Category Archives: Startup

The Perception Problem

Leave a reply
Let us accept that we do not have answers to all the questions. But, we do not want to accept the reality. It is generally more difficult to not know answers to questions. We try and avoid to say ‘I don’t know’.
What happens when you are thinking of bigger problems like the Economy in the country, or the Healthcare system or Politics? We will go with what the majority of people are saying about the issue and if it matches with our thinking, we go with them. We perceive that what the majority are saying is correct. But, we do not spend time to think if this is the truth or not. If the issue is supported with data, then there is a little support to the bias, but if it does not, then there is a bigger problem. Without understanding the actual facts, we also tend to solve the problem with everyone else.
Apply this to your startup. When you have an idea to solve a problem, doing a market research and evaluating the market potential might give you a certain way to address the problem. But, what really makes the cut is the ability for you to think and solve it the best way which seems possible.
Henry Ford once said “If I ask people what they want, they would ask for faster horses”, he identified the problem and solved it by building a car. He did not go with what the majority said.
When Apple brought out the iPad, there was no competition for them. They were the first. Steve Jobs identified the problem of bringing computers to your hand and the iPad rolled out which not only created history, but the entire pace of computing changed overnight. There is enough competition today and this competition is creating more innovative products.
So the next time you wish to solve a problem, do look at what the majority are thinking, but adapt to your ability to think and address the problem.

Attitude towards Error

Leave a reply
We all make mistakes and we learn from them. Only when you understand and analyze the error can you incorporate into your life and the mistake never comes up again. But, if it is a one off fix, be rest assured that it will come back.
Toyota is quite famous for their Quality and how they incorporate their learning’s back into the system without it occurring back. This is the reason they are epitome of success and many organisations try to incorporate this style into their organisations.
On the Toyota Production Floor, when there is flaw in the production, the employee immediately switches off his machine and all the other machines come to a halt. Managers and other personal gather at where the production stopped, analyze the error and incorporate their learning’s into the system so that they are prepared for it the next time.
As entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs what we need to develop is the attitude towards the error. When we find a flaw, how do we react to it? How do we incorporate our learning’s into our system is the most important aspect of execution.
When there is an error next time, don’t ignore, but study and incorporate into your framework.

The last mile

Leave a reply
Knowledge does not progress merely by gathering data, but by looking for contradictory data. 
 
Many a times we like to make decisions based on available data. You want to buy a car and you start looking out based on your budget and interest. In the process we ask our friends as to what their recommendation is and take in their suggestions. We go with the popular choice and then make our own decision.
In this process, we usually would like to hear only the positives of the observations and do not ask what the potential problems might be in the maintenance of the car.
Five years ago, when I was looking to change my car, I walked up to the Honda show room. The Civic was one of the possible product I was looking for, but I did hear about the low ground clearance and the problems it might give over the period of time when the chases keeps hitting the ground at Speed breakers and bad roads. I shared with the sales person about this observation which I found to be disturbing. The sales person immediately took me to his desk, and told me “I will give you contacts of 20 people who own this car across various regions in the state. Call them from here and even if 1 person says that they faced problems because of this, I suggest you don’t buy this car.” I really liked the confidence of him and chose to call few numbers. I did call and no one gave me any negative answer.
My impression on the car and the reviews changed completely and I was ready to buy. I never picked it up for other reasons, but was completely convinced with the car.
Knowingly or unknowingly I used contradictory data to challenge my assumptions and today, I can correlate to this aspect.
When you are working on an idea, help identify the contradictory data – what if this does not happen, what if this market analysis does not work etc. This gives the power for you to be prepared in case if things don’t go as expected.

Anatomy of Healthcare Startup’s

Leave a reply
Healthcare startup’s have raised close to $10 Billion worldwide in 2015 and the numbers are only increasing.
What is interesting is apart from the e-Commerce, finding Doctors and Networking for Doctors, today’s startup’s are addressing almost all parts of the human body re-defining the way we live.
What components of the Human Body are startup’s addressing? 
 
Brain
Autoimmune
Lungs
Liver
Blood
Heart
Gastrointestinal
Kidney
How is it each of the components are being looked at by technologists? We will go deeper into them soon.

Health hazards in Agriculture

Leave a reply
I wanted to touch this topic because, in today’s world, technology is helping us provide better Healthcare to rural areas.
Rural areas predominantly do not have access to higher Healthcare facilities. Mobile Health camps, PHC’s are helping address the needs, but it is important for us to utilize the power of Mobile reach and device new ideas to help improve Healthcare for farmers.
So, what are the health hazards to farmers have?
  • Farming chemicals.
  • The constant presence of dust, mud and mold.
  • Accidents while using farm equipment.
  • Everyday exposure to the sun all the time.
  • Arthritis
  • Risks of various ailments due to varying weather conditions.
The list is just a beginning. Please do add to the list and also, if you are looking at ideas for your Startup, this list can help you.

