to stay competitive and responsive to customer demands. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changing technology that holds immense potential for revolutionizing supply chain management. By harnessing the power of AI, organizations can enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, improve decision-making, and ensure seamless end-to-end supply chain operations. In this blog, we will explore the myriad AI applications in supply chain management that are reshaping the industry.

1. Demand Forecasting:

One of the critical components of a successful supply chain is the ability to predict customer demand accurately. AI excels in this area by analyzing historical sales data, market trends, weather patterns, and various external factors to generate more precise demand forecasts. Machine learning algorithms can adapt to changing conditions and fine-tune predictions over time, helping companies maintain optimal inventory levels and reduce excess stock, thus saving costs.

2. Inventory Management:

AI-driven inventory management can significantly reduce costs and improve supply chain efficiency. By leveraging AI algorithms, companies can optimize inventory replenishment schedules, predict potential stockouts, and maintain the right balance between overstocking and understocking. This minimizes carrying costs while ensuring products are always available to meet customer demands.

3. Route Optimization:

Transportation is a pivotal aspect of the supply chain, and optimizing delivery routes is essential for reducing transportation costs and improving service levels. AI algorithms can analyze various factors, including traffic patterns, weather conditions, and delivery time windows, to determine the most efficient routes for deliveries. This not only lowers operational costs but also enhances on-time delivery performance.

4. Supplier Selection and Management:

Selecting the right suppliers and managing vendor relationships are vital for supply chain success. AI can assist in supplier evaluation by analyzing factors such as supplier performance, quality, lead times, and price competitiveness. It can also continuously monitor supplier performance and proactively identify issues, reducing the risk of disruptions in the supply chain.

5. Quality Control and Maintenance:

AI-powered quality control systems use computer vision and machine learning to inspect products for defects or irregularities, ensuring that only high-quality items make it through the supply chain. This reduces waste, minimizes the risk of recalls, and enhances overall product quality. Additionally, AI can predict equipment maintenance needs through the analysis of sensor data, enabling proactive maintenance to prevent costly breakdowns.

6. Warehouse Automation:

AI-driven robots and automation systems are transforming warehouses by improving picking and packing operations, optimizing storage, and streamlining order fulfillment. These systems can work alongside human employees, increasing productivity and reducing the physical strain on workers.

7. Risk Management:

Supply chain risk management is becoming increasingly complex. AI can analyze vast datasets and provide real-time insights into potential risks such as geopolitical issues, natural disasters, or economic fluctuations. This allows companies to proactively mitigate risks and develop contingency plans, ensuring a more resilient supply chain.

8. Cold Chain Management:

Industries like pharmaceuticals and food depend on maintaining the integrity of temperature-sensitive products throughout the supply chain. AI can continuously monitor temperature and humidity conditions in real-time, providing instant alerts if any deviation occurs. This ensures that perishable goods remain safe and compliant throughout the distribution process.

9. Customer Insights:

Understanding customer preferences and behavior is crucial for supply chain success. AI-driven analytics can analyze customer data, including past purchases, feedback, and social media activity, to gain insights into evolving customer needs. This information can inform inventory decisions, product development, and marketing strategies.

10. Sustainability and Green Initiatives:

As environmental concerns become more significant, supply chain sustainability is a key focus for many organizations. AI can assist in optimizing transportation routes to reduce emissions, track and reduce waste in the supply chain, and make data-driven decisions that align with green initiatives.

11. Reverse Logistics:

Managing returns and product recalls can be a significant challenge in the supply chain. AI can help streamline the process by automating return handling, assessing returned products for resale or disposal, and managing recalls more efficiently.

12. Blockchain and Supply Chain Transparency:

Blockchain technology, often integrated with AI, provides transparency and traceability in the supply chain. By recording every transaction in a secure, immutable ledger, companies can ensure the authenticity of products and verify the authenticity of suppliers, reducing the risk of counterfeit goods and unethical practices.

13. Dynamic Pricing:

AI can optimize pricing strategies based on real-time market conditions, demand fluctuations, and competitor pricing. This allows companies to maximize profits and respond quickly to changing market dynamics.

14. Procurement:

AI can improve procurement by analyzing supplier performance, negotiating contracts, and monitoring compliance with procurement policies. This reduces costs and improves the efficiency of the procurement process.

15. Human Resource Management:

AI can assist in managing the workforce within the supply chain, helping with employee scheduling, monitoring performance, and providing insights into training and development needs.

