According to a PLoS ONE report, approach-oriented goals are far more successful than avoidance-oriented goals. The SMART approach, i.e., specific, measurable, accepted, realistic, and time-framed goals help you stick to your resolutions and sees greater success over a long period as compared to resolutions that are arbitrarily formulated.  

Why New Year’s resolutions?  

Resolutions don’t see times or dates. They can be made at anytime, anywhere and can be what you decide to make it.   

A New Year’s resolution, however, is the proverbial “reset button”. It offers a fresh start, increasing your self-efficacy, and giving you a semblance of control over your life. 

A New Year resolution to follow through with your decisions, will help you plan for it, keep you accountable and work towards bringing this goal to fruition.  

Your personal growth checklist  

Your goals may stem from current or long-term stumbling blocks that you foresee holding you back. Here are a few suggestions for a checklist that can help you create SMART goals for yourself:  

1.  Reflection and Introspection. Taking the time out to reflect on your accomplishments and challenges of the past year will help you set new goals for the coming year. What was your crowning achievement this past year? What would you do differently now?  

2. Set small, achievable goals that come with a time frame. Make a list of goals for every aspect of your life. Be it relationships, work, finance or recreation, every time a box has been ticked the sense of achievement will push you to form new, bigger goals. It can be short-term goals (e.g., exercising twice a week) or long-term goals (e.g., starting your own business). 

3. Identify your obstacles. Then chart a plan to overcome them. No matter how well-intentioned it starts, there can be certain hurdles that prevent us from excelling. By identifying them and coming up with a plan to overcome them, we increase our chances of success. 

4. Take on new challenges or learn something new. Stepping outside your comfort zone to try new things opens up your window to growth and development.

5. Prioritize your health. Be it mental or physical, your overall well-being will affect your ability to achieve your goals. Self-care, journaling, regular exercise, stress management and recreation are priorities one cannot neglect. 

6. Seek support when needed. Guidance to achieve your goals and timely help will assist your timeline. 

7. Review and update your goals. Regularly reviewing your goals will help you track your progress. Check in with yourself regularly and adjust these goals if needed. 

Your corporate checklist 

SMART goals apply to your businesses as well. Based on the current business situation, every challenge and opportunity, needs to be taken into consideration for the next year. Here’s what your corporate checklist should entail:

1. Plan: A comprehensive business plan will help you outline your goals effectively. New strategies, tactics and their implementation need preparation, well in advance. 

2. Network: Networking is key to any and every business and sometimes the best networking happens in the most unexpected places. A co-working space like CoWrks where you can meet new people from different industries is a great place to start. 

3. Budget: Create budgets that outline your resource allocation. With new facilities available, several costs can be streamlined to reduce overheads. Furnished office spaces, co-working spaces with facilities like meeting rooms along with an adaptable schedule that lets you opt for flexible workspaces is one of many such examples to ensure efficient resource management when it comes to your business. 

4. Identify KPIs: Identifying your key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential to keep a track of your business progress and ensure accountability. 

5. Recognize: Recognize good talent and surround yourself with a strong team of employees and partners who are as committed to your business as you are. It’ll make the difference between a good and a great company. 

Conclusion:  

Your growth and development are ongoing processes. There will constantly be challenges to your productivity and progress but it is important to stay committed to your goals and constantly work towards them. A checklist created with the SMART approach will enable you to achieve your goals and guarantee 2023 to be a productive and profitable year. So here’s wishing you a rewarding start and a successful year ahead. Happy 2023!

Creativity is contagious. Pass it on.” – Albert Einstein.

Creativity feeds on its surroundings. Your selection of the space and the aura it provides is of the utmost importance. Your team needs to be in a certain headspace for it to project in their work, it depends on the environment they are in and the surroundings they choose.

CoWrks believes in creating a workspace which harnesses creativity, enhances productivity and fosters a sense of community. With workspaces that are designed to inspire a better work-life, all your team needs to do is start working and inspiration will find you all. Spaces that help y’all be brave enough to invent, brave enough to experiment, brave enough to take risks and have fun.

