Innovation + Talks: Recent Episodes
Paul Heller
Welcome to Innovation+ Talks. Each week our host, Paul Heller talks at the executive level about how strategic innovation and new product development are essential for thriving in the modern marketplace. Paul is regularly joined by top executives and cross-industry thought leaders who share their unique insights and key learnings garnered from decades of experience.
Today, Paul reflects on his journey as an innovation evangelist and shares the valuable lessons he's learned over nearly four decades in the industry. He expresses gratitude to his listeners, guests, and colleagues while recounting the significant milestones that have shaped the Innovation Talks series. This introspective episode serves as a heartfelt farewell as Innovation Talks closes its podcast run, leaving a legacy of knowledge and insight for innovators worldwide.
Paul Heller has an illustrious career advancing innovation practices across various organizations. Paul's work has influenced countless professionals in the field. With a background at IBM and startup experience, Paul's journey is rich with firsthand accounts of implementing cutting-edge solutions and methodologies such as Expert Systems and Stage Gate. His unique perspective on cross-functional integration and empathy in innovation has made him a revered voice in the industry.
“Staying positive and seeing the good in every situation keeps the spirit of
innovation alive through any challenge.” ~ Paul Heller
Today on Innovation Talks:
• The importance of cross-functional understanding: Innovation involves marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, product development, and customer success, aligning towards a common goal.
• Embracing diverse business disciplines: Experience in sales, consulting, customer support, and engineering development can significantly enhance one's capability in innovation.
• The value of empathy: Empathy towards colleagues, especially when challenges arise, is crucial for a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Staying positive as a strategic advantage: Maintaining a positive attitude and seeing the best in people can drive team morale and productivity.
• Configurability as a cornerstone: Unique processes and success measurements require adaptable systems, a lesson learned from product configurator projects.
• The evolution of Expert Systems to AI: Early experience with Expert Systems demonstrates how foundational technologies have evolved into modern AI applications.
• Importance of compassion in leadership: Genuine compassion and understanding within teams foster a collaborative environment conducive to innovation.
• Continuous learning and respect for colleagues: Maintaining a beginner's mindset and respecting peers can lead to ongoing personal growth and team success.
Resources Mentioned:
• Guy Kawasaki's Wikipedia page: To learn about the origins of the term "evangelist" in a technology context. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Kawasaki
• Sopheon: A company supporting innovation and methodologies like Stage Gate. https://www.sopheon.com/
• Union Pacific Railroad innovations: Historical examples of early AI application in rail maintenance and optimization.
https://www.up.com/aboutup/community/inside_track/ai-rahul-insights-it-230721.htm
• Gateway 2000: A case study in product configurators for complex product sales. https://www.techspot.com/article/2087-gateway-2000/
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Jim Fava is the recently retired Executive Director at Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Throughout his career, Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," he has devoted his career to advancing and promoting the practice and application of life cycle information worldwide. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes. Notably, he led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. Moreover, Jim co-founded influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI).
Today, Jim and I discuss what his career taught him about supporting businesses and governments, turning risks into opportunities, and strategies and actions to operate more sustainably. Jim shares his journey from frat house to c-suite and talks about how he saw the human impact on the environment firsthand and started focusing on sustainability. He outlines life cycle assessment and how it helps us understand the environmental impact of a product over its entire life. He cites disposable diapers as a case study to understand life cycle assessment. Jim also recounts his experience in developing the Technical Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Code of Practice that eventually became the foundation of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Environmental Management Standards.
“You have to put what we want to have happen in the language of the decision-makers, and that's our revenue, brand, cost, and risk management.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Jim’s best sustainable business strategies
● The Life Cycle Assessment journey to sustainability
● What cloth diapers can teach us about sustainability
● How Jim played a leading role in the development the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology
● How Life Cycle thinking affects product design
● The ten golden rules for achieving sustainability
● How to drive change
● The urgency of sustainability in business management
● The role of the product manager
Resources Mentioned:
● Early Life Cycle Assessment Books Laid the Foundation for Modern-Day LCA
● The Origins of LCA: Perspective from The Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Jim Fava Website
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, Paul has an enlightening conversation on the future of technology and innovation with futurist Thomas Frey to explore how emerging technologies, robotics, and biotechnologies are poised to reshape our lives. Diving into the potential evolution of entertainment, healthcare, quantum computing, and the role of personal bots, they offer a glimpse of a future where technology redefines human potential.
Thomas Frey is a prominent futurist and the founder of the Da Vinci Institute. Renowned for his engaging keynotes and thought-provoking predictions, Thomas travels globally to discuss how burgeoning technologies will shape the future. With extensive expertise in foresight and innovation, he is often sought after for his ability to expand people's understanding of upcoming trends and developments. Thomas has also authored several publications, including "Future Like a Boss," and actively contributes to his blog at futuristspeaker.com.
"Technology will redefine human potential, enabling people to become exponentially more adaptable." ~Thomas Frey
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The inevitability and rapid pace of technology.
· There is a need for exponentially better talent in the tech industry.
· The potential of robotic performances and races blends with human entertainment.
· The shift from pharmaceutical solutions to biotechnological systems.
· The world's largest quantum computer and its future applications.
· Predictions, including smart glasses and personal bots.
· Insights into demographic changes and their implications on technology and jobs.
· Philosophical thoughts on societal balance and the necessity of struggle.
Resources Mentioned:
"Future Like a Boss": Thomas Frey’s book is available as a course on thinking like a futurist.
Quantum computing developments by Quantinium.
https://www.quantinuum.com/
Thomas Frey's columns and blogs at Future Speaker.
https://futuristspeaker.com/
12 Famous Quotes that Will Change Your Life
https://futuristspeaker.com/futurist-thomas-frey-insights/12-famous-quotes-that-will-change-your-life/
Connect with Thomas Frey:
Website: https://futuristspeaker.com/
Thomas Frey Futurist of the Year 2024
https://foty2024.sgmk.edu.pl/en/thomas-frey-en/
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Visit https://info.sopheon.com/innovationops-ebook
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, Paul and Neil Hawkins discuss integrating sustainability into corporate innovation, focusing on blending value creation, project discipline, and collaboration to achieve long-term sustainability goals. An industry expert, Neil discusses his strategies and experiences from his extensive career promoting sustainable business practices.
For 31 years, Neil was a key leader at Dow, ultimately serving as Chief Sustainability Officer and CVP, Environment, Health, & Safety for the last twelve years. He was the architect of the breakthrough “valuing nature” collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, and he integrated environmental and social considerations into the core of the Dow’s business strategy and public reporting. He is widely recognized as one of the world's top sustainable business thought leaders. After Dow, as President of Michigan’s Erb Family Foundation, a $350mm regional philanthropy, he focused on improving regional arts in the Great Lakes ecosystem, promoting environmental justice, and founding the Sustainable Business Network of Detroit. He served as interim CEO and President of the World Environment Center, facilitating a merger with Wildlife Habitat Council. He is President of Michigan Sustainability Associates, LLC and Research Advisor/Instructor at Harvard University in the Master of Sustainability ALM program.
"Cultivate an environment where sustainability is not just a checkmark but a core value driving every stage gate process." ~Neil Hawkins
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Integrating sustainability into corporate processes is crucial: Embedding sustainability within every business process drives long-term success and profitability.
· Leadership and employee enthusiasm are vital: Effective transformational change hinges on support from both top leadership and committed lower-level employees.
· Addressing middle management resistance: The so-called "frozen middle" often resists change; successful strategies involve engaging and educating them.
· Early efforts yield financial and environmental returns: Dow's initial sustainability goals delivered a $4 billion return on a $1 billion investment, demonstrating clear economic benefits.
· Focus on expertise before implementation: Ensuring capable individuals are in place before integrating sustainability screens prevents ineffective practices.
· Continuous progress in sustainable innovation: Companies increasingly adopt sustainability strategies, illustrating an industry-wide shift towards more sustainable practices.
· Collaborative initiatives drive innovation: Partnerships with other industries and stakeholders can significantly accelerate sustainability goals.
· Listening to stakeholders enhances outcomes: Understanding internal and external stakeholder needs is essential for effective sustainability integration.
Guest contact information:
Follow Neil Hawkins on LinkedIn for updates on sustainability topics
https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-hawkins-he-him-his-695a977?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_profile_view_base_contact_details%3B9AeDqQXXSSSaugUSH2vRzQ%3D%3D
Resources mentioned:
Project Charter Blog
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/trick-sustainability-consulting-projects-project-neil-neil-adhpe/
Value Proposition Blog for Sustainability
https://www.wholeworks.com/blog/value-proposition-framework-sustainable-development
Systems Change --- Breakthrough versus Incremental -- Systems Shift
https://www.wholeworks.com/blog/value-proposition-framework-sustainable-development
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Visit https://info.sopheon.com/innovationops-ebook
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, Paul and guest Bob Cooper look deeply into the deployment of artificial intelligence in new product development. The discussion revolves around the challenges of successfully implementing AI projects, the high failure rates, and the potential solutions to overcome these hurdles. They also discuss how AI transforms product innovation and process improvements across various industries, with insights drawn from Bob Cooper's extensive research and practical experiences.
Bob Cooper, the founder of the Stage-Gate® methodology, is a renowned expert in new product development and innovation management. With decades of experience, he has been instrumental in refining processes businesses use to navigate the complexities of bringing new products to market. As a prolific author and a thought leader, his work continues to influence how organizations harness technological advancements like artificial intelligence to stay competitive. Cooper’s blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise makes him a valuable resource for understanding the intricacies of AI in product development.
"Imagine AI not as a replacement, but as an augmentation of human capabilities. With the right balance, AI can drive unprecedented innovation in product development."
~ Bob Cooper
Today on Innovation Talks:
· AI project failures often mimic traditional product development failures, with up to 80% of projects floundering due to poor technical understanding and misjudgment of user needs.
· The misinformation from vendors and promotional blogs significantly contributes to the high failure rate of AI projects.
· Successful AI deployment frequently parallels the Stage-Gate® processes used in traditional product development, highlighting the need for structured project management.
· Data quality is as crucial to AI as material quality is to manufacturing physical products; insufficient or poor-quality data undermines AI performance.
