14 Aug 2017

Innovation is critical to both economic growth and diversification, says the founder and CEO of Innovation Next, Mr Pravin Rajpal.

Speaking during an Innovation Africa ceremony on Saturday, Mr Rajpal said innovation made the world go around as it impacted positively on people’s lives, consequently propelling economies of countries forward.

Mr Rajpal implored his audience to note that innovation did not necessarily mean one had to start from scratch, saying innovating could simply involve unpacking a programme, connecting an existing programme to others, or improving and adding value to an existing idea.

He challenged individuals, businesses and organisations to not limit themselves in terms of what they could achieve, noting that innovation could come about without the use of technology, but that it was essentially about the power of an idea.

The CEO of the India-based company further emphasised the need for innovators to be time-conscious, explaining that what mattered most was how fast one could innovate.

Describing today’s world as a battle-ground of ideas, Mr Rajpal also underscored the need for innovators to not work in silos as collaboration could have great benefits.

He noted that leveraging from each other’ strengths could ensure that innovators attained unparallel success from their ideas.

He said they ought to also note that innovation was not a one-time event but rather a process.

He said for one to successfully innovate, they needed to among others set high goals that would drive them to push beyond their dreams.

He said innovators also needed to know and understand the importance of taking quantum leaps as well as the importance of persevering despite failing several times.

In the end, Mr Rajpal stated that since innovators pushed the human race forward, it was critical that each time they came up with an innovation, they strove to ensure that it would benefit the world in some uniquely great way.

Another speaker at the event, Mr Nkiwane Ndaba of Ndaba and Associates said it was necessary for those embarking on the path to innovation to embrace sound dispute resolution processes.

The labour relations consultant said a good dispute resolution process, which were by nature more on the side of mediation, could have more desirable results when compared with litigation.

Mr Ndaba noted that litigation had far-reaching consquences, affecting even people and organisations not party to the dispute.

He said the ripple effects of litigation were often felt by the economy.

A life coach, Ms Wame Mmolawa said it was crucial for both individuals and organisations to know their purpose.

That purpose, she noted, should always be centered around helping other people. She  concurred with Mr Rajpal who had stated that innovators should ensure that their ideas benefitted the world.

Ms Mmolawa said each human being had the ability to fulfill their purpose. ENDS