Incorporating AI into supply chain management is not without its challenges. Companies must invest in data infrastructure, train their workforce in AI technology, and address concerns related to data security and privacy. However, the potential benefits far outweigh the initial hurdles. AI applications in supply chain management offer opportunities for businesses to streamline operations, reduce costs, enhance customer satisfaction, and remain competitive in today’s dynamic marketplace. As AI technology continues to advance, it is crucial for companies to stay at the forefront of these innovations to unlock new possibilities and drive success in their supply chain management efforts. In conclusion, AI is not just a tool for efficiency but a catalyst for innovation in supply chain management, enabling organizations to navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape with agility and resilience.

By Subasini Jena 0 Comments

How Impactful SaaS is in Accelerating Digital Transformation of Businesses?

Digital Transformation continues to increase the adoption of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and big data, and technology solutions like Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and Application Management systems (AMS). On the other hand, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) is touted as one of the key digital transformation accelerators, promising improved business agility, increased productivity and lower operating costs.

As tech leaders continue to look to validate the ongoing shift to SaaS-driven applications from traditional software systems, it is imperative that business decision-makers understand how they can leverage SaaS more effectively for meeting their business goals and accelerating digital transformation.

Four ways SaaS solutions help businesses drive digital transformation faster:

Improve Business Agility

SaaS solutions enable unmatched business agility in two direct ways. First, with effortless scalability, SaaS can meet the ever-shifting demands of a business, whether that is scaling up for business growth needs or scaling down for restructuring systems. The second way SaaS solutions provide business agility is through constant improvements and updates. While standard software deployments require renewal licenses and version upgrades to let you access the latest technology the vendor offers, SaaS solutions simply get better with regular updates. Thus, the combination of limitless scalability and constant functionality improvement with SaaS solutions helps future-proof businesses as well as accelerate their digital transformation journey.

Boost Customer-centricity

As organizations switch to SaaS, their solution vendor becomes their partner, giving them a range of abilities to improve their customer-centricity and customer relationship. Improved collaboration capabilities add great impact on value chain relationships. The collaboration improvement capabilities provided by SaaS can be in many forms depending on the type of application and are enabled by advanced software architectures like multi-tenancy and non-relational databases. SaaS provides an improved ability to assist customers in the field leveraging augmented reality. Thus, the improved value-chain collaboration capabilities gifted by SaaS solutions enable businesses to improve their services, products and processes, aligning correctly with their digital transformation goals.

Improve scalability and accelerate innovation

Scalability in SaaS is huge, as the number of users who can access the software can be increased effortlessly. SaaS software can reduce hardware requirements and can grow on cloud infrastructures. One of the major benefits of the SaaS model is accelerated innovation, which allows businesses to provide their customers with smoother and faster access to cutting-edge technologies. It omits the time and costs consumed by traditional software for implementation and updates.

Improve mobility

With the SaaS model, businesses can effectively provide their employees with remote access to software tools and databases without requiring them to install any software or hardware. Additionally, SaaS eliminates the need for virtual private network access. This edge that SaaS provides is highly crucial for businesses to improve operational effectiveness and support a hybrid work model. 

Reasons why businesses should adopt SaaS solutions to stay competitive:

Total cost of ownership

A SaaS subscription eliminates a lot of costs borne by the user in on-premise software and covers the essentials, which not only results in a more affordable total cost of ownership but also reduces complexity and overhead.

Resourced costs

According to Gartner, the annual cost of maintaining and operating on-premise software can be up to four times the initial investment and can consume up to 75% of an organization’s total IT expenditure. Whereas, the SaaS model is just the opposite of that and comes with a one-time investment format. 

Try before you buy

Most modern SaaS companies allow their customers to test or pilot the software initially to check whether it can add any commercial value to their business. This approach ensures that your money is invested in the right solution that can help get the desired results.

Final Thoughts

There are no shortcuts to achieving digital transformation, however, moving from traditional on-premise software to modern SaaS solutions is a relatively stronger strategy that can offer immediate and continuous benefits. Financial outlay and integration complexities are among the most common roadblocks to digital transformation, but with the help of SaaS solutions, today, more and more businesses are traversing these obstacles. And, the trend is expected to continue and grow in the coming days.   

By Subasini Jena 0 Comments

The Asian SaaS Market and Its Promising Growth

While companies from different industries have suffered crises during the pandemic era, the Software as a Service (SaaS) industry’s growth doesn’t seem to slow down. SaaS tools provide solutions to a lot of challenges that popped up or intensified during the lockdowns, such as the inability to work from the office and the need for remote work and internal communication. SaaS solutions enable organizations to access data from any device having an internet connection and from anywhere through convenient subscription-based software, thus making them the go-to solution for businesses across many industries. SaaS provides you a hassle-free experience by giving simple access to it via the internet, without requiring tasks like installing and maintaining software.

