As we say goodbye to an unprecedented year of sadness and pain and concurrently, a year filled with valuable lessons, I wanted to share how I am collecting this year’s moments into next year’s actions both personally and professionally.
1. Double down on focusing on what’s in your control. Clarify and manage your critical priorities.
2020 was an unparalleled year of crisis. Our nation suffered. Business shuttered and lives were lost. Though hope is on the horizon with approved vaccines, we are still in the midst of coronavirus chaos, it might seem like the world is upside down and all of your priorities are fundamentally different. …
To Bounce Back Strong From COVID-19, America Needs An Entrepreneurship Agenda
Co-authored by Tim Draper, Global venture capital investor, and founder of Draper Venture Network and Arvin Patel, COO, Invention Investment Funds at Intellectual Ventures, Entertainment & Tech Thought Leader
COVID-19 has exposed a much-neglected wound in American capitalism which now threatens America’s ability to recover quickly from the ensuing economic crisis. As we come out of the crisis, we are faced with a tragedy of the loss of millions of small businesses with 40 million unemployed in the US, and ten times that many globally. …
In the past few weeks, it has become clear that America must do better. Americans are confronting our ugly realities that have helped fueled American prosperity, mostly at expense of communities of color, over the last 450 years. The senseless murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless others have recently and rightfully ignited the country to action. We owe it to many young Americans, mothers and fathers, and even our elderly for putting their bodies and lives on the line to drive unprecedented awareness across our nation. The question I’ve been asking myself and others, is how do we as corporate leaders help actualize lasting systemic change and reform? …
As a man of color, what is happening in America isn’t lost on me. From everyday microaggressions to larger defining events, racism isn’t an anomaly for brown and black people. There are defining moments you’ll never forget; those moments when you were made to feel unsafe and unwanted. For me that was when I was slammed onto a hood of a cop car. My crime? Hanging out in a wealthy suburb where no one looked like me. I was just a kid (who ironically at the time, happened to be interning at the DA’s office in San Francisco) but that feeling of fear never left me nor did the reality that I was targeted that day. Imagine that being a constant worry for our black brothers and sisters — that just existing is a dangerous proposition. Imagine, being a young man wanting to go on a run but you can’t get the image of Ahmaud Arbery out of your head. Our nation is at a precipice and it’s time for visible, impactful action. For those of us that can and as leaders, we need to lend our time, money and voices to bettering our nation by actively working towards anti-racists measures. This means both at a personal and corporate level. Here is my call to actions. …
By Arvin Patel, EVP & CIPO at TiVo, Entertainment + Tech Thought Leader, Forbes Contributor
The coronavirus crisis is putting everyone in a state of uncertainty, anxiety, and worry. But even in the most stressful times, I believe that we have a choice to make: we can either choose to assume the worst-case scenario, or we can choose to approach the problem with optimism and mindfulness.
With the right mindset, along with mindfulness and self-care, leaders can help create a positive and inspiring example for their team. …
By Arvin Patel, EVP & CIPO at TiVo, Entertainment + Tech Thought Leader, Forbes Contributor
The bad news: we’re all stuck at home because of the coronavirus.
The good news: never before in history has there been so much great stuff to watch on TV!
Streaming services are booming because everyone is home, and it’s made me more appreciative of great TV than ever before. Yes, we have to stay home for a while, but at least we can comfort ourselves with some great entertainment.
I’m really passionate about innovation and intellectual property, so I can appreciate the creativity and effort that goes into making a great TV watching experience. Also, I’m a big fan of OTT services and the fantastic shows that are currently driving the public conversation and shaping the boundaries of pop culture. …
By Arvin Patel, EVP & CIPO at TiVo, Entertainment + Tech Thought Leader, Forbes Contributor
Amidst all the chaos, I want to continue to recognize this month as Women’s History Month.
This is an ideal occasion for creating a fairer and more equitable workplace for women and men. Gender equality is not just about the wage gap, it’s not just about the #MeToo movement, it’s not just about looking for better gender balance and diverse talent pools when recruiting for jobs. …
By Arvin Patel, EVP & CIPO at TiVo, Entertainment + Tech Thought Leader, Forbes Contributor
Judging from my appearance — eyeglasses and business suits — most people might assume that I’m a mild-mannered technology executive. But along with my career background as an attorney, and my life as a proud parent and husband, I also have a passion for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). I don’t just wear suits, I wear boxing gloves too!
I have been training in MMA since the early 90s and am presently a board member for the American Kickboxing Academy, one of the top-ranked MMA gyms in the United States. Training in MMA has helped me to take my physical and mental fitness to the next level. …
By Arvin Patel, EVP & CIPO at TiVo, Entertainment + Tech Thought Leader, Forbes Contributor
The end of the year is a good occasion for business leaders to take stock of their organizations, take a step back, and think big thoughts about the future. January 1st is coming soon; is your organization ready to hit the ground running in the New Year? What do you need to change? What new mindsets are you ready to embrace? How can you adapt your leadership and set the tone for your organization to have a massively successful new year?
Every organization has different challenges and specific concerns, but there are a few high-level concepts and Big Questions that every business leader should keep top-of-mind as we head into the New Year. …
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is a celebration of the universal human experience of gratitude. Being grateful for the good things in our lives is one of the most admirable and helpful human emotions‑ — and recent research indicates that gratitude can be good for our health and good for our productivity. It improves our sleep, mental strength, self-confidence, and relationship-building skills.
I am a big believer in the concept of mindfulness. I practice meditation and I try to cultivate a spirit of mindful leadership in the way I work with my team and manage my career. One of the most important aspects of mindfulness is gratitude, and I’d like to offer some ideas to practice gratitude in everyday life. Thanksgiving should not happen on only one day per year; there are many occasions throughout the year and in every work day to say “thanks” and put gratitude at the center of our work and our lives. …
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