excellence and innovation

Koilpillai / Dec 2011 / Excellence & Innovation 1 SALT Programme @ Chennai 10 December 2011

Excellence and Innovation in the Workplace

R. David KoilpillaiEE Department, IIT Madras

SALT Programme Chennai, 10 December 2011


David Koilpillai Profile Education

B.Tech, IIT Madras, MS, PhD Caltech, USA

Work Experience IIT Madras (2002 – present)

Professor, EE Department Dean (Planning) (Nov 2011 – present)

CEWiT – Chief Scientist (Jan 2007 – July 2007)Co-Chair, IIT Hyderabad Task Force (June 2008 – Dec 2009)Ericsson Inc, USA (1990-2002)

Director, Advanced Technologies, Research and Patents

Professional– Areas of expertise: Cellular 4G systems, Cognitive radio, Smart grids– 32 Issued US patents, 1 Indian patent applications – Publications: 14 Journal, 51 Conference– Research Interests: Wireless Communications– Ericsson Inventor of Year Award 1999– Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering


Intel Inc Clayton Christensen – the author of Innovator’s Dilemma

– Call from Andrew Grove, former chairman of Intel. – Had read about Christensen’s “Disruptive Technology”– A talk to corporate leadership team

A distinct honour !! Christensen – excited and well-prepared At Intel

– Unexpected change in Grove’s schedule Can give Christensen only 30 mins – 10 mins into presentation, Grove interrupted – “Look, I’ve got your model. Just tell us what it means for Intel.”

Christensen’s response – an illustration– Traditional steel mills – large size, high capital investment, expensive infrastructure– Nucor (mini-mills) - attacking lowest end of market

Electric-arc furnaces: “junk” steel → steel reinforcing bars, or rebar– Gradually moved toward the high end, undercutting the traditional steel mill


Intel Inc Grove said, “OK, I get it. What it means for Intel is...,”

Intel’s Celeron processor strategy – Going to bottom of the market to launch the Celeron processor

Celeron & Intel– Intel Pentium processor undercut by low-cost alternatives

– Celeron introduced in April 1998 for budget personal computers

– Celeron branded CPU was based on the Pentium core

– Optimised cost versus performance tradeoff

– Pin-compatible with Pentium

– Low-cost mobile computing solution

Christensen – glad he didn’t tell Andy Grove “what Intel should do”

The people within the organization have the best perspective – Facilitation to translate and apply key principles


Goal for today …

The world I am familiar with – Academics – Engineering

– Passion for excellence and innovation

Observations in my context …

Your partnership

– Translate to your context …

A very successful model


Our Focus … Excellence and Innovation in the Workplace

Two perspectives Secular

– Steve Jobs “Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish”

Christian – Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the LORD … “

Begin with a secular view End with the overarching Christian view

Build a holistic perspective


7

Pandit Nehru …

1956 - first convocation of IIT Kharagpur Academic building was a former detention camp Pandit Nehru words Here in the place of that Hijli Detention Camp

– Stands the fine monument of India (IIT Kharagpur)– Representing India's technological urges– Scientists and technologists of the highest caliber – Help building the nation towards self-reliance– India's future in the making

A responsibility given to the IITs to shape India’s destiny Last sixty years – IITs have a stellar track record


IIT versus MIT

An essential comparison to be “best in class” IIT graduates – on par with MIT graduates PG level – toppers at MIT are IIT graduates Global rankings

– MIT always in top 3 – IIT not in top 100

Where is the difference? – Metrics for comparison

Need for constant comparison for improvement – Iron sharpens iron

How are you benchmarking your organization? Your team?


IITians excel in the upper levels of mediocrity …

Prof. T.T. Narendran, IITM1983


Indians excel in the upper levels of mediocrity ??


Factor 1 Understanding our context


Apple Inc. From Spectrum April 2011 article by Prof. K. J. Ray Liu (U Maryland)

June 7 2010 - Apple CEO Steve Jobs unveiling iPhone4

Failed demonstration – 570 Wi-Fi basestations

Repeated appeals … still not enough capacity to handle demo

Game Theory – in everyday life …

Sour

ce:

K.J

. Ray

Liu

, Spe

ctru

m A

pril

201

1


Observations

Fast-changing technologies

Changes in our domain may take us by surprise

– Even Apple Inc (a technology pioneer) !!

A constant need to “learn” our environment

Essential for business excellence, innovation and impact

Applicable for education and research as well

– Changes classroom technologies & students’ learning methods

Adapt or perish …

What are implications for you in your work environment ?