The Evolution of SaaS

While many think that SaaS is a new concept, it actually dates back to the 1960s. The early SaaS systems used to rely on ‘dumb’ terminals connected to a mainframe. This technique was popularly used by small businesses, government organizations and educational institutions, without having to pay for hardware, training and support. It can be called as an early forerunner to the internet and SaaS. With time, computers became more popular, affordable and accessible, making people realize the need for single solutions for multiple tasks to save time and money, and to improve internal collaboration.

The SaaS Transformation

Software giant Salesforce, in 1999, introduced its customer relationship management (CRM) platform as the first-ever SaaS solution and succeeded over time. Leading the way to prove that SaaS is the future of software delivery, Salesforce made the SaaS model popular in the market. Initially, SaaS was recognized as a model suitable only for small businesses and startups, but over time, it became a revolutionary success with a wide adoption rate. The limitless functionality, low upfront costs and exponential growth of SaaS made it a go-to option for large-size businesses. Businesses started to switch from single-use models to subscription-based models.

SaaS Stats to Watch in 2023
  • Gartner claims that almost 65.9% of spending on software will go to SaaS models by 2025, up from 57.7% in 2022
  • Oracle reports 91% of companies consider SaaS an enabler of emerging technology adoption
  • According to a report by BetterCloud, 85% of business applications will be SaaS-based by 2025
  • BetterCloud statistics argue that around 38% of organizations are running completely on SaaS, while 80% of companies will switch all of their systems to SaaS by 2025
Why is SaaS Loved?

SaaS is loved by businesses of all sizes and across industries for several reasons. Here are some of the key advantages of SaaS:

Automatic Updates: SaaS companies ensure that their platforms are always up-to-date so that you can use them confidently

Cost-efficient: SaaS is highly cost-efficient as it doesn’t demand expensive hardware acquisition and high maintenance

Time-saving: The SaaS model saves a lot of time spent on installation, configuration, training and maintenance, allowing you to invest your time in more crucial tasks

Highly Scalable: SaaS provides you the flexibility to scale up and down as per your requirements, enabling you to grow your business faster

The Growth of SaaS in Asia

In the past few years, Asian SaaS companies have not only caught up with their global competitors but have also proved the potential to overtake them and become trendsetters in the SaaS space. The market for SaaS in Asia Pacific is expected to see the highest CAGR of 12.1% from 2022 to 2028. India and China are significantly contributing to the growth of the SaaS market owing to the increasing demand for outsourcing of cloud-based software and the mushrooming of small and medium businesses. The SMEs are increasingly outsourcing cloud-based SaaS platforms for reducing the cost of software deployments. Moreover, the exponential growth in the IT industry in Asian countries is further expected to present huge opportunities to the market. The growing number of secured servers in Japan, China, and India further boosted the growth of the SaaS market during the forecast period. Furthermore, major players in Asian countries are focusing on improving their operations and increasing their operational and process efficiency to stay competitive, which is expected to provide tremendous growth opportunities in the SaaS space.

The SaaS market in India is expected to account for around 7 – 10% of the global SaaS market, from the current share of 2 – 4%, according to a research report by EY-CII. The SaaS revenues in India are already witnessing 20% growth annually, with a rising uptake in SaaS solutions from Indian small and medium businesses across sectors.

SaaS Applications the Asian Market Focuses On

The evolving SaaS industry in the Asia Pacific region is primarily focusing on developing applications in the following areas:

  • Enterprise resource planning 
  • Customer relationship management 
  • Human resource management 
  • Supply chain management 
  • Messaging applications
  • Web conferencing platforms
Verticals the Asian SaaS Market Focuses On

The Asian SaaS players are now concentrating their focus on creating industry and niche-specific solutions. Such solutions are often for a unique set of clients and are particularly developed to meet their specific needs. The development of SaaS solutions in the Asian market is majorly focused on the following six main verticals:

  • Information technology 
  • Telecommunications 
  • Education & Healthcare 
  • BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) 
  • Manufacturing 
  • Retail
Asia’s Top 500 SaaS Companies – 2022

Asia Inc. 500 is listing the 500 Exemplary SaaS Companies in Asia. The list will recognize the top 500 Asian SaaS companies that did exceptionally well in innovation and customer service & support in the year 2022. The list will be the first of its kind in Asia and will serve as a compressive directory of the best SaaS companies that businesses seeking SaaS can access. The listing will be done under several categories. The nominations will be evaluated by a jury comprising hand-picked industry experts from a spectrum of disciplines. The top-ranked companies will be listed on the Asia Inc. 500 website.

