Book Review: Blink

Recently, I had finished reading Blink and the book is all about those moments when we know something without knowing why. Here author explores the phenomenon of ‘blink’, showing how a snap judgement can be far more effective than a cautious decision. By trusting your instincts, he reveals, you’ll never think about thinking in the same way again.

There are two types of thinking. We may call them intuitive and articulate. The first is the domain of hunches, emotional reactions, and first impressions and instant responses to sensations. There is a cognitive process involved in such mental processes, one is responding to information. But there is no conscious thought because there is no time for it.

The second type of thinking is the domain of logic, deliberation, and scientific method. Here thinking is conscious, it occurs in words or sentences or symbols or concepts or formulas and so it takes time. Articulate thinking is the model of rationality, while intuitive thinking is often seen as primitive, emotional, the only type of thinking of which animals are capable. So it is articulate thinking that distinguishes human beings from the ‘lower’ animals.

Malcolm Gladwell wishes to bring a popular audience the results of recent research in psychology and related disciplines, such as neurosciences which not only confirm the importance of intuitive cognition in human beings but also offer a qualified vindication of it. He argues that intuition is often superior to articulate thinking. It often misleads, to be sure but with an awareness of the pitfalls we may be able to avoid them.

Blink tells more stories about judging from first impressions. A president elected because of his comely appearance that turned out to be a complete turkey. The book is all about how we understand the world around us. Why do some people follow their instincts and win, while others end up stumbling into error? How do our brains really work in the office, in the classroom, in the kitchen? And why are the best decisions often those that are impossible to explain to others?

Book Review: Jugaad Innovation

In India, the word “Jugaad” is something that we lived with it. It means finding an innovative solution to a problem arising out of very limited resources. Recently, I had finished reading “Jugaad Innovation” by Navi Radjou, Jaideep Prabhu, and Simone Ahuja. For me, Jugaad is a creative improvisation, a medium to somehow find a solution based on a refusal to accept defeat and calling on quick thinking.

In Jugaad Innovation, authors challenge the status quo of traditional organizations in terms of how they think and act. The book outlines six principles of Jugaad: Seek Opportunity in adversity, do more with less, think and act flexibly, keep it simple, include the margin, and follow your heart. The book also argues about that West must look at countries like India, China, Brazil, for a new approach to frugal and flexible innovation.

The book begins with Simone meeting with Mansukh Prajapati who has designed a fridge that costs Rs 2500, is made out of clay and runs without electricity. This innovation has made it possible for even people in rural India have access to cool water and the option to store fruit and vegetables for three days. In India, such examples of human ingenuity are part of common folklore. I have seen carts fixed with diesel engines and people call them ‘Jugaads’.

The material in the book is thoroughly referenced and well structured. Each chapter begins with an inspirational quote and ends with takeaways, things to measure, things to do, and experiments to conduct. The concluding chapter ties all the material together. Innovation is driven by curiosity and creativity. It is an iterative process involving risk taking along with the risk assessment and mitigation.

Filled with engaging stories of resourceful Jugaad innovators and entrepreneurs in emerging markets and the United States, the book is a resourceful guide to help readers unlock the value of principles of Jugaad Innovation in enabling innovation. It is must read for Entrepreneurs. Overall, I loved the book and its examples of human creativity. It takes examples from developed and developing nations. Jugaad is practiced by almost all Indians in their daily lives to make the most of what they have.