“Let's Talk Impact” Podcast with Alejandro Juárez Crawford & Aswan Carbonell @ RebelBase
About Rebel Base:
RebelBase was built to provide tools to everyday people so that they can replace what’s failing and build what’s next. Our mission is to show teams how to tackle problems the way entrepreneurs do – by launching new solutions. We believe that in today’s world to survive means to reinvent, not from the “top” down, but throughout a dynamic and empowered community. RebelBase turns the entrepreneurial method into a digital experience that shows teams of all kinds what to do as they build – making the process accessible and fun.
About Alejandro Juárez Crawford:
Alejandro leads RebelBase, the SaaS equipping teams of employees, students, and community members to build solutions of their own. Whether you want to launch your company, figure out where your business needs to be 5 years from now, or solve problems in your community, RebelBase shows you how, then gives you the tools to make it happen. Alejandro also serves as Professor of Entrepreneurship at the Bard MBA in Sustainability, and leads the global team of co-instructors for the Open Society University Network's Social Entrepreneurship Practicum. Previously, he led boutique consultancy Acceleration Group. He earned his BA at Cornell and his MBA from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Crawford has led RebelBase as it built and successfully commercialized its library of educational modules, cloud-based interactive tools, and state-of-the-art methodology. In 2020-2021, his research has expanded to university systems from Bangladesh to Kyrgyzstan, and how practice launching live experiments using a global platform transforms skills, mindset, and networks. He writes and speaks widely on expanding access to innovation, and keynotes events such as Erasmus+ ISYEC and Europe’s Towards Collaborative Practice. Recent publications include “An Ecosystem Framework for Credentialing Entrepreneurs,” from the Research Triangle Institute, and a chapter in the Federal Reserve’s Investing in America’s Workforce (Upjohn, 2018). In 2020 he co-won the Roddenberry Award to create a documentary about game-changing initiatives developed using the RebelBase platform.
What is the “Let’s Talk Impact” Podcast?
The Let’s Talk Impact podcast is a collection of insights from educators, entrepreneurs, investors, activists and community leaders seeking to demystify access to capital, resources, knowledge and illuminate pathways toward successful impact ventures in NYC and around the world hosted by Justyna Kedra, founder @ WERULE. The podcast is a collaboration between WERULE and The New School’s Impact Entrepreneurship Initiative.
Hosted by Justyna Kedra & produced by Janusz Kedra
Hosted by: Justyna Kedra & Kosi Dunn | Produced by: Janusz Kedra
Ditch the Deadlines, Embrace the Launch: How to Tackle Problems Like an Entrepreneur
Stuck in a rut with the same old problem-solving methods? Feeling like your team just spins its wheels, searching for that elusive "perfect" solution before taking any action? Here's a secret: entrepreneurs don't wait for perfection; they launch solutions.
Why the Entrepreneurial Approach Wins:
Speed Over Stagnation: Entrepreneurs understand the value of time. They prioritize getting something out there quickly to gather feedback and iterate, rather than getting bogged down in analysis paralysis.
Learning by Doing: The best way to learn is by doing. Launching a solution, even a small-scale one, allows your team to see what works, what doesn't, and what needs improvement.
Embrace the Feedback Loop: Entrepreneurs thrive on feedback. By putting a solution in front of real users or stakeholders, you gain valuable insights that can inform future iterations.
Foster Innovation: The pressure to launch pushes teams to be creative and think outside the box. It encourages them to develop new solutions and experiment with untested ideas.
So, how can your team tackle problems like an entrepreneur?
Shift the Focus from Problem to Solution: Instead of dwelling on the issue, brainstorm potential solutions, no matter how rough or unconventional.
Prioritize Minimum Viable Products (MVPs): Develop a basic, functional version of your solution that addresses the core problem. This allows for quick testing and iteration without a massive upfront investment.
Embrace Prototyping: Create quick prototypes using readily available tools. This helps visualize your solution and gather feedback early in the process.
Test, Learn, Adapt: Launch your MVP and actively seek feedback from users. Be prepared to pivot and adapt your solution based on what you learn.
Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and celebrate the progress you make, even if it's not a complete overhaul. The key is to keep moving forward and learning.