The Asia’s Top 500 SaaS Companies – 2022 listing aims to:
  • Represent software innovation and diversity from all industries.
  • Recognize 500 exemplary SaaS companies, several of whom might not have come to public attention.
  • Rank and build a comprehensive directory of 500 SaaS companies across Asia – one that will serve as an index for Asia’s best SaaS companies.
Who can apply?

The nominations are open to any SaaS application/product/solution, regardless of industry, product focus, or market share in Asia.

How to apply?

Visit our website (http://asiainc500.com/), choose the category you want to nominate under, fill in the details with supporting documents proving your claim and submit the nomination.

To learn more, visit: http://asiainc500.com/asias-top-500-saas/

Wrapping Up

Although the Asian players have entered the SaaS landscape a little later than their global counterparts, some businesses have already established themselves as international SaaS brands. The determination, innovation and competitiveness these Asian companies are showing, imply that the Asian SaaS industry is going to witness massive growth very soon.

By Subasini Jena 0 Comments
disaster management

RAMP: An Emerging AI Technology Changing the Way the World Responds to Disasters

Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to a changing climate

The Sylhet region of Northeast Bangladesh continues to recover from a series of unprecedented flooding events that occurred in the months of May and June of this year. Atiqul Haque, the Director General of Bangladesh’s Department of Disaster Management, reported that the flooding was the worst in 122 years leaving wide areas of Sylhet submerged and disconnected from the rest of the country. Humanitarian agencies in the area have reported that 4.3 million people have been impacted directly by the flooding, leaving an estimated 384,000 people displaced. Months after the initial reporting, flooding in some areas has receded, leaving hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshis shelter less.

aerial view of flood
An aerial view showing the flooding in Sylhet, Bangladesh in June 2022. Credit: Mushfiqul Alam/NurPhoto, sourced from the New York Times

These floods may well be only a warning sign of what is to come in the years ahead. Bangladesh is one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, responsible for driving sea level rise, extreme flooding events, and intensifying tropical storms. Already more than 10 million Bangladeshis have become “climate migrants” according to Bangladesh.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs. A USAID government report in 2018 found that 90 million Bangladeshis, 56% of the total population, live in high-risk climate exposure areas. The same report estimates that one in every seven people in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change by the year 2050.

RAMP (Replicable AI for Microplanning) is changing the way we respond to disasters

Advances in Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are opening the door for innovative solutions that aim -to tackle some of the most pressing environmental and social problems of our time. For context, artificially intelligent machine learning models are algorithms that have been taught by humans how to recognize patterns in data. We interact with these technologies in our everyday lives more than we know (e.g., when we use a map on our phone when something we type is autocorrected, when we use our phones to identify a song). RAMP is a machine learning technology that has been taught to accurately detect and capture building footprints from satellite imagery taken from space. The RAMP model and its building footprint data products can be used for a variety of applications such as disaster planning, population estimation, and health microplanning. Disaster response, another one of RAMP’s main applications, can provide invaluable in the context of an event like the flooding that took place in Sylhet this spring.

The first thing that needs to take place after a disaster occurs is understanding the impact it has had on human lives. Rapid response teams begin gathering as much data as possible from existing national and sub-national records to determine the population distribution in the affected areas. Understanding how many people are affected and where they are located is the foundational and most critical stage in a disaster response effort. It is also often the most difficult. In many parts of the world, data on these critical insights have varying levels of accuracy and are often incomplete or do not exist together. In addition, there is no immediate way to update the data aside from doing so by hand, which is an incredibly time-consuming task. 

Open street map building
Open Street Map (OSM) building coverage over Sylhet. OSM is a great resource for disaster response mapping, but coverage can be patchy depending on the location and can easily become outdated in places that are growing quickly. RAMP data can improve, validate, and supplement manually collected OSM building data.

