On a recent visit to Silicon Valley, it was possible to experience a stimulating environment, with innovation always present. There, success results from an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, with a focus on solving complex problems through cutting-edge technology
The greater appetite to embrace risk and the appreciation of a culture of continuous feedback that does not punish failure, but learns quickly from him, they are some of the "customs" that foster innovation and sustainable growth. Whether in the BAY Area (region that encompasses the main innovation hubs in California), or anywhere else, the differential lies in the ability to turn challenges into opportunities
And of all the great lessons, which can be applied in Brazil?I share here six of them
1) Don't be afraid to express your ideasthere is no fear that someone might appropriate them. Ideas are exchanged freely, because people understand that, the more they discuss their projects, the greater the chances of validating them, obtain feedback, or you can still connect with potential investors or even co-founders. This process creates valuable opportunities to accelerate the development of the idea, once it adds essential skills for your success
2) Focus on big challengesmost of the people present there study and work in high-impact initiatives, with global reach. Ideas that can truly change or revolutionize the way things work. The mindset is ambitious, always focused on the "Moonshot" — a term used to refer to grand ideas, almost like a "shot at the moon"
3) Do not create a product, build an industryDisruption usually occurs when an innovative solution emerges to solve a problem or meet an existing need, transforming the way we deal with that issue. Examples of this are social networks, that revolutionized the way people interact, they spend time and access information, giving greater decision-making power to the public. Another case is Uber, that revolutionized its sector by creating a model ofride-sharingthrough a technology platform, impacting the traditional taxi model, without being a transportation company.
4) Go out and understand your customer:It is still very common to see companies making decisions in their meeting rooms without first "going out" to understand the real needs of their customers. This does not apply only to the launch of a product or solution; this approach is valid for any phase or stage of a business.
In this context, it is relevant to quote Steve Blank in his book The Four Steps to the Epiphany: "There are no facts inside your building, so go outside."Instead of creating products based on assumptions", he argues that entrepreneurs should go out and test their ideas directly in the market
5) Don’t be afraid to create solutions for other industriesMost of the major transformations in the market were caused byplayersthat do not specifically operate in the area. Apple built computers and revolutionized the music industry with the launch of the iPod and iTunes, besides entering the telecommunications industry with the iPhone, completely redesigning these markets
Amazon started as an online bookstore and revolutionized global retail by expanding the electronic market and innovating in logistics. Years later, entered the cloud sector with AWS. Airbnb has transformed hospitality by creating a platform that connects owners to guests, without building a single hotel. These examples show that focusing only on direct competitors is risky, for disruption can arise from where least expected. Falling in love with the problems you want to solve and expanding your technical and business repertoire allows for an innovative vision to transform your sector
6) Bet on AI, it's the new gold rushAll the companies I visited are focused on artificial intelligence. Being physically present in that place reinforces that the future is much closer than one imagines.By the way, he has already arrived. This was exemplified in a robotics center where it was possible to learn about various models of advanced robots that, very soon, will start to be marketed. In this sense, deep discussions about ethics, data protection, impact on the job market and even on human interactions will need to be frequently discussed.
The technology market is experiencing a new revolution, a scenario that demands constant reinvention, bold vision and confidence in the ability to transform the world. That's why, it is necessary to adopt a mindset attentive to the ongoing changes, taking an active role in this process. With knowledge and protagonism, it is possible to monitor this evolution and act as significant agents of this transformation
