Posts by Kamal Hassan
Dubai Entrepreneurs to Compete in Global Startup Competition
On March 20 in Dubai, 15 startup teams participated in the regional SeedStars World startup competition. The winners received cash prizes and the first place winner was awarded a ticket to Switzerland with the opportunity to compete for a USD 500,000 investment and perks in February 2014.
Read MoreAre you smart enough to innovate?
Last year, I ran across an nice blog on innovation from Egypt. One of the posts was called “We are not intelligent enough for creation.” The author explains how Egyptian innovation is not valued by Egyptians:
Read MoreBuilding an Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in the UAE
For regional entrepreneurs, Startup Weekend events serve as a starting point – a way to present their idea to an audience, find other people to believe in and build their idea, and potentially be awarded a cash prize to help start their business. It’s also a chance for entrepreneurs to receive valuable feedback on the business potential of their idea, thanks to the mentors who volunteer their time to coach the teams.
Read MoreThe Amazing and Versatile Multipurpose Innovation Tool
Most tools have a singular purpose. A hammer drives in nails. A saw cuts wood. A shovel scoops dirt. You can use these tools to do other tasks, but they work best for the purpose they were designed for. It’s the same with most innovation tools.
Read MoreLeading from the Driver's Seat
Psychologist R.D. Laing made this observation many years ago, yet his words still ring true, especially today when the pace of change continues to get faster. Let’s think about what he said, especially we begin to see the present only when it is already disappearing. Picture that.
Read MoreInnovation in the Middle East – What's Missing?
There’s something missing in the Middle East when it comes to innovation. I will call it The Missing Link between Innovation Strategy and Leadership. I have a theory about what it is, but first let me share some statistics that I think are relevant.
Read MoreImportance of Play to Innovation
It’s generally accepted that “playtime” is an important part of childhood development. When kids play, they learn how to form stories and use their imagination, how to make sense of the world around them and how to communicate with others. However, at some point on the road to becoming an adult, playing turns into a…
Read MoreResponding to Threats and Opportunities with Business Model Innovation
No company today can afford to rest on its laurels. Most industries are very competitive, and if you are one of the few in an industry without much competition you are likely to be disrupted by someone entering your market at a lower price point or with an equally damaging competitive stance. If you offer…
Read MoreGovernment Innovation – An Oxymoron?
The basic definition of innovation is “to challenge the status quo and constantly promote change.” However, a stable, monopolistic environment doesn’t tend to lead to innovative behavior, and can increase its bias toward inertia over time — actively preventing innovation to maintain the status quo. We’ve seen this time and again in both the commercial…
Read More5 Reasons Middle East Companies Miss Disruptive Innovation
What do cell phones and Amazon.com have in common? Both are popular technology in wide use today – but it wasn’t always that way. When cell phones and Amazon.com were introduced, they served the needs of a few people who were eager to try them, even though they had a few shortcomings. In the case…
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