What Will Happen in 2020?

Mar 1

Posted by JorgeR in Innovation is... | No Comments

And I’m not talking about a sequel of the Hollywood’s film. But, have you ever stopped to think how will the world be in 2020?

Nature Journal, one of the most prestigious scientific journals, published in its first edition of the year a document with projections to year 2020 given by experts of different areas.

I’ve separated each of the parts into individual pdf files, so you can read the ones you are most interested in.

General Topics

Specific Topics

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Stupidity Allowed

Feb 25

Posted by Paulina Avila in Creativity is... | No Comments

At the beginning of their endeavors, many successful entrepreneurs were told they were acting stupidly.

The common meaning of stupid is surely not the best word to describe entrepreneurs. Because, if we go by the definition, stupidity is “being slow of mind, indicating a lack of intelligence, care or common sense”.

However, one thing that entrepreneurs often lack is common sense; they usually see beyond the obvious.

Think about Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.com. I am sure that many guys thought it was a “stupid” idea to sell books on the Internet.

He tried it anyway, and now he is receiving the rewards of a “stupid” idea that worked.

The questions here is not about being or not being stupid. It is about being passionate, believing in your ideas, and creating!!!

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MNN Presents: First Ignite Show in Mexico

Feb 22

Posted by Rocio Guimond in MNN Events | No Comments

Ignite logo

Ignite logo


Good News. “The best of geek culture” has found its way to Monterrey.
The Tecnológico de Monterrey is hosting the first Ignite Show in Mexico on March 4, 2010.
Ignite Talks are 5 minutes speedy presentations about any topic.
We would like to invite you to participate giving an Ignite talk.
Because of obvious reasons, we propose topics related to product and business innovation.
You can find further information about subscriptions here.

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Th New, Paradigm-Shifting Paper “Laptop”

Feb 11

Posted by Cristina Viehmann in Innovation is... | No Comments

“Machines are cheaper, but people are sweeter.
Someday, only the rich will be privileged enough to deal with human beings. The poor will be forced to use technology.”

This week in class we gave this quotation a thought. It is the title of an article written by Megan Santosus (CIO. Framingham: Apr 1, 2005. Vol. 18, Iss. 12; pg. 1).

Pranav Mistry made me think that the same quote could be reformulated, so that it refers to the physical world.

“Computers are faster, but objects are more real.
Someday, the privileged will be able to integrate technology into their real world environment. The poor will be forced to use technology only.”

I think that many of the future technology and business trends will definitely bring not only the human, but also the physical element back in.

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The iPad’s Lack of Category

Feb 3

Posted by Cristina Viehmann in Innovation is... | 3 Comments

A name very similar to the one of its smaller brother, the iPod. Names that will surely make us pronounce and type the O in Pod and the A in Pad more carefully.

It’s not only the name that makes us refer to the smaller Apple brother. It’s also the shape and, of course, the functionalities.

And we wonder:
How will this brotherly relation influence the development of the new born iPad?

Room for yet another gadget in your purse? (Photo: Gizmondo.com)

Room for yet another gadget in your purse? (Photo: Gizmondo.com)

Simplicity reflected by yet another jewel of advanced technology. Simplicity reflected by a perfectly directed speech. “Magical. Revolutionary. Unbelievable.” These are just three of Steve’s words that frame the Apple discourse on the new iPad.

But what are the words we are using to explain what the iPad is?

Here are some samples of home-made explanations:
“It is a like an iPod Touch, but with a bigger screen.”
“It replaces my ugly notebook.”
“It is the smartest e-book reader on the market.”
“It is a notebook…but one without a text processor, unfortunately.”
“It’s this amazing browsing experience…but it lacks Flash support.”

These explanations and rudimentary definitions reflect our primordial need of defining objects by their function. It’s this cognitive process we fall for: we desperately want to arrange the objects that surround us into classes or categories.

When it comes to the iPad, is it really a product without category?
Or is it the only product of its category (e-book readers?) worth using?
Is it itself launching a new category we do not know the name of yet?
How will we – the market – react?

Here is just one of the possible answers. An anthropologist answer, according to which the iPad’s lack of category will cause a stir.
Time will tell.

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What Is Creativity?

Feb 3

Posted by JorgeR in Creativity is... | 2 Comments

Creativity. The master developer of the diversity of beautiful things humans have made real.
Are you creative?

Some may say creativity is a gift, some’ll say it is a skill. Personally I believe there is no black or white. What we all know is how creativity feels.

It’s been a hard days night, and suddenly it hits you. Your significant other kisses you and you melt. You’re at the cinema and a shiver goes down your spine on the final scene. We all know how it feels, yet creativity is innefable.

Creativity and productivity have always traveled together. Either as rivals or friends. When you feel creative, no problem is too big.  When you are productive, things seem to flow quite easy.

