In an endeavour to meld the analog with the digital, we find ourselves in a funny situation. I liken it to being handed a map in a language we don’t quite understand yet. We’ve transitioned from mobile phones to smartphones, and from Walkmans to iPods – not just trading devices, but altering our very approach to technology. This digital era, powered by data, feels less like a revolution and more like an unexpected dinner guest who decides to stay.
The concept of a Connected World is not just about gadgets talking to each other; it’s about reimagining how we interact with the tools we’ve created.
Platform-based thinking is the new norm, propelling organizations forward in ways I don’t believe anyone right now can predict. Yet, for many companies, this shift feels like trying to read a book in the dark (I know, not a common occurrence these days, but it still happens to me once in awhile, on a bus or plane). The strategies that once guided them now seem as outdated as a rotary phone.
Understanding human needs in this context is crucial. It’s no longer just about the utility of products, but how they align with human aspirations. We’ve moved from the mechanical to the smart and connected, a transition that’s less about technology and more about understanding the human condition in a digital age.
Connected products are not just innovations; they are reflections of our desire to make sense of a rapidly changing world. They offer new possibilities for growth and impact, akin to finding an unexplored path in a familiar forest.
For companies, this means exploring unconventional avenues for revenue. Standing out in today’s market requires not just a good product, but a new perspective. And it will be the companies that embrace this dance of perspective that are going to flourish moving forward.
The journey of future-forward products is ever changing, ever evolving in a much more intimate relationship with customer feedback then ever before. It’s a process that’s as dynamic and unpredictable, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Think of Open AIs recent success. What they did differently from the other AI companies is they launched quickly, almost too quickly. They admitted openly that they’re product wasn’t quite finished. They knew what they were doing though. They understood that real life feedback was truly the missing link to making an incredible product. So they opened up to the public and said “hey try this out, tell us what works and what doesn’t.” Allowing them to gain real-market and real-time feedback in a way no other company could. I believe this is the future. Shipping and measuring with a humility and dedication to improve.
Mush love,
Bradley C & GPT