· While AI's role in product innovation is substantial, its impact is even more significant in process improvements, facilitating everything from idea generation to market launches.
· Trust and readiness to adopt AI are major hurdles; many companies are reluctant to rely fully on AI for decision-making, preferring human oversight.
· The financial sector has adopted AI more rapidly than product development industries, indicating a sector-specific readiness and application of AI technologies.
· Personal and professional AI literacy is essential; proficiency with tools like ChatGPT can significantly boost productivity and innovation capabilities.
Guest Contact Information:
Website: www.bobcooper.ca
http://www.bobcooper.ca/
Resources Mentioned:
http://www.bobcooper.ca/articles/artificial-intelligence-in-npd
Rapid model: Roadmap for AI Implementation and Deployment
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/adopting-artificial-intelligence-new-product-rapid-model-cooper-wze4e
Stage-Gate® methodology
https://www.stage-gate.com/blog/the-stage-gate-model-an-overview/
Siemens software for digital twin technology
https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/stories/industry/the-digital-twin.html
ChatGPT for idea generation and campaign strategies
https://chatgpt.com/
Resources:
Bob Cooper’s published books on innovation and new product development
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Robert-G.-Cooper/author/B001IGOJG6?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Colonel Eddie Corrigan is the Assistant Head of the UK Ministry of Defense's Concepts, Strategy, Force Development, Doctrine, and Lessons Defense Logistics division. With over 33 years of tactical, operational, and strategic experience across many logistics and supply chain activities in the defense and global context, he has delivered logistics effects and outputs – including supply, distribution, movements, information services, and infrastructure – around the world. From 2007 to 2010, Eddie served in the Royal Logistics Corps, where he was responsible for supplying and distributing all supplies to a military force of over 10,000 people and commanding a regiment of 600 people.
Eddie joins me today to discuss the connection between innovation and defense for national security and military defenses. We discuss how he began working in innovation management and the challenges of creating, developing, and distributing new technologies. We discuss the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on innovation. We discuss the relationship between corporate industries and the military, how it has shifted over the years, and how these collaborative efforts have benefited civilians and the military. We discuss cyber-security, the challenges associated with defending against cyber threats, and the solutions currently available to help defend against cyber attacks. We also discuss the benefits of converting AI capabilities into defense assets and how startup corporations can begin collaborating with the military on creating new, innovative defense technologies.
“Industry does lead the way – but we are following quite closely.” - Colonel Eddie Corrigan
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Eddie initially got involved in innovation management
● The challenges associated with creating innovative technology
● The ecosystem of using innovative ideas in national defense
● How the Russia/Ukraine conflict is impacting the world of innovation
● Collaboration efforts between national military defenses and corporate industries
● Eddie’s advice to startup corporations on collaborating with the military on new, innovative technologies
● Defending against cyber attacks and cyber-security issues
● Converting AI capabilities into beneficial military and defense assets
● The innovation and technology challenges Russia is currently facing in its conflict with Ukraine
Connect with Colonel Eddie Corrigan:
● Colonel Eddie Corrigan on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, Paul discusses the intricacies of corporate innovation and explores the challenges and successes in the mobile technology market of the early 2000s. Alex Slawsby, Chief Growth Officer at Innolead, joins in this enlightening discussion and introduces listeners to the upcoming Impact conference in Boston. The conference, aimed at corporate innovation leaders, will feature sessions on AI, collaboration, digital transformation, and much more.
Alex Slawsby is a seasoned innovation leader with extensive experience in both analytical and executive roles. Beginning his career at IDC, he specialized in the mobile devices market, gaining profound insights into the challenges and innovations of the early 2000s. Alex currently serves as the Chief Growth Officer at Innolead, where he spearheads growth initiatives and fosters innovation across various corporate sectors. His knowledge of the evolution of digital experiences and organizational agility makes him a vital thought leader in the industry.
"Innovation thrives when companies shift their focus from features to outcomes, delivering experiences that truly delight the customer." ~Alex Slawsby
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The Impact conference in Boston, scheduled for October 23 to 25, will focus on innovation themes and bring together notable speakers from leading organizations.
· In the early 2000s, mobile device companies often compromised product functionality by adding features without understanding consumer needs.
· Effective innovation requires balancing what's best for the company now versus what truly satisfies the customer.
· Transparent conversations within organizations are essential for navigating and implementing change.
· Companies must shift from technology-driven innovation to a more consumer-centered approach to create resonating products.
· The discussion highlights the rise and fall of mobile device companies like Palm and Handspring, emphasizing the need to adapt to market changes.
· Organizational agility and the ability to quickly pivot are key factors in achieving long-term success in the innovation landscape.
· There is a growing need for transformation and innovation workshops to help companies stay customer-centric and adapt to digital needs.
Resources Mentioned:
Impact Conference in Boston, October 23 to 25
https://www.innovationleader.com/impact/
Innolead, for additional resources on corporate innovation
https://www.innovationleader.com
Alex on Innovation Talks
https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/innovation-leadership-101-how-chief-innovation-officers-shape-culture-and-drive-change-with-alex-slawsby-1
Guest Contact Information:
Alex Slawsby: LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexslawsby/
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Visit https://info.sopheon.com/innovationops-ebook
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Alex Slawbsy is the Chief Growth Officer of InnoLead, an organization that creates content, events, and tools to help the world's largest network of corporate strategy, innovation, and R&D leaders drive change more successfully. Over the past 20 years, Alex has dedicated his time to researching, teaching, guiding, and leading corporate innovation strategy development, capability building, and new business incubation. Before InnoLead, Alex was the Director of Innovation at Embraer-X and an innovation consultant for several years for organizations, including Clayton Christensen’s disruptive innovation consultancy, Innosight. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Alex joins me today to discuss why innovation leaders must shape culture to drive organizational change. He explains why innovation is difficult to quantify and how it’s challenging for innovation leaders to argue their necessity to an organization. He outlines why innovating and change-making imply building trust and relationships within an organization. Alex also discusses hybrid work in the post-COVID era and how remote work may affect organizational culture, change-making, and innovation.
“If you’re trying to move the organization, you need to build the relationships, the bonds, the trust, and perhaps the mentorship with the people who will support you.” - Alex Slawsby
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Alex’s background in corporate innovation and the history of InnoLead
● The difference between innovation and invention
● Alex’s insights on current shifts in innovation
● Current conversations around innovation, uncertainty, and the economy
● Communicating the value innovation leaders and innovation teams bring to an organization
● The innovator’s dilemma and navigating innovation and change-resistant people
● The challenge of getting people to support something that may not be in the best interest of their careers
● How innovation teams are often perceived in companies
● How to avoid and manage the clash between innovation and the core business
● Connecting with consumers to understand what’s best for them
Connect with Alex Slawsby:
● InnoLead
● InnoLead on LinkedIn
● InnoLead on Instagram
● InnoLead on Facebook
● InnoLead on Twitter
● Alex Slawsby on LinkedIn
This podcast is brought to you by Sopheon.
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
This week's episode explores the intricacies of AI-powered innovation and its transformative effects across various industries. Together with George Young, we dismantle the limitations and potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in predicting outcomes. George elucidates these technologies' ongoing disruptions, especially within the consumer packaged goods sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, and underscores the rising importance of sustainability in modern manufacturing.
George Young is a seasoned expert in digital innovation. Twenty years ago, he co-founded Calypso and is now the vice president of global digital services at Rockwell Automation. Based in Mumbai, George is deeply involved in digital transformations that address India's rapid infrastructure expansion. With an illustrious career stretching from organic chemistry and consulting to production and business management, George remains passionate about problem-solving and applying cutting-edge digital tools. His pivotal role in integrating digital information into physical products has significantly advanced consumer and product experiences.
"Introducing minimum viable products and emphasizing the importance of iterative feedback over waiting for perfection is fundamental to successful innovation." - George Young
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Limitations of AI and ML: George Young emphasizes that these technologies cannot predict outcomes without understanding the root causes.
· COVID-19 Disruptions: Insights into how the pandemic challenged the consumer packaged goods sector and prompted innovations.
· Digital Information in Physical Products: George illustrates digital tech integration in products like refrigerators and tires for improved consumer experiences.
· Generative AI in Innovation: Discussion on how AI can automate tasks like writing specifications, freeing time for more complex work.
· Cross-Disciplinary Expertise: The value of combining different fields of expertise to gain a competitive edge in product development.
· Sustainability and Worker Safety: Emphasizing these aspects can lower production costs and increase overall efficiency.
· Minimum Viable Products: Launching MVPs and continually seeking feedback to refine and perfect products is important.
· AI/ML for Portfolio Management: Using AI and machine learning to predict project cycle time and success rates, thereby enhancing portfolio management.
Resources Mentioned:
"13 Steps to Mindful Consulting": George Young's book based on Buddhist principles for a balanced and productive professional life.
Connect with George Young:
Email: george.young@rockwellautomation.com
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Visit https://info.sopheon.com/innovationops-ebook
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Langdon Morris is a globally recognized futurist, innovation expert, and strategy consultant with a career transition into innovation dating back to 1998-99. As the founder of Innovation Labs in 2001, he has played a crucial role in establishing innovation departments and providing essential teaching and training for organizations worldwide. Langdon has authored several influential books on innovation and strategy, and his work has been instrumental in helping businesses and governments understand the consequences of their choices and prepare for future challenges. His extensive portfolio includes collaborations with major corporations and organizations like UNICEF, all aimed at shaping the future through a blend of strategy and innovation.
This week's episode explores the dynamic world of rapid change and futurism. Our conversation centers around the concept of mastering rapid transformation in business and society with the insights of an expert in the field. Our guest, Langdon Morris, provides valuable perspectives on how organizations can navigate the unpredictable landscape of the future, emphasizing the importance of strategic foresight and innovation.
"Effective futurism is about understanding patterns and driving forces of change rather than making specific predictions." ~Langdon Morris
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Understanding Patterns of Change: Langdon Morris emphasizes that effective futurism focuses on recognizing patterns and driving forces rather than making specific predictions.
· End-User Value: Innovation's fundamental essence lies in the value the end-user or customer perceives.
