The Fascination with Lists: Top 5 Most Interesting Lists in Innovation and Entrepreneurship

On my morning constitutional walk this morning I was listening to one of my favourite podcasts This American Life and this weeks episode was all about Lists!

There really is the allure of the listicle. Whether it's because of our short attention spans or our innate need for organisation, people love lists. All you need to do is look at sites like Buzzfeed where lists are more often than not what goes viral. Lists are tidy, concise, and offer a sense of accomplishment as we tick items off mentally. In my own life I use list regularly to document my tasks for the day, what I need from the shops, what evidence is needed for a grant application, why I'm the best partner to work with on a project. I have diaries full of lists. In the world of innovation and entrepreneurship, this phenomenon is no different. So, for all you list lovers out there, here are my top five most interesting lists that encapsulate the vibrant and sometimes bizarre world of innovation and entrepreneurship. Feel free to share your favourite lists in the comments.

1. Top 5 Most Eccentric Inventors

1. Nikola Tesla: From creating the Tesla coil to his eccentric claims of communicating with pigeons, Tesla is the poster child for genius gone wild.

2. Dean Kamen: The inventor of the Segway, Kamen once predicted cities would be redesigned around his invention. Spoiler alert: they weren’t, but you can still find Segways awkwardly rolling around tourist spots.

3. Dr. Yoshiro Nakamatsu: With over 3,300 patents, including the floppy disk, Nakamatsu claims his best ideas come from nearly drowning himself. Talk about dedication.

4. Clive Sinclair: Creator of the Sinclair C5, an electric tricycle that looks like it’s straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film. It didn’t take off, but kudos for trying.

5. Elon Musk: The modern-day Tony Stark with ventures ranging from electric cars to brain-computer interfaces. Love him or hate him, you can't deny his flair for the dramatic.

I use this list in workshops often to highlight the extremes of invention and that #designthinking is not always about the big idea.

2. Top 5 Most Unusual Startups

1. RentAFriend: For those lonely nights when you need a plus one, RentAFriend lets you hire someone to hang out with. No, it’s not what you’re thinking.

2. Ship Your Enemies Glitter: Ever wanted to inflict harmless but eternal suffering? This service sends an envelope filled with glitter to your enemies. It’s the herpes of the craft world.

3. Cow Cuddling: In need of stress relief? Forget therapy dogs; you can now pay to cuddle with cows. It’s moooo-ving therapy at its finest.

4. Smell Dating: Matchmaking based on smell. Participants wear a t-shirt for a few days and then exchange the shirts. True love found through B.O.

5. Boxed Water: A startup selling, you guessed it, water in a box. Because bottles are so last century.

This is one of my favourite lists to use in Business Model workshops

3. Top 5 Tech Innovations that Sound Like Sci-Fi

1. Neuralink: Elon Musk’s brain-machine interface, aiming to merge man and machine. Soon, you might be able to Google things with your mind. Goodbye privacy, hello convenience!

2. CRISPR: Gene editing that could eliminate diseases or create designer babies. Ethics, schmethics.

3. 3D-Printed Organs: Organ donation waiting lists may become obsolete as we print hearts, kidneys, and maybe even a spare liver for those wild weekends.

4. Quantum Computing: Computers that make today’s supercomputers look like abacuses. It’s all fun and games until Skynet becomes self-aware.

5. Autonomous Flying Taxis: Because regular taxis are just too terrestrial. Soon, you might be late to work due to air traffic.

I love this list and often use it in workshops when talking about ethics in design.

4. Top 5 Business Models Nobody Saw Coming

1. Freemium: Give the product away for free, then charge for extras. It’s like a free sample that ends up costing you hundreds.

2. Subscription Boxes: From food to cosmetics to... plants? There’s a box for everything. The business model that proves people love surprises, as long as they’re paying for them.

3. Gig Economy: Why hire full-time when you can just hire freelancers for everything? It’s like adulting on demand.

4. Influencer Marketing: Pay people to pretend they love your product. Because nothing sells like envy.

5. Dropshipping: Sell products you don’t actually own. A risky game of middleman that’s somehow legal.

Similar to list 2 above I use this in Business Model workshops

5. Top 5 Entrepreneurial Myths Debunked

1. Entrepreneurs are born, not made: False. The entrepreneurial spirit can be nurtured, although a little craziness helps.

2. You need a lot of money to start: Not really. Many successful startups began in garages, basements, or even coffee shops.

3. Failure is the end: Quite the opposite. Failure is often just the beginning of learning. Every “overnight success” has a trail of failed attempts behind them.

4. The customer is always right: Sometimes customers don’t know what they want until you show them. Cue Steve Jobs' ghost nodding in agreement.

5. Work-life balance is achievable: Ha! Good one. The truth is, balance is a myth. It’s more like work-life juggling, and sometimes all the balls are on fire.

This is a list I use frequently when talking about entrepreneurship and starting your own business.

So, there you have it. The top five lists that highlight the quirky, the innovative, and the downright bizarre aspects of entrepreneurship. Next time you’re stuck in a meeting or looking to procrastinate, remember: there’s always a list for that and I would love for you to share your favourite lists or what you use lists for in your professional or personal life.