Experiential Innovation Activities

Spider's silk is 5x stronger than steel. Students just built a Camping House with it. Traditional programs graduate 89% of engineers who've never touched real materials. These students built 10 structures in 6 months using nature's blueprints. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵: ↳ Theoretical calculations on whiteboards ↳ Computer simulations without context   ↳ Zero hands-on building experience ↳ Graduates who design what can't be built 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 Students design, budget, and physically construct functional camping structures. Every beam they place teaches load distribution. Every joint they weld reveals material behavior. Every budget overrun teaches project economics. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗣𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: ↳ Structural analysis through physical feedback ↳ Project management with real deadlines ↳ Cross-functional team collaboration ↳ Resource optimization under constraints ↳ Rapid prototyping and iteration cycles The wisdom flows both ways. When students build in harmony with the landscape, they absorb lessons no simulation can teach. Companies report these graduates solve problems 60% faster - they've learned to think like nature's master builders. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗘𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵: Each camping house becomes a living laboratory. Students learn to read the land's story - how wind shapes design, how water flows direct foundation work, how sunlight transforms spaces. They're not just building structures - they're crafting relationships between humans and habitat. 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀: 1 hands-on project = 3 semesters of theory come alive 10 structures built = a new generation of earth-conscious innovators 100 programs blooming = an engineering revolution rooted in nature's wisdom The result? Graduates who don't just design buildings - they craft spaces that honor both human needs and natural systems. Follow me for stories where innovation grows from the ground up, not just from theory. Share if you believe the best engineering solutions are written in the language of nature.

There are retreats you attend to have fun, and there are retreats that change the way you look at people. Ours turned out to be the second kind. For the past year, I’ve walked alongside a group of builders not as a mentor, not as a host, but as someone building and stumbling with them. We’ve celebrated product builds, debugged disasters, argued over ideas, and laughed at AI memes. Somewhere along the way, it stopped being a “WhatsApp group of AI people” and became something closer to a tribe. So bringing everyone together wasn’t a random idea, it felt inevitable. So I with few people organised a retreat at Yash farm stay owned by Karthik Padmanabhan. When the retreat finally began, laptops opened before suitcases did. Emergent dashboards were glowing on screens. Everyone were watching the Emergent agent building workshop videos of Saurabh Anand & Abhinav Soni from Emergent. But here’s the magic: Nobody was building alone. If someone got stuck, others leaned over to help. Nobody judged the idea but they cheered when people were giving a demo of their product. I could only hear “Wow” and “very nice” Because this community breathes three simple truths: Give first. Never judge. Help without expecting anything back. We built agents on Emergent. We tested, broke, rebuilt, and demoed. People who came in thinking “I don’t know if I can build” walked out with their own working products, built with their hands, their minds, and everyone’s support wrapped around them. Huge shoutout to Sitanshu Nath a photographer who didn't believe in AI, who came to capture photos of the events we organised, saw what people were building and during the retreat built his first product. This is the true power of community. Demos weren’t presentations; There were moments of courage. Feedback wasn’t criticism; It was a collaboration. One of the most beautiful scenes was watching people jump in when someone’s screen froze or logic failed. Not because they had to, but because helping felt natural here. That’s why I organised this retreat. Not for a weekend away, but for a shared leap forward. In an AI world obsessed with speed, this reminded me of something deeply human: We grow faster when we grow with each other. The tools will change, maybe next time we’ll build on something entirely new. But the spirit that powered this retreat won’t change. A group of builders arriving as individuals, leaving as people who believe in each other And this is not the end. I’m quietly working on something shaped by this belief, that human connection is the real accelerator in AI. If you felt even a spark reading this, Maybe this tribe is calling you too. Stay tuned, the journey is just beginning. Thanks to Emergent, Mukund Jha & Madhav Jha for building an amazing platform. Thanks to Kamran Alam for getting on call with people and sharing insights about building agents and everything about Emergent.

