The world we live in today is almost entirely different from what it was 100 years ago, and we only have the advancements in technology to thank for that. Technology is influencing our lives more than we can imagine, but it is up to us to harness its potential to do good, else, we will let tech do us good. In this article, an ecosystem is a network of supply resources that interact with human demand, powered by an efficient engine, and overlayed by good technology for scale.
Take e-commerce for example, the game plan is to make the right product appear at the right time, in the right manner that allows the easiest action to procure it. Similarly, this formula, if applied in the social impact context, can bring help and support to individuals just as when they need it, the right way, and make receiving it so easy.
The Problem
The world’s biggest social problems are growing at an accelerated rate. Depression, Conflicts, Health issues, Poverty (I’ll skip these stats for this round) etc. Conventional methods, while powerful, need to find ways to accelerate its impact. Technology ecosystems can be the answer.
Yet, when it comes to technology, it has also revealed its adverse impacts on human lives. Excess digital technology, i.e., mobiles, laptops, and computers, can deteriorate human health. It can disturb the sleep-wake cycle and causes stress and depression.
The Solution
We want to use technology (we cannot run away from it), to do good instead.
I am currently blessed, through different capacities, to be driving 2 main technology ecosystems (www.homage.co and www.mentoring.sg) and while my teams and I are trying to build sustainable deep-tech ecosystems that connects together to create social impact, we have learnt some tips on how to do so more effectively, but we are always in beta mode and we need every partner we can find to work on this together, to create a better world.
Below are 3 things which I feel every new hashtag#TechForGood movement should understand (will use the most layman terms as possible):
1) Ecosystems must target the needs of people
Do not just do what you want to do (or feel you must do).
A sustainable ecosystem comprises users, sellers, business partners, apps, and many related technologies. Therefore, the technology ecosystem fulfills the need of many people by connecting them and creates mutual benefits (win-win and sometimes -win). Starting with the user in mind, the better you are at understanding today’s needs and predicting future ones, and to convince the others to move in that direction, the more successful you will be.
Some success stories: human societies can target the needs of people through ecosystems by managing and restructuring them. In most regions and countries, changes are made in food-producing systems that create a notable increase in production. Human-induced changes in the ecosystems fulfill the growing needs for water and food. Some have used this concept to target health needs, mental-wellness needs etc. These systems have helped improve quality of life in many ways.
The thing is that, someone must look after the whole ecosystem end-to-end. While many plays a part of it well, someone must be the connector of it all, always in beta, always optimising, and at some point, ready to connect to an even bigger ecosystem.
2) We must make technology a way of life that captures touchpoints of life
Undoubtedly, technology has become a way of life as it revolutionises everything from learning, communication skills, shopping experience, and improved healthcare to the transport system and our thinking capability. In this part, we talk about “access touchpoints”
In the research findings of ‘The Effect of Technology on Face-to-Face communication, Emily Drago mentioned that all 100 respondents owned a tablet or smartphone. 60% of those respondents spend more than four hours daily using cell phones, while 18% use them for more than 8 hours daily. While leaving the house, 97% of respondents have a cell phone with them. These findings led to the conclusion that we are so much dependent on technology that we don’t bother who is standing in front of us, which negatively affects face-to-face communication.
Touchpoints are the point of interaction between users and the ecosystem, which help the ecosystem owner target specific users and give them good reasons to keep coming back to your system, engaging while being impacted positively at the same time. Technology helps achieve these touchpoints through fast communication, connection with users through an app/platform, and enhance experience through specific marketing campaigns.
For example, you can look at touching the lives of the users sustainably (everyday affair) or you can look at “boosters” such as a campaign to drive awareness, conversions, engagement and retention. The better you are at fitting into the life’s processes e.g. decision making patters, lifestyles etc, the more successful you will be, and when this happens, your ecosystem has become the DNA of the user’s life. Imagine, how great it will be if your life journeys along with supportive ecosystems that connects you to all you need.
However, technology is just a good enabler (and sometimes an inspiration too).
3) Behind the ecosystem is an aligned vision and a passionate village to raise each child
This concept is not new, but to achieve it is really difficult (I will testify to it). We are talking about every partner coming together to impact in a way where is not about competition but is about the user needs. Yet every organization have their own KPIs and objectives. It is never easy to connect everyone, at the first attempt. Thus, building an ecosystem takes time, strong belief and resilience, and it is almost like having to share a good news which people have not quite comprehend. People wont reject, but they also find it hard to accept, simply because it is out of the norm.
If you are new on this journey, you will definitely be disappointed at the start, but do not give up, find those who support you, build strong success stories, and convince the others, one at a time. If you are doing the right thing, the ecosystem will tip and suddenly grow, and the others, will so get the “ah-hah moment”. At that point, be sure that all stakeholders know what to do to turn the ecosystem on.
The takeaway
In the end, let me remind you that “Anything revolutionary movement never comes without any cost”. If you are an ecosystem leader, your teams will find it hard to focus on the end-goal, so you have a job to do to keep reminding them of why we are in this together. But as you overcome the obstacles one at a time, a world drawn together by a common purpose/battle will always bring out the best side of humanity. That is my dream, I hope it’s yours too.
In all the ecosystems we are working on, we need you to work with us to make this happen. If you are doing something good, I’ll love to help you with your ecosystem. Connect with me today.
