Writing
Our insights for leaders building technology-driven companies.

In chess, players work hard to avoid zugzwang, a state where a player is left with no viable options. The same rings true for businesses. By learning to make better decisions, leaders can make better outcomes. 

Inclusive Design is a method that has gained more and more attention in business and tech communities as a way to help ensure digital products can be used by the widest possible audience

Feedback is hard. But it’s even harder when delivered asynchronously, over a jittery video chat, with a lousy audio connection. Today’s remote work environment makes everything more challenging, but feedback is one of the hardest-hit areas. The person receiving the feedback cannot respond to many of the social cues that communicate compassion and care from the person who is giving it. So, where does that leave us? How do we give feedback in the era of remote work?

One of the things companies usually get wrong is that they try to be better instead of different. Why? Better is easy to package up. It's a playbook. You take an existing process and improve it. Humans are geared towards this type of progress – consistent advancement is (literally) in our DNA. Companies are the same way.

If there is a single point that is directly applicable to every business it’s this: the companies best suited for long-term survival are those who learn better than their competitors. The most successful firms operate as learning organizations: it’s part of their DNA and they organize themselves around it. These companies have swiftly reacted to the changes brought on by the internet and made learning a priority.

Have you ever struggled to choose what projects to prioritize? Capital and people are scarce. The world is constantly evolving. So what things should you focus on? The concept of strong and weak links can provide a lens on how to consider these types of questions. 

Percival Everitt had an idea. Walking through a London railway station in 1883 he decided to purchase a postcard, the newest craze in Europe at the time. But it was late in the evening, which meant an early morning visit to the corner store. He started to think that there had to be a better way. 

Ferran Adria is considered one of the world's best chefs. In 1994, he opened elBulli, a 3-Michelin starred restaurant in Spain that won “Best Restaurant in the World” five times before closing in 2010. Adria was a prolific innovator, ushering in the concept of “molecular gastronomy” and pioneering many other new kitchen techniques (you can thank him for all of that foam you see on food these days).

As a business owner, you face continuous complexity. The world is uncertain: times are changing, and you need to be prepared to deal with it. How do you know where to focus your effort and initiatives? One practical approach we have helped companies use is the “Known and Unknown” framework, especially when building new products.

Versett is an organization built for human development. Supporting our people in overcoming their limitations and growing isn’t just an employee perk; it’s a driver of profitability. We invest heavily in our team members so that we can deliver exceptional results for our clients. Our people understand that work and learning are not separate activities; learning is their job.