14

Time-To-First Publication (TTP)

First Publication– Most important milestones for a research scholar

First external publication – Conference, Journal

Thesis advisors and students must focus on this

Benefits – Confidence builder for student, Peer recognition, measure of progress

– Antidote to “research blues”

TTP target – 6-9 months after start of research work


15

Research Model

Time management is crucial in research– Focus is key to success

Research – Solving problems no one else has solved Disruptive – Improving another person’s solution Incremental

Two stage process for research projects – Replication – of “state-of-the-art” paper / results – Innovation – what can be improved

Incremental + Confidence Disruptive A fail-proof model for success in research


Factor 2 Passion for Excellence


IBM IBM manufacturing order to Japan

– A trial order – 10,000 pieces – stringent quality control – Max of three “defective” pieces will be accepted

Japanese company – Order fulfilled

Addendum– We are unable to understand your business practice – 10,000 pieces – manufactured – As required, three defective pieces have been produced– And added to shipment – Hope this pleases you …

A passion for excellence !!


Excellence is not an act … It is a habit …

It is the ability to do the ordinary things extraordinarily well

Aristotle Philosopher & Scientist

Do

Learn

Commit

Circle of Excellence

Learning fromteacher

Self learning

Applying concepts

Conceptsmastered


19

Excellence (Covey)

Working smarter and harder (Efficiency)

Synergise (Teamwork)

Sharpen the saw (Effectiveness)

Need for continuous renewal

Physical, mental, social, …

effort

outcome


Factor 3 Stumbling blocks to excellence


Multitasking

M 1 U 2 L 3 T 4 I 5 T 6 A 7 S 8 K 9 I 10 N 11 G


22

Multitasking …

Doing multiple tasks simultaneously … – Arrival of SMS, email … Interrupting current task – Switchtasking and not multitasking …

MULTITASKING, M1U2L3T4…. Cellphones – email, SMS, IM, phonecalls, … Switchtasking

– Lack of focus – costs time – Disrupts continuity of thought, concentration, … – Delays completion of tasks

Background Tasking– Listening to music while jogging …

Dave Crenshaw, “The Myth of Multitasking” – Doing it all (simultaneously) Gets nothing done


Multitasking

M U L T I T A S K I N G 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

M 1 U 2 L 3 T 4 I 5 T 6 A 7 S 8 K 9 I 10 N 11 G


1920Martin Cooper, 1973

1964Motorola H12-16 ‘Handie-Talkie’

1985 - Siemens Oxford C1 1989 - Motorola Micro tac

1998-2000


2002 – Blackberry 58102004 – Motorola Razor

2007 – Apple iPhone2006 – Blackberry Pearl


Cellphones One of the wonders of modern technology

– Reachable anytime, anywhere … – Invades privacy – Impacts “WORK” time

In the future … – Medium for communication, information, entertainment – Quadplay (Voice, Data, Video, Mobility)– Broadband, banking, m-commerce, ID, authentication, … – e-wallet, PDA, credit card, ID card, …

While doing work involving concentration … – Keep cellphone in silent mode – Answer at end of period of study / work

Manage your interruptions

Q: How should we handle cell-phones in the workplace?


Common Scenario An important meeting

– Crucial point in discussions

A cellphone rings … – Individual steps out to take the call

– Returns in a few minutes and joins the meeting

Meeting resumes

…

What is the impact ???

Same as multitasking – Every participant in meeting → switching contexts

– Focus, direction, impact are lost

– Inefficient use of time

No use of cellphones in classroom …


28

Integrity Excessive pressure to get good grades

Copying is rampant – many forms

Integrity is a core value

– Essential for life-long pursuit of excellence

– What you do when you know that you will not get caught

Sincere = sine + cera

– Latin sine = without, cera = wax

Greco-Roman period – the age of sculpture

Dishonest sculptors would cover flaws in their work

A sculpture "without wax" !!

Honesty in its perfection

True excellence cannot be separated from integrity


29

Handling Prosperity

A new generation that has grown up with “plenty”

Without the values or accountability of parents’ generation

Self-indulgence, excessive spending, loose living, …

Excessive materialism

Churches not emphasizing the discipline tithing

Can I be trusted with prosperity ?