Here’s a glimpse of how the design team at CoWrks composes the best designs to motivate and unite your whole squad.

Here’s how you can make the most out of our workspaces and elevate your work-life.

1.Artfully designed spaces

Inspiration comes in many forms. At CoWrks, we ensure that everybody has plenty of visually stimulating spaces which inspire their thoughts and enhances their productivity. Take ideas sky high at CoWrks Aero City, with workspaces designed around aerospace. Whether you take inspiration from the large Zepplin at the community lounge or decide to spend some down time with a cup of your favourite brew at the fuel bar or get together for quick productive meeting at one of our meeting rooms, our workspaces offer solutions for all your team’s needs.

2.Inspired for Leisure

When work gets overwhelming, it is important to take time off and find some headspace. Minds need ways to regenerate the energy it has spent on working and what better way to spend your downtime than by playing a game of foosball or simply choose to take in the natural surroundings over a cup of tea. At CoWrks, our spaces are inspired for leisure and encourage you to step away from work occasionally and foster the community around you. Spend your down time being productive, interacting with other members at the community lounge could turn help you find your next potential customer.

3.Connect with nature through Biophilic Design Elements

Natural light is known to foster a positive workspace and enhance productivity. At CoWrks, our design team has focused on bringing our natural surroundings into the workspace. Outdoor patios, vertical garden walls, planters and large glass facades help set the mood for the perfect workspace for your company. Experience the effect of the word around you and brighten up your organization’s day in the comfort of our workspace with a CoWrks Day Pass.

4.Bespoke Workspace Solutions

Find a dedicated office space with our ready to move in workspace solutions. At CoWrks, our dedicated in-house design believes in creating workspaces to suit your brand persona and business needs, all you need to do is to make a wish. The future of work is hybrid, and most companies have moved to a hub and spoke model that encourages flexible working. Find a dedicated office space for an entire team with our private studios & private suites. What’s more is that you our design team will help build and customise your workspace to reflect your brand identify and make employees feel at home!

5.Meetings that inspire

Work from home has gained steam, virtual meetings have become a part of everyone’s work life. While virtual meetings don’t have the same impact as sitting across the table and talking to another person, state of the art technology at CoWrks can bring a person across the world right there. Meeting rooms at CoWrks offer vibrant spaces, large boardrooms and even intimate lounge seating to ensure a seamless experience.

Workspaces have changed – traditional offices with cubical seating, bright white light and monochrome interiors have transformed to bright and vibrant workspaces that encourage a positive working environment.  Find your company a new home with CoWrks, you can rest assured that we have everything you didn’t know you needed!

However, meeting rooms are also something that is often ignored in terms of design. Meeting room design can have a significant impact on the outcome of the discussion. Design elements such as the type and placement of furniture, conferencing equipment, lighting, acoustics and room decor play an important role in the direction a meeting can go. Yet, most meeting room designs seen today fail to support the types of conversations that take place inside. Here’s why:

Uniform room size

A workspace environment usually witnesses different types of interactions on a regular basis, from 1-on-1 meetings and a quick stand-up meeting to a full-fledged client presentation. Hence, meeting rooms should be designed to match the different types of requirements. However, the problem workspaces often face is that meeting and conference rooms are of uniform size and do not support different types of interactions. 

Oversized and underutilised rooms

Another problem workspaces often witness is that a significant portion of their meeting rooms are empty even during a meeting. According to data collected by CBRE, JLL, and Density, a people count sensor platform, only 40% of meeting rooms are occupied when a meeting is in progress. The percentage of participants who occupy larger rooms in a week falls further. For example, Density witnessed that the larger meeting rooms were occupied by only seven people for only 2% of the workday.

This creates a problem of suboptimal utilization of meeting rooms. Another problem it creates is that when a smaller team utilises a large meeting room, a team that actually needs a larger space will be left searching for one.