We tried something new with our retreat format this year, and the data confirms it worked! Here's what we learned in France... Quick recap: Instead of sending 10 teams to different cities around the world for "mini-retreats", we brought everyone to one location outside of Paris, but attempted to maintain the focused team time that made mini-retreats so valuable, while also enabling cross-team collaboration. In other words: 95 people. 60+ workshops. 10 teams. 5 days. 1 location = "Team Connect" The outcome: According to our post-retreat survey, after 10+ years of trying various retreat formats, Team Connect just became our highest-rated retreat ever - both for overall experience AND productivity 🚀 Here's what worked well, according to the survey feedback: - Team-first, company-second approach - As opposed to our annual all-hands retreat (Doist Connect), at Team Connect, we worked hard to protect individual team time, which sparked some incredibly innovative conversations at the level where most of the actual work takes place. - 15 flexible meeting spaces - Teams could spread out, regroup, or pull in other teams as needed. The adaptability was key and meant teams got deep work done while cross-functional breakthroughs happened naturally. Product grabbing Design for impromptu sessions, Engineering teams mapping AI wins together, Finance, People, and Ops implementing company-wide workflows in hours instead of weeks, etc... - Structured flexibility - Clear and balanced agenda so everyone knew when they were working with their teams and when they could connect across the org. - Exceptional venue - Le Grand Mello's staff and attention to detail was world-class, and the "live at home" concept with self-serve food, drinks, games, and activities let people recharge however they needed. Big thanks to our friends Jihanne Cory Nathalia at Chateauform and RetreatsAndVenues.com for the hospitality. - Team-specific activities - Macaron workshops, team-vs-team scavenger hunts, sports tournaments, and cultural excursions. The balance between work and time for connection outside the conference room matters. There's a lot more I could share, but in short, the survey data confirms what we felt during the week, so I'm excited to iterate on this concept for future retreats! Here are a few photos from the week 📸 and I'd be happy to answer any questions you have below 👇

📚 Just dropped in JMIS (yes, *that* JMIS: a top-3 journal in the field of Information Systems): How companies are actually making money in the Metaverse while everyone else is busy dropping buzzwords about AI. (And yes, I can hear you saying "Metaverse? In 2025? Isn't that so 2022?" But stick with me - these lessons apply to any emerging tech, especially as AI and immersive experiences converge.) A German-Australian research tag team (TUM x QUT) spent months and months following 29 companies. We found five key ways they're creating real value - ways that actually set them apart from the "we have a Metaverse strategy" crowd: 1️⃣ 🎮🛍️ They turn customer engagement immersive (Ralph Lauren doesn't just show you clothes - you ice skate through their virtual store 🛍️⛸️) 2️⃣ 👥💡 They scale user innovation massively (Nike lets thousands simultaneously design virtual sneakers - not just focus groups of 12) 3️⃣ 🚀💰 They make business weirdly efficient (Mercedes-Benz cut training time by 96% using VR - while others are still doing PowerPoints) 4️⃣ 💎🔒 They make digital truly exclusive (Gucci's virtual items outprice physical ones - and people actually want them 🤯) 5️⃣ 🤝🌐 They collaborate across ecosystems (Balenciaga x Fortnite isn't just marketing - it's a whole new business model) Hot take: While everyone's buying GPT4 API credits, the smart money is building the infrastructure for what comes next - where AI meets immersive reality. Grab the paper (it's open access because paywalls are so Web 2.0): https://lnkd.in/g5gewscU #FutureOfTech #Research #JMIS P.S. If you're wondering why this matters - remember how people thought the internet was just a fad? Yeah, us neither. 😏 Kim Krüger Dr. Jörg Weking Erwin Fielt Dr. Timo Böttcher Helmut Krcmar Technical University of Munich QUT (Queensland University of Technology) QUT Centre for Future Enterprise

You regret those "wasted" years. Those random classes. Those unrelated jobs. Those meandering paths. But research shows 84% of innovation comes from unexpected connections. While 91% of career breakthroughs use "irrelevant" past skills. Here's your 5-step framework for turning time into treasure: 1. The Knowledge Network • Every skill connects • Every experience compounds • Studies show diverse learning increases problem-solving by 43% • Build your web 2. The Transfer Effect • Skills jump contexts • Learning builds on learning • Research shows cross-training boosts performance by 67% • Connect your dots 3. The Time Investment • Knowledge never expires • Interests compound like money • Science proves varied experiences triple creative output • Trust the process 4. The Wisdom Loop • Today's "useless" is tomorrow's edge • Every detour adds value • Studies show career changers outperform specialists by 31% • Keep exploring 5. The Experience Bank • Log your learnings • Track your insights • Data shows reflection doubles the value of experience • Compound your wisdom Remember: There are no wrong turns. Only richer paths. ♻️ Share this with someone questioning their journey 🔔 Follow Kabir Sehgal for frameworks that make sense of your path

