Category: Blog

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Think Innovation Impact Community, think Change

Embrace the Power of One! Welcome to the Innovation Impact Community!

The Thought Leader. The Entrepreneur. The Change Agent. The Artist. The Influencer. It is that power of one individual that fuels the groundswell of positive change, commerce and innovation in our world.  

We have all heard those inspiring stories about how individuals step up to the plate to initiate positive change in society.  It is such individuals that kickstart an idea, initiate a cause and drive a movement. It is individuals that enrich our community with new ideas and new purpose. We have seen the phenomenon of strong willed, committed and passionate individuals who create a positive idea and set off a chain reaction of social innovation. We call this phenomenon the Innovation Impact Community.

The IIC is a coming together in brilliant and full circle of our two social platforms, Tempo magazine and our Tamakkan entrepreneurship platform. Tempo has always been about the community since its inception in August 2009. Our focus in the magazine and in www.feelyourtempo.com has always been showcasing our community’s heroes, highlighting their contributions and giving them a platform to achieve more. Tamakkan, www.tamakkan.com born in July of the same year, has also a social impact trajectory, providing a space for SMEs to network, learn and collaborate. 

Through the Innovation Impact Community or IIC our aim is to share stories, experiences and guidance.  We take Tempo’s DNA of social giving and add to it Tamakkan’ strategic focus on social entrepreneurship, and together they reinforce a single-minded purpose to amplifying hope and giving.

Thought Leaders

We bring you the Thought Leaders whose teachings touch on the human experience, and those challenges and fears that reside in many of us. They guide us to rise above our limitations by reframing our perspectives into frameworks that empower, rather than restrain.

Artists

The Artists hold a soft spot in my heart, because these are the ones who enrich our lives with the beauty of creativity and imagination. And yet many artists around the world remain on the fringes, unable to support their passions and their crafts. Here we salute them for nurturing our souls.

Influencers

Nothing is as telling about the pace of change in our world as the emerging role of the Social Influencer. These are individuals whose voices shape our communication landscape through a role they have willfully embraced. They help make sense of this frenetic babble, and humanize the experience by connecting us to others. They offer guidance to navigate our everyday human issues.

Change Agents

The Change Agent is that person who won’t quit. He or she sees that something can be done to do good somewhere, somehow – and they dive in selflessly to catalyze a positive transformation. They are the conscience of our community, and we owe them for caring about others.

Entrepreneurs

Then there is the entrepreneur, the one who fires the flame of innovation by designing, building, shaping and deploying. They are the risk takers and the true soldiers of commerce and industry, and for me, it is that sole individual, that startup or the SME that captures my imagination. Many of us are entrepreneurs and we should see ourselves as that essential cog in the industrial wheel that disrupts the status quo and gives us new ideas that power a promising future.

We invite you to join the Innovation Impact Community!

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Too much tech? Let this book revive your human side

How to Live Life by Arthur Gordon

This book is about life, as evidently implied by its title, and in its many pages lie 22 chapters, each spanning about 20 pages on a certain domain of life, written by many people from diverse angles and perspectives. The introductions have been provided by renowned author Arthur Gordon.

Although the view-points of most writers in this book are a little conservative, arguably because it was published in the 60’s, but because the articles and short essays are anecdotes of life, they are almost timeless. That is because of our humanness. The discussion of human nature will always remain timeless, because it is a discussion of emotion.

The four main parts of the book are rich in advice and stories on how to live with people, with yourself, with reality, and with wisdom. This is especially vital for anyone who feels lost, or anyone who wishes to learn a little from those who are more experienced. After all, it serves the purpose of reading: to learn whilst being entertained.

The self is discussed in great detail, with added importance on loving oneself and reaching out to others. It preaches honesty as well as humility and the very virtues of life – almost like a guide that is still very down-to- earth, because essentially, they are opinions. You choose to either follow or not follow them. And they persuade you by putting in a story or two, more personal experiences and many quotes from great thinkers and poets like Wordsworth, and of course, by adding in scientific evidence. Perhaps it is the ideas that make this a page-turner, or the eloquence in writing, or both.

