During a recent visit to Silicon Valley, it was possible to experience an inspiring environment, with innovation always present. There, success results from an entrepreneurial and collaborative culture, focused on solving complex problems through cutting-edge technology.
A greater appetite for embracing risk and the promotion of a culture of continuous feedback that does not crucify mistakes but learns quickly from them are some of the "habits" that foster innovation and sustainable growth. Whether in the BAY Area (the region that encompasses the main innovation hubs in California) or anywhere else, the key is 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, receiving feedback, or even connecting with potential investors or co-founders. This process creates valuable opportunities to accelerate the development of the idea, as it adds essential skills for its success.
2) Focus on big challengesMost of the people present there study and work on initiatives with a significant impact, with a 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 to the moon."
3) Don't create a product, build an industry:Disruption 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, which revolutionized the way people interact, spend their time, and access information, giving the public greater decision-making power. Another case is Uber, which 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 their customers' real needs. This does not only apply 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 cite 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 operate specifically in the area. Apple built computers and revolutionized the music industry with the launch of the iPod and iTunes, as well as entering the telecommunications industry with the iPhone, completely redesigning these markets.
Amazon started as an online bookstore and revolutionized global retail by expanding the e-commerce market and innovating in logistics. Years later, he entered the cloud sector with AWS. Airbnb has transformed hospitality by creating a platform that connects owners with guests, without building a single hotel. These examples show that focusing only on direct competitors is risky, as disruption can come from the least expected sources. 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 rush:All the companies I visited are focused on artificial intelligence. Being physically present in that place reinforces that the future is much closer than one might imagine.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 will soon begin to be marketed. In this regard, in-depth discussions about ethics, data protection, the impact on the labor market, and even human interactions will need to be frequently on the agenda.
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. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt a mindset attentive to ongoing changes, taking an active role in this process. With knowledge and leadership, it is possible to follow this evolution and act as significant agents of this transformation.
