Everything starts with an idea.
Where we sit, how we travel, how we work or relax - all of these things started with someone’s idea. Recently on DisrupTV, we caught up with leaders changing the way we think and plan for the future of our businesses, our technologies and ourselves.
Looking into the Future
Many companies I’ve worked for over the years always seem to be under “fire!!!” mode. Let’s just get this launch done now and hope it makes an impact! Anne Lise Kjaer, futurist and author, shared the importance of why teams should take the time to think about where they want to be in five, 10 or 15 years. Her approach to the world starts with thinking about your future state. As author of the "Trend Management Toolkit," she recommends writing down five ideas every day on how to improve your business. Companies and organizations often underestimate the value of giving their teams the time to think and innovate, alongside their daily tasks. Success is really about working smarter with a clear vision, rather than working longer hours.
She also explained that “without the past and the present, the future doesn’t make a lot of sense.” Just think about something as mundane as expense reports.
Taking Something Old and Making it New
The CEO of Expensify, David Barrett, expressed that if you are “traveling for work and stick a receipt in your pocket, you are doing it wrong.” Even everyday tasks, such as expense reports, have come a long way. His company created a solution to this problem that allows you to snap a photo and never think about the receipt or getting reimbursed again. But he explains that his company is planning beyond this…
What happens when you book a meeting with a client in New York City? What if your virtual assistant is able to use your data from past purchases and trips to quickly book airline tickets, a car rental, and a hotel room based on location and past preferences. All you have to click is “yes.” Same thing for that lunch meeting; the assistant can help pick the type of food you prefer, with high-rated restaurants in the area, close to your client’s office, and book a table at 2 p.m. for four people with just another click of a button. From phone calls, to the internet, to aggregation sites, to eliminating your research altogether - this is the future of business travel, David explains.
Disrupting Before Being Disrupted
When looking for the next big idea within your organization or branching out to start a company, remember to think long-term. Suki Fuller, competitive and strategic intelligence advisor, explained that she helps startups and large companies organize and analyze the mass amounts of data or “big data” they have to determine the possibilities of what they can do or where they shouldn’t go before implementing programs. She emphasized that entrepreneurs should remember:
1. Know your product.
2. Know your audience.
3. Everybody has competitors.
4. Know your finances, and don't over value yourself.
5. If you are a woman, own it. Be comfortable with being you.
Great advice for planning out your ideas to make something new and exciting or even just commonplace in the future. For the full interviews, watch the video below, and be sure to watch DisrupTV on Fridays at 11 a.m. PT/2 p.m. ET on blab.
DisrupTV Episode 0024: Anne Lise Kjaer, David Barrett, Suki Fuller 7.15.16 from Constellation Research on Vimeo.