One of the writers states that in order to love, one must listen, and that it is an art. A person that provides undivided attention to the other is one that is able to love, because they make the second party feel loved. The very act of listening may seem very simple, but it is key to many factors in life. In discussing the war between men and women, love, adolescence, awareness, inner-peace (and so much more), the reader is inspired to learn so much more about human nature. The irony in that is that this nature blatantly surrounds us, but it only becomes clear when someone else states it.

Businessmen and astronauts, professors and clergymen, housewives and scientists all have one thing in common, and that is the desire to live, and to live well. In this book, they give insight on how to live selflessly and sometimes selfishly. What remains the most important factor is that we are all trying, despite our profession, to be the better version of our past selves. To recognise that is the first step to recognising who we are:

“No man ever lived who did not feel, at times, that he was condemned to go through life handcuffed to a stranger. That stranger is himself, the mysterious and unpredictable companion with whom he must share every thought, every emotion, every experience. Clearly, then, if this inevitable partnership is to succeed, a man must know how to live on good terms with himself, how to manage and control and sometimes improve himself. “Make it thy business to know thyself,” said Cervantes. “Which,” he added, “is the most difficult lesson in the world.”

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The Extraordinary Power of Compassion

Harness the Power of Compassion at Home and at Work

From the moment we humans are born, we start assimilating into the world by mirroring others around us, from facial expressions to body movements. This attribute of identifying with others is a critical part of becoming human. It assures that we bond within our communities and survive as a species. It is inherent to what defines us as human, and gives us the power of compassion.

Compassion is not the same as empathy, or even altruism. It is an actual response, to help relieve someone else’s suffering. Merriam Webster defines compassion as “wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble etc”.

The amazing thing about compassion is that it is also contagious.

Think of the tragedies in Aleppo; the little boy sitting dazed in the ambulance after his home was bombed, or the two boys crying and consoling each after losing a sibling, or the poignant scenes after the Amatrice earthquake.

“It is my belief also that compassion is not an individual response, but a movement. It is a reflection of true leadership at the highest levels, and a code of conduct that should permeate through society.”

More than ever before, we as humans are accosted by images of tragedy, every hour, minute, second. If we don’t see it in the news, it gets delivered to us via social media; if we don’t get it through the media, someone tells us about it. We can choose to turn away from these external stimuli, and shut off the world, but our human nature tells us to do something. Otherwise we feel a dissonance that gnaws us from the inside.

We must resist becoming sponges, paralysed by feelings of helplessness and frustration. Rather, we can focus on what we can do, however small, within our own spheres of influence and reach. There are always things we can do to make a person’s life a bit easier, from making a phone call, to helping someone with a task, to providing advice and counseling, to giving or lending money. What ceases to surprise me is how sometimes the smallest of gestures by one person can potentially transform the life of another human being.

Children who are brought up within a belief system that stresses compassion end up being more socially adept and more content. It is the same for adults.

It is my belief also that compassion is not an individual response, but a movement. It is a reflection of true leadership at the highest levels, and a code of conduct that should permeate through society. When policies are made, or agreements concluded, compassion can be factored into the negotiation and business dealing. Just like ‘goodwill’ has become a standard reference in business language, compassion should also be part of the corporate lexicon.

Just like ‘goodwill’ has become a standard reference in business language, compassion should also be part of the corporate lexicon.

While some continue to dismiss compassion as an irrational response to a situation, there is research to support its tangible benefits to those humans who show compassion. The heart rate slows down perceptibly and we release that “bonding and happiness hormone”, oxytocin. When we show compassion to others, we reinforce brain circuits that are linked to pleasure and contentment, while stimulating the Vagus Nerve that protects our hearts.

