March 2013

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 31 mar 2013

How important is the process in design? For some designing is individual's creativity that doesn't need any process or framework. According to them, it just happens when the creative person sits to do his design work. But others consider design process and framework as an important tool to create their designs. A design expert defines five phases in his design process- 'Examine, Understand, Ideate, Experiment, Distill'. He explains that this framework or any other one that suits a particular designer, help them to process and think better. Moreover it also assists in communicating and explaining efficiently the happening of the design and the steps that went into it. Read on...

Core77: Design process kills creativity / Design process creates creativity
Author: Daniel Stillman

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 30 mar 2013

Professor John Wood of Goldsmiths, University of London, provides perspective on UCD (User Centered Design) and how the concept is not sufficient if the designers are concerned about the future of the world. Although UCD provide designers focus to cater to the needs of the user or consumer for whom the product is directed, in an individualized manner, but it also in some ways ignores the ecosystem or environment of which the user is part of. It misses the bigger picture. The expert suggests a new approach to designing that incorporates multiple aspects into the design process that includes user, his environment, etc. It is termed as 'metadesigning'. Read on...

Core77: Why user-centered design is not enough, by John Wood
Author: John wood

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 21 mar 2013

'Mobile Health' initiatives, particularly in developing countries, are transforming the way healthcare is delivered by improving the processes and expanding its reach and access to remote areas. By the end of 2011, there were 6 billion mobile phone subscriptions, says ITU (International Telecommunications Union) of the UN. While in 2012, developing countries accounted for 75% of the mobile subscriptions. Considering the expansion of consumer mobile use, its imperative to use the platform to create efficiencies in healthcare delivery systems (electronic health records, remote monitoring of patients, expert advice, diagnostics and treatment support etc) and as a tool to disseminate health information and knowledge (send and receive data on disease incidence, information system for public health emergencies, manage medicine supply chains, health worker training, interactive health messages to general public etc). In developing countries mobile health efforts include- care information for expectant mothers and new mothers and their infants to reduce child and maternal mortality; for efficient tracking and management of public health outbreaks; for managing supply chains in cases to cure for diseases with short onset times and for tracking counterfeit medicines; for effective communication among healthcare professionals for knowledge and training purposes. Most mobile health efforts are in their early stages and its future adoption depends on technological integration and interoperability, adequate standards and proper and sufficient funding to sustain the programs (in 2010, out of the total $20 billion healthcare funding only $30 million was for mobile health). Read on...

ALJAZEERA: Wellness by number - How mobile phones save lives
Authors: Patricia Mechael, Sarah Struble

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 19 mar 2013

Efficient 'Water Management' by consolidated and coordinated efforts by food consumers, producers and policy makers will assist the world to prevent hunger and thirst in future, say experts. Interesting fact about water is that our earth consists of about 70% of water but only .001% is fresh and available for human consumption and out of this 70% is used for agriculture. Some of the efforts would include innovations in water saving technologies, better farming methods and reduction in food wastage. Read on...

Perishable News: Ten Strategies For Wise Water Use Through Food & Agriculture
Author: NA

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 12 mar 2013

Large scale social change at national and international level is only possible through effective 'Collaboration' between multiple stakeholders like government, social organizations, businesses, educational institutions and civil society. To have successful collaboration, mechanisms and processes have to be evolved to bring various entities together towards the same goal and purpose. This may include clarifying and simplifying measurable and achievable goals and objectives; an honest and non-controversial leadership; commitment from key organizations; course correction and accountability mechanism through expert feedback; outcome based approach and efficient evaluation process. Evolving 'Collaborative Leadership' is essential for the better future of our world. Read on...

Huffington Post: Save the World With Collaborative Leadership
Author: Jeffrey Walker

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 10 mar 2013

Post industrial society is often attributed to the rise of information economy and technologies that have transformed the way information is created, shared and used for social and business purposes. But an interesting trend that evolved all around the world is the continued success of the traditional businesses that produce material goods, contrary to all that we might expect. Improved processes and technologies in physical production sectors like agriculture, energy and manufacturing, have led them to be the winners and withstand recession in a better way and have outperformed information age businesses. Read on...

New Geography: THE REAL WINNERS OF THE GLOBAL ECONOMY - THE MATERIAL BOYS
Author: Joel Kotkin

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 08 mar 2013

United Nations theme for 2013 International Women's Day (8th March) is "A Promise is a Promise: Time for Action to End Violence Against Women". Around the world the day is the time to understand and reflect upon the progress that the societies and communities have made in empowering and uplifting the status of women and girls. While at some places the condition has improved but at others a lot is to be desired and done. Individuals, families, communities, organizations and nations should come together to make this world a better place for each and every person by providing 'Equal Education and Opportunities for All'. Read on...

Brookings: International Women’s Day in India and Around the World - Progress and Strategies for Action
Authors: Xanthe Ackerman, Urvashi Sahni

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 07 mar 2013

Research suggests that 'Biodiversity' is critical for food production. But the current farming practices like continuous use of fertilizers, pesticides, etc sometime work contrary to the conservation principles of biodiversity. The number of wild insect pollinators is continually declining due to climate changes and prevalent agricultural techniques. Scientists and researchers say that if we care for our food security we should take care of these natural pollinators. Read on...

Mother Jones: "Promiscuous" Bees and Vanishing Insects Mean Less Food for Us
Author: Maddie Oatman

Mohammad Anas Wahaj | 05 mar 2013

In the fast paced technology and business world, the ways of doing successful business, whether small or big, has considerably changed, says a global business consultant. He mentions 8 critical challenges that companies face in 2013- Integrity; Cash, Borrowing and Resource Management; Increased Selection and Competition; Marketing and Customer Loyalty; Uncertainty; Regulation; Problem Solving and Risk Management; Finding the Right Staff. Read on...

Forbes: The '8 Great' Challenges Every Business Faces (And How To Master Them All)
Author: Cheryl Conner