Innovation Talk: Creativity & Innovation. Madhan is a league by himself in the world of cartooning: he is also well known as a journalist, writer and a film critic. His primary claim to fame was as a cartoonist and his success was his ability to evoke instantaneous laughter. His strong visual ideas were etched in the memory of readers for long. “Advances in the field of multi-media have come as a big plus, but no computer could draw on its own”, he says with a chuckle.

Madhan started his career as a struggling freelancer, and soon joined the Vikatan Group of Publications as a trainee cartoonist. Later he took over as the Group’s Joint Editor, and helped organize the Student Reporters Scheme, under which he trained hundreds of talented college students in the field of journalism.

Though a cartoonist, he wrote a successful historical serial on the Great Mughals – Vandhargal Vendrargal (They Came, They Conquered) in Junior Vikatan, which was subsequently published as a book. It was a best-seller, running to 18 editions, with one and a half lakh copies sold. His question-and-answer series ‘Hai Madhan’in the Ananda Vikatan magazine is very popular among Tamil readers. In recent times he has emerged as a well-known film critic on television. “Madhan’s Thirai Parvai” on the Tamil television channel Star Vijay was a whopping success, completing 350 shows. His habit of putting across his opinion about the movie through cartoons at the end of the show had become very popular. Besides, he has also penned the dialogues for many Tamil movies like Anbe Sivam and Kanchivaram. Currently, Madhan runs his creative consultancy unit ‘Madhan’s Sway’ which provides guidance and assistance in Journalism, Advertising, Audio/Visual projects to media-related companies.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

(http://www.tedxsalem.com)

After you’ve watched an innovation video what can you do next? How can you apply what you’ve learned or been inspired to do…and keep learning and being inspired? You can watch more videos or read more on the topic but consider this. We learn most through reflective action, through applying the knowledge we’ve gained, through experiencing and making it real for use. What can you do or take action on?

This Innovation Videos website is a resources to help you stay fresh, on the cutting edge, and up to date with your own learning and personal and professional development. The ability and skill to innovate is becoming more important than ever due to the rapid pace of change in our world. You may not have had a class on “innovation” in school or at your work so it is up to you to gain the knowledge, attitude, mindset, and skill that will allow you to adapt and respond to change with innovation. A first step is to read or watch videos on this site to get inspired and learn ways you can be more innovative. Then, take what you are learning and apply it to your own life and work. Take on an innovative project to create and develop something new that can have an impact, something you may not have ever done before. Perhaps you will get an idea from an innovation video on our site.

After learning on your own look to be a part of a leadership program, workshop, course, or seminar. Join a group or even create a startup with some partners. Involve other people in learning and doing innovation with you. Keep reading and keep listening because there is always opportunity to learn new methods since new technologies are being introduced all the time. When you are just working on your computer, have a video playing to listen and learn. See if you can watch (or at least listen to) a different innovation video everyday to keep developing your knowledge base and leadership skills. But remember…you will need to do something. Take action!