Event Planning

In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, the biggest danger during childbirth is that a pregnant woman in crisis won’t make it to the hospital on time.  That's where m-mama comes in, using community drivers—in cars and on bikes, boats, and even horses—to get those women the transportation they desperately need. Since 2013, it has responded to more than 125,000 maternal health emergencies and saved an estimated 5,266 lives.   When a mother or baby is in crisis, minutes can make the difference between life and death. So m-mama is making sure those minutes count.

My biggest takeaways from Jenny Wen (Claude design lead at Anthropic): 1. The traditional design process is breaking down. The classic discover-diverge-converge loop that designers have relied on for years doesn’t work when engineers can spin up seven coding agents and ship a working version before a designer finishes exploring options. 2. Design work is splitting into two distinct modes. The first is supporting execution: consulting with engineers as they build, giving feedback, polishing in code. The second is setting short-range vision, now scoped to three to six months instead of multi-year roadmaps. The vision work is still critical because when everyone can build anything fast, someone needs to point the team in a coherent direction. 3. Build trust through speed, not perfection. Anthropic ships products early, labels them research previews, and then iterates publicly based on real feedback. Jenny argues that what actually degrades a brand isn’t launching something rough; it’s launching something rough and then going silent. If you ship fast, respond to feedback visibly, and keep improving, users will trust you more, not less. 4. The most overlooked hire in design right now is the cracked new grad. Most companies are hiring senior designers with deep experience. Jenny argues that early-career people with blank slates, fast learning curves, and no attachment to legacy processes may be uniquely suited to this moment. They don’t carry baked-in rituals that are now obsolete, and their lack of expectations can actually be an advantage. 5. Chat as an interface isn’t going away. Despite expectations that chatbots were a temporary stop on the way to richer UIs, Jenny sees chat as a permanently valuable interface because it offers infinite flexibility. But she expects a hybrid future where models increasingly generate UI elements on the fly for specific tasks (like the interactive widgets Claude recently shipped) while chat remains the connective tissue between them. 6. Jenny went from design director (12 to 15 reports) back to IC. She questioned whether middle management had a safe future and wanted hands-on time during a period of rapid change. The IC time is giving her hard skills she wouldn’t have gained while managing. 7. AI will likely get better at taste and judgment. Jenny says designers may be holding onto “taste” as a moat too tightly. But someone still has to be accountable for what ships, the same way an engineer is accountable for AI-generated code. 8. Figma is still essential, but for different reasons. Jenny says Figma remains the best tool for rapidly exploring 8 to 10 different design directions on a canvas, something that coding tools handle poorly because they’re too linear and create investment bias toward one direction. For micro-level visual and interaction decisions, spatial exploration still beats sequential iteration. Watch our full conversation: https://lnkd.in/gunZXqq8

I’ve historically been skeptical of offsites. Too often they turn into PowerPoint slide dumps and bland updates where everyone goes around the room explaining what they’re working on. That’s not a good use of time. My goal is to make offsites truly impactful, and over time I’ve found what works for WHOOP. I now host offsites with my direct leadership team about every 6 months. Here are my rules: - Start with a problem. I structure offsites around a real problem or challenge in the business. It’s easy to talk about exciting initiatives. It’s much harder - and far more valuable - to come prepared with a problem that needs solving. - Use pre-reads and surveys. WHOOP is deeply data-driven, but offsites are expensive. This is not the moment to read charts together. I ask our teams to send data and context in advance so our time together is spent thinking, not consuming. - Make it 80% discussion. Slides can help clarify, but the goal is to maximize strategic conversation. The real value comes from intense debate and pressure-testing each other’s assumptions. - Leave with decisions. Offsites only matter if they lead to decisions and action. That’s always the frame. Many of our biggest moves at Whoop were made at offsites: becoming a membership, launching free trials, adding new membership tiers, becoming a medical device, expanding to 60 marketing, adding new core product features, and more. Not everyone always agrees, but we leave aligned and committed. What do you think makes a great offsite? #whoop #leadership #teamwork #culture #strategy

In the early years of Marico, I made a decision that shaped everything that followed. I gave young people serious responsibility. Not after years of proving themselves. Right at the start. Real roles. Real ownership. Real consequences. Some of them made mistakes. That was expected. But they learned fast. They asked for feedback. They iterated. They took initiative. Many of them went on to become some of the best leaders in the organisation. My view is simple. If someone makes an error, but they take ownership, improve, and do not repeat it, they have earned the right to grow. If someone avoids responsibility or hides from mistakes, they are not ready. Empowerment is not about handing out titles. It is about giving people the room to fail safely and the support to recover intelligently. You cannot build a high-performance organisation if every decision needs your approval. The real test of leadership is not in how well you control outcomes. It is in how confidently you let others lead. #leadership #hiring #talent #growth #future #team #success