Faulty technology

Imagine that your meeting is about to begin and you are unable to connect your device to the projector or the internet connection stops in the middle of a conference. The time it takes for you to fix the problem is a loss of your productive time. Multiply this time with the number of participants waiting for the meeting to begin or continue. This is a significant loss of everybody’s valuable time.

Technology failure is a common problem that often plagues meeting and conference rooms. Some of the common technical problems involve poor wi-fi connections, faulty projections or display systems, stilted conference calls and presentations, and incompatible technology that make participants unable to connect their devices.

Another challenge many organisations often face is the lack of technology for booking meeting rooms which often leads to problems such as double bookings and no-show meetings. Without a proper booking system, teams find it difficult to know if a meeting space is available or not. According to a Steelcase Workplace Survey, about 40% of employees waste up to 30 minutes a day or 3.5 hours a week looking for an empty meeting room. This means that the lack of a proper meeting room booking system can affect employee productivity.

No-show meetings can additionally lead to wastage of meeting room resources such as electricity, wi-fi, and conferencing tech. 

Outdated designs

Another common problem associated with conference and meeting rooms is poor and outdated designs. Poor design can range from improper lighting and wrong acoustics to wrong screen size and uncomfortable furniture. For example, according to a study by the American Society of Interior Design, about 68% of the people complain about the lighting in their offices.

Similarly, a 2016 study by Gensler shows that three people sitting in a mid-sized conference room can generate an ability-limiting level of CO2 within one hour. This means that lack of sufficient ventilation can stifle the discussions in a meeting room.  

How modern meeting and conference rooms should be designed

Design spaces according to the purpose

Before adding a meeting room, it is important to know the different purposes a meeting space can be used for. Spaces should be designed and built to match the different sizes of groups and types of interactions that commonly take place. Additionally, meeting room analytics and utilization data can be employed in gaining a fair understanding of the right mix of sizes and types of meeting rooms to be added. 

It is a good idea to experiment with modular room designs. This helps in scaling up or down the meeting space depending on the need without hampering the meeting room experience.

Design for comfort

Everything you design for a meeting room should spell comfort be it lighting, air, acoustics, furniture or movement space. Sufficient care must be taken when installing the lighting and sound fixtures as well as ventilation in the room. For example, the light, air conditioning, and chairs should be comfortable enough so that people can focus on the discussion instead of getting distracted by the uncomfortable ambiance. Even if discussions extend beyond a certain duration, people should feel comfortable enough to sit for a longer time.  

Similarly, acoustics should be designed such that there is no sound echo, reverberation, or feedback between speakers and microphones. For rooms without windows, sufficient light must be provided while for rooms with too much natural light, blinds may have to be used to reduce light. 

Employ user-friendly technology

While selecting a meeting room equipment such as a video conferencing device, know the purpose of the room. While a room designed for a quick huddle may only need a whiteboard, marker, and a duster, a boardroom may need an advanced teleconferencing facility. 

Furthermore, meeting room technology must be user-friendly. For example, when users plug-in their device, they must be able to use it without hassles. The technology should further enable participants to share their screens and content seamlessly with other participants from a device of their choice. There are quite a few conferencing platforms that make it easy for participants to use their device to share audio, video, and data with other participants.

Technology should also be extended to meeting room bookings. Using a good booking system and ensuring the meeting room users follow the best practices of booking helps in utilising the rooms more efficiently and improves employee productivity.

Be creative

A person can instinctively feel comfortable or cautious as soon he/she enters a meeting or conference room. This depends significantly on the atmosphere the room projects. A meeting room design goes beyond the placement of the furniture or the equipment. The meeting or conference room should exude an atmosphere that is comfortable for a participant. To make this possible, there are certain design principles that should be taken into consideration.

Some of them include: 

• Emotions and feelings: Consider what emotions and feelings you want to evoke in your participants. Design elements such as visuals, seating arrangement, colour, lighting, and music should be chosen according to these feelings.
• Theme and identity: A good integration between the meeting room and brand themes instills a sense of familiarity and belongingness in the participants. Brand colours, slogans, and logo play an important role in infusing this feeling.
• Lines and shapes: Lines and shapes are important to set the mood of the space. Soft lines and circular shapes often create a sense of comfort and openness. 

