Third Door Strategy

Today I travelled on the Janshatabdi Express and found the seating comfortable, and the overall passenger space quite convenient.

However, I noticed a small issue that I have encountered not just on this journey, but on several train trips.

In many train toilets, there is a storage or utility compartment located below the wash basin. Quite often, the compartment door either comes loose from its latch or the entire sliding panel shifts out of position. When this happens, it obstructs movement inside the already limited space, making it difficult for passengers to use the toilet comfortably.

This appears to be a relatively minor maintenance and design issue, but one that affects the passenger experience.

Given the constant vibrations and jerking movements experienced during train travel, the current hinges, latches, or sliding mechanisms may not be robust enough for long-term use.

Perhaps a sturdier hinge, a more secure locking mechanism, or a simple door-closer design could help prevent these compartments from coming loose during operation.

Small improvements like these may improve the overall experience.

Also. I wish there is space in irctc site for passengers to post issues and get a solution from the forum itself. A community-driven solution would strengthen the railway passenger involvement in improving the service.

What say?

Third Door Strategy

What if rubber tapping in Kerala had its own purpose-built autonomous all-terrain vehicle?

Imagine a rugged machine designed specifically for rubber plantations—capable of navigating uneven ground, muddy paths, slopes, exposed roots, and dense undergrowth while supporting the daily work of a rubber tapper.

Key Features:

1. Comfortable Seat with Rain Hood
A protected seating area that shields the operator from rain and harsh weather while moving through the plantation.

2. Standing Platform for Rubber Tapping
A safe platform beside the seat allows the worker to stand and carry out tapping activities comfortably.

3. Tool Storage & Sap Collection
Dedicated space for tapping tools and a secure holder for the blue drum used to collect rubber latex.

4. Undergrowth Cutting Arm
An integrated cutting arm helps clear weeds and undergrowth, making movement through the estate easier and reducing manual labour.

The real advantage lies in mobility.
Rubber plantations are rarely flat. They often have rugged terrain, exposed roots, muddy sections, narrow pathways, and steep gradients.

This autonomous all-terrain vehicle designed for these conditions could improve productivity., reduce physical strain,

Third Door Strategy

P.S This is the third concept based post around rubber plantation. And, I have over dine the concept!

While searching for retiring rooms on irctc site, this page came up.

So, what can we make about this list of email address?

Who decided to enter email address in this format?

Is it a standard practice?
Is this beneficial to a user?

Just noticed and shared it.

Third Door Strategy

Achilles had one weak spot.
Businesses are no different.

Everyone has a weakness.
A blind spot.
A vulnerability.

The challenge is that the closer you are to your business, the harder these hidden issues become to spot.

An outside perspective can often reveal: A strategic assumption nobody has questioned. It could be a:

1. Customer experience gap
2. Process inefficiency
3. An untapped marketing options

That's the purpose of a Third Door Strategy Exploratory Session.

To help you see what you're too close to see.

Third Door Strategy

A few years ago, I knew a cheerful worker at a local vegetable shop. He greeted every customer with a smile and never hesitated to help.

Part of his daily job involved unloading heavy sacks of vegetables from pickup vehicles and lifting entire banana bunches onto display hooks. Day after day, he carried loads that most of us would struggle to lift once.

Then one day, his back gave way.

What started as a sprain became a long period of treatment and recovery. Unable to work, he lost not only his income but eventually his place at the shop. When he returned during his recovery, the welcome wasn't the same. He understood the message and quietly stopped coming.

Today, he works as a hospital bystander.

His story made me think.

For thousands of headload workers, construction workers, market labourers, and warehouse staff, their back is their most important tool. Yet many work without basic support or protection.

What if employers, worker associations, cooperatives, or CSR programs provided back support braces and lifting safety education?

A simple investment could:

1. Reduce work-related back injuries
2. Help prevent chronic pain and long-term disability
3. Protect livelihoods and keep workers earning for longer

In many developed countries, worker safety programs focus heavily on preventing lifting injuries through training, support equipment, and ergonomic practices. Perhaps we can bring more of that thinking here too.

Sometimes dignity at work isn't about doing more.

It's about helping the people who carry the heaviest loads go home safely at the end of the day.


Third Door Strategy

Startup founders have a lot on their plate.

Fundraising/Hiring/Operations./Customers/Product development.

Sometimes, when you're deep inside the business, it's difficult to spot opportunities, emerging trends, competitive blind spots, or alternative pathways.

That's where an outside perspective can help.

I am exploring the idea of providing a Monthly or fortnightly Insight Brief for startup founders, partners, and business owners.

Each month, I share:

=> 7 Opportunities to tap

=> 3 Emerging Trends

=> 3 Competitor Observations

=>3 Customer Experience Improvements

=> 2 "Crazy Ideas Worth Discussing"

The goal isn't to tell you directions to run your business.

The goal is to provide fresh perspectives, connect patterns, identify possibilities, and raise questions that may be worth discussing at your next management or board meeting.

Before reaching out, I encourage you to spend some time reviewing my Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn posts.

That should give you a good sense of how I think, the types of patterns I notice, and whether my style of observation is a good fit for your business.

Not every founder will find value in this approach.