RAMP changes the playing field by greatly reducing the time needed to create an updated map of where buildings existed prior to the flood event. The rapid response team would only need to feed the machine learning model a small set of training data to localize the model so it can accurately extract building footprints against the most recent satellite imagery. RAMP comes with its own hurdles for use of course, but the infrastructure can be set up and in place before a disaster even strikes. The overall reduction in time associated with data creation can then be re-purposed towards planning the response with a more accurate and recent map. All of this enables more effective identification of vulnerable populations, planning navigation routes, and the distribution of life-saving medical supplies.

building footprint
Example building footprint data over Sylhet from the RAMP model project. Buildings are outlined by green polygons, which are used to train a localized RAMP model. Imagery © Maxar Technologies 2022
RAMP was developed to democratize AI and ML for use in humanitarian applications by lowering the bar for entry into building extraction using satellite imagery

Other projects in the past led by large commercial companies like Facebook and Google have developed similar models to RAMP. The projects have released building footprint data across huge geographic areas providing invaluable insights to humanitarian organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF, but these projects have their limitations. The models and documentation on how the data was created are not publicly released, meaning these tech giants essentially hold the keys to where and when the data is produced. Other platforms like Open Street Map serve as a great open data platform, but buildings are generated manually through crowdsourcing, and it is not a pathway to large-scale data creation. RAMP addresses these limitations, building on these past efforts and taking things one step further by making every aspect of the technology openly accessible, replicable, and extensible.

Beyond the technological capabilities of RAMP is the important question of who. Who should have access to and own these tools? Who is building them and tailoring them for specific country contexts? Who is deploying these tools? Who is making decisions based on this data? Whose lives are affected by this technology?  RAMP, a DevGlobal initiative, was designed and developed in concert with in-country decision makers and end users, giving small local governments and health ministries with limited resources a seat at the table. 

As a species, we have faced societal and environmental disasters since the beginning of time. We will continue to face them until the end of time. By sharing innovative technologies openly and making them accessible to all, we can change the way that we respond to disasters and who has access to critical disaster relief. 

For more information on RAMP, you can visit the project’s website at http://rampml.global/

DevGlobal Partners spans across Africa, India, and the United States supporting the world’s leading non-profits, companies, philanthropies, multilateral agencies, and government agencies on their innovation and sustainability initiatives. To learn more about how the team can facilitate event production and project management for your organization, contact info@dev.global.

By Seamus Geraty 0 Comments

The Ever-Changing Event Landscape

As we approach a future where gatherings become safer and more frequent, DevGlobal Partners, an international development company that specializes in event production, believes that it is vital to invest in continued connection through hybrid events.

The way we think about events will never be the same. Embracing new and emerging technologies has become imperative as they allow for an increase in equitable opportunities for larger groups of attendees and a broader reach for companies investing in events. Prior to the pandemic, in-person events were often cost-prohibitive and fostered a near-exclusive atmosphere for many potential attendees. Our virtual reality over the last several years forced us to adopt new practices and protocols. For the global development industry, virtual and hybrid events offer a way to offset costs and are also, typically, more environmentally sustainable. Some events may require and be enhanced by in-person attendance but allowing participation from guests who would otherwise not be able to attend should always be considered given the technological leaps that have been made in recent years.

Addressing Adaptation

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most companies that produced or hosted events had to become very agile to tackle the issue of restricted gatherings. Nearly every industry across the globe was affected by the diminished ability to produce events to build rapport with clients and employees, sponsor fundraising, provide educational services, and offer and increase sales opportunities. Many companies hired event production specialists, like DevGlobal Partners, to produce their virtual, and later, hybrid events. Chief among the challenges companies faced going virtual was the endless battle in choosing the best-suited virtual platform for each event. Companies had to weigh cost, required features, and user experience to find a solution that was appropriate for a variety of events, clients, and attendees. Many platforms that were already in circulation prior to the pandemic were not robust enough to sustain the influx of business and the number of attendees. Many others were inflexible and incompatible with interaction and enhanced technological components, further compounding the issue of finding the right fit.

In addition to the challenges presented in finding and acclimating to an event platform, it was quickly apparent that it had become exceedingly difficult to engage the audience in the same way that an in-person event could. Many attendees spent their days working virtually and were experiencing virtual fatigue, making them less likely to engage. In response to the rapid decline in participation and engagement, event producers found that the programming and technical requirements for each event needed to be completely individualized per client. No matter the preferred technology, each event producer learned that the key to making this new world of virtual and hybrid events successful was to become masters of many in order to cater to each individual client’s needs. Taking into consideration the technical proficiency of each client, speaker and entertainer became paramount for planning and producing a successful event. Surprisingly, many event producers also have found that it is essential to allow ample time for clients and vendors to prepare for the event from a production standpoint. Just because you are not securing a venue, travel, and catering does not mean that a virtual event production timeline should be significantly reduced. Just as with in-person events, developing clear expectations, the scope of work, and required participation for all is still considered a best practice as we continue to hover over the lines of in-person, virtual, and hybrid events.

