Unstructure

Unstructure is an open discussion platform for business professionals, bloggers and contemporary thought leaders to discuss and debate action ideas that would aid the evolution of business. Unstructure consists of an online discussion forum (where you are currently), an annual physical event and a book of insight and action ideas for businesses of the future.

Think of Unstructure as a playground. Where everything is viewed with new eyes and curiosity abounds. Where there are (almost) no rules and nobody “owns” an idea or a thought. Where there are no social or organizational hierarchies – each voice is equal; each idea is heard and contributed to. Where the wisdom of the experienced meets the innovation of the young; and both learn from the other.

‘If you’re not busy being born, you’re busy dying.’ – Bob Dylan

Do you believe that current processes will enable your business to evolve with time?

Businesses are today approaching the efficiency of machines. Well thought out processes, fast communication networks, latest software and hardware technology enable predictability in a fast changing world. Paradoxically, the quest for efficiency in a process-driven world limits the very innovation that put it into place. This is because machines don’t listen to real signals, communicate and change – humans do.

Unstructure is necessary to create businesses which evolve as life-forms do, in nature. Business as a life-form will be achieved when individuals from business engage outside corporate structures to challenge the status quo – and jointly contribute to the process of evolution.

Are you a seeker who questions the status quo? You could be a business professional, a user of technology or an expert, a coder, a voracious blogger, a journalist with a view, a teacher or just a thinker. Unstructure is for everyone who has a stake in the future of business – to hear, to be heard, to teach and to be taught.

Unstructure harnesses the power of online communities to create innovative ideas and uses the wisdom of eminent thought leaders to mentor these ideas into actions, insights and solutions which can be consumed by business. Unstructure conversations are centered on questions in three categories – business, technology and people.

An Unstructure conversation is made up of a question, answers/opinions/comments (very much like blog posts), a research portal, and a Wiki. Each question has been asked by a contemporary thought leader – called “Mentor” – in the relevant area.

Participants of Unstructure – business and technology professionals, bloggers and thinkers – provide their inputs as a way to answer these questions. Answers have rebuttals and comments from like minded people from around the world, and new perspectives are created. Every week each Mentor “builds on” the best streams of thought, validates unique action ideas, and organizes polls for consensus. He/She also presides over the Wiki which at any given point is a summary of the best thoughts which have emerged.

Assisting the mentor and driving the content on the site – is the Unstructure Editorial Team. This team consists of professionals who have volunteered some of their time for the platform. They “run” the platform – maintain decorum, sniff out the best thoughts for the mentor and put together the Wiki.

The best and most relevant streams of thought, ideas, insight and solutions will be discussed and honed, live in front of a global audience at the annual event. The output of the event will be the Unstructure White Book – a compendium of insight and action ideas collected for businesses to use as an “Evolution” manifesto.

Then, in the spirit of evolution – new questions will be asked by new thought leaders – and the conversations continue.

A mentor is someone who has attained a recognized status of thought leader – by constantly questioning current paradigms to create new ones. They are typically free from personal or corporate agendas – and have volunteered to steer conversations on Unstructure platform.

These conversations can be about anything to do with the future of business. Nonetheless, for ease of navigation and consumption, they centered on questions in three categories – business, technology and people.

Participants of Unstructure – business and technology professionals, bloggers and thinkers – provide their inputs as a way to answer these questions. Answers have rebuttals and comments from like minded people from around the world, and new perspectives are created. Every week each Mentor “builds on” the best streams of thought, validates unique action ideas, and organizes polls for consensus. He/She also presides over the Wiki, a summary of the best thoughts that have emerged.

Assisting the mentor and driving the content on the site, is the Unstructure Editorial Team. This team consists of professionals who have volunteered some of their time for the platform. They ‘run’ the platform – maintain focus, sniff out the best thoughts for the mentor and put together the Wiki.

The best and most relevant streams of thought, ideas, insight and solutions will be discussed and honed, live in front of a global audience at the annual event. The output of the event will be the Unstructure White Book – a compendium of insight and action ideas collected for businesses to use as an “Evolution” manifesto.

Then – in the spirit of evolution – new questions will be asked by new thought leaders, and the conversations will continue.

Unstructure is an annual cycle. After the White Book is published – in the spirit of evolution – new questions will be asked by new thought leaders and the conversations continue for another cycle.

1. Is Unstructure for businesses?
   Unstructure is an open platform for individuals from business and other related walks of life. If you decide to participate, it will be completely in your personal capacity and time.
2. Can another company be associated with it?
   As a technology contributor, yes. Participation on the platform in terms of content is strictly limited to Individuals.
3. How can I be associated with it?
   If you are an individual from business, media, academia or just a thinker or blogger – you can be a part of unstructure by just clicking “Join us” on the navigation bar below.
4. Is there a membership fee associated with Unstructure?
   Unstructure is a free initiative. It is sponsored by a publicly traded company. Unstructure only wants your thoughts and time.
5. Who selected these questions?
   These questions have been selected by the Unstructure team after consultation with Mentors.
6. Will there be more questions in the future?
   Yes. As more mentors join the Unstructure movement. (We’ve already got a planeload of questions!)
7. Can you update me when you have new questions?
   Yes this site is Feed enabled – and also has options for email updates.
8. Who writes the summary?
   ‘Editors’ write the summary. These are professionals like you, who have volunteered their personal time to be a part of the Unstructure movement and contribute with their knowledge and experience in their chosen topic.
9. Can I get this on email?
   Yes. You can select the option from your dashboard.
10. How do I know when someone comments on my post?
    Click on “Ticker”. You will find your updates there. In case you have opted for email updates – you will get an email if someone comments on your post.
11. Can i respond to the post?
    Of course. All registered participants can respond.
12. What If i have questions that can be asked?
    You’re welcome. Just send an email to questions@unstructure.org. We’ll put it up on Unstructure after it’s accepted by Mentor.
13. Can i participate in more than one question?
    Yes – you can participate in as many questions as you wish.
14. Can I blog about this?
    Please feel free! This is open source, no secrets!
15. Can I invite some friends?
    Yes. we’ll be more than happy if you do, it’ll lead to the richness of the conversations.
16. What are the things I should keep in mind while answering?
    We’ll really appreciate it if you keep your post as objective and to the point as possible. Please do bring any objectionable content to our notice (inappropriate language, etc.), we’ll remove it immediately if we’ve missed it.
17. Who runs it?
    Unstructure is supported by HCL – a Global Technology company.

If you represent an organization, media house, academic institution and would like to contribute to Unstructure – please do drop us an email at partner@unstructure.org