Shaping Chaos

In this episode, Brian Boyer, co-founder of Dash Marshall and director of the Urban Technology program at the University of Michigan, shares his insights on navigating the complexities of design and the intersection of cities and technology. We discussed the difference between complexity and opacity, the value of design in decision-making, and the importance of understanding social knowledge. For me the highlight comes when Bryan discussed the need for a broad toolbox in dealing with complexity and the challenges of multidisciplinary projects, something that still seems to be a struggle in the modern world. As a teacher, Bryan also shares his experiences educating students to find a balance between different design perspectives and the importance of asking the right questions in city planning.

Key Takeways

• The intersection of cities and digital technology brings together different approaches and perspectives.
• Historical figures like Olmsted and modern innovations like Uber have had a significant impact on cities.
• Finding a balance between utilizing and protecting the commons is crucial in the digital age.
• Educating students to find the middle space between different design perspectives is essential.
• Asking the right questions and understanding the qualities and experiences of a place are important in city planning.
• Turning once abstract ideas into something tangible and usable is a key contributor to success in design.

In this episode, Benjamin Yoskovitz, Founding Partner at Highline Beta, shares valuable insights on navigating the complexities of business and life. We discusses the importance of identifying trends and patterns in the market, balancing chaos and creativity, and making data-driven decisions amidst chaotic information. Benjamin also shares lessons learned from his book Lean Analytics and the story behind the B-Real app.

The concept of atomic units of engagement stands out for me and its one I will be using in my approach going forwards but you will find ton more of practical advice and inspiration for anyone looking to thrive in the ever-changing world of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Key Takeways:

• Navigating chaos in fundraising requires mapping out the process and creating a step-by-step checklist to bring clarity and control.
• Building a better relationship with chaos involves accepting that control is impossible and focusing on what can be controlled.
• Collecting data is important, but it's crucial to focus on a few key metrics that will actually change behavior and inform decision-making.
• In a world obsessed with perfection, it's important to recognize that chaos cannot be eliminated and to embrace the opportunities it presents. Identifying mega trends and having insights are crucial when building a company.
• The creator economy and the business of one are significant trends in the current market.
• Solo entrepreneurs face unique challenges, such as infrastructure limitations and cross-border transactions.
• The concept of atomic units of engagement is powerful in creating sticky and engaging products.

Mariana works at the interception between social innovation, education, business and design to help founders, managers and students navigate complexity by using what she calls a design attitude — a set of cognitive skills that spark change.

She introduces concepts that can change our approach to problem-solving and help us navigate the uncertainty without fearing the unknown.

Marco Steinberg, the founder of Snowcone and Haystack, helps governments navigate the chaotic nature these entities go through by showing them how to approach problems from the various standpoints.

In this conversation, we talk about how to drive change by understanding the forces at play when creating a lasting positive impact. 

Indy Johar, the founder of Dark Matter Labs, brings this multitude of perspectives to every challenge, and helps organizations to "radically redesigning the bureaucratic & institutional infrastructure of our cities, regions and towns for a more democratic, distributed great transition".

In this conversation, we talk about how we can understand chaos and complexity.

For Bob Moesta, the innovator and founder of the Re-Wired Group, understanding and learning how to innovate is what makes a great product, service or organization.

In this conversation, we talk about innovation frameworks and how to make sense of chaos.

For Charlie, the ultra-marathon runner and founder of Epic Travel, it became an endurance lesson.

Tune in to this episode and learn about the parallels between chaos, endurance running and business planning.

As the founder Hiut Denin and other successful businesses, he has faced chaos multiple times. Now he calls it a silent friend, the one that is there to show you the way.

Tune in to this fantastic conversation and learn how to learn from chaos.

She founded Know Your Team to help leaders become better at leadership by focusing on topics that most of us overlook: how to give honest feedback, how to nurture your talent and how to run a team effectively.

In this conversation, we go deep on what prevents us from becoming great leaders and what we should do about it.

BONUS: Claire shares her framework on how to give feedback that inspires action.

 [Former Captico Talks Episode] Pip Jamieson is on a mission to make diversity the driving force of the future and created The Dots network with that as one of the core values for growth. She talks about how important is diversity for success, how to make it an integral part of your plans, how to create a thriving creative culture and how should we look at creativity in the era of quantum robotics. 

Pip also shares the challenges she faced as a female founder in the tech industry whilst trying to grow and fund her company and ideas and what to do to best overcome that.

⚡For comprehensive episode notes visit captico.io.

Today Significa is one of the most renowned digital product studios in Portugal, and in this conversation Pedro shares the habits that are leading them to create a thriving environment and culture, how to grow creative talent and how building relationships with other companies creates a thriving ecosystem - a contrarian perspective over what every other businesses are doing.

Tune in!

 [Former Captico Talks Episode] Matt Brooke-Smith is the Founder and CEO of Future Workshops the London based digital product company that has been delivering products that people love for more than 10 years. In this conversation we talk about the importance of investing in your own ideas, diversity in the team and in your business, the best way to invest in talent and much much more.  
People Mentioned in this episode:
Fabio Galloneto - twitter.com/duhanebel
Jenny Grinblo - twitter.com/grinblo
Noble Union
David Ashford
Andy Honas

Brands Mentioned:
ClickTech
Apple
iPhone
Steve Jobs
Blackberry
Nokia
Vodafone
O2
Austin Martin
McLaren
Saatchi & Saatchi
Top Gear
Goldman Sachs 

A fantastic conversation with the co-founder of the uber-successful studio Ustwo, about ultra running, ego, succeilure, Fampany, the bestseller mobile game Monument Valley and a meeting with Tim Cook.

✨Mills JDFI Podcast ✨

Documentary mentioned:
Life in a day

Ustwo Games mentioned:
Monument Valley

People mentioned:
Ustwo Co-Founder Jonh Sinclar a.k.a “Sinx”
Ustwo CEO Carsten Wierwille
Tim Cook
Apple

Ustwobes
Dem Gerolemou
Nuno Coelho dos Santos
Danny White
Daniel Gray
Ken Wong

Ultra Runners
Timothy Shieff
Rich Roll

Books mentioned
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday