Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Bob Bergman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Bob , thank you so much for making time for us today. We’re excited to discuss a handful of topics with you, but perhaps the most important one is around decision making. The ability to make decisions is a key requirement for anyone who wants to make a difference and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your decision-making skills.
As you might know, no classes anywhere below the University level teach people logical decision-making. According to Kahneman and Tvesky in their book “Thinking Fast and Slow”, humans learn by trial and error or observation. Children start developing decision-making skills early when given simple choices like what to wear or eat. As they grow older, they make more complex decisions that require analyzing information, weighing pros and cons, and understanding consequences. However, I learned the art of decision-making by actually studying decision-science in my university studies. For those who are not familiar with decision-science, it is a combination of mathematics, behavioral psychology, and system design.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Having failed twice at retirement, I am involved in two startup companies at the ripe old age of 75. In the case of NextLevel Mediation, I am the acting CEO and founder, and in the case of AnyDish a consultant. Retirement may bring much free time but can also lead to boredom and a loss of purpose. Finding challenging work after retirement is helping me maintain mental and physical activity, stimulating my mind, and giving me a sense of accomplishment. It can also provide social connection and engagement with like-minded individuals. In fact, I do not call it retirement, I call it rewirement.
NextLevel Mediation is a software-as-a-service company that provides mediators with the tools they need to resolve disputes quickly and efficiently. Our cloud-based system uses superior decision analytics and artificial intelligence to help mediators move their clients toward critical thinking and away from emotional decision-making. We understand the complexities of the process and the importance of providing solutions that yield the best results.
AnyDish, is an AI based nutrition company that gives health professionals and individuals access to a broad array of recipe choices tailored specifically to one’s complex clinical needs and culinary preferences. The AI system automatically breaks down unstructured recipes on the internet into their constituent fats, carbs, proteins, amino acids, minerals, and vitamins based on how the food is prepared and matches it to a dietary prescription provided by healthcare providers.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I would say my background in engineering, mathematics and computer science, coupled with a growing up in a diverse neighborhood in New York City was the most impactful on my journey. I was also influenced by a my mother (who was the 5th woman accepted into law school in NYC). The biggest advice I can give people is to read and understand the history of knowledge. Knowledge from Hellenistic philosophers, through Renaissance thinkers, to modern-day intellectuals. The only thing new is everything we have already forgotten. History repeats itself because humans do not learn anything.
Being an entrepreneur is not an easy path, but it can be one of the most rewarding if done correctly. Entrepreneurship requires a particular set of skills, including creativity, risk-taking, and a strong work ethic. Success does not come overnight. Long hours, hard work, and perseverance are necessary to create a successful business. And even when success is achieved, continued innovation and improvement are needed to maintain growth and profitability.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I have already traveled around the world and have developed many multi-cultural friendships. If I only had a decade left (which might actually be the case given my age) I would prioritize spending more meaningful time with my children and ensuring that I left a legacy of helping humankind find better solutions to our existing problems. Hellenistic philosophers believed that the purpose of life was to achieve happiness through actions that benefit society as a whole rather than just focusing on one’s own self-interests. This concept was expressed by the philosopher Epicurus, who taught that happiness could only be attained by living a life of moderation, simplicity, and service to others. Similarly, the Stoics believed that a virtuous life was one that was dedicated to the service of others and the greater good and that helping others was the key to personal fulfillment and happiness.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nextlevelmediation.com/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nextlevelmediation.com
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USwVXR-BpfA
- Other: https://mediate.com/dispute-resolution-in-the-post-babel-era%EF%BF%BC/
