Tag: Government

Six Main Lessons From My 8 Year Tenure in a Government R&D Agency

The image was created using Midjourney by the Author of Startup Journey.

This is my third job after ten years in academia and 13 years in a telco company.

Reflecting on my eight-year tenure as a Research Director for Wireless Technology in a Malaysian government agency, I’ve gathered a wealth of insights distinct from my experiences at a leading telco in the country.

My journey, marked by a static role but dynamic challenges, offers a unique perspective on leadership, team management, and innovation in a research-driven environment.

The Value of Role Consistency

Contrary to the typical progression of changing roles within 3–4 years in an organization, my position remained unchanged for eight years.

This unusual stability offered a deeper understanding of my role and a continuous impact on wireless technology research.

Leadership Through Inquisitiveness

One pivotal lesson was asking the right questions, especially in management positions with limited in-depth technical knowledge.

This approach not only prepared me to handle various queries but also fostered a culture of curiosity and critical thinking within the team.

Understanding the Research and Development Dichotomy

A significant realization was the distinct nature of research and development teams.

Often more introverted, the research team focuses on individual tasks and deep-thinking processes.

In contrast, the development team thrives on collaboration, working cohesively to turn ideas into tangible products.

Appreciating these differences is crucial for effective leadership.

Tailored Performance Management

It’s essential to recognize that research and development teams require different approaches to performance management.

While the outcomes of the development team are visibly tangible, the research team’s contributions, though less apparent, are equally vital.

Both teams deserve recognition and appreciation for their unique roles.

The Art of Presenting Technology

Regular project showcases to ministers, government bodies, and international visitors taught me the essence of creating Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).

These demonstrations, while sometimes rudimentary, are crucial in highlighting the potential of emerging technologies.

Mastering the Craft of Communication

Frequent presentations and the ensuing barrage of questions honed my skills in creating clear, audience-friendly PowerPoint slides.

The ability to convey complex ideas in an understandable and engaging manner is a skill as crucial as the research itself.

Conclusion

My tenure as a Research Director was a journey of constant learning and adaptation.

The unique challenges of managing a diverse, multinational R&D team and the need to bridge the gap between research and practical application have been invaluable lessons.

This experience has shaped my approach to leadership in wireless technology and offered broader insights into the dynamics of innovation and team management in the public sector.

The story of my first job as an educator:

View at Medium.com

The story of my second job in the corporate world of telco:

View at Medium.com

You can also check out my personal Blog here or the latest eBooks I have recently published — here.

What You Can Learn From Government R&D to Avoid Failure in Building Your Startup Product

Photo by Jason Goodman on Unsplash

My career journey took an exciting turn when I transitioned from a government R&D agency to the dynamic world of startups.

This switch was not just a job title change but a transformative experience that reshaped my approach to business and innovation.

The frustrations in getting our R&D efforts to become a commercial product finally became great lessons for me.

Failures don’t mean we lose everything.

Stumbling blocks don’t mean it’s too high to overcome.

Blocks can turn into stairs to achieve success in the later stages of our careers.

Here, I share insights from my time in the bureaucratic labyrinth of government research and how those experiences now fuel my entrepreneurial spirit.

The Rigidity of Government R&D and Its Impact

In government R&D, I encountered an environment dominated by strict processes and red tape.

This stringent approach, though ensuring meticulous documentation and accountability, often hindered creative thinking.

Projects moved slowly, bogged down by the need for approvals at every step.

Almost every step of the way needs to be justified.

Different people who listen to our R&D work have other ideas or critiques. You can’t please them all.

Communication Gaps and Misaligned Visions

Regular progress checks, which should have fostered collaboration, felt like rigorous cross-examinations.

These interactions highlighted a significant gap in understanding between the R&D team and upper management, undermining the essence of innovative research.

After so much effort has been put in place, a project can suddenly be “killed.” Assigning the researchers to a different project seems like a big task to start all over again.

The Misalignment of Time Horizons

R&D is inherently a long-term endeavor.

However, a persistent push for short-term gains frequently led to a shift away from groundbreaking research to more immediate, less impactful tasks.

This short-sightedness had significant repercussions on the innovation process.

Many did not understand the risk and time factors between “Research” and “Development.” Both have different horizons.

The Dilemma of Patents versus Market-Ready Products

Our team’s efforts often resulted in an impressive array of patents, yet these innovations rarely translated into commercial products.

Focusing on immediate product development in other departments meant our groundbreaking ideas often would be shelved because we needed more resources to turn those patents into products.

Isolation from the Customer’s Voice

A critical limitation was the lack of direct interaction with the end-users. This disconnect led to assumptions about customer needs that seldom aligned with market realities.

