Creativity and driving change as spoken at SXSW Sydney

Today, I'm leaning into change as I write this on the train rather than the bus yesterday as I head to the SXSW Sydney conference center, where the excitement continues.

My experience of the first day revolved around external factors, pondering the profound impact of technology on humanity and business. My second day’s focus shifts inward, exploring the importance of an open and innovative mindset, the courage to challenge the status quo, and the role of creativity in this ever-evolving landscape. This swing of topics is really what makes SXSW so great.

Creativity as Core to Good Business

One of my firm beliefs and advocate for is that creativity isn't something reserved for artists or as Rohit Bhargava puts it, only for those with the title "Creative."

But this is short sighted, particularly where creativity is a fundamental component of building a thriving business, fostering sustainable growth, and making the world a more intriguing place.

Listening to Rohit's talk on how to be a non-obvious thinker made me contemplate the essence of creativity and its significance.

His question lingered in my mind, "What if you could see something others miss?"

Immediately this brought to life it's value. Whether is it in solving age-old problems in different ways, creating new product experiences, approaching business in a unique way, or carving out a niche. Creativity provides the space for differences to shine.

Many, like myself, who've never held a paintbrush, may not have considered themselves creative. Rohit, as a futurist, shares that it's not that difficult. And that is by being non-obvious through actively seeking unconventional sources of inspiration. Whether it's flipping through print magazines instead of resorting to Google recommended results or attending a Quantum Computing SXSW talk despite being unfamiliar with the subject. By immersing ourselves in different environments, our brains forge new connections and insights that may be exclusive to the culmination of our own experiences.

Breaking the Mold by Being Yourself

Attending Cindy Gallop's unconventional talk on the power of sex in marketing and advertising from a female perspective was unexpected but eye-opening. It reinforced the idea that opportunity is left on the table if we blindly accept the status quo.

Cindy playfully (but somewhat seriously) questions why mattress makers consistently advertise for better sleep when there's a whole other need to address.

One of her underlying message though is about challenging the norm by celebrating the uniqueness of individuals. Whether it's embracing your age as a symbol of accumulated wisdom or recognising the unique perspectives that women and diversity bring to the table as they, unfortunately, stand outside the current status quo.

Building on with Rohit's non-obvious approach, it becomes clear that driving change is well within everyone's reach. The crucial question is whether we're willing to embrace it.

Rapid-fire tidbits that caught my attention

• The Quantum Computing session mentioned a lot of “hope”. The future is still not clear and might be steep in hype

• Quantum Computing, while powerful, is best suited for specific use cases with smaller data sets and high output variability. It may not be the go-to for typical AI capabilities.

• Rohit shared four trends for the next year: Multi-versal Identity, Immersive Entertainment, Augmented Creativity, and Virtual Companionship. Personally I am excited to see the convergence of l AI, metaverse, and web3 technologies.

• The approach of growing startups through whale fishing is a viable strategy, as demonstrated by the success of Airwallex. But very different to mass PLG approaches.

• A valuable piece of advice from startups – hire slowly and be ready to make swift decisions when it comes to letting someone go. Rapid hiring often leads to long-term pain.

That's a wrap for now. Today, I'm eagerly anticipating deep dives into AgTech, exploring the latest developments in gaming, and immersing myself in the world of startups and innovative ideas at the SXSW Sydney expo.