At Multiply, we've always been at the forefront of exploring the vast potential of AI. In our latest podcast episode, Rasmus and Martin dive deep into the transformative world of co-creation with AI, and the revelations are nothing short of inspiring.

In the episode, Rasmus and Martin discuss Cursor, a tool that's not just reshaping our interactions with AI in coding but is redefining the very essence of collaboration. It's not merely about predictions; it's about crafting together, understanding nuances, and achieving precision. The power of being able to extract specific code documentation, offering us fine-tuned control over AI interactions, is a game-changer.

But their exploration doesn't stop there. They delve into the intricacies of training AI models from scratch versus fine-tuning them. It's akin to the difference between teaching a novice and refining an expert's skills. This distinction is vital, as it shapes how AI understands, learns, and ultimately, collaborates with us.

The conversation also touches upon the marvel that is Github Copilot. It's not just another tool in our arsenal; it's a co-writer, a partner. It understands context, offers suggestions, and evolves with each interaction, making the coding process more intuitive and less fragmented.

As Martin and Rasmus marvel at the reach of AI, from the proactive suggestions of Github Copilot to the reactive inputs of GPT-4, they're reminded of its vast potential. Even sectors outside of tech, like the beverage industry, are harnessing AI's power, as evidenced by Coca-Cola's AI-inspired flavor in Sweden.

In this episode, Rasmus and Martin don't just discuss the technicalities; they also celebrate the harmonious blend of human creativity with machine precision. It's a testament to our belief that the future isn't about machines replacing us; it's about machines working alongside us, enhancing our capabilities.

Listen to the full episode here

A newly released report from Pew Research Center reveals a surprising fact: Despite the hype of chatbots like ChatGPT transforming the workplace, most Americans aren't using them extensively nor do they believe they will massively impact their jobs.

"Among those who have heard of ChatGPT, 24% say they have ever used it. That amounts to 18% of U.S. adults overall."

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In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into a topic that's on everyone's mind: the transformative power of AI in the workplace. As we navigate this conversation, we're struck by the profound implications of AI's integration into our daily tasks and the broader job market. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hailed as the next industrial revolution, promising enormous benefits in efficiency, profitability, and quality of life. However, with its rise, a crucial question lingers: Will AI be a great equalizer that democratizes access to technology and opportunities or become a job market disruptor leading to vast unemployment? This blog post explores both perspectives.

AI as the Great Equalizer

Technological advancements have always played a significant role in equalizing access to opportunities, and AI is no exception. By democratizing access to technology, AI can simplify complex tasks, reduce barriers to entry, and enhance people's capacity to learn, innovate, and communicate. The rise of AI in fields like education, healthcare, and commerce has shown potential for tremendous societal benefits.

In education, for example, AI can offer personalized learning experiences, identifying gaps in individual students' understanding and tailoring content to address such deficiencies. This promises a democratization of learning, where a high-quality education is not restricted to elite institutions, but accessible to all irrespective of geographical location or socio-economic status.

Healthcare is another field where AI can be the great equalizer. Advanced diagnostics, personalized medicine, telehealth, and AI-powered robotic surgeries are making high-end medical services more accessible and affordable. Undeniably, this technological leap can significantly enhance the quality of available healthcare, especially in remote areas where access to expert doctors and advanced medical facilities is limited.

The use of AI in commerce has democratized entrepreneurship, enabling small companies to compete with established corporations. With affordable AI-powered tools, small businesses can predict market trends, streamline supply chains, and offer personalized customer experiences, which were previously exclusive to large corporations with vast resources.

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AI as the Job Market Disruptor

Despite the potential benefits, AI also raises concerns about job displacement. The fear is that AI, with its ability to automate routine tasks, may replace human jobs, leading to unemployment on a vast scale. Historical precedents from previous industrial revolutions support these fears, with machinery replacing human labor in many sectors.

For instance, the rise of AI in manufacturing, transportation, customer service, and several other industries has already resulted in a level of job displacement. Automated production lines in factories, self-driving vehicles, and AI-powered chatbots in customer service are all examples of AI taking over tasks previously performed by humans.

Even white-collar jobs are not immune. Complex tasks such as data analysis, financial forecasting, and even medical diagnoses can now be performed more accurately and efficiently by AI, threatening jobs in these fields.

The potential for mass job displacement as a result of AI points to a need for interventions such as reskilling and upskilling of the workforce, policy changes, and social safety nets to minimize the negative impact.

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Embracing the AI Revolution

While it is challenging to predict how the rise of AI will balance out between its roles as a great equalizer and as a job market disruptor, societies should strive to harness the potential benefits while mitigating the associated risks. Policymakers, business leaders, and educational institutions need to work together to adapt to this revolution in technology and implement strategies to navigate the paths of an AI-driven future. Strategies may include prioritizing education in AI and related fields, facilitating lifelong learning and career adaptability, and implementing policies that promote the ethical use of AI.

As we stand on the brink of yet another technological revolution, we must continue to question, investigate, and deliberate upon the many promises and challenges brought forth by AI. A thoughtful and proactive approach is needed to shape the future of work in the age of AI.

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The Age of the Generalist Specialist

Gone are the days when being a generalist was enough. Today, the rapid pace of technological advancement demands that we be specialists in multiple areas. Yet, the time and effort required to achieve expertise in numerous fields can be daunting. Enter AI. With its ability to quickly process vast amounts of information, AI offers us the chance to become "generalist specialists." We can now be competent in a range of areas while also diving deep into specific niches, all thanks to the support of AI.

