Tracing the Threads of Innovation
Reflections from Venture Center’s First Journal Club
A journal club is simple in concept — read, reflect, and discuss. Yet in practice, it’s something richer: a chance to unpack new research together, challenge assumptions, and link ideas to real-world contexts. It’s where reading meets conversation and learning becomes shared.
Libraries are often seen as quiet places. But what happens when those quiet shelves turn into a space for debate and discovery?
On 7 November 2025, the Venture Center Library hosted its first-ever Journal Club, and the room buzzed with questions, ideas, and insight.
Two papers, one central question
The session revolved around two Harvard Business Review papers — “Design Products That Won’t Become Obsolete” and “How to Avoid the Agility Trap.” Both examined a dilemma that every innovator faces: how do you stay relevant in a world that never stops changing?
Leading the discussion: Jagadish Bennale
Moderating the session was Jagdish Bennale, biotech entrepreneur and innovation professional, with leadership experience at m2p-labs GmbH (now part of Danaher) and Beckman Coulter Life Sciences. Jagadish brought an easy energy to the room — steering the discussion with clarity, humor, and sharp examples that made complex ideas instantly relatable.
Innovation that grows, not fades
While unpacking “Design Products That Won’t Become Obsolete,” the discussion turned to the tension between adaptability and excess change. Should companies always chase what’s new? Or should they focus on designing products that evolve meaningfully over time?
The example of Fairphone’s modular smartphone made that point tangible — showing how adaptability can serve both purpose and longevity. The group also reflected on the challenge highlighted in the paper: constant reinvention can sometimes distract from the real goal — meeting customer needs as they exist today, not in theory.
Avoiding the agility trap
The second paper, “How to Avoid the Agility Trap,” pushed the conversation further. Agility may be the buzzword of modern business, but what happens when flexibility turns into confusion? Jagadish drew on the contrasting paths of Suning.com and Netflix — one lost focus through scattered pivots, while the other stayed anchored to a clear purpose.
The key takeaway? True agility isn’t about changing course endlessly; it’s about knowing what should never change. Every organization needs its North Star — a constant that keeps strategy aligned even as the world shifts.
A session that set the tone
For the Venture Center community, this first Journal Club was more than a discussion — it was a reminder of why spaces like this matter. It invited participants to think critically, listen deeply, and engage with ideas that sit at the intersection of science, innovation, and strategy.
And much of its success came down to Jagdish’s moderation. His ability to bring theory to life, weave in vivid examples, and keep every voice in the room engaged made the evening both insightful and memorable.
The Venture Center Library team extends its warm thanks to him for setting such a high bar — for leading with curiosity, generosity, and genuine passion for learning.
Because in the rush to innovate, how often do we pause to really think? This Journal Club did exactly that — it slowed things down just enough for ideas to connect, and for reflection to find its place again.
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