· Eradicating Polio: Langdon discusses the collaboration between UNICEF, the Gates Foundation, and others to nearly eradicate polio globally.
· Comic Book Training: Innovative efforts included creating a comic book for illiterate health workers, significantly impacting polio vaccination campaigns.
· Small Business Innovation: For small businesses, innovation should focus on addressing customer complaints and making practical improvements without heavy frameworks.
· Innovation Master Plan: Medium to large companies need a structured innovation master plan to navigate rapid change effectively.
· Shared Strategies: Combining centralized and decentralized approaches in innovation is crucial, advocating for "and" thinking.
· Future Scenarios: Langdon's book "Hello, Future: The World in 2035" discusses potential scenarios for anticipating and preparing for future changes in innovation.
Resources Mentioned:
Langdon Morris' Websites: Explore Langdon’s works and sign up for his newsletter at http://innovationlabs.com and http://langdonmorris.com
Book: "Hello, Future: The World in 2035"
UNICEF Collaboration: Insight into the polio eradication efforts involving UNICEF and other organizations.
Frameworks for Innovation: Comprehensive approaches to scenario planning and strategic planning integrated with innovation. https://www.langdonmorris.com/publications
Connect with Langdon Morris:
http://innovationlabs.com
http://langdonmorris.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/langdon-morris-636993
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this episode, I sit down with Adrian Wong, a startup and global corporation innovation technology leader and venture partner with expertise in digital transformation, early-stage startups, and new product development. We discuss the evolving landscape of user experience (UX) design, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies like AI, VR, and AR present for businesses. Adrian shares his insights on the future of UX and the critical role that design plays in shaping successful products and brands.
Adrian is a dotcom veteran with a unique hybrid background as a product and creative director in startups and innovation CTO in corporations across a dozen industries. He’s scaled gaming startup PKR to the fastest-growing UK tech company, pioneered innovation labs for AstraZeneca, BDO, and Wipro, and works as a fractional CxO and venture capitalist to invest in and support emerging digital ventures.
He specializes in product, growth, artificial intelligence and corporate innovation - the practical application and commercialisation of emerging tech combined with consumer-grade UX for competitive advantage and democratisation of advanced technologies.
"Understanding the right problems to solve with technology is a common challenge for companies, and there's a growing emphasis on continuous learning and user research." ~Adrian Wong
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The Cambridge, UK, area fosters innovation due to its concentration of talent and innovative tech companies.
· User research and qualitative research are crucial for understanding customer behavior and incorporating it into the digital space.
· Voice interaction and differences in device interactions across the world, such as the super app environment in China, impact AI interactions and privacy concerns.
· Data privacy and IP protection pose challenges and opportunities for corporations and startups.
· The evolution of UX has progressed from static to dynamic, personalized experiences, with a focus on accessibility and inclusive design.
· Lean and agile methodologies have contributed to a more collaborative and iterative design process.
· AI and data analytics have led to increased personalization and customization in user experiences.
· The future of UX may involve multimodal interfaces, haptic feedback, brain-computer interfaces, and seamless cross-device experiences affecting the physical world.
Connect with Adrian Wong:
https://www.adrianxwong.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/axwong/
https://x.com/adrianxwong
https://www.openvc.app/fund/Adrian%20Wong
https://portfolio-collective.com/profile/adrian_1/
Resources Mentioned:
https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/
RSC Sustainability
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, I had an insightful conversation with Ruth Rennie about the growing importance of sustainability in business and how companies can leverage data to drive meaningful change. We explore the various factors pushing organizations to prioritize sustainability, the challenges they face in measuring and acting on sustainability data, and the crucial role of innovation in developing sustainable solutions. Ruth shares her expertise on how companies can effectively integrate sustainability into their operations and supply chains, ultimately creating value for their brand and the planet.
Ruth Rennie is a seasoned expert in sustainability and social impact, currently serving as the Director of Standards and Impacts at Fairtrade International. With a robust background in social research and international development, Ruth has dedicated her career to advancing fair trade practices and improving the livelihoods of producers worldwide. Her extensive experience includes leading complex projects and developing rigorous standards that ensure ethical and sustainable supply chains. Ruth's passion for social justice and her strategic vision make her a pivotal figure in promoting equitable trade and fostering positive global change.
"Sustainability and innovation are both necessary for each other, leading to a fundamental rethinking of current business models and ways of working to incorporate sustainability." ~Ruth Rennie
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Millennials and consumers are increasingly pressuring companies to demonstrate sustainability efforts.
· Companies face legal action over misleading sustainability claims, forcing greater transparency and accountability.
· Specific and granular data is needed to understand and address sustainability challenges within supply chains.
· Companies are focusing on ensuring sustainable processes within their supply chain and developing new sustainable products and services.
· Sustainability and innovation are interconnected and need to be measured, monitored, and integrated into business processes.
· Companies need to associate value with sustainability across the organization, not just for marketing purposes.
· Aligning incentives and bringing together various skill sets can help support sustainability initiatives.
· Collecting the right and accurate data, rather than just gathering a large amount of data, is crucial for making informed decisions and driving innovation.
Contact Ruth Rennie:
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
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Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
We use roadmaps as a reference to tailor our projects and various investments in the business. They’re essentially our guide—a compass to where we want to be with all the details of getting there. However, many are confused by road mapping, especially regarding how it starts and who should spearhead it.
In this episode, I describe roadmapping and the different kinds of roadmaps. I explain what road mapping is from the viewpoint of innovation and why we conduct road mapping exercises in the first place. I share valuable resources that dive deeper into road mapping. I also discuss when an organization should update its roadmap and the data that makes an excellent roadmap.
"Roadmapping is not a single-person endeavor, but a shared initiative." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Defining road mapping and the different varieties
● Roadmapping from an innovation perspective
● Considering when to update a roadmap in your corporation
● Why do we conduct road mapping exercises
● Valuable resources for road mapping
Resources Mentioned:
● Cambridge Roadmapping
● IfM Engage
● Sopheon Roadmapping
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dan Adams is a visionary in business growth and leadership, serving as president of the AIM Institute. With extensive experience guiding companies toward innovation and market-driven strategies, Dan has authored the groundbreaking book Business Builders. Dan's commitment to fostering a builder mentality in leaders has significantly impacted the business landscape, encouraging a new wave of transformative leadership.
This week's episode explores the strategic mindset that sets apart the most successful companies from their competitors. Joining us is business leader Dan Adams, who discusses the concept of the "builder mentality," which is essential for long-term competitiveness and growth. We examine how these principles, laid out in Dan's new book and his research-backed survey, impact leadership styles, succession planning, and the understanding of leaders' roles in shaping companies for future success.
" Our belief is that the duty of a senior leader is to leave their business stronger
than they found it.” - Dan Adams
This Week on Innovation Talks:
· A builder mentality drives company growth: Dan Adams highlights that leadership focused on delivering customer value and expanding the company is most effective at driving growth.
· Different leaders impact organizations in unique ways: Builders, decorators, remodelers, and realtors—each leadership style has a distinct approach, with builders being the most growth-oriented.
· Understanding one's leadership style is key: Adams encourages leaders to use the self-assessment tool on his website to measure their belief system and adopt a builder mentality.
· Balancing leadership styles for sustainable growth: While different leaders have varied priorities, a balance of strategies is crucial for organic growth.
· CEOs must evolve with their companies: As companies grow, the need for a builder mentality remains critical, making succession planning pivotal.
Connect with Dan Adams:
Resources Mentioned:
-
Book: "Business Builders" by Dan Adams
-
AIM Institute
-
Builder Mentality Self-Assessment Tool
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in boosting B2B selling performance. We also explore the shift in training methodologies and innovations within the sales domain, a conversation enriched by the insights of our esteemed guest, Dan Adams. With a keen focus on AI's potential, we examine how technology acts as a catalyst for revolutionizing sales preparation and effectiveness.
Dan Adams is a seasoned Aim Institute trainer specializing in B2B customer discovery techniques for Fortune 500 companies. A pioneer in integrating qualitative and quantitative methods for new product innovation, he has recently expanded his focus to the everyday voice of customer training, homing in on sales effectiveness. With a career dedicated to understanding and leveraging customer insights, Dan has successfully implemented AI tools that prepare sales teams more efficiently. His rigorous research in sales probing skills and his pragmatic approach to training make him a thought leader.
"Our new AI guide, Claire, is revolutionizing sales preparation by providing real-time coaching and feedback, thus changing our approach to training and coaching." ~Dan Adams
This Week on Innovation Talks:
· The significance of using customer and company names in voice-of-customer (VoC) interviews to gain multiple perspectives within a business.
· The irreplaceable value of human interviews in B2B settings for obtaining critical insights that AI might miss.
· Utilizing AI for sales effectiveness, specifically in preparation and skills building for salespeople.
· The introduction of Sales Prep, an AI tool that generates comprehensive reports on customer news, market trends, and common issues.
· The challenge of onboarding new employees and technology's role in easing their transition.
· Dan's research confirms a strong correlation between effective probing skills and sales performance, compared to traditional sales training.
· The potential of AI-guided, asynchronous training as a cost-effective, rapid skill-building solution.
· An independent sales prep website driven by self-motivated individuals to foster internal adoption of new methodologies.
Guest Contact Information:
Dan Adams - Aim Institute
Website: https://aiminstitute.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/danadams-aim/
Resources Mentioned:
Sales Prep AI tool: A solution for generating customer insights and preparing for sales calls.
Everyday VOC: How to turn every customer interaction into actionable insight.
AIM Institute Training Programs: B2B customer discovery and sales effectiveness training.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
This week, I discuss the critical role of data in innovation and decision-making. We explore the significance of data hygiene and its vital role in driving accurate and trustworthy decision-making in innovation. Drawing attention to the importance of data cleansing, I address how bad data can significantly impair good decision-making and discuss strategies to ensure data accuracy and trustworthiness.
Paul Heller is a recognized authority in innovation management, specializing in methodologies that streamline and enhance the innovation process. With a wealth of experience working with databases and innovating various processes, Paul is deeply passionate about the intersection of data accuracy and innovation. He is currently driving thought leadership at Sopheon, focusing on improving portfolio management and innovation efficiencies for organizations worldwide.
"Automate your data flow to maintain accuracy. Consistency in data entry ensures reliability and builds credibility in your innovation portfolio." ~ Paul Heller
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The Evolution of Data Hygiene: The shift from calling it data cleansing to data hygiene reflects the growing importance of maintaining clean and accurate data in today’s tech-driven world.
· AI and Data Accuracy: AI's growing role in decision-making makes data hygiene even more critical to ensuring accurate and reliable outputs.
· Defining Terminology: Establish clear definitions for all data-related terms to avoid misunderstandings and ensure consistent team communication.
· Verified Data in Governance: Incorporate data verification steps into your governance process to maintain data accuracy and trust.
· Ownership of Data: Identifying and assigning ownership of specific data points ensures responsibility and accuracy in reporting.
· Process Verification: Regularly verify data at various stages of your process to prevent errors and maintain quality.
· Integration with Portfolio Management: Flow verified data straight into portfolio management systems to ensure consistency and reliability in decision-making.
· Awareness of Synthetic Data: Stay vigilant about synthetic data and its impact on your innovation and decision-making processes.
Resources Mentioned:
Ramesh Kolipera, CTO of Kalinova
StageGate: Methodology for structured decision-making processes
Lean Six Sigma: Methodologies for optimizing processes
Digital Twins: Virtual replicas for testing and optimization
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, on Innovation Talks, we explore the intricacies of innovation coaching for emerging tech founders. We also discuss various strategies for integrating digital and analytical capabilities and the vital role of company culture in driving innovation. Our guest, Adam Judelson, brings a wealth of experience from both the public and private sectors, offering a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by today’s tech entrepreneurs.
Adam Judelson is a veteran in the field of product market fit with a rich background that spans government national security work, leading roles in tech companies like Palantir, and a successful career as a founder, CEO, and product coach. His company, First Principles, specializes in supporting both digital products and hybrid hardware-software companies in the emerging tech space. Adam’s deep understanding of the product development lifecycle and his passion for mentoring product managers set him apart as a pioneer in innovation coaching.
"Understand that risk-taking is part of the game.
To innovate, you must be willing to leap into the unknown and trust the process."
~Adam Judelson
This Week on Innovation Talks:
· The importance of aligning company culture with innovation goals to avoid friction points.
· Different models companies can use to integrate digital and analytics capabilities, including acquisitions and in-house development.
· Adam’s transition from government national security work to Palantir, where he doubled growth for Palantir Gotham.
· Valuable lessons from Adam’s experience mentoring product managers who achieved significant career success.
· The trend of big corporations seeking innovation collaborations with startups, particularly in the digital product space.
· Natural strengths and the importance of building a network of people with fascinating stories.
· Essential skills for product managers, emphasizing communication with engineers and customers.
· Testing, prototyping, and developing ideas before market validation is necessary if they represent a deep underlying need.
Resources and Contact Information:
· Adam Judelson’s, Emergent Product: for the newsletter, podcast episodes, and videos.
· Connect with Adam Judelson on LinkedIn.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this episode of Innovation Talks, we dive into the intricate world of data-driven innovation. I have the pleasure of speaking with Krishnan Venkata, who sheds light on the potential value of mining various data sources, from research and development to consumer feedback. We explore how harnessing internal and external data, including insights from the web like blogs and forums, can revolutionize how companies understand and respond to consumer preferences.
Krishnan Venkata is the Chief Client Officer at Latent View Analytics, a firm dedicated to maximizing the value of data for decision-making. With a technology and knowledge services background, Krishnan advises early-stage tech companies on growth strategies. Originally from India and currently based in Seattle, Washington, Krishnan brings an international perspective to the conversation. His journey from a small startup to leading a team of 1500 at Latent View Analytics speaks volumes about his commitment to leveraging analytics for innovation.
"Mining external data sources like blogs, forums, and reviews
is essential to truly understand and anticipate consumer preferences."
~ Krishnan Venkata
Today on Innovation Talks:
- The value of mining diverse data sources: Learn how data from R&D, patents, chemical formulations, and consumer feedback can provide unique insights.
- Importance of external data: Discover how blogs, forums, and online reviews reveal consumer preferences and trends.
- Recognizing the challenge of data silos: Understand why data being confined within departmental boundaries hampers actionable insights.
- Actionable insights in practice: Real-world examples highlight the importance of taking steps based on predictive insights, such as managing inventory.
- Generative AI for insights: Explore how AI can generate and alert you to potential decisions, starting with moderate accuracy and improving over time.
- Identifying AI use cases: Address organizations' struggle to pinpoint where AI can truly add value.
- Overcoming the fear of failure: Recognize the necessity of experimentation and the readiness to fail fast, learning along the way.
- Collaboration and data sharing: Grasp the shift towards collaborative innovation and the mutual trust required for data sharing within supply chains.
Contact Krishnan:
Latent View Analytics
Resources Mentioned:
Latent View Analytics: Specializing in maximizing data value and analytics for decision-making.
“Smart Innovation” Platform: A tool by Latent View Analytics that helps predict and leverage market trends.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we delve into the critical role of enterprise technology and why it matters in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. Our guest, Geoff Scott, sheds light on the complexities of integrating personal communication tools like iMessage into enterprise data systems, the transformative power of cloud computing, and the significance of community and face-to-face collaboration in fostering innovation. Geoff shares his valuable insights on how businesses can navigate the challenges of modern enterprise architecture, data migration, and maintaining effective operations in a digital-first world.
Geoff Scott is a seasoned technology leader specializing in SAP implementation and operations. As the CEO of Americas’ SAP Users’ Group (ASUG), one of the largest technology communities globally, Geoff brings together a diverse ecosystem of purchasers, users, implementers, partners, and consultants. His career spans a transition from accounting to consulting, with hands-on experience in various industries, including automotive, food, and fashion. Geoff's primary focus is on enabling customers to maximize the value of their SAP investment through strategic collaboration with the partner ecosystem and SAP itself. Outside his role at ASUG, Geoff engages with global system implementers, consulting firms, and technology providers to align technological advancements with business value.
"Enterprise technology should make jobs faster, smarter, and less friction-filled, with an emphasis on the importance of people and relationships." ~ Geoff Scott
Today on Innovation Talks:
• The challenge of integrating personal communication tools like iMessage into enterprise systems and ensuring data consistency.
• The necessity of having all data available, including tacit knowledge, for AI tools to be effective.
• The limitations of AI in high-stakes decision-making and the potential consequences of errors, exemplified by autonomous driving.
• The scalability and speed advantages of cloud computing over traditional server provisioning, along with security and licensing considerations.
• The superior security provided by hyperscalers compared to internal data centers, particularly for startups.
• The importance of community and face-to-face collaboration in fostering innovation and professional growth.
• The role of SAP as the central nervous system of an enterprise and the need for integration with major ERP systems for effective business operations.
• The future of enterprise technology in the cloud, software as a service (SaaS), and minimal customization, highlighting the challenges and necessity of transitioning from on-premise systems.
Connect with Geoff Scott:
· geoff.scott@asug.com
Resources Mentioned:
• Cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Microsoft's cloud-based solutions for SAP, Excel, and Outlook.
• ASUG (Americas’ SAP Users’ Group) for technology-related community events and resources.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we delve into the fascinating realms of leadership, energy management, and innovation, all essential for driving business and personal growth. We unravel the complexities and necessary behaviors behind fostering an environment that nurtures creativity and innovation. Our special guest, Richard Maddox, is a seasoned professional who brings a wealth of experience and insights from his extensive career in leadership development and talent enhancement.
Richard Maddocks is an internationally recognized inspirational speaker, training-workshop leader, coach, and author of ‘The Energy Book’. Former CEO of an international IT company, Richard combines long-term business experience with a passion for unleashing potential in people, teams and companies. His passion for unleashing potential has enabled more than 14,000 people to experience increased fulfilment, impact and happiness in their professional and personal lives.
"Applied imagination is at the core of pushing boundaries and achieving innovative results." - Richard Maddox
Today on Innovation Talks:
• Creativity and innovation are applicable across all fields, not just traditionally 'creative' industries.
• The process of creativity involves innovation and the creation of a supportive culture that involves the right people.
• Challenging the status quo and constantly seeking improvement are necessary for leadership and business success.
• Leaders should promote risk-taking and create environments where team members can experiment and learn from failures.
• Looking outside one’s immediate industry can offer invaluable new perspectives and spark innovation.
• Effective energy management can enhance personal productivity and creativity.
• Understanding and leveraging personal and team talents are essential for leadership and organizational growth.
• Learning from every situation and interaction is crucial, as highlighted by the impactful encounter with a dedicated janitor.