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Leveling the Playing Field

One of the most exciting prospects of AI is its potential to democratize knowledge and skills. Whether it's design, data analysis, or content creation, AI tools like ChatGPT are making it possible for anyone to enhance their capabilities. No longer is expertise confined to those who've spent years honing a particular skill. With AI, even a novice can produce work of a seasoned professional. This shift is not just about increasing productivity; it's about empowering individuals to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

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The Global Impact‍

As we discuss the global implications of AI, we're reminded of the transformative power of globalization. Just as manufacturing in one country had to adapt to competition from another, the service sector is now experiencing a similar shift. AI is not only an equalizer but also a source of competitive pressure. It's enabling professionals from all corners of the world to offer high-quality services at competitive rates. This global leveling is bound to reshape the job market in ways we're only beginning to understand.

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Looking Ahead

While we're optimistic about the potential of AI, we're also mindful of the challenges ahead. How will the job market adapt? Will AI be an equalizer, or will it widen existing gaps? These are questions we grapple with, and while we don't have all the answers, we're committed to exploring them together.

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we delve into the future of work, the role of AI, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. Together, let's envision a future where AI not only augments our capabilities but also enriches our lives.
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Listen to the full episode now on Co-Creating with Ai

What is AI? Everyone is talking about it, and many are using it. But do you really understand what it is, and how to efficiently use it in your work? AI is so much more than a chat interface, and we believe that the future of harnessing AI efficiently lies in creating a unique UI and UX that combines the efficiency and automation of AI with human creativity and teamwork.

In the creative world, what does this look like? Consider a graphic designer who needs to generate myriad versions of the same design with slight variations in color, pattern, or texture. Or a writer who needs to create multiple stylized descriptions for a product lineup. In such scenarios, AI tools can be a powerful ally. By automating time-consuming tasks, they allow creatives to focus on what they do best: inventing novel ideas and pushing the boundaries of their art.

AI is not replacing the creative process. On the contrary, it aids the process by taking over the heavy, mundane lifting, lending creators more space and energy to execute their visionary ideas.

Let’s delve deeper and explore how AI tools are revolutionizing the creation process, and how you can harness this potential to your advantage.

Firstly, let's understand how AI aids the creative process:

1. Automated Generation - AI can put out tons of design proposals in a fraction of the time a human would take. For example, if you are trying to design a logo or an ad banner, AI can generate hundreds of designs in minutes. You can choose the one that appeals the most to you, tweaking it as per your preferences. This not only speeds up the design process but also opens up a plethora of options to choose from.
2. Improved Efficiency - Repetitive tasks are the bane of every creative profession. Whether it's resizing images or proofreading text, these tasks eat up valuable time that could have been used productively. AI can handle these tasks with ease, freeing up your schedule to focus on more pressing matters.
3. Inspiration and Idea Generation - Sometimes, all you need is a nudge in the right direction to spark a wave of creativity. AI can provide that nudge. With its ability to analyze and process enormous amounts of data, AI can often suggest approaches or ideas that you hadn't considered.

Now, let's discuss some of the top AI tools enhancing creativity in different fields:

Content Graphics: Canva

For all your design needs, Canva is a one-stop destination. It provides an intuitive design interface, with the capability to create a wide range of graphics - from social media posts to presentations, and much more. What makes Canva stand out is its AI-based design suggestion feature. It recommends suitable layouts and elements based on your requirements, thus enhancing the design process.

Content Idea Generation: Jaspar.ai

If you're struggling with creating engaging content, Jasper.ai is the tool for you. It uses AI to generate unique content ideas, based on your provided keywords or phrases. This not only helps in content creation but also helps come up with creative headlines, CTAs, and much more.

Image Editing: Remove.bg

AI has revolutionized image editing. Remove.bg, for instance, allows you to remove background from an image in mere seconds, a task which can take quite a while if done manually.

Text Processing: Grammarly

Grammarly employs AI to make your content flawless. From grammar checks to style improvements, it focuses on improving readability and eliminating mistakes. It saves a lot of post-editing time and enables creators to put forward their best work.

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These AI tools are transforming the creative process. They're not just tools but power users that make your workflow smoother and more efficient. At its core, AI's true potential lies in its ability to work in conjunction with human creativity to push the boundaries of what's possible and find solutions that might never have been discovered otherwise. This guide has examined that potential and explored the ways in which AI tools can be harnessed to boost creativity and productivity. So let's consider some ways in which AI can take your creativity up a notch. Allow AI to automate repetitive tasks, help you sift through information faster, give you insights based on data, and in some cases, inspire you with AI-generated content. Embrace these tools, experiment with them, see what works best for you, and let your creativity soar to new heights.

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In an era where technological advancements have become a driving force for many industries, it's crucial to stay abreast of the shifting currents sweeping across the automation landscape. As we brace ourselves for 2023, a glance at the automation calendar reveals an exciting array of trends that promise to shape the future of work. Click on each trend to learn more about it.

9 Trends That Will Shape Work in 2023 and Beyond

1. Robot Process Automation: Building on the current momentum, RPA will surge ahead, increasing productivity and accuracy while fundamentally transforming business operations. It liberates humans from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on creative and strategic initiatives.
2. Intelligent Automation: This burgeoning field combines artificial intelligence with automation, offering adaptive systems that learn, predict, and adapt themselves, driving unprecedented efficiencies.
3. HyperAutomation: This trend takes automation to the next level, involving a combination of AI, machine learning, and robotic process automation. Hyperautomation is all set to revolutionize industries by enabling end-to-end automation of business processes.
4. Democratized Automation: As the tools and technologies for automation become more accessible, there will be a rise in democratized automation, empowering even small companies and startups to leverage the power of automation.
5. AI in Cybersecurity: With the rising threats to cyber security, AI-driven automation will play an instrumental role in proactively detecting and neutralizing threats, fortifying businesses against sabotage.
6. Edge Computing: The advent of IoT and the need for faster processing has stimulated the growth of edge computing. This trend not only improves response times but also saves bandwidth, making it a staple in many industries.
7. Quantum Computing: Though still nascent, quantum computing has immense potential to revolutionize industries. Its potential to perform complex calculations rapidly makes it a key trend to watch out for in 2023.
8. Digital Twin Technology: This interesting trend involves creating a digital replica of a physical system enabling real-time tracking and mirroring. It can substantially boost efficiencies, reduce downtime, and improve productivity.
9. Natural Language Processing (NLP): As AI continues to mature, natural language processing will become increasingly sophisticated. This will greatly enhance the way we interact with software, automating and simplifying many tasks that currently require human intervention. From voice-controlled personal assistants to real-time translation services, NLP is making technologies more human-friendly.

These evolving trends underline the transformative power of automation. The path to the future involves embracing these technologies and integrating them into our work realms to foster a symbiotic alliance with AI. As businesses and individuals adapt, there will be a discernible drift towards tasks and roles that harness our distinctly human traits – creativity, leadership, team work, and complex problem-solving.

The year 2023 promises novelty, innovation, and a transformative experience that's likely to redefine the way we perceive work. As we edge closer to this future, it's evident that those at the forefront of embracing these trends will be the ones who reap the benefits. As the automation tide continues to rise, staying ahead of the curve isn't just an option, it's a necessity.

Here at Multiply, we pride ourselves on pushing boundaries and sparking the most intriguing conversations. We're thrilled to share our latest podcast episode, "Deciphering AI Context: Unraveling the Mystery of Language Models," a must-listen if you're intrigued by AI, curious about its mechanisms, or interested in its impact on the future. In this blog post, we will dive into some of the topics discussed on the podcast. (which you can find here)

‍Setting the Stage: The Enigma of AI

‍In the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), there's a complex network of knowledge and systems underpinning these advanced technologies. One such fascinating piece of this puzzle is the 'context' within language models like OpenAI's GPT-3 or GPT-4. Today, we delve deep into the labyrinth of AI and its applications, where the interplay between technical algorithms and cognitive understanding is truly remarkable.

Understanding Context: The Building Block of Communication

The cornerstone of effective communication, be it between humans or between humans and AI, is the concept of 'context'. To fully comprehend how AI understands, processes, and applies context, we must weave a narrative that bridges the gap between technological innovation and philosophical wonder. An important aspect of AI's context comprehension is transparency. As consumers and users of AI, it's essential to unravel the 'how' of AI processes. In other words, understanding the pathway an AI takes to reach a conclusion is crucial. We advocate for AI systems that can communicate their decision-making processes effectively, ensuring a level of transparency that is imperative for user trust and engagement.

The Future of AI UX: Beyond Chat Interface

The 'chat interface' has emerged as a vital tool for the co-construction of context between humans and AI. This seemingly simple tool serves as the modern-day equivalent of the internet's nascent 'terminal', setting the stage for the exponential growth we've witnessed in AI technologies. While acknowledging the impact of the chat interface, we look forward to the next evolution in AI UX. With the chat interface having catalyzed AI's mainstream adoption, we find ourselves standing at the precipice of the next transformative UX innovation in AI. It's an exciting time to envision the future possibilities for AI interfaces.

As we continue to dissect and interpret the AI landscape, we invite you to embark on this intellectual journey with us. The world of AI is vast and enigmatic, and our collective curiosity is the compass that navigates us through this terrain. Let's continue to decode the mysteries of AI together.

Join us, immerse yourself in the world of AI, and let's multiply our understanding!

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We recently hosted an insightful and engaging discussion on our Multiply podcast with Malcolm Sparks, a seasoned database engineer and pioneer. Throughout the conversation, we dove deep into the challenges and opportunities that surround databases today. We wanted to bring you a few key insights from this episode, revealing how we at Multiply are using the breakthrough features of XTDB in our product to ensure better service for our clients.

Breaking Free from the Constraints

Traditionally, databases force a particular structure upon you from the get-go, with no room for change. If any modifications are needed, data migrations are required, a process often fraught with difficulties and risks. This rigid nature of databases has created significant problems in an era of rapid data evolution. As Malcolm eloquently explained:

"Deciding the things that are going to travel together for all time is quite a brutal constraint when you're doing information engineering. I think what we are trapped in is this too rigid notion of information design which doesn't allow us to make mistakes and change our mind. That is the real straightjacket and that's why our information systems I think are very poor."

XTDB: The Power to Evolve

The core philosophy behind XTDB is the freedom of documents, structure, and schema to evolve. Unlike traditional systems that couple structure with the code, XTDB allows code and form to be independent, decoupled, and free to evolve independently. Malcolm painted a vivid picture of this feature:

"You should be able to be free to put documents and then evolve and realize through recognizing patterns later on. You're not having to decide on a structure and then be stuck with it forever. It evolves at the same cadence as human understanding and that's what we want our tools to do. They need to support our ability to evolve our understanding, our ability to make mistakes, and to refine and to change our minds sometimes."

