14-10-07 And suddenly an inventor appeared

Have you ever wondered why a particular idea, which seemed obvious and simple post implementation, didn't occur to you?

Have you ever wondered what innovation means? Have you used innovation and creativity interchangeably?

Do people around you talk about some idea and then use words like innovation regularly but you don't seem to see actual proof of innovation?

Doesn't the term innovation again belong to that long list of must have abbreviations/b-school buzzwords?

These were some of my thoughts a few months ago when I entered my professional life. But today after having read the book mentioned in the subject line and being exposed to some techniques under TRIZ-the theory of inventive problem solving, I believe, that "anything could be used for purposes other than for which it was created" quote Altshuller the father of TRIZ.

At MindTree, we have been using this methodology for about 4 years, but finally we have reached a stage where we will be able to provide enough material and cases to be able to share knowledge about the same as course material. I was hesitant to share this little secret of mine with all of u when I last said that I visited RVCE and if things work out fine u will hear good things.

Well! The reason Kalyan, Prakash, Krishnan and myself went to RVCE was to propose a course in innovation where Mindtree would help in co owning it. However, they haven't responded and there is skepticism about being able to teach a course on innovation [ its already being taught in other countries, I don't see y we cant here] but like all wonderful ideas it is only a matter of time by which we will achieve the purpose of creating innovation as a buzzword. I am working on a paper which helps map emotions in the knowledge industry through TRIZ, again this may not succeed, but I have realized that my calling in life will be in this field.

Thanks to Aravind's encouragement, I actually did go to Radio Indigo and audition, it was an experience like no other J The previous radio experience I had was with Radio City, in contrast the studio, the infrastructure at Indigo is far superior, I ended up befriending Geoffrey whose voice by now is familiar to most of you, he also happens to be the National Programming head of Indigo.

Our conversation focused on various studies which have clearly indicated that the market for radio in India still lies with the populace that stays at home n he wants to reach out to them as the only international channel. They have spent a bomb on tie-ups with shows such as American top 40 and Maaya and I was glad to discuss my career options with a man so passionate about his line of business. Thanks to our brainstorming, we even had our dear Bagchi sir hosting his own playlist yesterday in Indigo.

Apart from the career part of life, I have become a total gym freak, Contours Express is a gym for women run by women, n I enjoy the alternate cardio and strength training experience which is coupled with yoga stretches as part of the winding up. For the first time in my life, I am recording everything I eat in a diary n I have come to realize that I eat more than I should :D I am off late hooked to this restaurant called 'Ruby Tuesdays' which serves food by the plate and I can say by experience that most of their veg offerings are simply delightful.

Individually, I see myself evolving constantly and also see that a kind of role reversal is happening at home. I participate in most of the decision making, investing and enjoy being domesticated [after all those years of wild abandon n wandering] questions exist but answers are always around J my relationship with my family has become very responsible, I am preparing myself to take on more n more n I am happy to admit that peace exists n there is a smile of satisfaction in me. I think in essence what Einstein said makes sense, "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler".