LEARNING LAUNCH

CHALLENGE    Covid19.     The world around us is changing in real time. In all likelihood, careers will change by the time we  come out of this, scathed. During the #StayHome period, many will also take this opportunity to  introspect. I have too. For over 16+ years, I have had the privilege of living and working in the US,  Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, South Africa and now, Germany. Prior to Covid19, I was on the cusp  of moving back to Singapore to start a new role professionally, and on the personal front, a new  beginning. But that has all changed, and its back to the drawing board, back to basics. But as the  story goes, many successful ventures were formed after the financial crisis of 2008-2009.    SELECTION AND APPLICATION    During Covid19, I enrolled in various courses, including Design Thinking. My introspection has led to  some critical positive outcomes. I finally managed to put pen on paper and prepare a list of business  ideas envisioned during my exposure and experience in diverse parts of the world - engaging with  clients and consumers, boards and bartenders, preachers and politicians and many with a rag to  riches story. This further allowed me to reach within my network of business leaders and the  investment community.     To put these ideas through the litmus test and go beyond just the imaginary and imagery, the  Learning Launch was an ideal tool.     It was important to bring a skeptic on board at the onset to whet the process of continued  development, pivot or look for the nearest trash can. I completely align with the theory of  confirmation bias (and guilty of applying it on a few occasions myself). Along with a small team and a  small savings kitty, we ventured into searching for those needle-movers.     We created a shortlist from an initial plethora of ideas and verticals as per below:

1. Sport   2. E-Marketplace   3. Contactless  4. Food Delivery  5. Social Tech  6. …

We earmarked the first 3 to pursue.     INSIGHT AND APPROACH    SPORT  Covid19 has resulted in a disruption in people’s exercise habits – either at home or the 1 hour  allowance during lockdowns. Exercise is also helping people maintain mental health. The hypothesis  is that people will continue to pursue and seek physical activity into their daily lives more than ever,  post the lifting of restrictions. We identified a cost-effective solution that meets this increasing need  to stay healthy spend more time outdoors and in the gym. We are in the midst of securing supply- chain and analysing distribution mechanisms to launch.

E-MARKETPLACE  Consumer trends in fashion, beauty, luxury, home improvement etc are constantly changing. Each  country has their own unique behaviours, tastes and consumption habits. New trends replace old  ones while some universal trends stay on for a while. We also live in a world where algorithms and  tech play a significant role in management of On-Demand consumer solutions to meet the ever- changing needs. The resources have been activated to deliver this, at scale.     CONTACTLESS  In the post-Covid19 world, hugs, handshakes and public touch screens will hold an entirely different  meaning. People’s habits and attitudes will change towards touch points. The question of “how  many hands have touched what I am about to pick up” or “how fresh or non-chemical induced is  this” will arise in many consumers’ minds. Our bold approach to calming people’s nerves has the  probability of a high upfront capital cost but amortised within a short time (excluding return on  investment). The design of the solution with simultaneous conversations with business leaders in the  retail space are on-going.     Data, comprising of consumer insights, competitors, availability, pricing and promotion, supports the  above hypothesis.    Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.   - Cherie Gray.


LEARNING LAUNCH CHALLENGE Covid19 . The world around us is changing in real time . In all likelihood , careers will change by the time we come out of this , scathed . During the # StayHome period , many will also take this opportunity to introspect . I have too . For over 16 + years , I have had the privilege of living and working in the US , Singapore , Vietnam , Indonesia , South Africa and now , Germany . Prior to Covid19 , I was on the cusp of moving back to Singapore to start a new role professionally , and on the personal front , a new beginning . But that has all changed , and its back to the drawing board , back to basics . But as the story goes , many successful ventures were formed after the financial crisis of 2008 - 2009 . SELECTION AND APPLICATION During Covid19 , I enrolled in various courses , including Design Thinking . My introspection has led to some critical positive outcomes . I finally managed to put pen on paper and prepare a list of business ideas envisioned during my exposure and experience in diverse parts of the world - engaging with clients and consumers , boards and bartenders , preachers and politicians and many with a rag to riches story . This further allowed me to reach within my network of business leaders and the investment community . To put these ideas through the litmus test and go beyond just the imaginary and imagery , the Learning Launch was an ideal tool . It was important to bring a skeptic on board at the onset to whet the process of continued development , pivot or look for the nearest trash can . I completely align with the theory of confirmation bias ( and guilty of applying it on a few occasions myself ) . Along with a small team and a small savings kitty , we ventured into searching for those needle - movers . We created a shortlist from an initial plethora of ideas and verticals as per below : 1 . Sport 2 . E - Marketplace 3 . Contactless 4 . Food Delivery 5 . Social Tech 6 . … We earmarked the first 3 to pursue . INSIGHT AND APPROACH SPORT Covid19 has resulted in a disruption in people ’s exercise habits – either at home or the 1 hour allowance during lockdowns . Exercise is also helping people maintain mental health . The hypothesis is that people will continue to pursue and seek physical activity into their daily lives more than ever , post the lifting of restrictions . We identified a cost - effective solution that meets this increasing need to stay healthy spend more time outdoors and in the gym . We are in the midst of securing supply- chain and analysing distribution mechanisms to launch . E - MARKETPLACE Consumer trends in fashion , beauty , luxury , home improvement etc are constantly changing . Each country has their own unique behaviours , tastes and consumption habits . New trends replace old ones while some universal trends stay on for a while . We also live in a world where algorithms and tech play a significant role in management of On - Demand consumer solutions to meet the ever- changing needs . The resources have been activated to deliver this , at scale . CONTACTLESS In the post - Covid19 world , hugs , handshakes and public touch screens will hold an entirely different meaning . People ’s habits and attitudes will change towards touch points . The question of “ how many hands have touched what I am about to pick up ” or “ how fresh or non - chemical induced is this ” will arise in many consumers ’ minds . Our bold approach to calming people ’s nerves has the probability of a high upfront capital cost but amortised within a short time ( excluding return on investment ) . The design of the solution with simultaneous conversations with business leaders in the retail space are on - going . Data , comprising of consumer insights , competitors , availability , pricing and promotion , supports the above hypothesis . Life is n’t about waiting for the storm to pass , it ’s about learning to dance in the rain . - Cherie Gray .