“There’s an app for that” is a phrase our culture has formed into a cliché over the past several years. On a recent vacation, I found myself stargazing with the love of my life. After I pointed towards two brighter pinpoints of light and wondering aloud what they were, my wife pulled out her smartphone, aimed it towards the horizon, and then plainly stated “Oh, that’s Jupiter and Saturn”. Not only did her app identify these and other celestial objects, but it also cartooned a host of those familiar constellations which have dominated the night sky canopy for time immemorial.
I am not an astronomer, but I am a strong believer in studying “dots of light”, teasing out common vectors from seemingly disparate sources, and connecting them in a creative way which drives development of new semiconductor technologies to address emerging market needs, thus providing that next wave of projects and sales to fortify and grow business. These vectors are found on different planes such as emerging customer needs, technology trends, and corporate/organizational strengths. Finding creative solutions not only requires knowledge in each area, but it also pushes you to look at old data in a new way. This reframing, together with a pinch of inspiration, can lead you to connect these dots in a unique way, thus charting a new path towards an effective solution.