Bi-Directional Links: Adding a New Dimension

Apart from being a document database, XTDB also functions as a graph database. A unique feature of XTDB is the bi-directionality of links. While most links on the web today are unidirectional, XTDB links are two-way, offering a more interconnected approach to data, where every individual node in the graph is free to form whatever relationships it likes.

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, databases are no longer just data repositories; they need to be dynamic, adaptable, and resilient. At Multiply, we're leveraging XTDB's unique capabilities to build our product more efficiently and deliver greater value to our clients.

To learn more about our journey and our use of groundbreaking tools like XTDB, tune in to our Multiply podcast. Our chat with Malcolm Sparks is just a glimpse of the engaging and enlightening discussions we're having with industry leaders and innovators. Stay tuned for more!

Join Martin and Rasmus in the second episode of Co-creating with AI as they attempt to define what co-creation is and, also, what it’s not.

They first discuss the importance of creating value for yourself and others, collaborative flow, and pursuing common goals. They also talk about the importance of empowering leadership at every level of an organization and how to distribute leadership by focusing on creating opportunities for leadership. Lastly, they touch on participating with life, externalities, the importance of skill, and where to draw the boundaries for co-creation to make it a useful concept.

In this episode, Martin and Rasmus are starting to find their flow as podcast hosts. Tune in now to join the conversation and be sure to follow Co-creating with AI for future episodes.

You can listen to Episode 1 “What is Co-creation?” wherever you find your Podcasts or through the link below:

‍https://linktr.ee/CocreatingwithAI

We are excited to announce the launch of Co-creating with AI, a podcast brought to you by the founders of Multiply, Rasmus Adler Wahlberg (CEO) and Martin Källström (CPO).

In the first episode, Rasmus and Martin dive into the foundational concepts of co-creation. They discuss the deeply personal nature of creation and the importance of presence and collaboration when engaging in co-creation. They also touch on the idea of a wisdom hierarchy, in which leadership is earned through competence and results.

This thought-provoking discussion is not to be missed. Tune in now to join the conversation and be sure to follow Co-creating with AI for future episodes.

We hope you enjoy the first episode of Co-creating with AI and stay tuned for more exciting content.

You can listen to Episode 1 “Co-creation from First Principles” wherever you find your Podcasts or through the link below:

https://linktr.ee/CocreatingwithAI

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Multiply, the AI-powered workspace that helps individuals and teams get rid of repetitive work while offering to get everything done with higher quality, 10x faster, is now out of stealth mode. We just raised $1.8M USD in a pre-seed round led by Tera VC and are super excited as this brings us one huge step closer to our goal of providing AI superpowers to all collaborative workflows.

Multiply is out of stealth mode

We have been in stealth mode for over a year and the new product is now available by invitation or waitlist at multiply.co. At Slush 2022 in Helsinki, visitors will get a first chance at trying out Multiply, hands-on. 

“Despite the recent progress in AI research, most of us still waste our days on never-ending, repetitive tasks. We're enduring the stress of using hundreds of limiting apps requiring manual work in disconnected data silos.”
_{— Martin Källström, Co-founder & CPO at Multiply.}

What is Multiply?

Multiply is a flexible AI-first digital workspace that makes it effortless to build structured workflows for any need. No coding is required and the product is built on one global graph. This means that individuals, teams, communities and organizations can seamlessly connect workflows with each other. No matter what you're using Multiply for, AI is always available to help you get more done with higher quality, in less time. 

“Our product multiplies the creative potential of each user with AI. At the same time, we make it easy for everyone to co-create as one global network. While radically reducing repetitive work.”
‍_{— Rasmus Adler Wahlberg, Co-founder & CEO at Multiply}

The Multiply founder team

The founder team of Multiply is all serial entrepreneurs with multiple previous exits and experience from building and growing products at Advisa, Twingly, Narrative, and Plejd. They now take on their most ambitious challenge yet, building Multiply to accelerate the co-creative future of work. A future where people, organizations, and AIs seamlessly create more together.

“We’re still at the infancy of end-user apps driven by generative AI. Multiply is solving the universally hard problems of productivity and collaboration. Despite all the open-ended tools that have become so popular the past 10 years, none even come close to the power Multiply puts in the user’s hands.”
_{— Stanislav Ivanov, Co-founder & Partner at Tera.vc}

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Sign up for our waitlist today to be one of the first to experience Multiply!

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Generative AI has generated quite a lot of buzz lately. But is it actually a revolutionary new platform or is it mostly hype? In this blog post, we'll be discussing generative AI and why many experts believe that it will have a major impact on creative workflows. We'll also touch on some of the ways that generative AI is already being used today.

"AI creative tools are going to be the biggest impact on creative workflows since the computer itself."
_{— Sam Altman, Founder & CEO OpenAI}

What is Generative AI?

Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is focused on creating new, original content. This can be in the form of text, images, or even music. The goal of generative AI is to create things that are not only new and different but also useful and interesting to humans. It works by learning from existing data and then creating new data similar to what it has learned.

Generative AI is said to be the biggest thing since the computer because it has the potential to create an endless amount of new content that can be used for any purpose. It is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to be one of the most important advances in artificial intelligence. 

How is it being used?

One of the benefits of generative AI is that it can help you to create content that you wouldn't be able to create on your own. For example, if you're a musician, you could use generative AI to create new melodies or chord progressions. Or if you're a writer, you could use it to come up with ideas for new stories.

