Can Europe Regain Its Global Corporate Giants?; How Do We Make a Real Impact?; The Olympic Craze; Next-Level Gaming; Tips for Last-Minute Meetings

Welcome to "Ryan is Curious" Headlines, your monthly roundup of business conversations that piqued my interest across all topics and industries. Don't forget to subscribe and click the 🔔 bell icon on my profile to ensure you don't miss anything! Let's jump right into it:

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Can Europe Regain Its Global Corporate Giants?

At the start of the 21st century, 41 of the world’s 100 most valuable companies were based in Europe. Today, that number has dropped to 19. Nobel Prize-winning economist Jean Tirole calls this trend "worrying" as it leads to less innovation, slower economic growth, and diminished geopolitical influence.

So why is it crucial for Europe to keep producing its own global corporate giants? As you all know, I recently was in Europe and here are a few reasons that stood out to me:

⏩Economic Growth: Big companies drive substantial economic activity, create jobs, and stimulate local and regional economies.

⏩Innovation: Large firms have the resources to invest in R&D, leading to breakthroughs that smaller companies might not achieve alone.

⏩Geopolitical Influence: Corporate giants significantly enhance a region's geopolitical clout, shaping global standards and policies.

For startups to scale and become the giants of tomorrow, 𝐬𝐢𝐱 𝐤𝐞𝐲 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 are essential:

1️⃣ Access to Capital: Europe needs a robust venture capital ecosystem to support startups at various stages.

2️⃣ Regulatory Support: Harmonized regulations across Europe can reduce barriers to market entry and expansion.

3️⃣ Innovation Ecosystem: Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and industries can foster innovative technologies and business models.

4️⃣ Talent Pool: Investing in education and creating an environment that attracts top global talent is crucial.

5️⃣ Infrastructure: Reliable digital and physical infrastructure supports efficient operations and logistics.

6️⃣ Market Access: Seamless access to diverse markets is essential for international expansion.

Europe has an opportunity to reclaim its place by creating an ecosystem where startups can grow into global giants. This means investing in companies that make a real difference in society and setting standards that align with European values. By fostering such an environment, Europe can ensure its continued relevance and leadership in the global economy.

What do you think are the most critical steps Europe should take to nurture its next generation of global giants? Can Europe do it?

👇🏽I love to hear your comments below.

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Transforming Communities: How Do We Make a Real Impact?

I want to thank the US Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Shefali Razdan Duggal, for inviting me to the Juneteenth Celebration at the Muziekgebouw aan 't IJ. Being in the room with a diverse group of people—from government officials to artists, business leaders, and passionate advocates—was a profoundly moving experience.

It took me a while to share my thoughts on this event because I wanted to reflect deeply on what I experienced and the emotions it stirred.

Reflecting on the event, three key insights stood out to me:

1️⃣ 𝐖𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞: Every individual has the power to contribute to the conversation and drive change. Our voices matter, and when we speak up, we inspire others to do the same.

2️⃣ 𝐖𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Progress often requires us to engage in difficult discussions. These conversations can be uncomfortable, but they are essential for understanding different perspectives and finding common ground.

3️⃣ 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐄𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥: No single entity can achieve meaningful change alone. It takes collective effort, collaboration, and solidarity. When we come together, we amplify our impact.

A special shout out to Arthur, Byron, Tanja, Raissa, Akwasi, and others from the Netherlands Foreign Ministry and the US Embassy for making me feel welcome and included.

Let's continue to use our voices, embrace tough conversations, and unite for a better future.

I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on creating meaningful change. How have you used your voice, and what hard conversations have made a difference in your life?

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Olympic Craze: What’s Your Must-Watch Sport?

Are you watching the Olympics? What sport or sports are you most excited about?

As the Summer Olympic Games kick off in Paris, over 200 countries will compete across 32 sports. This grand stage offers us a prime opportunity to examine how the landscape of sponsorship, activations, and viewership is evolving. Here’s a sharp look at the 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐅𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫:

1️⃣ 🎯 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 - 𝐀𝐈-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

Brands are harnessing cutting-edge AI to push beyond conventional targeting. Real-time data analysis is enabling hyper-personalized sponsorships that adapt instantly to audience behavior, driving unprecedented levels of engagement and ROI.

2️⃣🌐 𝐏𝐡𝐲𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝𝐬

The next frontier in fan engagement is the seamless integration of physical and digital experiences. Expect groundbreaking activations that use augmented reality to enhance live events, transforming passive viewership into interactive, immersive experiences.

3️⃣♻️ 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

Sustainability is no longer a checkbox but a core competitive differentiator. Brands are adopting innovative, eco-friendly practices, from carbon-neutral sponsorships to sustainable product lines, setting new standards for environmental responsibility.