Endeavor to Continue Connection

While the pandemic presented an unfathomable amount of overnight change for everyone, DevGlobal realized the necessity for continued connection. When it came to finding new ways to produce events, they pivoted by innovating and developing their own event and technical support solutions. While they still aim to be entirely tech neutral to increase flexibility and better adapt to client needs, the addition of their custom events platform will focus on offering a variety of unique experiences rather than forcing clients into a narrow project plan that may not be appropriate for their desired outcomes.

Welcoming Change and Reshaping Norms

After a platform is chosen, what’s next? With the average person becoming more tech savvy, we can no longer rely on a one-to-many, lecture-style format for a virtual or hybrid event. Event specialists should consider taking advantage of opportunities to incorporate interesting and creative ways to enhance the attendee experience such as direct verbal communication between speakers and attendees. As opposed to just a chat feature, consider incorporating virtual photo booths, virtual breakout rooms, social feeds, polls, or surveys. There is a continued influx of incredible options to level up your virtual presence and offer branding for your company, clients, or the event itself. The absence of an audience is no longer an excuse for gaps in activity and an absence of shared energy. Adopting clever engagement tools and integrating technological advances should be utilized in every case to help harness that energy and increase involvement.

Navigating this new and ever-changing events landscape can be daunting, but event production specialists have mastered the art of agility and adaptation. Investments made in event production support will positively impact your return on investment and amplify event success. Now more than ever, connecting with your audience is imperative. Hybrid is here to stay, and it is up to you to adapt.

DevGlobal Partners spans across Africa, India, and the United States supporting the world’s leading non-profits, companies, philanthropies, multilateral agencies, and government agencies on their innovation and sustainability initiatives. To learn more about how the team can facilitate event production and project management for your organization, contact info@dev.global.

By Nicole Hunt and Courtney Goss 0 Comments

Why Global Brands are Turning to Startup Accelerators to Advance Innovation and Social Impact?

Whether it’s Kodak Film or Blockbuster Video, large corporations with a long history of success can still lose it all overnight if they lack strategic foresight and the ability to quickly pivot their business models. These vulnerabilities are often due to a company having a low-risk tolerance, inability to move quickly, and no in-house expertise on emerging trends. These incompetencies are not just bad for a company’s bottom line, they can also slow down the progress toward important sustainability and social impact goals.

Startups, on the other hand, tend to face different, but complementary challenges. Many small businesses start out with cutting-edge and disruptive business concepts, which may also aim to have a positive societal impact. However, these fledgling enterprises often lack the financial backing, expertise, and network to effectively market, scale their products and service and grow sustainably.

As a way of helping both types of businesses address these gaps through a symbiotic relationship, a growing number of large corporations have launched their own startup business accelerators. According to GCV Analytics, the number of corporate investments in startups almost tripled between 2013 and 2018, rising from 980 to 2,795 in the five-year span, while 75 percent of Fortune 100 companies now have some type of internal venture capital initiative, such as a startup accelerator. Some of the well-known brands operating accelerators include Disney, Samsung, Amazon, Microsoft, Google, and Mastercard. The programs typically work with a cohort early-stage startups over several months, providing them with expert mentoring, key industry connections, and seed money to help scale their new business concept.

Innovation for social impact

Initially, many corporate accelerators focused on helping large companies solve practical business challenges, such as improving efficiency. However, more corporations are now harnessing the unique ingenuity of startups to help to address pressing social issues, such as reducing pollution or improving diversity, equity, and inclusion. Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator aims to grow Black-owned businesses, while Google has held climate change-focused accelerators in Europe and North America. There is almost no limit to the type of global development and equity challenges that corporations can help address by leveraging the ingenuity and creativity of startups.

One example of this win-win-win approach for large companies, startups, and social impact is PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator. The accelerator was launched in 2017 in Europe and has worked with more than 40 companies and 75 mentors across multiple continents and focus areas. Currently, PepsiCo is running a sustainability focused accelerator in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region that supports emerging and disruptive technologies and services that help reduce, recycle, and reinvent packaging materials.

During the six-month program, selected startups work with a PepsiCo mentorship team and receive an initial $20,000 USD grant, along with business training courses. The startups’ sustainability solutions range from biodegradable materials to apps that incentivize recycling programs to artificial intelligence-powered waste sorting, among others. At the closure of the program, one participating startup will be awarded a $100,000 USD prize to help scale their innovation. The MENA Greenhouse Accelerator supports PepsiCo’s wider sustainability goals, which include achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040 and becoming net water positive by 2030.