There are already a number of ways that generative AI is being used today. One of the earliest and most well-known examples of generative AI is Google's DeepMind artificial intelligence system, which has been able to generate photorealistic images of people who don't exist for a number of years. OpenAI's GPT-3 can now write a blog post with the push of a button and Meta's make-a-video can create videos from just a few words. Maybe most impressively, in the field of medicine generative AI is being used to develop new drugs and treatments. 

Why is it a big deal?

Experts believe that generative AI will have a major impact on creative workflows. One reason for this is that it can help you to save time on tasks that are creative, but also time-consuming. For example, if you're a musician, you might spend hours coming up with new ideas for songs. But if you use generative AI, you could create new ideas in a fraction of the time.

Another reason why experts believe that generative AI will have a major impact on creative workflows is that it has the potential to change the way we think about creativity. Traditionally, creativity has been seen as something only humans are capable of. But with generative AI, we're starting to see that computers can be creative too. 

Looking ahead

In conclusion, generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is focused on creating new, original content. Many experts believe that it will have a major impact on creative workflows. And while we've only scratched the surface of what generative AI can do, it's likely that we'll see even more amazing and unexpected applications for it in the future. 

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PS. This blog post was written together with AI in less than five minutes.

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We're thrilled to announce that Multiply will be launching at the tech conference Slush in Helsinki! This will be our first public appearance and we can't wait to show the world what we've been working on.

Throughout the conference, our founders will be talking to the press, giving presentations, and, on November 17th, demoing the product live in our Demo Booth. This is a great opportunity to meet and try out our product in person.

We'll also be available for interviews with journalists and meetings with investors passionate about the future of work, productivity, and collaboration.

•  If you're a journalist interested in interviewing our founders or trying our product before launch, please fill out this quick form.

•  If you're an investor and feel this is you, please contact rebecka@multiply.co and we’ll find a time for you to meet one of the founders.

If you're attending Slush, be sure to stop by our booth and say hello! We can't wait to meet you.

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Co-creation is the process of creating something together that often involves a broader range of stakeholders. It’s a collaborative approach that can be used to develop new ideas, products, or services together with your customers and partners. Today, co-creation is widely recognized as an important tool for innovation and business success that is being used by some of the world’s leading companies to develop new products, services, and even entire business models.

Why co-creation is essential for innovation

There are actually several reasons why co-creation is so important for innovation. First, it helps to break down the silos that can exist within organizations. When people from different departments or areas of the business come together to create something new, they’re able to share their unique perspectives and expertise. This can lead to a more holistic view of the problem or challenge being addressed, and ultimately, to more innovative solutions.

Another reason why co-creation is important for innovation is that it speeds up the process of bringing new ideas to market. When end-customers  are directly involved throughout a project, we can quickly test and iterate on ideas together with them. This helps to reduce the risk of investing time and resources in an idea that may not ultimately work out.

Last, but not least, co-creation can help to create a sense of buy-in and ownership for the final product or solution. When people have been involved in the creation process, they’re more likely to be invested in the outcome and to use and promote the final product or solution.

How can co-creation help businesses succeed?

There are several ways in which co-creation can help businesses succeed. First, it can help businesses to develop a competitive edge. By involving customers, employees, and other stakeholders in the creation process, businesses can develop products and services that are better tailored to their customers' needs. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty, and ultimately, to increased sales and market share.

Second, co-creation can help businesses to save time and money. As we mentioned earlier, by involving end-customers in the creation process, businesses can quickly test and iterate on ideas thus avoiding costly mistakes.

Last, co-creation can help businesses to build stronger relationships with their employees, customers, and other stakeholders. When people feel like they’re part of the creation process, they’re more likely to be loyal and engaged. This can lead to improved communication and collaboration and a more positive experience for everyone involved.

Some examples of successful co-creation

There are a number of companies that have successfully used co-creation to develop new products or services. Iconic children’s toys company LEGO’s Ideas Platform has developed a number of successful products, including the popular LEGO MINDSTORMS robotic kit,  through co-creation with the LEGO builder community.. Another example is consumer goods giant Procter & Gamble, which has used co-creation to develop a number of successful products, including the Swiffer Mop.

A third, maybe surprising, an example is DHL. The courier and logistics giant has formalized the way it asks for input from customers by opening DHL Innovation Centers where customers can brainstorm and come up with input for how the company can up its performance.

The takeaway

If you’re looking for ways to improve your innovation process, co-creation is definitely worth considering. By involving multiple departments and customers in the creation process, you can break down silos, speed up the process, and create a sense of buy-in and ownership for the final product. And, as the examples above show, co-creation can lead to some pretty amazing results.

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What is the hybrid workplace and why is it becoming more popular?

The hybrid workspace became a real thing amid the Covid-19 pandemic. A hybrid workplace mixes in-office and remote work, offering employees more flexibility and support. This type of workplace is becoming more popular as employers seek to build a more productive, healthy, and stable workforce. When done correctly, hybrid workplaces can offer many benefits to both employees and employers. For this blog post, I spoke to Gretchen Anderson, designer, speaker, collaboration expert, and author of the book Mastering Collaboration from O’Reilly Media.

The benefits of a hybrid workplace for employees and employers.

Asynchronous collaboration occurs when teammates work together on their own schedules without being present at the same time. Each team member is still working and contributing as part of the team, but they are not all online at the same time.

The hybrid workplace model can offer many benefits to both employees and employers. Employees typically enjoy more autonomy and better work-life balance – and are more engaged as a result. Employers benefit from building a more productive, healthy, stable workforce. As Gretchen Anderson explains, "In a hybrid environment, the idea that you can work asynchronously helps with this transparency and helps with it being clear, spelling things out."