Products developed in such isolation often failed to hit the mark upon release.

The High Cost of Rigidity

When products didn’t resonate with their target audience, making changes was expensive and time-consuming, given our rigid processes.

Despite significant investment, many products failed to make a lasting impact in the market.

Transforming Challenges into Startup Strengths

These experiences, while daunting, laid a solid foundation for my approach in the startup world.

I learned the importance of flexibility in R&D, embracing practices like Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and the Lean Method.

This approach allows for swift adaptation, a focus on customer needs, and the agility to pivot as necessary.

Photo by Dylan Gillis on Unsplash

Concluding Thoughts: Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

  1. Embrace Flexibility: Learn to adapt quickly and efficiently to changing circumstances.
  2. Prioritize Customer Feedback: Direct interaction with customers is invaluable for product development.
  3. Balance Long-Term Vision with Short-Term Goals: Don’t lose sight of long-term innovation while focusing on immediate tasks.
  4. Encourage Open Communication: Bridging gaps between different teams enhances understanding and collaboration.
  5. Convert Challenges into Opportunities: Use past experiences, even difficult ones, as learning opportunities for growth.
  6. Innovate with Market Focus: Align research and development with market demands and customer needs.

Though filled with hurdles, my time in government R&D provided invaluable lessons that now guide my journey through the startup ecosystem.

These insights have become a beacon, steering me towards efficient, customer-centric innovation and entrepreneurial success.

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A Journey of Three Sectors: Unveiling Insights from Academia, Industry, and Government

Photo by Matt Duncan on Unsplash

Embarking on a career that spans across the diverse realms of academia, industry, and government, I’ve garnered invaluable insights and experiences that not only contributed to my professional growth but also equipped me to meaningfully engage with and contribute to the upcoming generation.

Each sector afforded me a different lens through which to view and understand the intricacies of their respective challenges and opportunities.

Maybe I am the fortunate ones to take this path.

A Decade in Academia

In the initial phase of my career, academia was the field that witnessed my nascent steps. Over a ten-year period, I was deeply involved in various academic endeavors which encompassed teaching, research, and authorship.

The roles I undertook provided me with the opportunity to not only impart knowledge but also engage with the intellectual community through the presentation of papers and journals at various conferences.

These interactions played a crucial role in sharpening my analytical and communication skills while nurturing a deep appreciation for knowledge and learning.

Here’s where I get most of my basic tech knowledge.

Two Decades Plus in Industry

Subsequently, venturing into the industry, I spent twenty-one enriching years immersing myself in the dynamic world of telecommunications.

My tenure in this sector was distributed between two established telecommunications companies and a startup that I had the opportunity to inaugurate and nurture.

From managing small teams to steering divisions comprising of over a hundred staff members, the journey was nothing short of enlightening.

It was here that I honed my leadership skills, understanding the nuances of overseeing various scales of operations, from the minuscule to the expansive.

Here’s where I really get in touch with the real industry problems.

Government Stint: A Canvas of Collaboration and Innovation

An eight-year engagement with government roles saw me collaborating extensively with various agencies.

This collaboration was pivotal in overseeing and executing multimillion-dollar research and development projects, with some initiatives culminating in the generation of patents.

This segment of my career allowed me a closer look at the mechanisms and challenges inherent in governmental operations and offered me the opportunity to contribute towards innovation at a larger scale.

Here’s where I get to understand what are the government’s priorities and challenges.

Lessons Learned and Skills Acquired

The amalgamation of experiences across these sectors was instrumental in providing a well-rounded understanding of diverse issues, ranging from the educational challenges faced in academia to the intricate dance of research and development in both the industry and government.

The journey through these different landscapes facilitated my growth from an employee to an employer, allowing me insights into the myriad perspectives at play in the professional arena.

The journey taught me how tough to be become an employer.

From Analog to AI: A Technological Odyssey

My career timeline interestingly aligns with the evolution of technology, ranging from the analog era (IR 1.0) transitioning through to the current digital, internet, and AI era (IR 4.0).

This technological odyssey not only reflects the changes in the tools and platforms utilized but also represents a shift in thinking and approach to problem-solving and innovation.

Interesting to experience the world of analog and its transition towards digital.

Conclusion

As I reflect upon a career that allowed me to navigate through academia, industry, and government, the wealth of experiences and lessons garnered along the way is something I hold in deep gratitude.

These are not just milestones and achievements; they represent a journey of learning and growth that I am eager to share with the younger generation, hopefully providing them with insights and inspiration for their own professional journeys.

What more could one ask for in a career?

Photo by NEOM on Unsplash