But if you're looking for an extra set of eyes to help uncover opportunities and challenge assumptions, we may have a useful conversation.

Third Door Strategy

Robotic Future in Rubber Tapping?

One challenge facing Kerala's rubber plantations today is the growing shortage of skilled rubber tappers. Many plantation owners also struggle with rising labour costs, making it increasingly difficult to maintain medium-sized estates profitably.

What if a rugged Quadruped Robots could help?

Introducing the concept of an AI-guided Rubber Tapping Robot — a remotely managed machine designed to navigate Kerala's hilly rubber plantations, perform precision tapping, collect rubber sap, and transport it to a storage drum.

How could it help plantation owners?

1. Reduces dependence on scarce skilled labour

2.Performs consistent, precision tapping for hilly terrain

3. Allows one operator to manage large plantation areas remotely

The robot could use cameras, sensors, plantation maps, and robotic arms to cut the bark, place collection cups, collect sap, and transport it for storage.

While this is currently a concept, Kerala's engineering students, robotics startups, and innovators could take up such projects and create practical solutions tailored for local conditions.

By learning from advanced robotic systems developed by companies such as Boston Dynamics, FANUC, etc and adapting those technologies for rubber plantations in Kerala.

Sometimes the future of agriculture is not about working harder—it is about designing smarter tools that help people do more with less.

Third Door Strategy

Most businesses focus on what's working and what's broken.
The biggest opportunities are often hidden somewhere else.

Third Door Strategy helps you:

1. Identify Blind Spots
2. Uncover Unmet Customer Needs
3. Explore Alternative Paths

Sometimes growth doesn't come from doing more. It comes from seeing what others have missed.

If you're a startup founder, business partner, director, or board member and want fresh perspectives on your business, let's have a conversation.

You may discover opportunities that have been sitting right in front of you all along. Btw, there are no guarantees about how much on quantitative results as these are based on an intuitive and data backed pattern recognition.

Third Door Strategy

Nanma (Goodwill) + Participation + Trust = A Better KSRTC

Today marked the first day of Kerala's free bus travel scheme for women. ( 15/6/26)

The initiative is primarily aimed at reducing the travel cost burden on women from lower-income and working-class ( blue-colllar women workers) who rely on public transport to reach their places of employment.

It is a welcome and thoughtful step by the State Government. ( Hopefully not another propaganda item)

However, there are a few additional aspects that could strengthen the scheme and help maximize its long-term impact.

1. Measure Usage and Impact

There is a Malayalam saying:
"സൗജന്യം കൊടുക്കുമ്പോഴും കണക്ക് വേണം." (Even when giving something free, there should be accountability and measurement.)

A welfare scheme of this scale should be supported by reliable data. One way to achieve this would be to issue a dedicated travel card through Akshaya Centres, linked to the beneficiary's Aadhaar number. Women wishing to avail the service could carry this card while travelling.

When boarding the bus, the conductor could tap the card using the existing portable ticketing device. Over time, this would help policymakers understand who is benefiting, how frequently the service is used, and which routes require additional support.

2. Ensure the Benefit Reaches Its Intended Users

The success of the scheme depends on ensuring that it primarily benefits the groups for whom it was designed.

A public awareness campaign could be launched using local influencers, community leaders, self-help groups, and social media personalities.

The campaign could explain the purpose of the scheme, highlight its role in supporting women workers and economically vulnerable groups, and encourage responsible usage.

The message should not be about restricting access, but about creating awareness that public resources work best when society understands and respects their intended purpose.

3. Introduce a "Nanma Ticket" ( I vouch for this)

It is no secret that KSRTC continues to face significant financial challenges. While providing free travel to deserving beneficiaries is important, there should also be opportunities for citizens to voluntarily support the public transport system.

A new voluntary contribution mechanism called the "Nanma Ticket" could be introduced.

Passengers who wish to contribute could request a Nanma Ticket from the conductor and donate any amount ₹20 or above from the conductor. The collected amount would be transferred into a dedicated and transparent account. And, it will be used for something very specific which will be shown on the website.

Nanma (Goodwill) + Participation + Trust = Better KSRTC Service

To encourage participation, the daily collection amount could be publicly announced. Different KSRTC employees—drivers, conductors, mechanics, depot staff, and cleaners—could thank the public through social media videos and public messages. This would create a sense of ownership and partnership between commuters and the transport corporation.

4. Track Beneficiary Success Stories
Beyond measuring usage, Kerala should also study whether the scheme is achieving its broader social objectives.

For example, consider a domestic worker who previously spent ₹100 per day on bus travel. With such expenses reduced, she may be able to save money over time and invest in something that improves her quality of life—such as purchasing an electric scooter, funding her children's education, starting a small evening food business, or creating another source of income.

(Stories + Inspiration + Visibility = Social Impact)

When women see how others have used the savings generated by the scheme to improve their lives, it can inspire new possibilities and encourage more productive use of the benefit.

It's time KSRTC bus services use social media to amplify the story ( not for political mileage) but with a genuine heart to improve the service quality - cleanliness of public loo in KSRTC depots, provide cleaner KSRTC waiting sheds, and also employee welfare ( medical insurance 10 lakhs plus).

What do you think?

Third Door Strategy