When immersive tech stops being a novelty and becomes a LIFELINE for human connection, that's true innovation!!! 💜🕶️ Rendever just secured $4.5 million in NIH funding. Not because they're hyping metaverse dreams. Because their VR platform is SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN to overcome social isolation in seniors. Let that sink in: Virtual Reality doesn't just entertain older adults. It literally extends their lifespans through connection, memory, and joy. Watch the video. An 80-year-old puts on a headset and says "I'm flooded with memories." Another asks "Where should we travel today?" A caregiver says "This is the best tool in my toolkit." That's not marketing. That's transformation. The research is undeniable: Falls reduce by 48% in 4 weeks. Family engagement bridges distances. Dementia patients reconnect with dignity. Caregiver burnout decreases. Community satisfaction scores jump 40%+ in 8 weeks. 🔹 Reminiscence Therapy — Revisit childhood homes, wedding locations, life milestones. Restore identity through memory, not medication. 📩 Shared Multiplayer Experiences — Families separated by miles play together, laugh together, CREATE together in shared virtual spaces. 🥽 Healthcare-Grade Impact — This isn't entertainment. It's clinical intervention with measurable outcomes and sustainable business models. No ROI spreadsheet needed. The joy is the proof. The opportunity is massive: 500+ senior living communities already deployed. Now expanding to home care. India's aging population? Southeast Asia's residential communities? Africa's emerging senior markets? The addressable market is BILLIONS in unmet human need. By 2027, every senior care facility without VR-based connection protocols will be viewed as operationally deficient. What does aging look like when technology means connection instead of isolation? Cuando la tecnología inmersiva deja de ser una novedad y se convierte en una LÍNEA DE VIDA para la conexión humana, ¡eso es verdadera innovación!!! 💜🕶️ Rendever acaba de asegurar $4.5 millones en financiamiento del NIH. No porque estén promocionando sueños del metaverso. Porque su plataforma VR está CIENTÍFICAMENTE PROBADA para superar el aislamiento social en adultos mayores. La investigación es innegable: Puntuaciones de satisfacción comunitaria suben 40%+ en 8 semanas. 🔹 Terapia de Reminiscencia — Revisa casas de la infancia, ubicaciones de bodas, hitos de vida. Restaura identidad a través de memoria. 📩 Experiencias Multijugador Compartidas — Familias separadas por millas juegan juntas, ríen juntas, CREAN juntas en espacios virtuales compartidos. 🥽 Impacto de Grado Sanitario — Esto no es entretenimiento. Es intervención clínica con resultados medibles. ¿Cómo se ve el envejecimiento cuando la tecnología significa conexión en lugar de aislamiento? #VirtualReality #HealthTech #MentalHealth #Care #Family #Wellness

🎨 ARTISTS AS TECH INNOVATORS WHAT BRANDS CAN LEARN 🚀 While brands focus on optimizing AI for efficiency, artists are pioneering experiences that create deeper connections through technology. As the Chair of Lumen Prize, I get a detailed view of how this works and what’s coming from a creative technology perspective. Artist innovation offers valuable lessons for brands seeking to evolve customer experiences beyond standard Gen AI. From Transient Labs to Superare, the art x technology ecosystem is multidimensional and is about 4-5 years ahead of widespread retail technology. Samuel Spratt's recent "Masquerade" experience is a great example. This digital artist didn't just sell NFTs; he created an immersive technological journey - Here is how Sam leveraged technology 👩🏼💻 1️⃣ Interactive Exploration - Sam's team developed "smart pan-and-zoom" technology allowing participants to dive deep into artwork at their own pace. 💡- Technologies that let customers explore on their terms create deeper connections than static content. 2️⃣ On-Chain Permanence - Participants could leave observations directly on the artwork, permanently preserved on the blockchain. 💡- Customers crave contributions that matter. Tech that allows consumers to leave their mark creates stronger loyalty. This can translate to packaging, engraving, etc. 3️⃣ Personalized AI - Sam developed a custom AI system that acted as "clones" of his hands - an extension of his creativity rather than a replacement. 💡- AI doesn't have to be impersonal. When treated as an extension of human creativity, it can create hyper-personalized experiences. 4️⃣ Community Building - The event fostered connections among 761 collectors participating in a collective artistic journey. If you are part of the digital art ecosystem - you couldn’t miss it on social media. Everyone shared their purchase, the reveal and their thoughts on the experience. 💡- Consumers seek belonging. Technologies that facilitate meaningful connections create communities with higher lifetime value. X.Masquerade ( Sam’s 1 of 1 ) - sold for $3 million - the largest NFT purchase in three years. Beyond monetary success, it earned Sam a museum exhibition and engagement from participants who described it as "legendary." If you want to see tomorrow's customer experience innovations today, follow digital artists pushing the boundaries of what technology can do. They're not just creating art, they are creating the experiential future that forward-thinking brands will eventually adopt. 👀 Follow The Lumen Prize & Studios as well - we often publish trends and artist moments which can be translated into customer experience innovations.

