Silicon Valley Knowledge #3 – Which Methods Can I Use?

What can we learn from Silicon Valley? In the last of three conversations historian David Larsson Heidenblad and tech analyst Björn Jeffery discuss the ideas that have shaped the tech companies of today. How does life in Silicon Valley work? What can you learn, and use, from these ideas in your daily business? And what can the fairly short but very influential history of the California ecosystem tell about the future of innovation and technology?

Which Methods Can I Use?

A deep dive into a couple of the books, likely Zero to One (Peter Thiel) and Only the Paranoid Survive (Andy Grove). Individual concepts such as “the power law” from other books will also appear. We explore counterintuitive ideas such as “avoid competing with others,” navigating rapid change and making decisions under uncertainty, and “atomic networks.”

The conversation is free to join, but bring your own (optional) lunch (we recommend take away from restaurant Varv, or a salad from Holy Greens).

Also, check out and register for session one and two in series.

Speakers

David Larsson Heidenblad s an Associate Professor in History at Lund University and deputy director for Lund Centre for the History of Knowledge. David’s research is focused on contemporary history and revolves around themes such as stock saving, knowledge work, and the emergence of the digital society. He writes regularly in Svenska Dagbladet, Sydsvenskan, Curie, Respons and Populär historia.

Björn Jeffery is an independent tech analyst, advisor and board executive. He was the co-founder and CEO of Toca Boca and spent eight years in Silicon Valley. Currently he is the technology columnist at the Swedish newspaper, Svenska Dagbladet.