A mutual growth opportunity

In addition to promoting social impact, working with startups can help established companies improve their bottom line and foster an internal culture of innovation. Accelerators allow corporations to participate in the process of investing in startups, enabling them to identify promising new deal flow and potential partnerships that can keep them on the cutting edge of product development. These programs can also help drive a cultural shift at large corporations by exposing employees to the creative thinking processes and willingness to take risks that are common at startups. PepsiCo sees this two-way exchange as one of the main benefits of its Greenhouse Accelerator, with the aim to instill a strong sense of innovation and agility throughout the corporation.

“PepsiCo’s MENA Greenhouse Accelerator is a perfect example of how socially conscious brands can do good for the world and do good for their bottom line at the same time,” said Michael Hammer, president of Atomic Brand Lab, whose company helps run the Greenhouse Accelerator in partnership with DevGlobal Partners. A former PepsiCo executive himself, Hammer is a strong believer in the mutual benefits to be gained from corporate business accelerators. “It’s often the case that large multinational companies have just as much to learn from working closely with startups as these small companies have to gain from them.”

The future of corporate collaboration

While finding startups and managing an accelerator can seem like a daunting task, especially for the first time, corporations don’t have to run these programs all on their own. Atomic Brand Lab and DevGlobal Partners work with companies such as PepsiCo to design and manage all aspects of corporate accelerators, including promoting calls for application, developing learning modules, facilitating mentorship coaching, managing events, and supporting the selection of finalists.

Hammer speculates that while corporate accelerators are increasingly common in the tech, telecom, and finance sectors; companies in industries such as retail and food and beverage, could benefit just as much from working with startups. He noted that Atomic Brand Lab and its partners are enthusiastic to leverage their experience with past accelerators to help companies launch their own programs.  “More corporations are starting to realize that working with startups can add value not just to their business processes, but also to their social impact goals,” Hammer added. 

Leading a startup accelerator can help companies enhance their social impact ability, improve their agility and innovativeness, and grow their bottom line. Furthermore, sponsoring corporations can run such programs more efficiently by working with experienced partners to design and execute a successful accelerator on their behalf. As more large companies seek to leverage and learn from the ingenuity of startups, it shows that there is an increasing belief in the ability of small businesses to help drive big changes in the world.

About Atomic Brand Lab and DevGlobal

Atomic Brand Lab supports companies with breakthrough product innovation, emerging brand development, brand incubation, and cultural change through consumer research, methodical management, and creativity.

DevGlobal Partners spans Africa, India, and the United States and supports the world’s leading non-profits, companies, philanthropies, multilateral agencies, and government agencies on their innovation and sustainability initiatives.  To learn more about how the team can facilitate accelerator programs for your organization, write at info@dev.global and mhammer@atomicbrandlab.com.

By Payton Young and Nicole Hunt 0 Comments

Futuristic Technologies You Should Study in Your Masters Degree

Technology is evolving faster than ever before and is undoubtedly going to radically change the way we do everything in the future. We might not have flying cars and ships like shown in Sci-Fi Hollywood movies, but there are plans for everything you can think of, starting from complete self-driven vehicles to inhabiting Mars, and doing all our tasks through artificial intelligence. But what technologies you could choose to study in your Master’s degree to add your contribution to bringing these dreams to reality?

In this article, we will discuss some of the emerging futuristic technologies that will transform human society. We will also suggest some global universities where you can pursue your master’s degree with these technologies to become a part of the change.

Blockchain – The Future Tech for Information Security

Blockchain is a trending tech popularly known for its use in the cryptocurrency industry, with Bitcoin and Ethereum taking the lead. A blockchain is an online distributed system of transactions, that leverages encryption and peer-to-peer network to secure transactional information.

In this system, the information is collected and encrypted in blocks, which are inter-linked – that’s where the name blockchain comes from. This disruptive technology makes it impossible for hackers to steal information or modify information in a single block, as it would affect the rest.

Blockchain can also be used in securing real estate transactions, medical records, and information related to voting, elections and taxes. This technology can tremendously help in eliminating digital corruption.

If you’re aspiring to have a great career in blockchain development or passionate about the applications of blockchain, here are some universities to consider for your studies.

    • University of Nicosia, Cyprus
    • EU Business School, multiple locations
    • GBSB Global Business School, multiple locations

Self-Driven Vehicles and Drones – No One will Need a Driver
Brands like Tesla, Apple and Google have been working on self-driving vehicles for years. Tesla has even introduced some that can drive with partial human intervention. Pizza giant Domino’s is already testing its self-driving delivery car in the US. If that is not amazing enough for you, take a look at the Amazon Prime Air delivery service, that uses autonomous drones.