Let's explore a fascinating discovery from neuroscience that could transform how you and your team approach learning and innovation. The Science of Curiosity Recent neuroscience research reveals something remarkable: curiosity literally primes your brain for learning. When you're genuinely curious, your brain releases dopamine – a neurochemical that helps encode and retain new information more effectively. Think of it as your brain's built-in learning enhancement system. Transform Your Learning Environment Here are three evidence-based strategies to harness your brain's natural learning capabilities: 1. Implement the Daily Wonder Window ➡️Dedicate 15 minutes each day to pure exploration ➡️Create space for question-asking without immediate pressure for answers ➡️Allow insights to emerge organically through curiosity 2. Reframe Challenges as Experiments ➡️Replace limiting statements with curiosity-driven questions ➡️View obstacles as opportunities for discovery ➡️Use "What if?" thinking to spark innovative solutions 3. Design Learning Laboratories ➡️Create safe spaces where teams can experiment freely ➡️Encourage and celebrate questioning of assumptions ➡️Recognize and reward curiosity-driven problem-solving The Leadership Connection Our work with global organizations consistently shows that the most innovative teams aren't necessarily the most experienced – they're the most curious. They've learned to harness their brain's natural learning mechanisms through purposeful curiosity. Your Next Step This week, try this simple but powerful shift: When faced with a challenge, start by asking, "What makes you curious about this situation?" Notice how this opens up new pathways for understanding and innovation. We'd love to explore how these neuroscience-based approaches could benefit your organization. Reach out to schedule a conversation about building a more curious, innovative culture.

Not all soft skills training is created equal. A few months ago, I was working with a group of managers from a large manufacturing company. They had been through plenty of training programs before- the kind where you take notes and then go right back to doing things the old way. When I walked into the room, I could see it in their faces: Let’s see if this is any different. So instead of starting with slides or theory, I took them straight into a live simulation: - A crisis scenario that could actually happen in their business. - Conflicting priorities, tough personalities, and limited time to decide. - Every move they made in real time had visible consequences. To begin with, I saw a lot of resistance in experimentation, voices which were not too loud and over powering were ignored leading to loss of critical information- the room was tense. People hesitated. Some stuck to their usual patterns. But as it got deeper, they started communicating much more effectively, this led to them collaborating, noticing blind spots, and eventually testing new ways to lead. By the end, they weren’t asking- Will this work? They said that they wanted to cascade it to their teams. Weeks later, I got an email from one of the managers. He told me he used the exact process from our simulation to navigate a real customer crisis and not only avoided a major fallout, but actually strengthened the client relationship through this crisis. That’s the difference between training that’s forgotten by the time you’re back at your desk, and training that rewires how you think, act, and lead. The secret? Immersion. When participants practice real scenarios, solve actual challenges, and see the impact of their decisions in the room, learning sticks. Priya Arora #immersivelearning #trainingdesign #employeeengagement #learningthatsticks #corporatelearning #leadershipdevelopment #upskilling #skillbuilding #workplacetraining #experientiallearning #Learningdeisgn #corporatetrainer #softskillstrainer #simulation #experintialtraining

Summer Assignment: Create Space for Deep Thinking A few years ago, I had a CEO client whose company had a unicorn valuation and was entering a critical moment of growth. My client, who hadn’t taken a day off in six years, was running on fumes. To give him space to step back and see the future more clearly, I encouraged him to get out of his office and take a long weekend—a thinking retreat. Thinking retreats are a habit of every single high-impact leader I've ever worked for and with. - Bill Gates’s "think weeks" are now folklore at Microsoft. Twice a year, he would identify some big questions and retreat solo with a curated reading list. These sessions helped shape Microsoft’s internet strategy, cybersecurity pivots, and product vision. - Jeff Bezos credits his quarterly thinking retreats with generating ideas like Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Prime, which became key strategic initiatives. - Eric Schmidt, former Google CEO, used travel downtime to reframe challenges and unlock insight. He described it as “pulling up above the trees to finally see the forest.” The common thread here: Creating time for reflection isn’t a break from leadership. It’s core to it. Time away from routine boosts divergent thinking, the foundation of creativity and strategic insight. And research has found that leaders who take vacations are 30% more productive and make significantly better decisions when they return. Once you find the time for a thinking retreat, how can you ensure you’re using it wisely? The CEO I was coaching called me on his first day off in a full panic asking: "How will I know if I'm doing this right?" He was not the first, nor the last, leader to ask for this guidance. I recommend my clients channel what psychologist Graham Wallas identified as the four-stage creative process: 1- Preparation: Before your thinking retreat, set a clear intention. What problem do you want to solve? Be as specific as possible. 2- Incubation: Deliberately set aside time to allow your mind to wander in new and inspiring environments. Don't force anything. 3- Illumination: Seize on the aha moments that emerged during the incubation phase and capture your thoughts in a notebook. Don’t edit—simply write down your unfiltered ideas. 4- Verification: When you return home, synthesize your top ideas. What are the connective ideas or insights that can inspire new action? Share at least one actionable insight with your leadership team and commit to revisiting your notebook regularly to glean more. I've seen incredible insights result from this seemingly simple process! I'd love to hear your aha moments that result! Please share them here. (Above is a shortened version of my post last week for Harvard Business School "Executive Agenda" newsletter in collaboration with Adi Ignatius. Subscribe at HBR for the full version and essential leadership content delivered weekly to your inbox!)