Resources Mentioned:
-
"Drive Your Talents" program
-
Turbocharge Your Work e-learning program (which can also be accessed through upe-a.com): www.turbochargeyourwork.com
-
Unleash Potential e-Academy: https://www.upe-a.com/
-
The Energy Book site: https://the-energybook.com/
-
Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
Connect with Richard Maddox:
• https://richardmaddocks.com/
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Marie-José van den Boomgaard is the Liaison Manager for Start-ups and Scale-ups at KPN, a Dutch telecommunications company. MJ has demonstrated her passion for open innovation throughout her role as Liaison Manager and through the 300 deals she has closed between KPN and scale-ups. In addition to her role at KPN, MJ is an active board member of Costa, an initiative from VNO NCW where the 25 top brands in the Netherlands exchange information on working with scale-ups. In September, MJ will be launching The Innovation Cast—a podcast sharing and discussing personal stories from innovation heroes—with Kirsten van Rijn.MJ joins me today to discuss her role as the mediator between KPN and scale-ups. She offers advice to people new to the scale-up world. She explains how COVID-19 has changed the relevance of telecommunications. She describes why process optimization is the easiest innovation type for scale-ups. MJ also reveals how top-level commitment has helped her create successful collaborations between KPN and scale-ups and highlights the importance of assessing your organization’s internal processes when working with scale-ups. “Experiment and fail fast. Optimize your processes, get a coalition of the willing, experiment, and use a CRM.” - Marie-José van den Boomgaard This week on Innovation Talks:● The responsibilities of the Liaison Manager KPN● Why open innovation is highly valued at KPN● How to create impactful collaborations between your organization and a scale-up● The types of innovation that work best with scale-ups● Engaging with scale-ups and the importance of the culture of collaboration● Speeding up the deal-making process and the emphasizing strategic relevance of deals● Finding, hiring, and developing interns Resources Mentioned:● Magnet.Me (https://magnet.me/jobseekers) Connect with Marie-José van den Boomgaard:● KPN (https://www.kpn.com/) ● KPN on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/kpn/) ● Marie-José van den Boomgaard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-jos%C3%A9-van-den-boomgaard/) ● Email: kpnscale-ups@kpn.comThis Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Jim Fava is the former Executive Director of the Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes and have led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. He is the co-founder of influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI). Alongside Neil D’Souza, Jim co-hosts Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology and how to negotiate the path to sustainable products.Jim joins us today to discuss the golden rules for embedding sustainability into the innovation process. He shares how he was inspired to conceptualize the golden rules of innovation and sustainability. He outlines the foundations of sustainable development and why those foundations need to be led by governance. He explains why sustainability officers need to be assigned directly to an innovation department. Jim also highlights why it’s important for sustainability officers to avoid “sustainability talk” and instead speak the language of their audiences. “If you’re going to do something different, do it now. Change is part of what we have to do to make it happen.” - Jim Fava This week on Innovation Talks:● The Ten Golden Rules of sustainability and innovation● The increasing awareness of sustainability’s importance● Integrating sustainability into innovation● The foundations of sustainable development● Good governance and its role in sustainable development● Recalibrating the roles of sustainability officers in an organization● The value of speaking the language of your audience● How innovation drives marketing and procurement● Breaking silos and why people sustainability should be part of the innovation technology department Related Episode:● Golden rules for a sustainable business with Jim Fava (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/golden-rules-for-a-sustainable-business-with-jim-fava) Connect with Jim Fava:● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/five-lifes-to-fifty/id1687638970) ● Jim Fava on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-fava-04b88b5/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Huub Rutten is the co-founder and Vice President of Product Research and Design at Sopheon. Huub has over 20 years of experience in language management and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Radboud University in the Netherlands. He plays a pivotal role in developing Sopheon’s linguistics and knowledge management technologies and leads the organization into solutions for innovation. Huub integrates his expertise in linguistics and information technology to innovate language management technology within knowledge-intensive business processes and has recently created an in-depth course on innovation portfolio management.Huub joins me today to discuss managing, governing, and balancing an innovation portfolio. He explains why there is no “ideal” portfolio and how the most desirable portfolio is relative to the regional market sector someone is going for. He describes why developing and investing in production and manufacturing plants is as critical in innovation as product research and development. He underscores why larger companies need to create an innovation management council within their organization. Huub also highlights the importance of bridging the gaps between product portfolios and production portfolios and understanding how they impact each other. “The simplicity of looking at a portfolio as a series of projects is ridiculous. If you want to add value from a portfolio management perspective, you have to connect with its complexity.” - Huub RuttenThis week on Innovation Talks:● Huub’s thoughts on innovation portfolio balance● Thinking about an innovation portfolio as a “living” business object in itself● How the direction of a company’s innovation portfolio demands a continued SWOT analysis● Innovation management in production processes and technology● Investing in manufacturing and production plants● Balancing a portfolio of portfolios● Bridging product and production portfolios● Creating an innovation management council within a large company● How people are reacting to Huub’s courses on portfolio management Related Episodes:● The Importance of Sprint Portfolios with Huub Rutten (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/the-importance-of-sprint-portfolios-with-huub-rutten) ● Pillars of Portfolio Management with Huub Rutten (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/pillars-of-portfolio-management-with-huub-rutten) Connect with Huub Rutten:● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/huub-rutten-9958136/?originalSubdomain=nl) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Huub Rutten is the Co-Founder and Vice President for Product Research and Design at Sopheon. With over two decades of experience in language management and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Radboud University in the Netherlands, Huub is instrumental in developing Sopheon’s linguistics and knowledge management technologies and continues to lead the organization into solutions for innovation. Huub integrates his expertise in linguistics and information technology to innovate language management technology within knowledge-intensive business processes and, recently, has created an in-depth course on portfolio management.Huub joins me today to discuss why, when it comes to innovation portfolio management, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He explains why the front-end of a portfolio needs to be separated from the ‘realization’ end of a portfolio. He discusses why the launch strategy of a new product is as important as its development. He also highlights why companies need to focus on establishing the value of realization instead of the value of the front-end of a portfolio, describes why the portfolio leader needs to ensure a portfolio’s balance and direction, and underscores why portfolio management has to be executed in combination with concrete decision-making. “Look at a portfolio—and portfolio management—as a business object in itself, a collection of things, of products, of projects that have value, business cases, and risk.” - Huub Rutten “Companies who look at portfolio management as a tool for change, transformation, and modernization of a company will be more mature.” - Huub Rutten “Innovation management is about making promises for the future, and you have to believe in the promise of the whole thing.” - Huub Rutten This week on Innovation Talks: ● The tendency of people to look at portfolios as reports instead of a business object● The fundamentals and foundations of innovation portfolio management● Distinguishing the difference between the ‘front end’ and ‘realization’ parts of a portfolio● Separating the front end innovation portfolio from your ‘realization’ portfolio● Feature development and its prototyping● Examples of features and components in different products● Considering the pipeline value of a portfolio● How a portfolio’s front end is an important knowledge base● Portfolio management as an organizational transformation tool● Portfolio leadership and why companies struggle to transform their organization● Theory versus practice in portfolio management Related Episode:● AI and machine learning in innovation with Huub Rutten (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/ai-and-machine-learning-in-innovation-with-huub-rutten) Connect with Huub Rutten:● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/huub-rutten-9958136/?originalSubdomain=nl) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Frank Mattes is a thought leader, startup mentor, and expert in corporate business-building. He is the founder and CEO of Lean Scaleup LLC, which co-created the Lean Scaleup Framework, the best practice for overcoming corporate scaling-up problems and creating profitable businesses. As an advisor and mentor, Frank helps corporations accelerate the learning cycle in building new businesses, allowing them to create new revenue streams and move swiftly on their transformation journey. He is the author of the books, Lean Scale Up and Scaling-Up Corporate Startups. Frank joins me today to discuss corporate business building, its challenges, and how to overcome them. He explains why only a small fraction of companies succeed in bringing new business models into the market. He describes the two value-creation systems that exist under one corporate roof. He outlines three approaches to overcoming the odds of creating new businesses in a company. He underscores how building new businesses requires solving systematic problems. Frank also highlights why achieving success in building new businesses inside a company involves making two incompatible factors work together. “The success rate of building sizable, profitable businesses is 3%. It’s not that companies don’t know how to create new products, but it’s all about knowing how to launch new businesses.” - Frank Mattes This week on Innovation Talks: ● Corporate business-building, how it works, and the history of Amazon● Innovation and creating new business models● The defined “red shirt” value-creation system● The innovative “blue shirt” value-creation system● The success rate of companies creating new businesses and business models● Frank’s definition of innovation● The Kodak vs. Fujifilm innovation story Connect with Frank Mattes: ● Lean Scaleup (https://www.leanscaleup.com/) ● Book: Scaling-Up Corporate Startups: Turn innovation concepts into business impact (https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-Up-Corporate-Startups-innovation-concepts-ebook/dp/B07KNCNG9X/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=2rRJE&content-id=amzn1.sym.ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_p=ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_r=131-0454843-5311538&pd_rd_wg=TafrK&pd_rd_r=f0962679-2905-475a-8fd6-fc56967cfbb2&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk) ● Book: Lean Scaleup: A proven framework for building new businesses from innovation (https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Scaleup-framework-businesses-innovation/dp/3982315409/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=2rRJE&content-id=amzn1.sym.ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_p=ed85217c-14c9-4aa0-b248-e47393e2ce12&pf_rd_r=131-0454843-5311538&pd_rd_wg=TafrK&pd_rd_r=f0962679-2905-475a-8fd6-fc56967cfbb2&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk) ● Lean Scaleup on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/lean-scaleup) ● Lean Scaleup on Twitter (https://twitter.com/LeanScaleup) ● Frank Mattes on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankmattes/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Carla Johnson is a marketing and innovation strategist, author of ten books, and keynote speaker. She has partnered with leaders and Fortune 500 brands to train thousands of people to rethink the work they do and make an impact. Carla’s goal is to teach one million people how to become innovative thinkers by 2025. She is the Leap Advisor at Demand Spring and was previously the Programme Director of Digital Marketing at HARBOUR.SPACE. Carla has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is a graduate of the Influence / ICAN Leadership Institute. Carla joins me today to discuss creating consistent innovation through new, impactful, and reliable ideas. She defines innovation, and outlines where to find it as well as how to reignite it alongside creativity. Carla shares her five-step “Perpetual Innovation Process” and reveals the things that block innovation, such as the complexity bias. She talks about recognizing those with the courage to pitch new ideas and how to give feedback. Carla highlights the six different personality types that contribute to innovative teams and how they bring ideas to the table. “In order to get fantastic ideas that have an extraordinary impact and outcome, you have to slow down and observe the world around you.” - Carla Johnson This week on Innovation Talks: ● Carla’s definition of innovation● Drawing inspiration for innovation by looking outside your industry and what it takes to be successful● What perpetual innovators are, learning to be one, and waking up your innovative muscles● Carla’s five-step “Perpetual Innovation Process”● Inspiring a team to create ideas and the two vital parts of giving feedback ● The six different archetypes of innovative teams: strategist, collaborator, culture shaper, psychologist, orchestrator, and provocateur Connect with Carla Johnson: ● Carla Johnson’s website (https://www.carlajohnson.co/) ● Book: RE:Think Innovation by Carla Johnson (https://www.amazon.com/RE-Innovation-Prolific-Innovators-Extraordinary/dp/1631953176) ● Carla Johnson on LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/in/carlajohnson) ● Carla Johnson on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/carlajohnson.co) ● Carla Johnson on Facebook (http://facebook.com/carlajohnsonspeaker) ● Carla Johnson on Twitter (http://twitter.com/carlajohnson) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Cris Beswick is a highly acclaimed global authority on innovation strategy, leadership, and culture and is renowned for his groundbreaking work in assessing corporate innovation maturity. He co-authored the best-selling book 'Building a Culture of Innovation,' which received recognition from the CMI as a Top Innovation Book in 2017. With a position as adjunct faculty at a business school and advisory roles on the boards of The Innovators CoLab and The Global Innovation Institute, Cris actively contributes to the field. He is also a co-founder of OUTCOME, a boutique innovation advisory firm. Today, Cris and I discuss the importance of leadership and culture in driving innovation within organizations. We emphasize the need for a systemic approach to innovation and owning the innovation agenda. We analyze why designing an intentional culture is crucial to foster innovation, focusing on understanding a culture's significance, fostering a growth mindset, providing psychological safety, and continuous culture design. We highlight the effect of strong leadership, particularly during uncertain and disruptive times. We also discuss how to proactively shape organizational culture to drive innovation and adapt effectively. “It's now becoming evident that the innovation system as a whole isn't where organizations really need it to be because they're recognizing that the system needs all of the components to work in harmony.” - Cris Beswick This week on Innovation Talks: ● The challenges and opportunities for innovation organizations ● Why leadership and culture are crucial factors in driving innovation ● Why Cris advocates for a systemic approach to innovation ● Why ownership of innovation is not limited to the CEO ● How to design an intentional culture that fosters innovation● The four key principles of design culture ● Why culture design is a continuous process ● The importance of strong leadership during uncertain times ● How to proactively shape an organization to adapt Connect with Cris Beswick: ● Cris Beswick’s Website (http://www.crisbeswick.com/) ● OUTCOME Website (http://www.weareoutcome.co/) ● Book: Building a Culture of Innovation: A Practical Framework for Placing Innovation at the Core of Your Business by Cris Beswick (https://www.amazon.com/Building-Culture-Innovation-Practical-Framework/dp/0749474475) ● Cris Beswick on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/crisbeswick?miniProfileUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_miniProfile%3AACoAAALLsIkBAUkLmWKTEuoDp0EkzvAddyiDHXA&lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3Bg13DzF3OTPKgDvDnwMuE1Q%3D%3D) ● Cris Beswick on Twitter (https://twitter.com/CrisBeswick) ● Email: cris@weareoutcome.co This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Dr. Sven Schimpf is the Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research and the Director of the Institute for Human Engineering and Empathic Design at Pforzheim University. He is involved in research, education, training, and mentoring in the field of innovation. Sven has conducted extensive studies on roadmapping and has a degree in Business Administration and a doctorate in Engineering earned during his tenure as part of CC R&D Management at Fraunhofer IAO. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged in national and international research and consulting projects, collaborating with various industrial companies to enhance their R&D strategies, processes, and organization. His focus lies in the realm of strategic R&D and innovation management, where he dedicates himself to monitoring, evaluating, and incorporating potentially disruptive advancements. Today, Sven and I discuss the findings of the updated roadmapping study conducted by the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research with three other organizations. We discuss how organizations use roadmapping and the challenges they face. We highlight the importance of clear communication and why excessive details should be avoided in roadmaps. We analyze how software developers can use the insights gained from the study to improve their roadmapping processes. Sven explains the basics of roadmapping and why mismatches between market-oriented information sources and the responsibility for roadmapping occur. We also discuss how organizations can enhance their strategic planning and decision-making processes, foster creativity, envision ambitious futures, and uniquely engage stakeholders. “There is huge potential because in the long run production technologies there are a lot of things happening and they are enabling the development of the next—or the generation after this— generation of products and services.” Dr. Sven Schimpf This week on Innovation Talks: ● The definition of roadmapping and why it is important ● An overview of the roadmapping study ● The types of companies that participated in the study ● Why there is a lack of marketing involvement in roadmapping ● The importance of sharing roadmaps with stakeholders● The best processes to manage and update roadmaps ● Roadmapping software recommendations● Why detail makes roadmaps less useful Connect with Dr. Sven Schimpf ● Dr. Sven Schimpf (https://qepler.com/speakers/sven-schimpf.html) ● Dr. Sven Schimpf on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sven-schimpf-a527261b/) ● Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research Roadmapping Study (https://publica.fraunhofer.de/entities/publication/b52af96f-a870-4660-837e-49d0f9db3c92/details) ● Fraunhofer Group on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/fraunhofer-gesellschaft/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Steve Johnson is a speaker and product coach consulting on modern methods that move ideas to market. He is the author of Turn Ideas Into Product and has served as an advisor and executive for technical organizations and industry associates. He is a former instructor and vice president at Pragmatic Marketing and a co-creator of QuartzOpen Framework. He is also a founding partner of the Product Growth Leaders community. Steve has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Computer Science from Hallam College of Business at the University of Tennessee. Steve joins me today to discuss the process of product management. He shares why leaders need to understand the differences between the roles of product managers and product owners. Steve shares his definition of product management and discusses the importance of a systematic approach. He reveals where companies should begin with their product process and why it is imperative to start with personas. He shares how to problem solve using design, as well as the issues businesses experience when product managers play the role of designer or developer. “The goal of design is not beauty, but when you are done with the design, if it’s not beautiful, you have made a mistake.” - Steve Johnson This week on Innovation Talks: ● How changing the role of product managers to product owners can cause problems● Why you should only focus on ten or fewer of the 37 boxes of the pragmatic framework● Finding your best practice and implementing product ops to create consistency and standardization● How Steve’s “No Chaos Product Process” works and the differences between Waterfall and Agile product development● The role of documentation in product management and why there should be a more significant focus on communication● Why achieving superior product management involves loving the problem more than the product● How many product managers are performing the roles of designers and developers and the problem this creates when building a business Resources Mentioned: ● Book: Turn Ideas Into Product by Steve Johnson (https://www.amazon.com/Turn-Ideas-into-Products-Delivering/dp/1520728549) Connect with Steve Johnson: ● Under10 Consulting (https://www.under10consulting.com) ● Under10 Consulting on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/under10consulting) ● Steve Johnson on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjohnson717/) ● Steve Johnson on Twitter (https://twitter.com/sjohnson717) ● NotExactlySteve.com (http://www.notexactlysteve.com) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
If you weren’t able to attend the Innov8rs Conference in Amsterdam, you missed out on some great speakers, a friendly, collaborative environment, and the latest industry updates on open innovation. My experience at the conference was so positive that it got me thinking about the definition of open innovation. It’s a question I love to ask my guests, and the answers vary from industry to industry. For me, open innovation is all-encompassing, including everything from the initial idea to seeing value returned from the successful launch of the idea. Innovation isn’t just about the next great idea—it’s about bringing that product to market and seeing consumers respond. Today, I summarize my experience at the Innov8rs Conference, the concept of open innovation, and its implementation in various industries. I describe open innovation and how it pertains to consumers, partners, consultants, universities, and startups. I highlight the benefits of open innovation and recount how conference attendees came together to create an environment that fostered collaboration. I discuss the challenges we still face as innovators in implementing open innovation successfully, including issues related to access to talent, intellectual property, and industry expertise. I shout out the conference keynote speakers I loved listening to and their insights on the most important topics facing innovators today. I also emphasize the importance of open innovation and the need for collaboration between corporations and startups to drive successful innovation outcomes. “It was just really a great environment. I've been to many conferences where you just don't have that level of interaction, friendliness, and camaraderie among the attendees.” - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● My experiences at the Innov8rs Conference in Amsterdam ● The amazing environment created by the leading minds in innovation ● The challenges of implementing open innovation ● The key topics presented by the keynote speakers ● The clash between traditional business models and open innovation ● The importance of collaboration in open innovation Resources Mentioned: ● Mindthebridge.com Research (http://mindthebridge.com/research/) ● Book: Lean Scaleup: A proven framework for building new businesses from Innovation (https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Scaleup-framework-businesses-innovation/dp/3982315409) by Frank Mattes ● Book: Scaling-up Corporate Startups: Turn innovation concepts into business impact (https://www.amazon.com/Scaling-up-Corporate-Startups-innovation-concepts/dp/1790696305) by Frank Mattes This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Tim Kidd is an innovator with over 20 years of experience working in large corporations. He began his career at DSM, where he held various positions spanning from research and development to new business development. Eventually, Tim became an innovation coach, providing guidance and support to DSM's top innovation teams and projects. In 2021, He embarked on a new venture by joining Stahl, where he is currently working to establish an open innovation program to forge connections and partnerships with external parties that possess technologies and capabilities complementary to Stahl's own. This initiative aims to accelerate growth and bring Stahl's strategic ambitions to fruition in sustainable, high-performance waves across diverse markets and applications. Today, Tim joins me to discuss the importance of connecting with external parties to solve problems and achieve limitless growth. He shares why he believes that open innovation is critical for innovation success and explains how to leverage external resources and capabilities to solve challenges and create value. He suggests ways to identify external partners and address the misconception that innovation is a chaotic process. We talk about the power of quick wins and how they demonstrate the value of open innovation. He offers advice to companies on formulating a strategy or approach and reveals why a C-level buy-in is critical for open innovation success. We also discuss who should be the innovators in a company, the challenges of reaching out to external resources, and the rewards of networking. "Open innovation is about bringing an ecosystem of partners together that can solve the problems and the challenges that you have." - Tim Kidd This week on Innovation Talks: ● The importance of in-person connection for