Asynchronous collaboration is enabling the hybrid workplace.

Asynchronous collaboration is a key element of the hybrid workplace. This type of collaboration allows employees to work at their own pace and schedule, without being tied to a specific location. As Anderson explains, "I think of asynchronous work, enabled by the hybrid workplace, as being able to slow down to go fast." By collaborating asynchronously, we can avoid many of the problems that can occur when working in a traditional office setting.

Problems we can ditch by collaborating asynchronously.

There are many problems that can be avoided by collaborating asynchronously. For example, we can avoid the "terrible decisions" that can be made when we are tired or under pressure. As Anderson explains, “If we're all in a room, and I have a big personality, I can dominate people to do what I want to do. So, maybe, it's late on a Thursday, I'm tired, I might be making terrible decisions and nobody's going to be able to say anything to me”. By collaborating asynchronously, we can avoid many of the problems that can occur when working in a traditional office setting. In addition, asynchronous collaboration can help to build a more productive, healthy, and stable workforce. Many of the benefits of asynchronous collaboration are due to the fact that it allows employees to work at their own pace and schedule, without being tied to a specific location.

Conclusion: The future is hybrid and asynchronous.

The hybrid workplace is becoming more popular as employers seek to build a more productive, healthy, and stable workforce. Asynchronous collaboration is a key element of the hybrid workplace that can offer many benefits to both employees and employers. The future of work is hybrid and asynchronous. We can use this type of collaboration to avoid many of the problems that can occur when working in a traditional office setting. In addition, asynchronous collaboration can help to build a more productive, healthy, and stable workforce. Maybe it's time to fully ditch the traditional office setting and embrace the hybrid workplace. Gretchen Anderson sums it up nicely when she says, "I definitely think this is a shift, we are never going back to where being in person synchronously is king. It is hybrid from here on out."

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At Multiply, we're all about team collaboration. We believe it's the key to unlocking creativity and productivity in the workplace. However, we also know that collaboration can be fraught with challenges. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the problems with collaboration, and offer some possible solutions. This post is based on expert advice from an interview I did with Phil Simon, author of the book Reimagining Collaboration.

What are some problems with collaboration?

According to Simon, contemporary collaboration plagues organizations. He cites a number of reasons:

•  People hate change, don't understand what a tool can do, or are unwilling to automate a manual business process. This is perhaps the most fundamental challenge with collaboration. People don't like to alter the way they work. What’s more, this resistance can make it difficult to get employees on board with new tools or processes.

•  The lack of awareness and training around how to use collaboration tools effectively. Many people simply don't know how to use collaboration tools effectively. Without proper training, employees will struggle to get the most out of these tools. Expecting workers to learn the ins and outs of different tools on their own time and dime is a fool’s errand.

•  Poor infrastructure: In many cases, companies don't invest in the right infrastructure or systems for collaboration. This can result in a patchwork of different tools that don't work well together.

•  Employees are often overwhelmed by the number of workplace technologies available and have difficulty finding basic documents. With so many workplace technologies available, it's no wonder that 41% of employees feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. This can make it difficult for people to find basic documents, let alone figure out how to use all these different tools effectively.

•  Logistical challenges with remote work: Remote work can add logistical challenges around coordinating with team members. Scheduling meetings, sharing files, and providing feedback can all be more difficult when team members are not in the same physical location.

The bottom line is that collaboration can be difficult, and there are a number of factors that contribute to this. For companies and teams that want to improve their collaboration, it's important to understand the root causes of these problems. By addressing the underlying issues, organizations can make collaboration much easier for their employees.

What are some possible solutions?

Phil Simon believes that solving these problems necessitates finding right tool for the job. It’s a key point in his book. Beyond that, organizations need to invest in proper training for employees. By doing this, companies can maximize the chances for success, and make collaboration much more effortless.

There are a few key things that companies can do to improve collaboration:

•  Find the right tool for the job: There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to collaboration tools, but an internal collaboration hub is essential. Instead of using a patchwork of different tools, invest in one tool that can do everything you need it to. As Simon is fond of saying, embrace hubs and spokes.

•  Train employees: Employees need to be properly trained on how to use collaboration tools. Without this training, they will struggle to get the most out of these tools. Invest in proper training for your employees, and make sure they understand how to use the tools effectively.

•  Set up the right infrastructure: In order for collaboration to be successful, you need to have the right infrastructure in place. This includes investing in the right tool and ensuring that all employees have access to it. If you don't have the right infrastructure, the collaboration will be more difficult, and less effective.

Collaboration can be difficult, but it doesn't have to be. By understanding the root causes of these problems, and taking steps to address them, companies can set their teams up for success. At Multiply, we're passionate about team collaboration, and we believe it's key to unlocking creativity and productivity in the workplace. We hope this blog post has given you some insights into how you can improve collaboration within your own organization.

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What is flow?

The state of flow, also known as "the zone," is a mental state in which a person is completely absorbed in an activity and is able to achieve their fullest potential. When a person is in a state of flow, they are completely focused and engaged in what they are doing. Time seems to slow down or even stop, and they are able to access all of their skills and abilities. This state of complete absorption can lead to exceptional performance.

There are many different activities that can induce the state of flow, but it often occurs when we are engaged in an activity that we enjoy and that challenges us just enough so that we are not bored or overwhelmed. For example, some people experience flow while playing video games, others while painting or writing, and others while working on challenging problems.

What are the benefits of a flow state?

