AI Insights: Strategizing Strategy: What does it entail? | Ashok Ramachandran at TEDx SFIT
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The following text has been generated by Startup Blueprint’s proprietary Speech Recognition and NLP software. We are currently testing a suite of speech recognition and NLP models for audio solutions. This is just a non-commercial trial meant for educational purposes. There may some mistakes. The original link to this summary can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2dlTc3PWqQ&t=2s&ab_channel=TEDxTalks
A Real Life Incident: Exploring 'Alternate Hypotheses'
This segment speaks to a real life event as an illustration of the concept of alternative hypothesis. It sets out the author’s experience wherein they wanted to take a job offer that seemed right but faced numerous doubts. The author eventually decided to go against their doubts and take the offer, but when they arrived to take the job the job didn't exist. This experience brought the author to the concept of alternative hypothesis - the idea that one can never know what could have been, and that even though their first instinct was correct they were still unable to predict the outcome. The author wraps up by saying that understanding this concept has helped them learn to be open to all possibilities.
• Incident-based approach can serve as a good example for showcasing the key topic = alternate hypothesis.
• Incident can provide an illustrative and relevant example that can increase understanding of the topic.
• Incident can act as a hook to grab attention and engage the audience.
• An effective incident should be brief and hold the audience's attention.
• Incident should be relevant to the topic being discussed and to the interests of the audience.
From Graduate Trainee to General Manager: My Unexpected Journey
This segment details the events that led up to a significant life lesson learnt by the narrator in October 2008 when they were 26 years old. It begins with the narrator highlighting their belief in the topic and then presents the events that unfolded: they had joined Schindler in 2006 and received a call from the manager director's office requesting a discussion. Anxiety was built due to the secretary's cryptic demeanor, as the narrator was waiting for their permanent residency and had taken a hefty loan for their education. Ultimately, the conversation resulted in the role of general manager being offered for the most significant operation in Queensland, Brisbane. This moment left the narrator with a life-lesson - the importance of this topic in regards to success.
• Believing in yourself and the topic of success is important
• In 2006, the author joined Schindler as a graduate trainee at the age of 26
• A call came in October 2008 from the managing director which put the author in a state of panic
• The author was waiting to acquire permanent residency in Australia to not worry about a work visa
• The author had taken an education loan of 15 lakh and wasn't from an affluent family
• The managing director offered the author the general manager position for their largest operation in Australia
Strategic Thinking: The Key to 'Obscene Success' During Complex Times
This segment outlines the importance of strategic thinking and how it can help individuals and organisations achieve success. Ashok Ramachandran, a CEO and president, speaks of his own promotion, despite having no technical knowledge of the elevator industry and a strong English accent with an Indian tone. He notes that it was due to his strategic thinking, along with other qualities, that helped him advance. Additionally, he talks about the importance of strategic thinking amidst the current crisis and the emergence of the new term Bani, which stands for 'Brittle, Anxious, Insecure and Comparative'. In a nutshell, this segment highlights that strategic thinking can be a powerful resource in the modern world if used correctly.
• A GM promotion for someone with strong English and Indian tones was announced in the company's history.
• The reason for this unexpected promotion was the executive's strategic thinking.
• Strategic thinking includes considering 'bigger purpose', 'bigger problem', and 'long term' solutions.
• The current world context makes strategic thinking more relevant with being able to navigate a pandemic, inflation, and war.
• A new term 'Bani' has been created - an evolution of VUCA that reflects a more complex and fragile environment.
• A sense of anxiety has become prevalent with people making comparisons and wanting salary increament when their colleagues are getting higher amounts.
A New World of Non-Linear Thinking: Exploring Strategic Thinking
This segment discusses the shift from traditional linear thinking towards a more comprehensive and complex understanding of the world and how to take decisions in the long term. It looks at the idea of short-term thinking and how it affects the ability to make decisions. Furthermore, the concept of strategic thinking is touched upon and the need for understanding the bigger picture. Lastly, the segment suggests simple solutions for taking long-term decisions.
• Thinking has become nonlinear and complex, leaving many unable to understand
• People are taking a lot of short-term decisions and focusing too heavily on size
• Strategic thinking is the ability to understand the bigger picture and plan for the long-term
• It's necessary to come up with solutions that are simple and focused for the long-term
Empowering Strategic Thinking: A Journey from Failures to Success
This segment explores the concept of strategic thinking and how it can lead to success regardless of traditional methods of success. It outlines the importance of taking long-term decisions, such as when picking a partner, and suggests five steps to develop strategic thinking: understanding the current situation, developing a long-term objective, figuring out key milestones, creating a detailed action plan and implementation. It concludes by highlighting the importance of life experiences and tapping into one's passion as additional resources needed to achieve success.
• Not just CEOs, but everyone should think in terms of the long term; this applies not only to work but also to personal life.
• Strategic thinking should be applied to decisions like choice of college, company workplace, and even partners.
• Strategic thinking should take into account the current state of affairs, as well as possible strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that could develop in the future.
• Think of a long-term objective such as a career goal and come up with a list of activities that can get you there.
• Develop a detailed action plan and then implement it.
• Life experiences gained through activities like working in a restaurant, washing dishes, and do-to-do sales can help foster better and more inclusive strategic thinking.