Psychology behind building objects of DESIRE. Lets talk about LIFESTYLE beauty, a territory beyond functionality. Think on aspirations, symbology, luxury, identity, and status. In lifestyle, desire is cultivated not just through product performance, but through emotional branding, scarcity, and curated experiences. you are looking for deep understanding of what your customers truly value, and what frustrations your brand can solve. The global premium cosmetics market is experiencing growth, with a market value of USD 153.68 Billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 353.93 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.70% >> PSYCHOLOGY OF DESIRE << Desire-driven purchases tap deeply into the brain’s EMOTIONAL and reward systems. When we encounter luxury or exclusive products, our brains release dopamine in anticipation of the reward, sparking motivation and craving. +72% consumers make purchase based on emotional connection with a brand or product. This anticipation is often stronger than the actual satisfaction of owning the item. Scarcity and limited availability trigger the amygdala, activating fear of missing out (FOMO) and increasing the product’s perceived VALUE. +332% conversion rates by Limited-time offers or “only 2 left” messages. +48% of online shoppers have purchased something due to FOMO. At the same time, mirror neurons make us subconsciously IMITATE influencers or aspirational figures who use these products, reinforcing the desire to buy. +84% Gen Z and Millennials are influenced by social media before making purchases. >>DESIRE BUILDING<< →Emotional triggers ⇒ Emotional design drives deep connection & impulse. →Dopamine surge ⇒ Reward anticipation, not the reward, excites the brain. →Scarcity ⇒ Limited triggers urgency & fear of missing out. →Mirror neurons ⇒ Aspirational figures builds subconscious imitation. →Exclusivity ⇒ Luxury signals status, elevating perceived self-worth. →Desire ⇒ Controlled access makes products feel more valuable. →Impulse buy ⇒ Emotional + social triggers pull quick decisions. >>RATIONALIZE MEMORIES ⇒ LOYALTY<< Emotional connection also plays a major role. The prefrontal cortex helps us RATIONALIZE emotionally-driven decisions, while the hippocampus links products to MEMORIES, making them more meaningful. Oxytocin fosters trust and LOYALTY when a brand aligns with personal values or tells a compelling story. In essence, we don’t just buy products, we buy identity, emotion, and experience. Final thoughts. In lifestyle beauty, products are desired, not just bought. It's about sparking emotion, not just solving problems. Build aspiration, connection, and identity by tapping into what truly drives your audience. Here’s my curated search of examples, get inspired for your next HIT! Featured Brands: Carolina Herrera Chanel Beautycrop Benefit Bubble Glossier Glow to Go Gucci Miu miu Rhode Some by me Tocobo #beautybusiness #luxurbusiness #beautyprofessionals #luxuryprofessionals

Stop nodding along in meetings. Start having impact: Too often, meetings are filled with phrases like: ❌ “That sounds great” ❌ “Let’s table it for another time” ❌ “Let’s circle back when we have more info” From 10 years in high performing teams, here’s what I’ve learnt about meetings: Top performers aren’t afraid to ask the hard questions. Here are 13 questions you can ask to leave a mark: 1/ "What do we have to deprioritize to do this well?" ↳ Use to help create focus. ↳ Shows you understand we can't do everything at once. 2/ "What happens if we do nothing?" ↳ Use to overcome inertia. ↳ Helps identify true priorities. 3/ "Who's done this well that we could learn from?" ↳ Use when projects have been done before. ↳ Shows you want to use others’ learnings. 4/ "What's the simplest way to explain this?" ↳ Use to create clarity. ↳ Shows you understand the importance of simplicity. 5/ "What went wrong last time?" ↳ Use when repeating past initiatives. ↳ Shows you want to learn from experience. 6/ "How will we know if this is working?" ↳ Use when success isn't clearly defined. ↳ Shows you care about real results. 7/ "Who's going to own each workstream?" ↳ Use when responsibilities are unclear. ↳ Prevents the "someone else will do it" problem. 8/ "How does this affect our current priorities?" ↳ Use when new work might disrupt current priorities. ↳ Shows you're thinking about the whole picture. 9/ "Who might we upset by this choice?" ↳ Use when changes could impact others. ↳ Shows you consider how others might feel. 10/ "If we had half the budget, how would we do this?" ↳ Use to find creative solutions. ↳ Shows you can spark new ideas. 11/ "What aren't we seeing here?" ↳ Use when consensus comes too easily. ↳ Shows you look at problems from all angles. 12/ "How does this help us reach our primary goals?" ↳ Use when projects drift from objectives. ↳ Makes sure we're not getting sidetracked. 13/ "What's our plan for the worst-case scenario?" ↳ Use when planning risky initiatives. ↳ Shows you think ahead. Remember: Impact can from asking the right questions. You don't have to be the smartest one in the room. Just ask the questions that make others think differently. P.S. Which of these will you use in your next meeting? — ♻ Repost to inspire your network to have more impact at work. ➕ Follow me (Will McTighe) for more like this.

