How to solve an impossible challenge, w/Megan Smith (US CTO, Google, shift7)

Malnutrition

Monique Sternin and her late husband, Jerry, tackled malnutrition in Vietnam by identifying local solutions through the Positive Deviance Approach. They discovered that some families, despite facing the same challenges, managed to keep their children well-nourished by incorporating unconventional yet effective practices like feeding their children crabs and maintaining hygiene 1. These practices, once shared with the community, led to significant improvements in child nutrition.

Crab meat, eating frequently, washing their hands. These were practical habits that could keep kids healthy in the face of poverty.

--- Reid Hoffman

The Sternins' approach of asking questions rather than providing answers proved successful, rehabilitating over 1,000 children within a year and reaching millions more 2.

   

Tech Skills

Megan Smith addressed tech skill gaps by leveraging existing resources and fostering collaboration through initiatives like Techhire. This program connected local coding boot camps and training programs across the U.S., expanding from five to 70 cities and bridging the gap between talent and opportunity 3. Her efforts emphasized the importance of diversity and collaboration in solving tech challenges.

The quality of your scouting mission is determined by the diversity of your search and the variety of answers you come back with.

--- Megan Smith

Smith's work with the Tech Jobs Tour further highlighted the potential of local programs to meet the demands of the tech industry, particularly in underserved areas 4.