Lead by example and demonstrate compassion in everything you do.

All religions promote the principles of compassion as core to human existence. In Islam, it is the idea of ‘rahma’ that urges us to choose to be kinder, to be more generous and to be more forgiving. Children who are brought up within a belief system that stresses compassion end up being more socially adept and more content. It is the same for adults. Research demonstrates that employees who are in more compassionate workplaces are more productive and happy; they feel greater loyalty to the organization, and they share a sense of common purpose.

The amazing thing about compassion is that it is also contagious. Lead by example and demonstrate compassion in everything you do, and you’ll soon see your circle of compassionate grow as big as the world.

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The Coronavirus Pandemic: A Lifestyle Reset?

“The Hope Pandemic” series addresses the changing business climate and how we can go digital and shape a new world of sustainability, kindness and community.

We are going through an unprecedented human experiment that is shaping the way we are relating to each other and how we are spending our time in isolation.

The effect on social and human psychology is interesting. We are pondering on ways to fill time. And how we interact with those around us. Do we watch TV? Read? Play Monopoly? Do we talk to each other? Do we go back to our old school ways? To a time before we became so distracted? Is working from home working for us? How do we distract ourselves until this blows over?

We’ve seen heart warming stories over the internet, and via social media, about families isolated at home coming together, and working on creative projects and cooking and writing poetry. We’ve even seen people collaborating in different nations and producing works of art together.

But when it comes to working from home, it’s a little bit more challenging for those who are new at this. And, if you think about it, what makes working from home tough is human psychology. That’s because we associate “home” as a place to “de-work”…where we recharge before the next day of work.

Unless we have the luxury of a home office (and the habit and discipline of its use) we will need to go through a mental deprogramming and re-association…

As a species we are said to be highly adaptable, so we should soon be able to attain the state of “work focus” in the space of ‘homeness’. Here are some ways to manage the transition.

1. Get out of your pajamas. PJs are toxic to productivity. Dress differently to send your brain the signal to switch to work mode.

2. Eat well: don’t use excuses for too many fridge breaks.

3….and don’t abuse bathroom breaks (magazines, Tetris etc). Be efficient (and don’t waste toilet paper:)

4. Speaking of distractions, turn the damn TV off until you’re done with work.

5. Find yourself the same corner, nook, to work everyday: habit creates focus.

6. Work in short 2-3 hour spurts and take breaks to clear your mind: do yoga, meditate etc.

7. Keep a checklist to track your productivity.

8. Enjoy the new (for a short while hopefully) normal.

Hopefully home isolation will bring out the best, in both human ingenuity and creativity.

And it’s always good to remember that we’re all human and – and we’re all in this together.

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Transform your Life with these 10 powerful questions

by Nilofer Safdar

A question empowers; an answer disempowers. A question creates; an answer is a conclusion that stops creation. Most people think that if they find the right answer, their life will be sorted. However, if you can question, you and transform your life and you will see things unfold in a tapestry of ever expanding possibilities.

The questions below will enrich and expand your life exponentially. Ask a question! Don’t look for an answer. Sometimes you have to keep asking the questions again and again until something changes.