Consumer Education

Leave a reply

When you identify a problem and wish to solve it, the most important aspect is consumer education. Bringing out a product or designing a solution and leaving it for people to use does not work. As an entrepreneur, you should demonstrate the functioning of your product/service which falls under Consumer Education.

There are few path-breaking products which came out in the last few decades which needed no education, people just accepted them. On the contrary, there are few products which are awesome, but needed consumer awareness.

The iPod, iPhone and iPad needed no education, please just accepted them and with the gaining importance, they spent time in learning about them. But, products like a Diabetes testing machine, C arm etc, need consumer education as to how they can be effectively used.

When designing a product, as an innovator we need to first evaluate if it needs consumer education. If required, then the first step to the success is to ensure that the education is planned along with the product.

It is just not the idea, but the acceptance of it becomes very important.

To startup in Healthcare – Focus on Domain

Leave a reply

Healthcare is the hottest sector to startup in any part of the world. There is a complete paradigm shift in how Health is being delivered. It is no longer going to see a Doctor or visit a Hospital, Healthcare is beginning at home. Preventive and Proactive Care delivery is fast gaining acceptance.

Technology is indeed helping bridge large part of the ecosystem. Smartphone and apps are bringing care to our fingertips.

When you are thinking of starting up in Healthcare using technology it is very important to understand the domain.

Recently, the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) asked the state government’s to take action against ePharmacies which are selling drugs online. Why? There are definitely legal aspects which need to be take care. The prescription based drugs need supervision and it is not that difficult to get prescriptions. Also, the medicines need to be authenticated by a Pharmacist before they are consumed. Since duplicate drugs are prevalent in the market, Government wants to ensure there is a process which is set before medicines are sold remotely.

For building Healthcare related apps and technology, it is very important to understand the details of the law and how the workflows actually flow. There are quite a few details which need to be understood and applied to ensure the best is delivered.

Understanding Domain is just not understanding how the workflow is, but understanding how the care is delivered. There is a difference in the workflow and administering care. Workflow shows how a diagnosis is performed for the symptoms and administering care is to ensure that the ailment is cured and the client (patient) is completely recovered.

With the growing acceptance of Internet based care, I am sure India will have laws built around the same, but before that, if you are looking at starting up in Healthcare space, focus on understanding the Domain, Workflow, how tests are interrelated to the care, how medicines are administered and finally how the care is delivered. This is what will make your startup successful and accepted.

Focus on the Design – Startup Lessons

Leave a reply

When we have an idea, the next step for us to get it to the market at the earliest. Which is good, but not necessarily the wisest thing to do.

The key parameter in bringing any service/product to market is its present-ability, in other words Design.

Steve Jobs paid such attention to detail that even the smallest alphabet on the product is tested for appropriate printing. In a Mac, if you open up the system, you will find the list of names of all people who worked on developing the product behind the screen cover. No one opens and see’s what is inside, but that is the dedication they give for Design.

Design of the product/service should reflect the culture, vision and mission of the company. So, when you set out to bring out a new product, elucidate your core values, vision and mission statement and then begin the ideation for the design. Because, what people see is what they relate to about your company.

What is the cost of Failure?

Leave a reply

Seth Godin once said, the cost of failure is dwarfed by the huge cost of not trying.

This is absolutely very true. Most of the times we do not even take the next step because we are afraid as to what will happen next. We are in our comfort zone and we wish to be there.

At work or even when starting up, the moment you start trying to make something happen, you change yourself and also make a difference in what you believe in and do.

So, instead of spending time on planning the execution or writing a fool-proof plan, just try. It will give you success else a beautiful learning.

Experience

Leave a reply

A very good friend of mine and I once walked into Audi showroom in Bangalore. We just wanted to inquire about their Q3 offering. We initially planned that we would go there, inquire and be back in 30 minutes. After we entered, we were greeted by a receptionist and she then put us to the Executive who was in-charge for Q3. Since the time he introduced himself and till the time we left the showroom after more than 2 hours, the complete experience was just impeccable. He ensured we test drove each of the cars available and during each of the drives he explained in detail as to how you would feel the difference and what should we look out for to understand what the car has to offer. Even after more than a year of visiting the showroom, I remember each detail he spoke and what we did each minute while we were in the showroom. If any day, I can afford a Audi, am sure going back to the very same showroom.

I guess this is what Experience is all about. Never judge your potential consumer of anything. Provide the best experience for each and every client of yours. This is what people look for. They do not buy your service for any other reason other than experience.

I do go through wonderful experiences in my grocery shop and barber shop and probably that is the reason I go back to the same shops again and again for anything I want.

While offering your service, consider yourself to be recieving the similar service. Give the same exact experience of how you would like to receive and am sure that will make all the difference.

Remember, people remember you and your service not because of Quality or superiority, but because of the experience you provide.