The above quotes underscore the importance of independent critical thinking as a precursor to innovation, followed by deliberate decisions and actions aimed at fostering economic prosperity. Before delving into a refined definition of innovation, it is imperative to clarify what innovation is not.

Our lives revolve around decisions, encompassing various aspects such as finance, economics, commerce, relationships, and operations, all of which shape our future. In a way, as adults, we are all the sum of our decisions and luck in our lives. We don’t have much controls of our luck. The same is not true for our decisions. We all make a lot of them.

Sundar Pichai's characterization of artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool is indeed correct. Business leaders would do well to pause and internalize AI's essence as a tool. While AI possesses immense potential to enhance productivity significantly, it remains fundamentally a tool. But what exactly is this tool, and why is there such widespread excitement surrounding it?

The fate of any business is intrinsically related to how it responds to the demands and pressures of internal and external forces. Internal constraints encompass various factors, including but not limited to people, culture, strategies, execution, sales, and the ability to maintain a healthy list of returning customers. Among the most crucial external forces impacting a business' fate are macroeconomic trends, which determine the contexts in which a business is born, nurtured, and thrives.

In the above cited quote, Peter Drucker, the renowned management consultant, emphasizes that a strong culture surpasses even the best strategy. This sentiment echoes the notion that culture, particularly robust ones, serve as the precursors to various strategies. Along similar lines of thinking, I firmly believe that culture forms the cornerstone of any business.