There have been numerous studies on the benefits of flow state, and the results show that it leads to improved performance across a wide range of activities. Some of the benefits include:

•  Increased productivity: In a study on software developers, those who were able to reach a Flow State reported being up to 500% more productive than usual.

•  Improved problem-solving ability: In a study of students taking an exam, those in a Flow State outperformed those who were not by up to 30%.

•  Increased creativity: A study of advertising professionals found that those in a Flow State were up to three times more creative than those who were not.

•  Improved focus and concentration: Numerous studies have shown that the state of flow leads to improved focus and concentration. One study found that people in a flow state could maintain their focus for up to six hours at a time.

What are the challenges with working remotely?

While there are many benefits to working remotely, there are also some challenges. One of the biggest challenges is maintaining focus and concentration. It can be difficult to stay on task when you're not in an office environment where there are other people around you holding you accountable. There are also distractions at home, such as family members, pets, or your favorite TV show playing in the background.

Another challenge with working remotely is feeling isolated from your team. When you're not physically present with your colleagues, it can be difficult to build relationships and feel like you're part of a team. This can lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation.

How to achieve a flow state when working remotely

You can do a few things to increase your chances of reaching a flow state when working remotely:

1. Set aside some uninterrupted time:

One of the best ways to reach a flow state is to set aside some uninterrupted time to work on your task. This means turning off all distractions, including your phone, email, and social media notifications. If you have children, this may mean hiring a babysitter or working during their nap time.

2. Find an environment that suits you:

It's important to find an environment that suits your needs in order to reach a flow state. For some people, this means working in complete silence, while others prefer background noise such as music or white noise. Experiment until you find what works best for you and stick with it.

3. Break down your task into smaller goals:

When you're feeling overwhelmed by a task, it can be helpful to break it down into smaller goals so that you don't feel like you're biting off more than you can chew. By accomplishing small goals along the way, you'll feel a sense of progress and momentum which can help push you through to the end goal.

4. Set a deadline:

Having a deadline for your task can help increase your sense of urgency and motivation. This doesn't mean that you have to finish the task in one sitting, but it does mean that you should start working on it sooner rather than later.

5. Get into the right mindset:

One of the most important things you can do to reach a flow state is to get into the right mindset. This means being positive and confident in your ability to complete the task at hand. If you're feeling doubtful or stressed, it will be more difficult to reach a flow state.

Conclusion

A flow state is an optimal mental state where we are able to achieve our fullest potential. While it can be challenging to reach this state when working remotely, there are some things we can do to increase our chances of success, such as setting aside uninterrupted time, finding an environment that suits us, breaking down our tasks into smaller goals, setting a deadline, and getting into the right mindset.

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Co-creation sounds positive, empowering, and innovative, and for some reason the word kind of feels right. We’re starting to hear about it here and there; from festivals and events to corporate customer engagement processes. But what is co-creation actually if we analyze it and break it down to its basic principles?

“Well, I do think there’s a good framework for thinking. It is physics. You know, the sort of first principles reasoning. Generally, I think there are — what I mean by that is, boil things down to their fundamental truths and reason up from there.”
_{— Elon Musk on reasoning based on First Principles Thinking}

Creation

Well, in order to define co-creation we must first define creation. And in order to define creation, it’s helpful first to describe what it’s not. Creation is not stressing through a tasklist that either you or someone else wrote, focusing on getting one thing done after another. Creation is not repeating something that I have done 100 times before on autopilot, barely paying attention to what I’m doing. Creation is not forcing myself to do things that I don’t want to do nor trying to be someone that I naturally am not.

Creation is when I come alive, daring to be myself while participating in what’s in front of me. Creation is when I bring my best qualities and skills, that superpower that we all have, to contribute to something more than just myself. Creation is when I feel that fear of being too much or too different or not fitting in, but still allow myself to act in flow and trust my instinct to talk, move or express my chosen craft to let something new come alive. If I am painting, I’m very aware of how the colors are set on the canvas in real time. If I am pitching an idea, I’m aware of who I am speaking to and responding to his or her signals, questions, and input.

A Universal Principle

Creation is not only for the so-called “creative class”. It’s a universal principle, a state of being, that we can all access whether we are writing, painting, coding, building a house, taking care of children, or doing administration. Creation is not even limited to living entities, a company, government, or country can even be in creation - which we have seen proof of many many times during history.

Co-creation

So what about co-creation? Well, that’s just when two or more entities are in creation of something together. It can be two people in a team, two teams in a company, or two companies in a partnership. It’s any context where the individual goals and common goals of multiple entities align. In other words, where what I want and what you want can both be achieved by doing something together. When I am not pitching you to influence you into a specific outcome, but we are having a discussion exploring an idea or an opportunity to find an outcome that is mutually beneficial.

Co-creation is when my goals, your goals, and our goals align. When we are smarter together than separately. Where we can reach more of our individual potential by creating together. And most significantly, where we are both in a state of creation together. This is the hard part.

Creating things together is hard. But this is the challenge that we have chosen and continue to explore through Multiply.

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In order for cocreation to happen, we need to let go of our expectations, our need to look good in front of others, and our attachment to the results of our efforts. Our egos often get in the way of co-creation because we are too focused on our own ideas and desires. Read this post to get ideas for how to co-create more efficiently with better results.

In the past, when I was the CEO of Twingly, there was a salesperson that wrote great emails and sales copy, but sometimes struggled to know if the end result was good enough. We knew each other well, having mutual confidence in being familiar with each other's strengths and mindsets. I knew from the bottom of my heart that whenever she handed me a text for editing, she had 100% trust in that whatever changes I made were sound and elevated the end result. This allowed me to cut, rearrange and improve her texts without any ego getting in the way, on either side. Our workflow was fast and efficient and the result was always better than either of us could have achieved on our own.