The ambrosia of the modern world seems to be music. Music has been linked with many magical things, like cows producing more milk while listening to Simon & Garfunkel. No wonder we all love music.

And music has much to do with the Creative process and Productivity. And not only from the psychological point of view. Apart from this, music works as a background noise canceler, and background noise can be such a pain while working in an office. Let’s not talk only about the beautiful classical music. They say that even plants grow better with Heavy Metal than in complete silence!

So, whenever you need a creativity or productivity boost, lead directly to your headset and let the music help you get back on track!

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Being Creators not Experts

Jan 28

Posted by Priscila Ortiz in Creativity is... | No Comments

Hi, I found this video that could make us think or rethink how we connect dots… plus, enhance our trust and confidence.
Not always being an expert is an advantage.
Let’s be creative, creators!

Go ahead and watch:

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Innovid Seeds Happiness

Jan 25

Posted by Cristina Viehmann in MNN Business Projects | No Comments

On January 20th the Tecnológico de Monterrey presented 19 of its technology projects which are looking for financing.
The development of these projects of high market potential is protected by patents. In some of the cases their prototypes are already sellable.
The projects range from a cooling system using solar energy to a project developing antimicrobial plastic packaging. Among the projects some of them already function as businesses. UltraEnerTech, for example, sells a convenient system for using solar energy. Inmetech developed a smart orthopedic cushion for wheel-chair use which prevents and heals pressure sores.
And last but not least there is Innovid: a project born in our Business Landscaping Department that commercializes the chia seed in nutraceutical products.
All these business projects were created with the help of the Campus Monterrey business incubator and with technologies of the Tecnológico de Monterrey.

Natalia Rangel (left) and Jenyra Garza, of Innovid. Photo by Mónica Patiño/El Norte.

Natalia Rangel (left) and Jenyra Garza, of Innovid. Photo by Mónica Patiño/El Norte.

Innovid started selling chia seeds as a nutritional supplement for fruit dishes or drinks.
The business now experiments with a hamburger that combines the chia seed with beef. According to Innovid, this would be the first “dejunkyfied” hamburger.
Enjoy Innovid and seed happiness!

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Welcoming 2010

Jan 14

Posted by Cristina Viehmann in MNN Events, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Happy new year to all our blog readers!

We are proud to announce that we kicked off in the best of our shapes.

On Sunday 3rd of January we were all set for the first day of our Business Bootcamp with Julian E. Lange, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Public Policy at Babson College.

I’m sure we all agree: The first week of the year was an intensive, but a very good one. Julian was full of positive energy and so were we: preparing and discussing business cases and giving each other useful feedback on our projects – every day, nine days in a row!

After such a great start we can only wish to continue in the same way.

We would also like to welcome our 12 new MNN students – “The January 2010 Generation”:

Samuel Felix, Ana Lucia Villa, Ana Laura Fernandez, Brian Goldman, Katy Flores, Guillermo Najera, Jorge Trejo, Karla Venegas, Natalia Agraz, Raul Fernandez, Roberto Hernández y Rocio Guimond.

And now, for dessert, you can get to see pictures from the handing-over of the Babson Bootcamp diplomas:

Vanessa Huerta, Julian E. Lange and Gabriel Bonduel at the closing lunch in the Tecnológico de Monterrey.

From Babson Bootcamp

Some of the new folks (from left to right): Ana Laura, Brian, Jorge, Katy, Rocio, Natalia, Samuel.

From Babson Bootcamp

Ana Laura receiving her diploma.

From Babson Bootcamp

Indira, yet another well deserved one.

From Babson Bootcamp

Johnnattanh, well done!

From Babson Bootcamp

Congratulations Jorge!

From Babson Bootcamp

And finally, a picture of the the big gang.

From Babson Bootcamp
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Congrats to MangoManila

Dec 8

Posted by Cristina Viehmann in MNN Business Projects | 2 Comments

The Manila Mango is a Mexican mango type, a seedling race common in the Veracruz state. The fruit is relatively small, flat and yellow.

Now…when we combine the two words we get “MangoManila” and an even sharper flavor!

MangoManila is a small business that was born today, on December 8th 2009.
We all congratulate our MNN colleague Ana Patricia Martínez on her new born “MangoBaby”!

Ana creates valuable experiences by personalizing spaces. She is dedicated to ambiance-making through design and out-of-the-box thinking.

A MangoManila bedroom wall design.

A MangoManila bedroom wall design.

“MangoManila motivates and inspires creativity, passion and optimism. It brings fun and makes differences in people´s lives,” says Ana.

That’s not the whole story. We are very happy to announce that MangoManila will participate in the Mexican Design Guide exhibition in Mexico DF, as one of the New Talents of 2010.

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