4️⃣📱 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞-𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐎𝐧-𝐭𝐡𝐞-𝐆𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

With the advent of 5G and advanced app technologies, mobile viewing is being redefined. Brands are harnessing these innovations to deliver high-definition streams and interactive features, making mobile engagement more dynamic and immersive.

5️⃣🏅 𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞-𝐋𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭

Today’s athletes are more than competitors; they are influential content creators. Brands are collaborating with athletes to produce authentic, behind-the-scenes content that forges deeper connections with audiences and enhances brand credibility.

These trends reflect a strategic shift in how we connect with global audiences. It also sets the stage for creating impactful, memorable experiences that resonate globally.

PS: Watch the video till the end—I had to share a behind-the-scenes moment. You know, I couldn't resist putting up a couple of shots! Big shoutout to my WFH colleagues for the summer :)

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Next-Level Gaming: Key Trends Driving the Industry Forward

🎮 What's the most exciting trend you've noticed in the gaming industry lately?

Big shout out to HP 's Chief Strategy Officer, Ganesha Rasiah, for inviting me to HyperX HQ! It was an incredible experience discussing various topics with him, from AI to the gaming industry.

The evolution of the gaming industry is truly remarkable, with a strong emphasis on product innovation and enhancing the direct consumer experience. Here are three key insights about the future of gaming products that stood out to me:

1️⃣ 𝐈𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: The advancements in gaming audio are set to revolutionize the way we engage with games. High-fidelity soundscapes and 3D audio technologies will create more immersive and realistic environments, enhancing overall gameplay. Imagine being able to pinpoint every footstep and whisper in a virtual world, making the experience almost indistinguishable from reality.

2️⃣ 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲: The gaming community continues to expand, fostering connections and collaborations across the globe. This growth not only strengthens the industry but also drives innovation and creativity, leading to better gaming experiences. The rise of eSports and streaming platforms has made gaming a viable career path for many.

3️⃣ 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡: The appeal of gaming is extending beyond traditional gamers. A wider audience, including those who may not identify as gamers, is showing interest in gaming content and experiences. This broadening reach presents new opportunities for engagement and growth within the industry. Non-gaming companies are now partnering with gaming brands, opening up exciting possibilities for cross-industry innovation.

I’m excited to see how these trends will shape the next generation of gaming products! More importantly, I can't wait to try them too! 😊

Big shout out to Tuyet-Mai Phan, Gagan Singh, and the entire HyperX team! I loved spending time with everyone!

#Leadership #Innovation #Tech #AI #Gaming

PS - You can see my sock game is a reminder to shine like a diamond in your work and style. 💎

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Thrive Under Pressure: Tips for Last-Minute Meetings

👇🏾How do you handle important meetings that pop up at the last minute?

Dealing with tight deadlines at work or last-minute requests to contribute to a breaking news segment (like this recent one), I often get asked this question.

Here are 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 that help me handle meetings and interviews with limited prep time:

1️⃣ Focus on Key Messages - Identify the main points you want to convey and stick to them. Prioritize clarity over quantity to ensure your message is impactful and understood.

2️⃣ Stay Calm and Confident - Take a few deep breaths before going on camera or stepping into a meeting. Confidence comes from within, and a calm demeanor helps you think clearly and respond effectively.

3️⃣ Engage with Your Audience - Make eye contact with the camera or the person you’re speaking to. This helps build a connection and makes your delivery more engaging and personable.

Being on camera or in a last-minute meeting with little preparation can be challenging, but these tips can help you navigate the situation smoothly.

How do you prepare for last-minute meetings or interviews?

Share your strategies for the community in the comments below!

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How do we balance innovation and regulation to ensure progress without causing harm?

I was the luckiest person to have such a talented and thoughtful group (I think I had the best group! 😄) for my 3-day session "𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐝 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐔𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧" at The Aspen Institute 2024 Summer Socrates Program.

This group not only wanted to create a conversation where we were pushing boundaries, but they were also always willing to embrace the tension and engage in thoughtful discussions on this critical topic.

These conversations are vital reminders of the importance of diverse perspectives and having tough conversations to move us forward.

Here are 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆 𝒌𝒆𝒚 𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒆𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 from our session:

1️⃣ 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐄𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 - Innovation drives progress and growth but can lead to unintended consequences. It's crucial to anticipate and mitigate potential negative impacts while fostering creativity and development.

2️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - Regulation can provide necessary guardrails to ensure that innovation doesn't lead to destruction. However, it's often a step behind, and finding the right balance between regulation and freedom is key.