If you are passionate about Artificial Intelligence and autonomous driving, here are some of the universities you can join to learn how to do it:

    • Aston University, the UK
    • Tilburg University, the Netherlands
    • ESIEE Paris, France

The Array of Things (AoT) – The Future Manages of Cities

An AoT is a network of sensors that gather data used by scientists or policymakers to enforce appropriate policies and changes to solve different problems in a city. All the collected data reveals diverse patterns. The refined information is then uploaded on a portal that’s accessible to everyone: students, businesses and public institutions. Finally, application developers can leverage the data to create new apps and solutions that can help resolve the existing problems. This technology has tremendous potential, and Chicago is the first city to implement it.

This multidisciplinary field gives you numerous career opportunities. Some of the areas for study under this domain you can choose from are – Electronics & Embedded Technology, Data Science & Big Data and Public Policy. Here are some of the best universities for degrees related to the Internet of Things and Array of Things:

  • EURECOM – Graduate school and Research Center in Digital Science, France
  • University at Buffalo SUNY, the US
  • University of Turku, Finland

We are moving towards an age where technology will lead in meeting all our requirements and overcoming all our challenges. It will also create new job opportunities. Choose a career in these technologies mindfully and join the bandwagon to leverage these technologies to make our lives and societies better.

By Admin 0 Comments

Five Realistic Tips for Start Up Success During these Turbulent Times

Yes, you can set up your start up and achieve success even in these turbulent times – if you start right, go in the right direction and identify the right people tools, technology and partner.

If you have confidence in your small business idea, now is the right time to leap into entrepreneurship. It’s crucial to consider the economic climate of your country as well the world when outlining your business plan. So, how do you start your business and achieve success on the heels of a global pandemic?

In 2021, around 75.5 million people quit their jobs as part of the ‘Great Resignation,’ says Forbes. Some people quit due to health concerns, others left because of their bad management, but a record number decided to start their own business. With a strategic and well-thought-out business plan, you can harness your passion, establish a business, and attain your goals during these turbulent times.

Begin with a Solid Plan
A good plan is the foundation of a good company. A new small business can create great value in niche markets that bigger companies don’t serve during the COVID era. So, find your niche and start drafting the plan strategically. Your plans should include both your short-term and long-term goals. While your short-term plan should chalk out what and how you are going to do in detail, the long-term plan should focus on growing your start up steadily and quickly.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Networking
Professional networking is the way ahead. Start strengthening your professional connections because your network will help push your business to the next level. Word-of-mouth promotion has never been stronger and more effective. Today, around 88% of people trust online customer reviews just as they trust suggestions from family and friends. Networking also helps you attract the right talent to your team. So start building your online network for all the right reasons.

So how do you start networking?
Begin with strengthening your LinkedIn profile and joining relevant groups there. Also, try to attend dedicated networking events in-person in your industry.

Go Digital

In today’s hyper-competitive digital world, it’s nearly impossible to start and grow a business without establishing a solid online presence. Lakhs of businesses closed for good during the pandemic, but many flourished by concentrating efforts on building their robust online community. During such an online boom, startups must find and leverage the right digital tools and technologies to thrive. Take advantage of digital marketing, social media marketing and content marketing techniques to reach the right audience at the right time through the right platform. Email marketing is another reasonable yet rewarding tool to explore.

Be Trendy

To stay ahead of the curve, you need to constantly pivot and keep up with the latest trends in your industry. There are thousands of companies that go extinct just because they failed to keep up with what was trending in their field. Make sure that you’re constantly studying your competitors’ moves and keeping up with the trends. Don’t react to every change, but very strategically react to the right changes.

Invest in Your Future

As your startup begins to be matured, you’ll have to shift focus to its expansion and long-term growth. You’ll need to prepare your organization and employees to scale up operations, which often demands the help of external agencies, as you can’t set up internal teams for each and every requirement. At this stage, you should consider hiring professional service providers to meet your additional requirements and tie-up with business leaders to guide your organization in the right direction.

The key to success is ‘adapting to change,’ and the pandemic is no anomaly to this. Entrepreneurs that want to succeed have to be very adaptable to change, maintain a healthy balance, and be surrounded by the right people. Even with these effective tips in place, there are never any guarantees of success. Startup failure is extremely common, but by adopting these strategies, you can increase your chances of success.

By Admin 0 Comments
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