Once you have fulfilled the hard requirements of the meeting room, you can get creative with the interiors. However, ensure that the designs focus on enhancing the productivity of the rooms instead of distracting the participants. Choose carpets, furniture and colour schemes that reflect your corporate culture while providing the necessary impetus for the meeting room goals.  

For example, if you are choosing a colour template, use your company colours to enhance the meeting room experience. For more formal conference rooms and boardrooms, choose neutral colours. Similarly, glass and chrome provide a modern and clean look to your meeting room. 

In closing

Meeting spaces are more than what meets the eye. They are where productive interactions happen. Meeting room design can impact the way meetings are conducted and the direction they take. Following modern design techniques can help achieve the most out of the interactions that take place in these spaces.

Looking for a meeting or a conference room that suits your needs? Click here.

Though not always thought about, music happens to have a very crucial role to play in our work schedule. With cubicle spaces going extinct and open collaborative workspaces being adopted by most businesses, people are now seeking the right music to focus, ideate, think creatively or perform tasks in flow across offices.

You could be the one who prefers listening to music on earphones, the headphone geek or even the assigned office DJ, but you are surely counting on the music playing at work to boost your productivity. 

But does music help you work better? Or specifically, what kind of music is sure to help you at the office? 

Here’s how you can find the right playlist for productivity.

What does the research say about the relation between music and productivity?

A study by the New York Times states that music is proven to release dopamine in your brain. This hormone oversees feelings like motivation, happiness, and contentment. Research by the University of Miami also found music to make one more productive at work. The study measured the effect of music on work quality and time-on-task for computer information systems developers. 

Depending on factors like rhythm, tempo, genre, and familiarity, different kinds of music activate different regions of the brain. The human mind is also proven to associate music with memories. Thus, one can recall certain incidents or elements by re-listening to the music they heard then.

Music thus is proven to be a great support to productive work. So, what kind of music should you add to your playlist?

Here are a few suggestions.

Classical Music

Researches show that listening to classical music can help employees work more efficiently. Dubbed ‘The Mozart Effect’, the theory states that listening to classical compositions can enhance brain activity and act as a catalyst for a calm state of mind.
So, if you’re looking for a calm and composed work session, you can consider playing some compositions by Mozart, Beethoven or Bach.

Nature Music

Sounds found amidst nature has always been known to have a soothing and calming effect on us. The sound of a flowing brook, chirping of songbirds or rainfall can instantly make us more focused and attentive. 

Researchers at Rensselaer Polyphonic Institute have found in their studies that nature sounds boost our moods and focus. They also found the symphonies of nature to help workers be more productive.

Cinematic Music

A good immersive film score can make you feel as if you are at the scene. An action movie or fast-paced soundtrack (e.g Bourne series, Matrix series, Mission Impossible series) can lead you to work more aggressively. 

While grand soundtracks of visual masterpieces (Interstellar, Inception) will lead to creative bursts and leave you with a positive outlook.

So, based on what type of work you want to get done or how you’re feeling then, pick your choice of a movie soundtrack.

Video Game Music

Every element of a video game is designed to create an enhanced and immersive experience. Thus, even its soundtrack is curated specifically to help you focus, evaluate and solve your way through challenges and levels. 

Thus, if you have work that requires you to focus for a long stretch of time, you can go for some video game soundtrack. 

Music between 50 – 80 bpm

Several pieces of research show that more than the genre or type of music, it’s the tempo that helps you do productive work. More specifically, music that’s between 50-80 beats per minute, is known to enhance creativity and focus.

To further support the theory, Dr. Emma Gray worked with Spotify to research the benefits of certain types of music. Her studies showed that listening to music in the 50-80 beat range puts the human brain into a leadership or alpha state.

