HealthXL. Hack. Reflect. Again.

We live in the best of times. We live in the worst of times. The monochromatic rhythm of daily ritual has been replaced with uncertainty and the inordinate pressures of our business realities. Juxtaposed with this, we live in a time filled with great opportunity for those leaders with the imagination and fortitude to drive disruptive innovation into our societies.

I had the great pleasure and honour of participating in the HealthXL hackathon in Melbourne. This global event provides an opportunity for clinicians, technologists, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to come together, develop and present innovative approaches to health related problems, compete and gain mentoring and eventually opportunities for seed funding. In this case HealthXL focused on dementia, social isolation, malnutrition and physical activity.

With a lot of vision and commitment this hackathon featured IBM Bluemix front and centre as an available platform-as-a-service capability that participants could draw upon if they so desired. This event was led by the Health XL team, the amazingly zen-like David Mast and terrifically supported by the IBM Bluemix, ecosystem development and IBM Health teams - they are certainly to be commended.

Storming and forming

As someone who was trying to relearn his development skills, this stray from Sydney was welcomed in a "Business" role and gratefully joined one of the IBM teams participating. We had three terrific IBM teams from IBM Design and IBM Research. We also were very fortunate to have a psychiatrist and a UX developer join our talented team.

Three days passed quickly as we stormed and formed, plotted and schemed, hacked and polished, devised and deconstructed and pitched a solution that we all had embraced and believed in. That tumultuous culmination of perspiration climaxed in a magically satisfying moment of exposition that finished the night just right.

Learning and growing

Along the way new friends were made, inspiration and reinvigoration abounded. I learnt more than I ever expected, I contributed more than I thought probable, I was humbled by both the talent and the compassion from attendees, judges, mentors and support groups alike.

I felt my simmering urge and zeal growing to help try solving some of the problems that the elderly face - a problem that will befall upon all of us as time incessantly catches us unawares. It was an amazing experience and one I am grateful to be part of and one I will remember and build upon.

Solutions that are invisible

As I said in our pitch - as I talked about our approach to tackling the important issue of social isolation of the elderly - it affects our mothers, it affects our fathers, it affects our families, it affects our communities and it affects our future selves.

The blended team

As I reflect on my experience, I feel that I can say, that this deeply affected me, that this is something that we should all endeavour to embrace. If you are not a dev or UX designer, you should not fear but rather charge in fearlessly and find your own way to participate and bring your knowledge and experience with your unique point of view.

The world is changing and in the field of technology it is disruption that is the new kingmaker. It is not the developer alone, but the combined might of the blended team and their shared knowledge and passion that brings forward their unique point of view and their inspiration. Let's not be left behind. Let's not be isolated. Let's not lose our relevance.

A challenge

I suggest that you consider making a commitment to yourself that by the time this year is out that you will have participated in a hackathon. I think that you, like me, will leave satisfied, very satisfied with the result and your contribution.

Hack. Reflect. Again.