I have fond memories of my academic education. Partly as after being in more of a straight jacket during my teenage school years, it gave me control over how, what & when to study, but importantly because it was abundantly clear to me the value was not in the reproduction of facts, but in understanding underlying theories so that you could action even if facts would show up slightly different versus what you had learned. So when we started working on the How-To Business Puzzle series, I wanted to carve out space in every edition for the academic point of view on the topic. Although it might sound counterintuitive for a practical how-to guide, I believe an academic perspective makes the content more robust, credible, and insightful. Here are some advantages:
1. It comes with Research-Based Insights, juxtaposed posed against the more qualitative observations of the subject matter experts interviewed.
- Evidence-driven: Academics typically rely on research and empirical evidence, providing data-driven insights rather than anecdotal advice. This helps ensure that the strategies and recommendations in the guide are more reliable and proven.
- Best Practices: Academic perspectives are often informed by comprehensive studies of best business practices, providing guidance that’s tested and validated across various contexts and industries.
2. Broader Theoretical Frameworks that can help aid broader application
- Conceptual Depth: Academic content is usually grounded in well-established theories, models, and frameworks. These frameworks help readers understand the “why” behind certain strategies, offering a deeper comprehension of the issues.
- Critical Thinking: An academic approach encourages critical thinking and a long-term view of business challenges, rather than just offering quick-fix solutions.
3. Objective and Neutral View vs. the more colored view of the interviewed experts.
- Unbiased Recommendations: Academics strive for neutrality, avoiding commercial biases that might color advice. This ensures that the guide’s recommendations are more impartial and balanced.
- Systematic Approach: Business academics often employ structured methodologies, which can lead to more systematic, repeatable approaches to problem-solving.
4. Inspires Skill Development and Education as per the motto of the guide.
- Learning-Oriented: An academic perspective is usually focused on education, teaching readers not just what to do, but also how to think critically about business problems. This can help readers develop skills that are transferable to other areas.
- Sustainability: Academic approaches often promote sustainable, long-term thinking, helping businesses build strategies that last rather than focusing solely on immediate gains.
5. Gives better cross-category / cross-disciplinary visibility of Trends and Innovation
- Emerging Trends: Academics are often at the forefront of research into emerging business trends and technologies. Incorporating these insights into how-to guides can help businesses stay competitive in rapidly changing markets.
- Cross-Disciplinary Insights: Academics can draw from various fields (e.g., psychology, economics, sociology) to provide a richer, more nuanced understanding of business issues, leading to innovative solutions.
Although I accept that some would judge the academic sections only relevant for those who would like to “nerd out” the topic beyond its practical application, I believe integrating the academic perspective on top of the practical applications makes the how-to guides more complete and thus can bring more value to its readers, helping them make more informed decisions.
#Start-up-Puzzle – The Easiest-to-Digest HOW-TO guide to creating a successful new business venture, based on in-market best practices, Interviews, and the latest academic research, in less than 75 pages!