  1. How Can It Get Better Than This?
    What if you could have your cake and eat it too? What if you open yourself up to all the possibilities in the world? This question is a simple tool that can change everything! Ask this question every time something bad shows up in your life or something good shows up in your life. When something bad shows up, this question starts to change it. When something good shows up, you are asking for more good to show up. When something good shows up repeatedly, most people are waiting for the axe to drop. This is a knee jerk reaction. By asking this question repeatedly, you break this and are in a space for receiving more good.
  2. What Else Is Possible?
    When things are stuck and nothing seems to be moving, ask yourself this question. Instead of accepting conclusions that things cannot change, ask this question and you will start to see possibilities in the situation that you hadn’t even considered.
  3. What’s Right About This That I’m Not Getting?
    A great question to ask when things show up not as you expected or desired. When things go south, most people go into blame and regret. They wonder why bad things happen to them and wallow in this. When you ask this question repeatedly in an undesirable situation, the situation will start to change in amazing ways. You might have to ask this question many times to get there.
  4. What’s Right About Me That I’m Not Getting?
    Do you get stuck in negative self-talk trying to figure out where you went wrong? When you are in an undesirable situation, the tendency is to blame yourself and judge yourself. Blame and judgment are very toxic. They are like a slow poison that kills life. This question will raise your self-worth and self-appreciation.
  5. What Would It Take?
    This is a ‘create’ question. When you want to create something, have something or change something, this is the question for you. Make a list of your targets, and then convert them into this question. Read it frequently and pretty soon everything you have asked for in your list will start to show up. One of my favourite tools is a Magic Diary. I write down 10 new things I would like to create in this diary everyday with this question. It’s fun to see everything you have asked for showing up in your life. Think: what would it take for me to have/ create/ change this right away? What can I be or do different today to have/ create/ change this right away?
  6. What Would I Like To Create My Life As?
    This is absolutely my go to question. I ask this question everyday. When you ask this question consistently over a period of time, amazing things start to show up for you. Unexpected, delightful things that can enrich your life
  7. What Contribution Am I Giving That I’m Not Acknowledging?
    Each one of us is unique and special. We contribute to the world by our very existence. But most of us cannot even see this. By being in this question, you start to see your contribution to the world around you and it changes your perspective about yourself.
  8. What Can I Be Or Do To Change This For The Greater?
    Ever have a situation where you feel stuck? Ask this question – repeatedly.
  9. Who Or What Would I Have To Be In Order To Be The Brilliance Of Me?
    Brilliance is awareness magnified into greater possibility. Brilliance is not thinking, even though we think intelligence to be an essential element of being brilliant. Have you misinterpreted the joy of thinking as brilliance? Have you judged yourself as not brilliant? Did you give up your brilliance because nobody else would acknowledge it when you were brilliant? Is this what is stopping you from creating the greater possibilities you desire to create?
  10. What Would It Take To Turn This Into A Possibility? 
    What if you were willing to change your perspective on your life, your relationships, your business and your money flow? How many of you are focusing on what you don’t have rather than what you have created and being grateful for the possibilities that are showing up? Every time you find yourself “thinking” you have a problem, ask: “What would it take to turn this into a possibility?” And see what shows up, and have fun with it.
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The Coronavirus Pandemic: How We Will Emerge Stronger.


By Sana Bagersh

As the coronavirus pandemic escalates, engulfing more and more countries, it will continue to profoundly impact the global economy; from manufacturing and supply chains, to airlines and hospitality, to oil prices and the stock market…

While we cannot escape the doom and gloom scenarios, with the impending losses in life, here I offer my two cents on the possible upsides of this global crisis. These will be the many corrections that will inevitably result from our scramble to contain the outbreak. These will be the risk mitigation safeguards that will define how we carry on as inhabitants of this planet. While we may disagree on how to move forward, we will need to accept the fact that this will not be the last virus of its kind to plague us, and more importantly, that we will need to be far better prepared for the next one.

First, let’s look at the current crisis and how to cope. The answer lies (in more ways than one) in China, which is thankfully beginning to put its economy back on track. But what a response it staged – clamping down entire cities, rolling out massive testing, and…heck they even managed to build a quarantine building in days!

China, at the writing of this, is already announcing its defeat of the virus, but only time will tell, not only how China contained the crisis, but also bring to question the measures it should have taken, as originator of this virus, to protect its open food markets.

Without question this incident shows us how vulnerable our world really is, and how our interconnectedness can bring us prosperity, but also enough risk to hobble the global economy. Like it or not, this means that we – people, countries, governments – are all tightly married to each other, and as such are equally responsible for each other’s health and security. It also means that we should set political trivialties aside and truly collaborate to ensure the survivability of our species.