Here are a few examples of tracks in the 50-80 bpm range:

• Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
• Halo by Beyoncé
• The Reason by Hoobastank
• The Scientist by Coldplay
• Dream On by Aerosmith

Your favorite jam

When it comes to picking up work that you want to perform successfully, the best way to begin is by listening to some music that you love. There’s no better way to get some productive work done than pressing play on your favorite jam. Hip-hop, Rock, Metal, Funk, R&B, Jazz, Blues or a playlist that has a mix of all – whatever be your kind of music, count on it for some great work sessions.

Music can make a huge difference to your workday. Be it a case of the Monday Blues, post-lunch drowsiness, lack of focus, writer’s block or plain old boredom – find the right kind of music that can get you past them. 

Feel free to request your choice of music to your CoWrks centre’s Community Manager, or just curate your own jam, plug-in your earphones and let the work begin.

Back in the early 20th-century architect and designer, Frank Lloyd Wright pioneered the cause of open offices and designed its first-ever model at the headquarters of SC Johnson. Wright saw the conventional office space then as a restricted and non-democratic product and wanted to ensure collaboration and transparency through his idea of the open office. Designed with long rows of work-desks with airy and well-lit interiors, the open office of Wright’s vision led to one of the first breakthroughs in workspace architecture.

Open offices continue to be one of the most widely followed designs, even today. Modern workforces continue to sit in expansive rows of desks, close-connected to their colleagues, and without the divisions of a cubicle format. But as generations have passed since Frank Lloyd Wright, modern open workspaces need a drastic change or probably a slight alteration.

It’s probably time we upgraded our workspaces from being an Open Space to an Active Space. Let’s explore Activity-Based Working and how spaces at CoWrks implement this fresh design approach so you can work at your productive best.

What is Activity-Based Working?

Activity-based working is a modern space strategy that provides office workers with a choice of settings for a variety of workplace settings. Activity-based working (ABW) gives people an opportunity to choose a workspace that is most suitable for them to accomplish their work. The idea stems from the thought that employees are at their productive best amidst spaces that are suited to the task.  

In 1983, American architect Robert Luchetti the creation of ‘activity settings’ for a host of office tasks. The term activity-based working was then coined by Erik Veldhoen, a Dutch consultant and celebrated author of ‘The Demise of the Office’.

Does ABW work?

So, do Activity-based Workspaces help you be productive? The numbers say so. In a study by Dutch researchers Susan Smulders and Denis Clarijs, 70% of employees agreed that an activity-based working environment increases productivity and is more stimulating. Over 60% of them also found activity-based workspaces to be more vibrant and energetic. 

In another detailed study conducted by JLL, over 60% of the respondents said that the availability of spaces where they can relax, network with colleagues, and be creative influences their productivity. While the Steelcase Global Report finds a clear correlation between an employee’s engagement with their workplace satisfaction, where 88% of employees will be completely engaged at work when they have the choice to pick the space.

Activity-based workspaces at CoWrks

At CoWrks, we are busy re-defining the workspace and experimenting with designs and technology so entrepreneurs and enterprises can innovate and create freely. Here are the different types of spatial features that facilitate activity-based working. Step in at your nearest CoWrks centre to experience them.

Phone Booths

A day of work is sure to see you making or receiving several calls. These calls may have you ideating, negotiating, pitching, giving or receiving crucial information. But can you make a call or receive one amidst your packed office surroundings? So, how do you ensure that every call is a form of effective communication?

At CoWrks, we have crafted spaces that are designed for your calls – the Phone Booth. Strewn across our expansive work floors, these phone booths are designed to cancel noise, heighten privacy and provide you a zone for focussed conversations.

Community Lounges

Every CoWrks centre comes built-in with expansive Community Lounge areas. These lounge areas are the networking and conversational hub of our centres. Think of every Community Lounge as the heart of every CoWrks centre. Like how cities and towns have a central area or location where its residents unite and its unique culture thrives, the Community Lounge serves the same purpose for CoWrks. For our community of entrepreneurs and creators, this is where conversations begin, networks are made, celebrations are welcomed and ideas born.