30

Gandhi – seven deadly sins …

Wealth without work

Pleasure Without Conscience

Knowledge Without Character

Commerce (Business) Without Morality (Ethics)

Science Without Humanity

Religion Without Sacrifice

Politics Without Principle


31

Internet The greatest invention of the century The creator of the “flat world” Instant connectivity, access to information Unrestricted, uncensored … Addictions – gaming, movies, pornography, browsing, facebook … Most students involved with social networking - FACEBOOK

– Spend many hours each day – Can construct a “profile” for oneself - Far-removed from reality – Post queries – Get answers from “Experts”

World of make-believe becomes part of “reality” Circle of friends – only exist in cyberworld

– Impersonal becomes impersonal Inability to deal with real world, real people, real problems A sweeping social change …


A Christian Perspective


Excellence as Stewardship Count your blessings …

– Special skills, talents, education and opportunities Support circle (parents, family, teachers, …) What are you doing with your talents? Need to hold yourself accountable

Steps to Excellence as a Christian The direction (Isaiah 30:21) The resources (Gen 22:14)

– God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies Using your talents (Matt 25:14-30) Beware of stumbling blocks (1 John 2:16) Prayer (Phil 4:6) Focus (Phil 3:14)


Lesson from TWR Paul Freed – Founder of Trans World Radio (TWR) 1948 – World recovering from WWII

– Paul Freed, young graduate - Visited Spain, a predominantly Catholic country – God gave him a burden

Communicate the Gospel to Spanish speaking people The task was great – millions of people need to be reached God gave Paul Freed a new means for missions

– WWII had seen extensive use of radio – Paul realized - the medium of radio could be used to carry the gospel!!

“I am convinced that one could spend a lifetime witnessing to people face-to-face and yet not reach as many as radio can reach in 5 mins…”

“Where people cannot go, radio can go …” In the corporate context … You can take the gospel where no one else can …


Point to Ponder … Chuck Colson

– “Be a witness. Use words, if necessary”– Lifestyle witnessing

Proverbs 22:29– Do you see a man skilled in his work? – He will serve before Kings …

Leon Chua – Every heart with Christ is a missionary – Every heart without Christ is a mission field

People are observing … We need to earn the right to be heard A necessary first step

– Commitment and Excellence in our work


A Pilgrim’s Progress

1976: A personal commitment 1984: A call to student ministry

– Very few Christian faculty in IITs

1986: An inspiring message – Joshua 24:15 – As for me and my house we will serve the LORD

2001: Opening at IITM 2002: Start teaching career (after 12 years @ Ericsson R&D)

Combine the experiences of both worlds – Academia and Corporate R&D Hudson Taylor

– A little thing is a little thing, but faithfulness in little things is a great thing


Teacher – A moulder of dreams

The challenge of transforming students – Good Outstanding – Average Excellent

An intellectual curiosity – “How things work”, “How to do it better”, …

Self-study is key to success Setting goals Motivation, Discipline and Perseverance Building on the contributions of others

If I have seen further, … it is because

I have stood on the shoulders of giants ...

Sir Isaac Newton


A Teacher’s Dream

The perfect student … Motivated to study, focused (no distractions) Interested in the subject Intelligent Well-prepared

– Background reading, Material in earlier lectures Willing to ask questions Validate all classroom learning Comprehensive self-study Other factors

– Well-rested, well-exercised, well-nourished– In good physical and emotional health


Common Excuse #1

I don’t have the time …


Golden 5-minute Rule

Personal experience– Traveling from IIT Campus to Central – 5 minutes early …

Calm, relaxed frame of mind Able to plan out the day Even enjoyed the sunrise …

– 5 minutes late … Tense, irritable, worrying Focused on reaching Central on-time Did not even notice the sunrise …

It only takes a small buffer of time … – The difference between excellence and mediocrity


Common Excuse #2

What difference can one person make …


The Impact of One“The world can be changed by one wholly dedicated to the Lord”

1855 – A Sunday school teacher led Moody to the Lord– D.L. Moody invited F. B. Meyer to preach in America

Meyer’s message touched the heart of J. W. Chapman – J. W. Chapman hired Billy Sunday to do evangelistic work

– Billy Sunday revival meetings – Invitation to Mordechai Ham

Ham’s preaching in evangelistic service – Billy Graham accepted Christ by a message of F. B. Meyer

Billy Graham - Evangelist to the world A faithful God, A faithful message

– Changing hearts and lives … – Touching many generations


In conclusion …

For each of you - “a period of moulding”– Next generation of leaders – Secular and Christian arenas

God has a special plan for each one Excellence in the workplace A consistent Christian testimony

– Understanding our changing environment– Passion for excellence– Eliminating the stumbling blocks

Mordechai’s words to Esther– “May be God placed you in this position for such a time as this …”

Carey’s stewardship challenge – Attempt great things for God – Expect great things from God


My best wishes to

each of you

…

Thank You !

excellence and innovation

Technology

research work

research focus

research scholar

success research

chairman of intel

conference research

class iit graduates

research model time