innovation● Tim's journey into innovation starting with his Ph.D. in Chemistry● Tim's transition into new business development at DSM● The importance of problem-solution fit and product-market fit● Why you need an ecosystem of partners in open innovation● Looking outside your value chain for solutions● How to define a common innovation language and use a stage-gate approach to track progress● The challenges of implementing open innovation in an organization● Engaging with unsupportive team members● Asking “Why?” five times to understand objections● Getting C-level buy-in and support● Getting people excited about open innovation ● The value of external partners Resources Mentioned: ● The 5 Whys Strategy (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_whys) Connect with Tim Kidd: ● Tim Kidd on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-kidd-5904949/?originalSubdomain=nl) ● Stahl (https://www.stahl.com/) ● Stahl on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/stahl/) ● Tim Kidd on Twitter (https://twitter.com/TimKidd74) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9mZWVkcy8xNDY1ODg1LnhtbA) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) | Amazon (https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/6e12f112-fdc6-499e-be27-bcdd18505859/innovation-talks) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Marko Jak is a product and growth professional who builds high-growth products and brings together talented individuals and strategic expertise to reach remarkable outcomes. He has founded two ventures. The first involved leveraging a Machine Learning API for unstructured text data processing, revolutionizing how companies organize their job applications and access a broader pool of tech applicants through collaboration with external recruiters. His current venture, Secta.AI, uses AI to generate professional headshots from regular photos. He now resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and two children. Today, Marko and I discuss how AI can help professionals better present themselves online. Marco reminisces about his journey in the AI and machine learning field and the trials he faced along the way. He stresses the significance of comprehending the disruptive nature of AI and tailoring products to address customer needs. We look back on the historical evolution of film and digital technology, delving into the price reduction of photography and the gradual transition from film to digital cameras. We talk about the roles of third-party APIs and the significance of testing and customizing AI solutions to suit specific tasks and problem domains. We analyze Watson Transformer architecture, the cautious implementation of AI solutions, and the value of experimentation and learning from failures. I also ask Marko to weigh in on which precautions companies should take when adopting AI, and he suggests ways to approach aligning AI capabilities with the problems at hand. “For all new tech, including AI, you're going to make some kind of trade-off somewhere, and you need to be conscious that that trade-off is probably short term only.” - Marko Jak This week on Innovation Talks: ● Marko’s journey with AI and machine learning ● The challenges and evolution of AI technology ● The importance of understanding AI’s disruptive nature● How to foster a culture that embraces innovation and accepts failure ● The history of film and digital technology ● The trade-offs in technological advancements and AI ● Understanding the short-term limitations of new technologies ● The role of third-party APIs ● Why you should proceed with caution when implementing AI solutions ● The importance of aligning AI capabilities with specific problems ● The future of AI in image processing Resources Mentioned: ● Attention is All You Need (https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2017/file/3f5ee243547dee91fbd053c1c4a845aa-Paper.pdf) ● Open AI Memo (https://www.semianalysis.com/p/google-we-have-no-moat-and-neither) Connect with Marko Jak: ● Marko Jak Website (https://markojak.com/) ● Marko Jak on Twitter (https://twitter.com/markojak_) ● Marko Jak on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markojak/) ● Secta Labs on Twitter (https://twitter.com/sectalabs) ● Secta Labs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sectalabs/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Esther Gons is the CEO and co-founder of GroundControl, a software platform that specializes in measuring and de-risking innovation. GroundControl has worked with companies like Colgate/Palmolive, Euler Hermes, DHL, Enexis, and ABN Amro. Esther's expertise extends beyond her role at GroundControl. She is also the co-author of the award-winning book, Innovation Accounting, which offers practical guidance on measuring a company's innovation ecosystem. She co-authored another influential book, The Corporate Startup: How Established Companies Can Develop Successful Innovation Ecosystems. Her expertise and thought leadership has made her an in-demand international speaker, sharing insights on various topics including corporate innovation, innovation accounting, entrepreneurship, startups, lean methodology, business models, and customer development. Esther has mentored hundreds of startups and has served as a lead mentor in prestigious programs such as the Rockstart Accelerator programs, Lean Startup Machine, and Evolv weekends. Today, Esther and I discuss innovation and her work as an entrepreneur, international speaker, author, and founder of Ground Control. She shares her experience writing her two books, The Corporate Startup and Innovation Accounting. We discuss the maturing of corporate innovation and why it must now be taken seriously. Esther underscores how innovation is a learning process and how it is necessary to make mistakes to understand what works. We talk about why innovation should be treated as a discipline and why the input of specialists who have the necessary skills is crucial. Esther also emphasizes the importance of understanding innovation to succeed and shares some great insights as to why innovation labs are often stopped after only a few years. “Corporate innovation is maturing. We can no longer play around with innovation. The trend is that people are saying, ‘No, we have to take this thing seriously.’” - Esther Gons This week on Innovation Talks: ● An overview of ISO Standard Certification● Why companies are taking sustainability seriously in innovation● The benefits of innovation in business● The purpose and struggles of innovation labs● Challenges in innovation● The future of innovation maturity in corporations● The responsibility innovation labs hold● How open innovation affects corporate ecosystems● Esther’s experience designing an online course Resources Mentioned: ● Course on Validated Learning (https://togroundcontrol.com/lean-innovation-training-course/) ● Innov8tors Conference (https://innov8rs.co/lisbon/) ● Book: Open Innovation Works (https://openinnovation.works/) Connect with Esther Gons: ● Esther Gons on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/esthergons/) ● Book: Open Innovation Works (https://openinnovation.works/) by Dr. Diana Joseph, Dan Toma, and Esther Gons● Book: Innovation Accounting: A Practical Guide for Measuring Your Innovation Ecosystem’s Performance (https://innovationaccountingbook.com/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Jim Fava is the recently retired Executive Director at Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Throughout his career, Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," he has devoted his career to advancing and promoting the practice and application of life cycle information worldwide. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes. Notably, he led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. Moreover, Jim co-founded influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI). Today, Jim and I discuss what his career taught him about supporting businesses and governments, turning risks into opportunities, and strategies and actions to operate more sustainably. Jim shares his journey from frat house to c-suite and talks about how he saw the human impact on the environment firsthand and started focusing on sustainability. He outlines life cycle assessment and how it helps us understand the environmental impact of a product over its entire life. He cites disposable diapers as a case study to understand life cycle assessment. Jim also recounts his experience in developing the Technical Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Code of Practice that eventually became the foundation of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Environmental Management Standards. “You have to put what we want to have happen in the language of the decision-makers, and that's our revenue, brand, cost, and risk management.” - Jim Fava This week on Innovation Talks: ● Jim’s best sustainable business strategies● The Life Cycle Assessment journey to sustainability● What cloth diapers can teach us about sustainability● How Jim developed the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology● How Life Cycle thinking affects product design● The seven golden rules for achieving sustainability● How to drive change● The urgency of sustainability in business management● The role of the product manager Resources Mentioned: ● Early Life Cycle Assessment Books Laid the Foundation for Modern-Day LCA (https://globe.setac.org/early-life-cycle-assessment-books-laid-the-foundation-for-modern-day-lca/) ● The Origins of LCA: Perspective from The Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment (https://www.anthesisgroup.com/the-origins-of-lca-perspective-from-the-father-of-modern-day-life-cycle-assessment/) Connect with Jim Fava: ● Jim Fava Website (https://globe.setac.org/) ● Jim Fava on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-fava-04b88b5/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Innovation is inherently a forward-looking practice and, as the world changes, so does the way we innovate. In the next decade, as the world encounters various challenges stemming from climate change, resource pressures, and global policy, companies will need to embrace disruption and develop an innovative culture that can react quickly and adapt to changing environments. But what do companies need to do this successfully? The 4,000 experts contributing to The Millennium Project have done extensive research and provided us with a framework to assess local and global factors that will influence humanity's chance to build a better future. In that light, I discuss my predictions of how innovation will change and how companies can prepare to do more with fewer resources. I predict the role that AI tools will play in product management and how team leaders can get the most out of those tools. I discuss the need for business model thinking and how business models can rapidly change due to customer expectation. I also discuss the importance of dual innovation and highlight how core innovation won’t be enough to make businesses stand out from the competition. “In 2030, innovation will put product management at the center.” - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● What The Millennium Project’s research is telling us about the future ● How to make development sustainable while addressing climate change ● How innovators can use scientific and technological breakthroughs to improve the human condition● How innovation will change in the year 2030● The importance of dual innovation● How AI will influence innovation ● Why North Star thinking will be more important than ever Resources Mentioned: ● The Millennium Project (https://www.millennium-project.org/) ● Ambidexterity in Business Innovation with Noel Sobelman (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vYW1iaWRleHRlcml0eQ%3D%3D&ct=SEARCH&pid=6722983&cid=78499505574&t=bm9lbCBzb2JlbG1hbg%3D%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=5&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1716581389&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v7SbY4LYcdcgjZ7nZ6EfZldL8uZtA) ● Dual innovation with Ralph-Christian Ohr (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/dual-innovation-with-ralph-christian-ohr) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Rich Mironov is a tech start-up veteran, writer, and coach for product leaders with four decades of experience in Silicon Valley's product management landscape. With his expertise, he’s led six start-ups to success. Rich occasionally acts as the interim VP of Products or CPO for software companies, lending his expertise to drive their success. With a passion for sharing knowledge, Rich has been an avid blogger on software product management since 2002. His influential insights and expertise have been compiled in his book, The Art of Product Management. He continues to shape the industry with his wealth of experience and dedication to empowering product teams. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Yale University, where his thesis focused on dinosaur extinction theories. He also holds an MBA from Stanford University. Today, Rich and I discuss how product management influences innovation. Rich elaborates on the role of product managers in innovating at the feature and sub-feature levels. He explains why he is wary of the word “innovation” and what he believes it should mean. He tells us how product managers can turn innovation into an intentional process that produces an impactful result. He shares how product managers can sell their ideas to get the resources they need and make a logical financial argument to show how proposed ideas will benefit the company financially. Rich also highlights the importance of accountability for product managers in driving forward progress with the product. “We're an important driver of the system, but let's not get our heads too big that we can't walk through the doors of our building like everybody else.” -Rich Mironov This week on Innovation Talks: ● How product managers can influence executives ● Common product management challenges and opportunities ● How product innovation and leadership are connected ● The benefits of pruning product backlogs ● How to attach money to roadmap items ● How to speak an executive’s language● The role of product managers in product waste ● Discovery challenges for product managers● The origins of Rich’s Product Camp Connect with Rich Mironov: ● Rich Mironov’s Website (https://www.mironov.com/) ● Book: The Art of Product Management: Lessons from a Silicon Valley Innovator by Rich Mironov (https://www.amazon.com/Art-Product-Management-Lessons-Innovator-ebook/dp/B00347AIDA?ref_=ast_author_mpb) ● Rich Mironov on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmironov) ● Rich Mironov on Twitter (https://twitter.com/RichMironov) ● Rich Mironov on Medium (https://richmironov.medium.com/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