Each Community Lounge is equipped with a variety of seating options so our members can pick the type of active space they seek. From comfortable lounge chairs, cafe-like coffee settings, gathering areas for small groups to extensive event space – the CoWrks Community Lounge always feels well-lit, welcoming and ready for the best of work and play.

Fuel Bar

Food and creativity make for a great pair, and the CoWrks Fuel Bars are a perfect fusion of both. Sip on unlimited cups of the city’s finest coffee or tea, freshen up with our specially curated fruit coolers, grab a snack from the fridge, treat yourself with a cookie and explore global cuisines and delectables during our special events – there’s a lot of food to fuel your mind over here.

Meeting Rooms

A day of work is sure to see you being involved in meetings. Some of them require formal settings while others are more informal in nature. At CoWrks, our meeting rooms bring together a host of spatial designs that are ready to host meetings as the occasion demands. From interviews, team huddles, business meetings, conferences to large-scale workshops – CoWrks crafts a fresh and productive take on the quintessential business meeting space.

Discussion Booths

One good conversation can shift the direction of change forever.

Linda Lambert

Great conversations can stir one’s creativity. When you involve yourself in engaging debates, articulate discussions or even a quick and incisive chat, you can unearth key insights, observations or even your next big idea. 

At CoWrks, you can find Discussion Booths that are crafted for conversations. Whether it’s a face-to-face chat with a colleague, an informal chat with another CoWrks member, or networking with potential alliances and partners, start a great conversation or discussion over here.

Creative Nooks

Sometimes all you need to be your productive self is a brain full of ideas and a quiet corner with no one around. Over here you can plug in your earphones, hit play on your kind of music and get set towards getting some quality work done. 

At CoWrks, even amidst all the centre’s hustle-bustle, you can always find a series of quiet creative coves. Adorned with quirky designs, comfortable seating and lots of creative vibes, these are a favourite work spot pick for many.

Patios

Think walking outdoors into a space that’s sunlit and airy, with comfortable seating zones around and decked with greenery and vibrant designs. All of the above factors contribute to better well-being and mind space, thus, in turn, boosting morale and productivity.

Patios at CoWrks are outdoor spaces that are great for socializing, networking or for a team lunch. Let your feet up and relax, savor a great meal, soak in the great weather or just relax without care – see you at the patio.

Gaming Zones

What’s work without a bit of play thrown in? That’s why CoWrks has included a host of fun and gaming zones for our members. Unwind between your workday over a game of foosball, board games, pool or challenge a colleague to a PlayStation battle. Reward yourself for a great day of work with some play.

When applied to its complete potential, Activity-based Working offers people a fresh and vibrant approach to working. Active Spaces add more dimensions to a regular workspace, and in turn, opens up more creative and productive avenues for the workforce. 

At CoWrks, our spaces have been crafted for the best of work. Fusing in the best of scientific research and human sensibilities, our workspaces are a haven for productivity. Whether you are a young startup or a multinational enterprise, an entrepreneur looking for a plug-and-play space or a customised HQ – you can fall in love with your work at a space it deserves.

Drop by at any of our CoWrks centres and we would love to show you around.

Jobs’ ideologies, stories, radical thinking, and unique quirks have become the stuff of industry folklore. From business strategies to big-budget movies, his legacy continues to influence today’s world. But what are the quintessential habits of Steve Jobs that can surely influence entrepreneurs? 

Steve Jobs’ life has a lot to teach or guide us. Here are a few lessons that every entrepreneur, leader, businessman or creator can pick up from one of history’s finest visionaries.

The art of simplifying

Steve Job’s love for simplicity in design was inspired by the work of American architect Joseph Eichler. Known for his distinctive residential projects built during the post World War II era, Eichler’s developments in the San Francisco Bay and Los Angeles areas made American houses a seamless, user-friendly and yet beautiful product. 