Now taking a longer view of this, let’s identify some positives:

  1. After this experiment we will have the definitive playbook to handle global pandemics – from reacting more systematically internationally with cross border protocols, to building rapid response solutions locally. There will be a greater need for knowledge banks to facilitate easier sharing of health risk mitigation guidelines and proactive preventative solutions. This should also facilitate the more rapid and seamless deployment of unified health messaging and high impact outreach.
  2. Our healthcare capacities are under attack; hospital procedures, protocols and staffing are being rigorously tested, and that’s a good thing. This will afford us better understanding of what is broken and what needs fixing. So far, the results are very revealing, showing how inadequate some of the world’s most celebrated healthcare cities are responding to the crisis, and how others, with far less means, are demonstrating exceptional containment mobilization. What this tells us is that rigid governance and well intentioned methodologies are too bureaucratic and no substitute for quick thinking and fact action.

    Case in point is how South Korea provided the public with free diagnostics (including testing drive through booths), ramping up to 15,000 tests per day and canvassing the nation with 200,000 tests. By comparison, (according to the New York Times at the writing of this), the venerable CDC in the US reports that only 8,500 specimen nose swabs have been taken in the whole country since the beginning of the outbreak — a figure that is actually larger than the number of people tested since a single person can undergo multiple test swabbing! So many questions here, and so few answers…
  3. An unexpected, and most welcome outcome of the Coronavirus outbreak is the sizeable dent we are making on our global carbon footprint. This is as a result of the inadvertent reduction, albeit temporary, in commuting and flying; the impact of social distancing and working from home; and of course the big hit on manufacturing and supply chains which are resulting in lowered carbon emissions.
  4. Many countries are mere novices in the largely untapped realm of remote work, the growing gig economy, and telecommuting. This crisis is upending productivity and business continuity, and impacting service and product delivery across sectors. These challenges will compel us to build robust next-generation continuity programs across both government and private sectors.

    Ideally, it should usher with it a new science in human productivity, revealing both challenges and infinite possibilities, where we will be better at determining how we function as human beings, how to enable work, how to motivate people and how to create collaborative frameworks.

    For many countries not yet familiar with telecommuting it will be a new challenge in building capacities, training leadership, equipping managers, and managing staff. We will now, more than ever, look to all those digital solutions that promise they will empower us, and we will be compelled, out of necessity, to speed up the adoption of digital transformation strategies.
  5. Education will also undergo its most radical transformation. We have already been witnessing the disruption of traditional models, but now the understanding and adoption of digital learning will become even more urgent and compelling. Continuing online education has already been increasing over the last few years with more universities migrating entire programmes online, but the new challenges, and many learnings, will be in junior and high school education, where young people will have to adapt to new paradigms for blended learning. Even if these changes do not happen all at once, governments worldwide will see the repercussions of the Coronavirus as a wakeup call to have a plan b in place.
  6. The social impact of this virus may be in the way we manage our gatherings; which ones to keep, how else we can pow-wow, how we move, and how relate to each other within our social environments. Maybe it will make us more conscientious consumers; more mindful of what we use, how we discard, and how to become more resourceful and less wasteful. Hopefully physical human interactions will continue, with mass events becoming more safe, and micro gatherings becoming more frequent.
  7. Most exciting of all is how we leverage the unquenchable human spirit of innovation. Here we can offer innovative startups the newly emerging challenges to solve. New technologies will present abundant possibilities, from AI solutions that are able to rapidly develop vaccines for mutating viral threats, to more efficient solutions that will make us more connected, productive and fulfilled.

Who knows, maybe the Coronavirus will bring the kind of transformational disruption that will save us from ourselves and make use more responsible stewards of the planet. It may even push us towards innovating brand new digitally empowered communities, that offer greater connectedness, identity and purpose; coupled with business models that present more freedom for people to nurture families, and achieve true work-life balance.