Leveraging Intellectual Powerhouses: Six Must-Read Books for Entrepreneurs Spearheading New Divisions in Large Enterprises — an Experiment — Sept 13, 2023.
This is an experiment using a large language model to develop a set of ideas. In this case, I’m using chatGPT4. I’ve set up a prompt that introduces myself and my background to the machine. I set its role as a system design engineer with a deep understanding of design thinking and systems thinking. I asked it to suggest three books that would appeal to my background interests. It responded with three books that are in my library and that I have read and it was correct.
Then I asked for three more books that would appeal to me given that I’d read these ones. And then it adjusted three different books I had not read. And, then I asked it to write an article about the book in the style of a Harvard Business Review 1,000-word article, and it did so in a minute. ChatGPT is good a summarizing — so that is no surprise — what is an eye-opener is the selection of the books and how they fit together for someone like me who is both a computer scientist and a serial enterprise software company entrepreneur.
I’m not surprised but it’s as good an article as I could write about books and how to recommend them to people. It’s not necessarily better, it may be a little dry, but no drier than what appears in The Economist or HBR. The machines can write.
Most journalists will design their stories and use these tools to create more, better and more correct stories than in history, as publications layer on automatic fact and reference checking and additional editorial control as necessary. I believe that writing professionally is forever changed. What is interesting too, is that using the same session and prompt construct — I can easily generate 10 sensible articles that I would sign off on, covering 60 book recommendations in a designed library.
Send me an email at rob.tyrie@gmail.com — if you think you can write a better article or make a better recommendation. I welcome it. If you are a writer, I suggest that you start skilling up in the use of these tools. They will be ubiquitous, but the very best ones will cost money and likely only available in enterprise, government and academia. LLM and NLP will be and how they are exploited will be a competitive advantage.
For the people smugly resisting or dumping on LLM because it generates errors, confabulations and hallucinations, they are certainly worried and are choosing to spread fear. I agree that fear is a thing… when they use critical thinking. But, I also recommend they worry as much that the machines will mostly be right and correct… that state will have a greater impact on humanity than the errors. In my experience, it is easy to be wrong… it is very hard to be right and nearly impossible to be perfect in whatever we do. These machines don't have to be perfect, they just have to be better than humans at a lower price in sustainable systems. This is a more likely scenario than a disaster. I think is time for more balance in the new. Less senseless hype and less stupid doomster slag is a better antidote to change. In the meantime, keep reading good books.
Here is the article. It is the opposite of misinformation.
The increasingly complex business landscape calls for a multidimensional approach to innovation, strategy, and execution. As an entrepreneur leading a new division or program in a large enterprise, the stakes are high. Success necessitates not just technical acumen but also systems thinking, financial insight, and a nuanced understanding of risk and unpredictability. Here, we examine six books that intersect across these domains, providing a comprehensive toolkit for entrepreneurs poised to make a transformative impact within sizable organizations.
Thinking in Systems by Donella H. Meadows
Meadows' work is a primer in understanding the interconnected complexities of systems—applicable from organizational structures to software ecosystems. Though critiqued for being a bit thin on advanced technical aspects, its value lies in its universal applicability. For an entrepreneur, recognizing these interconnections can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. It's akin to applying Newton's Third Law to business: for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The systems you alter or create will reciprocate with outcomes—positive, negative, or both.
The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb
In the volatile world of business, particularly in large enterprises with numerous moving parts, Taleb's concept of "Black Swans"—unpredictable, high-impact events—is invaluable. Entrepreneurs can apply this by embedding antifragility into their new division or program. Antifragile systems gain from disorder, much like a biological system that grows stronger under stress. Incorporating antifragility is similar to engineering systems that can withstand significant shocks and continue to operate—akin to the concept of fault tolerance in physics and engineering.
Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid by Douglas Hofstadter
Hofstadter's tour de force presents a compelling case for how self-reference and recursion underlie systems of complexity and intelligence. For an entrepreneur, these insights are especially pertinent when designing systems that can adapt, learn, and evolve—qualities increasingly vital in today's rapidly changing business environment. Imagine the venture you’re leading as a quantum system: its states can be superimposed and entangled, affecting each other even at a distance, necessitating a deep, integrated approach for long-term success.
Quantum Computing Since Democritus by Scott Aaronson
Quantum computing is transforming the landscape of problem-solving and information processing. While the practical implementation of quantum computers in business is still nascent, understanding their theoretical foundation can offer insights into tackling complex problems. In the world of large enterprises, issues often manifest as computationally hard problems—from logistics to risk assessments—that classical systems struggle to solve efficiently. Grasping the principles of quantum computing is akin to understanding the space-time fabric in physics: it alters your perspective on what's possible within the 'universe' of your business.
Design Unbound: Designing for Emergence in a White Water World by Ann M. Pendleton-Jullian and John Seely Brown
This two-volume work delves deep into the principles of design thinking and its applicability in volatile, uncertain environments. For an entrepreneur, the notion of "design for emergence" can be a game-changer. Large enterprises are often plagued by inertia, making them resistant to change. The design principles outlined here can help you 'navigate the rapids', creating adaptive systems that not only respond to change but also thrive on it. Think of it as the Second Law of Thermodynamics applied to business: systems tend to disorder, but strategic design can create pockets of order and efficiency.
The Quants by Scott Patterson
Understanding the mechanics of Wall Street and the world of quantitative finance can add another layer to your entrepreneurial arsenal. 'The Quants' can help you navigate the intricacies of risk management and financial modelling, which are crucial in resource-heavy enterprises. If financial assets and liabilities were particles, their dynamics would be dictated by their interaction, volatility, and external market forces. Having a quant-like understanding allows you to better forecast these dynamics, thereby adding a robust financial layer to your strategy.
For entrepreneurs taking the helm of new ventures within large corporations, these six books offer a 360-degree view of the complexities involved. Like a physicist who needs to understand not just particles but also waves, and not just matter but also energy, a successful entrepreneur in a large enterprise setting needs to juggle multiple aspects—strategy, technology, human behaviour, and financial risks. These reads are not just books; they're intellectual toolkits for fostering innovation, mitigating risks, and navigating the multifaceted challenges of modern business.