“It takes a lot of hard work to make something simple, to truly understand the underlying challenges and come up with elegant solutions.” This philosophy nurtured by Steve Jobs was the building brick upon which Apple created its legacy of iconic designs. 

As an entrepreneur, you can look up to Steve Jobs’ zen-like focus for seeking simplicity amidst complex situations. Be it planning advertising campaigns, marketing communications, brand building or launch of a new product – the easier and seamless it is to use and understand, the more it will be liked by its target audience.

Think products, not profits

“Don’t worry about the price, just specify the computer’s abilities.” These were the words of Steve Jobs when he set out with a small team to build the first Macintosh computer in the early 80’s. It may have led to friction, extensive debates and constant questions within the company. But when the Macintosh arrived in 1984, it wasn’t just a machine, but a milestone in the history of technology. 

This resolute belief of Jobs will help surely help creators and businesses see the larger picture i.e to create something great. Focus on the product and the profits will follow.

Nurture great talent

“It doesn’t make sense to hire smart people and tell them what to do. We hire smart people so they can tell us what to do.”

steve jobs

Jobs was always unapologetically picky in bringing in talent at Apple. But when it came to calling the ones he wanted, he only went for the A-game players. The people in whose talent and skills he believed in, always found his support. 

For businesses, hiring A-level talent and investing actively in them is a sure-shot way to create something unique and bold. Entrepreneurs can also instill belief in their crop of talent and transform them towards being the best. To sum it up in Jobs’ own words – 

By expecting them to do great things, you can get them to do great things.

Don’t try to fit in

“Here’s to the crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently…”

Be it with his personality, ideologies, vision or the products that stemmed from Apple, Steve Jobs never believed in fitting in. He wanted Apple to stand out from the clutter of industry norms and orthodox procedures. While other players in the market were focussed only towards launching new products in quick succession to boost profits, for Jobs era Apple quality always trumped over quantity.

Be it the Macintosh in 1984 or the iPhone in 2007, throughout his career Jobs strived to make Apple a brand known for unique creations that blend functionality with aesthetics. The fusion of these two sections along with the boldness to act upon its decisions is a trait that businesses can definitely learn from Steve Jobs.

Have a zen-like focus towards perfection

Stories of Steve Jobs’ all-consuming dedication and focus towards his products at Apple have now made their way into movies and books. His vision towards ushering the personal computer revolution, revolutioniszing the music industry and making smartphones more seamless led to radical products being developed i.e the Macintosh and iMac series, iPod and iPhone. But Jobs’ definition of focus was quite different from the way we usually understand it. 

At the 1997 Worldwide Developers’ Conference, Steve Jobs said, “Focus is about saying No!” He went on to explain that focus wasn’t about willpower. It was the courage to say no to a hundred average ideas, so you can dedicate yourselves towards one big goal. It may ruffle a few feathers in the organisation but in the end, it will lead to a great thought-through and perfect product.

Represent your brand

As an entrepreneur, the leader of a young startup or even as the creator of a new product – one needs to imbibe a sense of pride towards one’s creation. Be it a brand, a product, an idea or a team – one has to stand up for them and represent them for its true values.

For Apple, Steve Jobs was more than just a Founder and CEO by designation. From its early beginnings in the late 70s, its meteoric rise in the 80s, or even when he came back to the firm after his decade-long exile, Jobs was a vocal advocate of the brand and its beliefs. Through his dramatic oratory presentations, active campaigning for its products and his visible passion and belief for the brand, Steve Jobs established himself as the face of Apple.

In Conclusion

Starting as a scrawny 21-year-old, rebellious college dropout who along with his friend Steve Wozniak founded Apple computers, to being hailed as a modern tech wizard, marketing guru, and a cultural icon – the Steve Jobs journey has come a long way. And along this road, the life and legacy of Jobs continue to treasure key lessons that every entrepreneur can learn from. 

So, the next time you are at your workspace and are left pondering over a product, pitch or a meeting – just think, how would Steve Jobs do it? A new idea might be born right there.