#osinski

Thought leadership has been at the forefront of digital transformation and continues to expand the idea revolution that started with the invention of Gutenberg’s printing press. It has become a key driver for innovation and creating new opportunities as ideas are shared and distributed beyond traditional sources and across social platforms that were unimaginable a decade ago.

The term “thought leadership” means different things to different people. It is used and practiced both in personal and professional spaces. Some take place on large stages; others unfold in small corners that are hidden from the limelight. But no matter the size or shape, they all share a common DNA. In its simplest form, it creates an opportunity to become a trusted source on topics we are passionate about by delivering different perspectives on all questions—new and old.

As the name suggests, it requires two things:

Thought. Ask every possible question and ignite the critical-thinking process, which is a prerequisite for asking the right questions.

Leadership. Write with passion as an informed opinion leader to become the go-to-person in an area of interest or expertise.

Thought leadership is a pursuit that is more about growth, innovation, and creating opportunities.  It starts when an idea is kindled, and it doesn’t stop when the fruits of that idea is delivered.

Thought leadership is about growth

When we set out to develop a perspective, the process gives us a chance to experiment freely with different ideas while escaping the disciplined and demanding rigor that may be otherwise required in certain roles, functions, and disciplines. Neither the process nor growth happens in random circles with loose ends. For those who follow and stay committed, the process of molding these ideas can sometimes be as intense and focused as the development of new products and services.

Thought leadership helps us grow not only as an individual, but also as an organization to learn more about our purpose, which is a reflection of both our passions and imperfections. More important, it’s a journey that sheds light on our path–allowing us to seek what is yet to be discovered through our natural talent and creativity.

Thought leadership is about curiosity and innovation

How do we innovate with thought leadership? If innovation is how we create new things, whether they are completely new solutions or improvements over existing ones, then thought leadership is the spark that recoils the energy needed to deliver these ideas and harness unrealized value.

I often talk about curiosity to achieve this forward-thinking motion because neither innovation nor thought leadership can endure without it. I see it as a gift that we’re given as a child to explore what surrounds us and risk losing as we get older. We innovate because we are not satisfied with the status quo. In the same vein, thought leadership is about a keen desire to extend accepted models of thinking to amplify new and existing opportunities.

Thought leadership is about creating opportunities and engagement

Thought leadership is neither a magic formula nor one that can be rushed or done in a vacuum. One of the main ingredients is a relationship—albeit virtual in many cases—that is built (sometimes from scratch) between thought leaders, organizations, and their audiences. This invisible process by its nature takes time. And to use an analogy from cooking: Cranking up the heat doesn’t necessarily reduce cooking time.

Consistent delivery of quality content that engages our audiences begins the process of building trust—a crucial component of this journey. Topics and ideas that are explored in these thought leadership pieces echo the core values of those, who harvest these ideas. Each piece we present serves as a building block that will later become the foundation from which we will all lead and create new opportunities.

Why thought leadership matters

Generating excitement about topics that are relevant and timely—not just in one business, industry, or niche, but across the entire ecosystem—provides inspiration and intellectual stimulation to get the process started.

Finding viewpoints and relating them to real-life stories with a new angle—even if they represent a small window for discussion or engagement—gives birth to new opportunities never-before imagined.

Thought leadership matters because stretching old ideas beyond their traditional boundaries creates new perspectives. 

More important, it can serve as a foundation for others to expand and innovate, inspiring conversations that would have been otherwise lost or never started.

Source : http://onforb.es/1RERekb

Everyone's getting in a fuss about the Internet of Things, whether it's excitement about smart appliances like Nest, Belkin WeMo, smart bulbs and smart TVs, self-quantification fitness trackers, or about new genres of connected gadgets like smartwatches, Google Glass and the spread of Bluetooth beacons in stores.

Everyone's getting in a fuss about the Internet of Things, whether it's excitement about smart appliances like Nest, Belkin WeMo, smart bulbs and smart TVs, self-quantification fitness trackers, or about new genres of connected gadgets like smartwatches, Google Glass and the spread of Bluetooth beacons in stores. Oh, and the smartphone...What all of these Internet of Things (IoT) devices - as many as 50 billion of them by 2020 - have in common is that they create detailed data about their users, and lots of it. From transactions and customer profiles to usage patterns and even location, the Internet of Things is really an Internet of Data that is begging to be cross-referenced and analysed. It exists not to help people per se, but as a new tool for collecting valuable business intelligence.We asked a few business intelligence experts for their views on the Internet of Data - what it is, how it's organised and how organisations should best make intelligent, but ethical, use of it.Data from smart devices"By storing and analysing this data, companies have the opportunity to gain valuable business insight from IoT," says Matt Pfeil, Chief Customer Officer and Co-founder at big data applications company DataStax, who gives an example of a device that is being internet-enabled - the thermostat."Now you get a clear picture of how much energy is being used, when it is being used, and can compare this to other energy users," he says. "Link this up to other account data, and the company can observe patterns to save energy - for example, setting the default temperature a degree cooler at installation." It may seem a trivial amount, but across millions of devices it adds up to a huge amount of savings for customers."As more devices connect to the internet, the data they create can be linked together, and if you don't have that record over time, you can't get value from it," says Pfeil. "Time-series data provides the potential for insight around how we live and interact with our homes, our jobs and our cities."The Internet of Data equals business intelligence

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Share80Tweet17Share0Pin It0EmailPrint Every so often, a potential match appears on Tinder who is so remarkably attractive, so shockingly normal, and so totally non-despicable that a standard right-swipe will not do.

Every so often, a potential match appears on Tinder who is so remarkably attractive, so shockingly normal, and so totally non-despicable that a standard right-swipe will not do.

For these rare cases, Tinder is introducing a “Super Like”option — first in Australia and then in the rest of the world. Users are allowed one (1) Super Like a day. To activate, Tinder-ers simply swipe up, instead of right. Then, when the Super Liked person stumbles upon an admirer's profile, they will be notified by a blue banner at the bottom that basically says, HI HELLO I LIKE YOU SO MUCH I BET YOU SMELL GOOD WILL YOU LIKE ME PLEASE.

Presumably, when presented with this naked display of desire, users will be more inclined to swipe right.

The very eager Super Like, or "Swipe Up," is “a more powerful signal, conveying an especially high level of interest. People like to know that someone finds them special, and we think this will lead to even better matches,” Tinder CEO Sean Rad told Wired UK.

Source : http://thecut.io/1i5Z1LM