On July 19, 2024, a significant software failure sent shockwaves through global enterprises: a massive crash of over 8.5 million enterprise Windows PCs worldwide, triggered by a defective update from Crowdstrike's Falcon Sensor security software. Thankfully, this incident, though severe, did not involve any malicious activity or data compromise. The problem wasn’t an isolated one.…
In the business world, many terms get tossed around, but one word holds immense power and that is: trust. If you are surrounded by friends and family who are into business ventures, you would’ve heard them repeat this word, trust, often. But, for new founders, understanding the true weight of trust can be a revelation.
A…
In the early stages of my career, fresh out of engineering college, I found myself lacking formal business knowledge. Seeking guidance, I turned to the wisdom of some of America's most prominent business figures. I devoured books by Bill Gates, found inspiration in Jim Collins' "Good to Great," learned invaluable lessons from Louis Gerstner's "Who…
Despite the rise of advanced productivity tools, AI, and people-centric workplaces, project failures remain a stark reality. New products often underperform in the marketplace, fail to meet customer expectations, or overlook safety in design and manufacturing stages. The recent door panel blowout in Boeing 737-9 MAX and the devastating implosion of the Titan deep-sea submersible…
In my role as a Founder Catalyst and technology strategy consultant, I have witnessed the evolving landscape of businesses, especially in the context of a diverse, multigenerational workforce. To effectively navigate these waters, I propose the "Anchor & Sail Approach," a strategy that not only addresses the core values and adaptability of an organization but…
In the dynamic landscape of business, the path of an entrepreneur is both challenging and rewarding. The journey of entrepreneurship is not just about starting a business; it's about crafting a story of perseverance, innovation, and vision. Here are key insights shared by Venkatarangan Thirumalai, CEO, Founder Catalyst on a recent presentation titled "Startup Journey"…
We are well-informed about ISRO's triumph with Chandrayaan-3. However, ISRO's software engineers achieved a remarkable feat within the same endeavor. The Vikram lander and Pragyan rover accomplished their tasks in three months despite having approximately 100 kilograms of fuel left.
Instead of discarding the fuel, they repurposed it for the "Propulsion Module" of the rover, enabling…
In the realm of aviation, October 2022 is etched with the gripping tale of Singapore Airlines Flight 319, a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft carrying over 280 souls on board. Faced with an emergency landing in Batam, Indonesia, instead of its scheduled destination of Singapore due to inclement weather and a dangerously low fuel level, this incident…