3️⃣ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬 - Bringing together diverse viewpoints leads to richer discussions and more holistic solutions. Through these tough conversations, we can truly push boundaries and drive meaningful change.

I'm incredibly grateful for each person's contribution and the unique perspectives they brought to the table. Together, we can inspire and create a future where innovation and responsibility go hand in hand.

Here are the pictures I was able to gather from the internet 🙂. I know I’m missing more selfies, but I wanted to get this started! To all those who weren't in the session but whom I got to spend time with over lunches and dinners, thank you as well! Your inclusion in all our discussions made me feel right at home, too!

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Aspen Institute Socrates Program Cordell Danny Cynthia Catherine

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𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐃𝐨 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐂𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠?

Traveling for work or events can be thrilling, but it sometimes comes with the challenge of sleepless nights. I had to share my experience of a restless night on the road in this clip!

Instead of tossing and turning in bed, I chose to get up and embrace the early hours. By 6 AM, I had already hit the gym and gone for a refreshing walk.

Here are three quick tips I've heard from fellow travelers to help with those restless nights:

1️⃣ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐲𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝: Drinking water can help you feel more relaxed and less jet-lagged

2️⃣ 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐒𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐩 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥: Whether it’s reading a book or meditating, having a pre-sleep routine can signal your body it's time to rest

3️⃣ 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞: Reducing exposure to blue light before bed can improve your sleep quality

In the fast-paced world of business, a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining peak performance. I’d love to hear from you!

👇🏾 What do you do when you can't fall asleep while traveling?

Share your tips and stories below!

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🚀 I had the opportunity to visit NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), and it was nothing short of inspiring! It was my first time there, and witnessing the groundbreaking work in innovation and robotics firsthand was an unforgettable experience.

🌌 Walking through the corridors where the 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 is being created, I was amazed by the sheer ingenuity on display. From the intricate design of Mars rovers to the sophisticated algorithms guiding autonomous spacecraft, JPL truly pushes the boundaries of what's possible.

🤖 One thing that stood out was how 𝐉𝐏𝐋’𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐬𝐤𝐢𝐥𝐥. They’re not just building machines; they’re crafting explorers capable of surviving and adapting to the harshest environments, whether it’s Mars’ surface or our deep oceans.

🔍 A key insight from my visit is that innovation is a journey, not a destination. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲'𝐬 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰'𝐬 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐬. This forward-thinking mindset is something every business can learn from. No matter your industry—tech, finance, healthcare—fostering a culture of curiosity and embracing the unknown is crucial for staying ahead.

💡 My visit reinforced the importance of ethical considerations in robotics and AI. 𝐀𝐬 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥. This is a vital conversation for all sectors, not just space exploration.

💬 What space-related innovations do you think have the most potential to impact our daily lives?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

P.S. - Big shout out to JPL and Caltech! Looking forward to coming back with more time to see the rest of campus for sure! Can't wait for the next invite!

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Linkedin Community Shoutouts!

In each newsletter, I will highlight one (or some) of the comments made by LinkedIn community members on my posts. As always, there are so many great (and fun) comments that it is hard to narrow them down! But this one is a little longer as usual!

Shoutout to Michael Sacoto, M.S. Marina Cvetkovic Len Jessup Glory Ize Isaiah Charlotte Bourgeois Ganesha Rasiah HyperX Nic Vinsonhaler Deepali Sharma Jim Lampassi Stella Low Lisa Apolinski, CMC Margot Roose💚 Nicholas Lascheck Sweta Patel, M.Optom, MS.IST-MPH Rhonda A. Ocha Saira Malik Oakley Boren Mario Hernandez Raymond Dimla Kathleen Greene Stanley Florence Sr Vivek Gupta Robin Laik Adam Kiefaber Aspen Institute Socrates Program Amanda Coffee Preeti Suri Kathryn Vazquez Kmiotek Elisabetta Bartoloni Melissa Sanford Wendy Kaaki, Ph.D., MA., MBA, PMP Mario Villacourt Wendy Davidson Susan Porter Nunes Justin McGarry Michelle Ponce Jill Steggall, MAAB, MFA BobbieJo M Bawcum James Lee Jerry Paresa Penny Hunter Vivek Suman Rod Wilson, Ph.D. Davina Kaonohi Kelly Patchett Bernadett Papp Surabhi Shenoy Paul Chu Sonny Patel Roderick Blaylock Kelvin Beachum Jr. 😃👏🏽

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Ryan Patel is a global business executive, board member, TV news contributor, and host of "The Moment with Ryan Patel" filmed at the iconic HP Garage

Follow him on Linkedin, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out his Linkedin Learning Course: "Cultivate a Global Entrepreneurial Mindset in a Remote Working World"

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