Pandemics don't start in hospitals. They often start in forests. Neil Vora, MD of Conservation International has spent decades on the frontlines of public health—fighting Ebola, rabies, and leading New York City’s COVID response. But what he wants you to know is this: We can prevent outbreaks before they happen. And it starts with protecting nature. Here are three key insights from Vora’s work: 1/ Deforestation fuels disease. ↳ When we cut down forests, we create new pathways for viruses to jump from wildlife to humans. ↳ Loss of biodiversity leaves behind species that thrive near humans—often the ones carrying harmful pathogens. ↳ Stressed animals, displaced from their habitats, are more likely to get sick and transmit disease. 2/ Prevention beats reaction. ↳ Investing in nature conservation—like protecting and reforesting key ecosystems—reduces spillover risk. ↳ Prevention is more equitable. Outbreak responses often fail to reach the most vulnerable, but stopping them at the source protects everyone. ↳ Brazil’s efforts in the 2000s to curb Amazon deforestation cut rates by 70%, showing that solutions are possible. 3/ One Health is the way forward. ↳ The health of people, animals, and the environment are interconnected. ↳ Indigenous communities have understood this for centuries—science is finally catching up. ↳ Tackling climate change, improving livestock practices, and ending illegal wildlife trade are critical steps. "The tragedy is not a lack of solutions—it's the lack of will to implement them," says Vora. Protecting forests and wildlife isn’t just about biodiversity—it’s about preventing the next pandemic. And the good news? We already know what works. Vora made these points during a conversation with Mike DiGirolamo. You can listen to it here: https://lnkd.in/g3CMhGVq 📷 Rainforest on Madagascar's Masoala Peninsula. By me.

No words. No narration. Just one of the most powerful demonstrations of automotive safety technology I’ve seen. This video showcases Volkswagen’s Emergency Assist system, and it’s a masterclass in effective communication. Watch what happens when the system detects an unresponsive driver: 1. Alerts: It first tries to get the driver's attention. 2. Physical Intervention: It then does something fascinating...it jabs the brakes in an attempt to physically jolt the driver awake. 3. Autonomous Action: When there's no response, it takes control. It assesses the surroundings, activates the turn signal, and safely navigates the car across multiple lanes to the shoulder. 4. Secure & Call: Finally, it brings the vehicle to a complete stop, turns on the hazard lights, and automatically makes an emergency call. Think of the real-world implications. It's a lifeline for anyone experiencing a sudden medical event—a seizure, a heart attack, a narcoleptic episode. It also provides a critical safety layer for our aging population, helping older drivers maintain their mobility and independence with more confidence and peace of mind for their families. This technology will save lives. Period. Incredible work by the engineering and design teams at Volkswagen. This is human-centered technology at its best. What are your thoughts? #AutomotiveTechnology #RoadSafety #Innovation #Volkswagen #DriverAssist #Engineering #FutureOfMobility

Tired of meetings and dinners that feel… blah? The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker shows you how to fix that. Most gatherings fall flat for one reason: We plan on autopilot. We focus on logistics instead of asking the deeper question: What’s the purpose of this gathering? Purpose comes first. Not “Have dinner and catch up.” But “Reconnect after a tough season” or “Celebrate creative wins.” Define why before you decide how. Then curate the guest list. Right people > all people. Inviting everyone can dilute the experience. Invite those who serve the purpose and trust that’s enough. Set the rules. Want deeper connection? Create boundaries. No phones. No job talk. Everyone brings a story. Whatever works. Just make it yours. Be a bold host, not a chill one. Shape the experience. Guide the group. Close with intention. Don’t just hope the magic happens. Make it happen. When you gather with intention: People open up faster. They remember it longer. And they walk away changed even if just a little. The takeaway: Most gatherings blend in. But the best ones are designed. Make the next one count.

China is turning fire trucks into drone launch systems. And that is a much bigger shift than it sounds. What interests me here is not just the hardware. It is the new logic of emergency response. Instead of relying only on ladders and human entry, these systems pair fire trucks with drones that can reach high-rise fire zones quickly, fly into smoke, and send live intelligence back to crews. That is what is new. The truck is no longer just transport. It becomes a mobile aerial response base. And that matters because in dense high-rise environments, access is often the real bottleneck. To me, this is where the story gets interesting. This is not just about fighting fires better. It is about changing who gets exposed to danger first. → drones go where ladders cannot → commanders get visibility earlier → crews make faster decisions → fewer firefighters enter blind conditions That is a serious innovation. And it opens up important use cases: → faster high-rise reconnaissance → targeted suppression from outside upper floors → better coordination in smoke-heavy environments → safer response where humans cannot reach quickly That is why I would not dismiss this as just another drone demo. It is a glimpse of what emergency response looks like when robotics, data, and frontline operations finally converge. What do you think matters more here: faster firefighting, or the fact that robots may now take the first risk instead of humans? #AI #Robotics #Drones #Firefighting #Innovation #EmergencyResponse #SmartCities #FutureOfWork #Technology