Co-creation only works if we let go of our attachment to the results. We need to be open to others' ideas and focus on the process, not the outcome. When we enjoy the journey, the destination is secondary.

What is ego in this case? Ego is our attachment to our own ideas and desires. It's our need to look good in front of others, and our need to be right. It's the voice in our head that tells us we need to do everything ourselves, and that we can't rely on anyone else.

"Let go" are two words easy to say, but they can be extremely difficult to put into practice.

So, how do we let go of our ego? Here are some ideas:

1. Know yourself.

Notice the physical sensation you get in your body when attaching yourself to a certain outcome. Is there warmth in your chest when you feel like your contributions are not valued, or when you realize they might not have the prominent place in the end result of collaborative efforts as you would have wished? Do you tense up, raising shoulders or closing fists? Use the awareness of your physical response to remind yourself that it's a good time to let go and detach.

2. Don't take things personally.

This is a hard one, but it's so important. When we're attached to the results, we take things personally. We take criticism personally, and we take compliments personally. We need to remember that it's not about us; it's about the task at hand. We need to let go of our ego and remember that we're working towards a common goal.

3. Trust your co-creators.

If you hold back your suggestions because you think the people you work with will respond negatively, beware that you might only project your own attachments on them. Go out on a limb to suggest changes even though they might interfere with what other people have in mind. Your co-creators might be more likely to appreciate your contributions if you don't treat them as if you need to protect their feelings.

4. Practice and express gratitude.

A great way to let go of your ego is to practice gratitude. Be grateful for the opportunity to co-create. Be grateful for the people you're working with. Be grateful for the journey. When we're grateful, we're not focused on ourselves. We're focused on the good that's happening around us. Gratitude is a great way to let go of our ego.

5. Don't take yourself too seriously.

When we take ourselves too seriously, we're not open to others' ideas. We're not open to feedback. We're not open to the process. We're so focused on the outcome that we're not enjoying the journey. So, don't take yourself too seriously. Enjoy the process, and the results will take care of themselves.

In summary, ego can get in the way of co-creation because we're too focused on our own ideas and desires. If we want to overcome this, we need to let go of our attachment to the results and be open to others' ideas. We also need to focus on the process, not the outcome. When we do this, we can enjoy the journey and the results will take care of themselves.

For further reading on the topic of letting go, I warmly recommend the website Life Without a Centre which contains the writings of Jeff Foster.

And for a light-hearted approach to the topic, I recommend the book Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday.

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What we believe

We believe that human potential is essentially unlimited. Working together as a community we explore the extent of where humanity can go. As an individual, I can actualize my own full potential. Together we can create something bigger, better, and more beautiful than we ever could alone.

Multiplying our individual potential by empowering co-creation

We believe that when people and entities can pursue their own goals and common goals at the same time, magic happens. Multiply’s purpose is to empower humanity to explore its full collective potential - by allowing us to actualize and multiply our individual potential through co-creation.

A world of unlimited human potential

We envision a world where people actualize their own potential as part of their daily work. A world where organizations and societies can easily share knowledge, co-create and evolve. A world where we utilize our full collective intelligence and everyone is participating in co-creating a better future.

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Everything and everyone is connected

The world has more information, is more interconnected, and is changing faster than ever before. The strict borders of organizations are disappearing, with new types of structures for collaborations emerging. Together every company, team, and individual now plays a part in this complex web of value-creation that is the new Network Economy.

Working together used to be simple and static, but is now complex and ever-changing. Yet, collaboration across company borders, networks, society, and tools is still often hard, time-consuming, and full of friction.

It’s time for frictionless co-creation across company borders, networks and society

The world craves new models that make the complex simple and the simple effortless. Every individual should be able to find their part to play and their way to work in this new network economy. Organizations need the infrastructure to become both self-improving and self-actualizing, evolving their own processes and culture for sustainability. The world needs communities to become more intelligent and collective action to be both simple and mutually beneficial.

Creating things together is hard

We all know the difficulty of working together effectively towards a common goal. So many different factors play a role: communication, trust, leadership, stress, etc. It is often hard to find a way of working where we both reach our goals and allow everyone to thrive. Rigid software built by someone else, adds to the problem and keeps us fixed in bad patterns.

Co-creation should be effortless

Co-creation happens when collaboration is effortless and has an impact. When we come together and co-create as a team and as a community, we can build beautiful and amazing things.

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Everything and everyone is connected

Our civilization was built on production, on building. Our forefathers and foremothers built roads and trains, farms and factories, then the computer, the microchip, the smartphone, and uncounted thousands of other things that we now take for granted, that are all around us, that define our lives and provide for our well-being. There is only one way to honor their legacy and to create the future we want for our own children and grandchildren, and that’s to build.
_{— Marc Andreessen}

Co-creation is building, together

It’s time to co-create, to build together. To build what we are most passionate about, but integrate with and empower each other across company and societal borders.

The strict borders of organizations and societies are disappearing, with new types of structures for collaborations emerging. Together we now each play a part in a complex web of value-creation in this new network economy.

Our invitation

We invite you to join us on this journey, taking part in creating a new world of radically productive and effortless co-creation. A world to help all of us reach our full potential and multiply the impact of every team we’re part of. A platform where each and every one of us has something truly unique to contribute.

If you want to take us up on this invitation, the first simple step is to sign up right away on multiply.co.

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