April Dunford is the founder of Ambient Strategy, a consulting firm that helps technology companies grow. She has led marketing, product, and sales teams at companies like IBM, Siebel, and Sybase. April's work is focused on early and growth-stage startups—recognizing that weak positioning can be the difference between success and failure. She also works with large global companies, helping them develop deeper positioning expertise in their product and marketing teams. April's best-selling book, Obviously Awesome, captures her ideas about positioning and provides a methodology that any startup can follow. Today, April is focused on giving back as much as she can. She mentors and advises dozens of startups and is an enthusiastic board member at a handful of startups. April resides in Toronto, Canada, where she enjoys spending time with her kids and small dog in a cabin in the woods. Today, April joins me to discuss positioning for B2B tech companies. She explains how to position a product to the current market, rather than the company’s vision of the future. She discusses what product managers need to understand about their vision and the current market to craft a successful position. She explains why product positioning is most important in B2B and why positioning is different from messaging. We discuss the importance of positioning to improve marketing and sales performance and why you need to continually refine and evolve positioning over time. April also suggests the best way to develop a positioning thesis and calculate the value it will deliver to the customer. “The best way to test positioning if you're B2B and you have a sales team is to take that positioning and translate it into a sales pitch, then test it out on qualified prospects in a sales call.” - April Dunford This week on Innovation Talks: ● How to explore the best positioning strategy for your company ● How B2B tech companies can position themselves for their specific market ● Why weak positioning makes your sales process harder ● April’s five components of positioning ● April’s methodology for positioning that any company can follow● How to test your positioning ● The benefits of structured sales pitches Connect with April Dunford: ● April Dunford’s Website (https://www.aprildunford.com/) ● Book: Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It by April Dunford (https://www.amazon.com/Obviously-Awesome-Product-Positioning-Customers/dp/1999023005/) ● April Dunford on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/) ● April Dunford on Twitter (https://twitter.com/aprildunford) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Rachel Wynn is a B2B SaaS product leader with over a decade of experience in product strategy. Rachel has a proven track record of bringing new products to market and managing complex enterprise products and has helped numerous clients think more strategically, de-risk decision-making, and find product-market fit faster. As an experienced product manager, she has worked at companies at various stages, from bootstrapped to venture capital-backed, private equity funded, and public. She has also experienced acquisition and IPO exits, served on a board of directors, served as a pitch judge for an innovation challenge, and founded companies. With a background in managing road mapping software at ProductPlan and product analytics software at Quantum Metric, Rachel has interviewed hundreds of product teams, making her an authority in product vision and strategy, product road mapping, 0-1 product thinking, interviewing customers, customer discovery and validation, product innovation, product launch and go-to-market planning, product analytics, stakeholder communication, pricing and packaging, research and discovery, and customer-centric products. In her spare time, Rachel is a bookworm and she’s always ready to recommend a great read. Today, Rachel joins me to discuss how research-driven innovation can help teams create something new. She explains how research-driven innovation lessens your risk of failure and allows teams to make solid decisions. We discuss the importance of having a clear vision and why that vision needs to include all the problems you’re currently trying to solve. Rachel shares her approach to research in product management and how her background as a cognitive rehabilitation therapist informed her process. She emphasizes the importance of customer interviews, learning from your customers, and paying attention to what your competitors are doing. Rachel also outlines the research and feedback cycle and how to know when you’ve provided your customers with the most valuable solution. “People will develop that book knowledge, yet—for all their best intentions—they're not getting different results. So there's this gap of taking that knowledge and bringing it into action.” - Rachel Wynn This week on Innovation Talks: ● Rachel’s tips for product managers● How companies can improve performance● The role of research in product innovation● The benefits of customer research● How to overcome burnout as a product manager● Product management success stories● Rachel’s top team coaching techniques● How to avoid common mistakes in product research● The impact of AI on product management Connect with Rachel Wynn: ● Rachel Wynn’s Website (https://www.wynnproductconsulting.com/) ● Rachel Wynn on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelmwynn/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Dan Olsen is a product management trainer, consultant, author, and speaker who has worked with both small startups and large public companies. He began his career designing nuclear-powered submarines and later transitioned into product leadership roles at Intuit and several startups. As a product management trainer and consultant with Olsen Solutions, Dan helps CEOs and product leaders build high-performing product teams that drive growth and innovation. His impressive list of clients includes Google, Walmart, Amazon, Facebook, Box, Microsoft, Medallia, and One Medical Group. Dan is the author of the best-selling book, The Lean Product Playbook, and is a frequent speaker at business and tech events. Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern, a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford, and a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech. Today, Dan and I discuss the best practices every software product manager should follow for optimal success. Dan shares his observations about the increase in product management roles, training new product managers, and the global tech expansion. We dissect remote work, whether it’s preferable to employees returning to the office, and the trend of getting rid of leased office spaces in favor of it. Dan also describes his journey into product management and what he learned from designing nuclear submarines for the Navy. “If you really want your software to be successful, you need product managers to be there.” - Dan Olsen This week on Innovation Talks: ● How Dan transitioned from designing nuclear submarines to product management ● The best practices that all product managers should follow ● The bell curves of product management in different types of companies ● Best practices with respect to product management ● How to train new product managers ● The core roles of design and development teams ● Why product managers are more in demand than ever before Resources Mentioned: ● Book: Crossing the Chasm, 3rd Edition: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers (https://www.amazon.com/Crossing-Chasm-3rd-Disruptive-Mainstream/dp/0062292986) by Geoffrey Moore● Book: What Customers Want: Using Outcome-Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services (https://www.amazon.com/What-Customers-Want-Outcome-Driven-Breakthrough/dp/0071408673) by Anthony Ulwick Connect with Dan Olsen: ● Dan Olsen Website (https://dan-olsen.com/) ● Dan Olsen Newsletter (https://dan-olsen.com/get-tips/) ● Book: The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback (https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Product-Playbook-Innovate-Products/dp/1118960874/) ● Dan Olsen on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danolsen98/) ● Dan Olsen on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/c/danolsen/) ● Dan Olsen on Twitter (https://twitter.com/danolsen) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Charlie Widdows is a thought leader and the Acclaim Ideas Product Specialist at Sopheon. Charlie joined the team after Sopehon acquired Solverboard, an innovative idea management tool that he co-founded. With a passion for ideation that spans over a decade, Charlie empowers customers to harness the full potential of their ideas. He believes that impactful ideas can change the world and is committed to helping businesses transform their ideas into better, more profitable products. Charlie is not content with merely achieving professional success. He gives back to his community as a business mentor at Black Valley, where he helps to increase equity in tech and foster Black entrepreneurship. Charlie is back on the podcast to discuss the difficulties of creating an innovation-ready culture in a risk-averse world. He offers suggestions on how companies can become ready for innovation through culture shifts and uncover insights about innovation processes. We discuss how new ways of working can facilitate innovation and how most companies still use outdated technology. We deliberate on who innovation ideas should come from within the company and the qualities and skills an innovation manager needs. We also debate whether it’s better to experiment with innovation behind closed doors or make it a transparent and educational process. “The world will always want innovators working for them. If you feel like you're an innovative person and the business is just not listening to you, go somewhere else.” - Charlie Widdows This week on Innovation Talks: ● How to know if your company is ready for innovation ● The effect the pandemic has had on attitudes toward innovation ● How digital tools have transformed the process of innovation● How to actualize ideas quickly ● The 4 Vs of innovation culture● The value of openness and inclusivity for innovation ● The qualities and skills innovation managers need to drive long-term success Connect with Charlie Widdows: ● Charlie Widdows on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliewiddows/) ● Charlie Widdows on Twitter (https://twitter.com/charliewid) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Dan Adams is a B2B innovator with over 40 years of experience in the field. He is the founder and President of The AIM Institute and the author of New Product Blueprinting: The Handbook for B2B Organic Growth. As a chemical engineer, Dan holds numerous patents and innovation awards and has been recognized by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dan is a frequent keynote speaker and has delivered lectures at prestigious institutions—such as Wharton’s Executive MBA program—and leading universities in North America and Europe. In recent years, Dan and his team at The AIM Institute have conducted extensive original research into the behaviors that drive B2B organic growth, which has helped many companies achieve profitable growth through innovation. Today, Dan joins me to discuss the role quantitative interviews play in driving success and how Dan’s company, the AIM Institute, trains business leaders to do better customer interviews. Dan outlines what he learned from his leadership research with Professor Gina O’Connor of Babson College and the four types of leaders they discovered. Dan reveals the dangers of not innovating and spiraling into commoditization. He outlines the best way to promote employees and avoid chasing short-term gains to foster a culture of future builders. Dan also shares his beliefs about the type of people leadership should promote for long-term company success. “We're turning the sales force into a learning force, showing them how their product managers and marketing people can data mine this and look for weak signals of market interest and then know when to develop new product projects.” - Dan Adams This week on Innovation Talks: ● How to optimize B2B Voice-of-Customer programs● How leadership styles affect product development● The effect of promoting leaders who are only focused on cutting costs● The definition of “builder mentality” and why people who think this way need to be in the C-Suite● How to build a customer-centric business model● The value of quantitative interviews● How to build a culture that values listening Resources Mentioned: ● B2B Voice of Customer Skills Research Report (https://theaiminstitute.com/library/b2b-voice-of-customer-skills-research-report/?utm_source=&utm_medium=Direct&utm_campaign=research-reports&utm_term=b2bvocskills.com&utm_content=44531) ● Everyday VOC (EVOC) (https://theaiminstitute.com/library/everyday-voc-evoc/?utm_source=direct&utm_medium=Direct&utm_campaign=everyday-voc&utm_term=evocpaper.com&utm_content=44895) ● Professor Gina O’ Connor (https://www.babson.edu/about/our-leaders-and-scholars/faculty-and-academic-divisions/faculty-profiles/) Connect with Dan Adams: ● AIM Institute Website (https://theaiminstitute.com/) ● Book: New Product Blueprinting: The Handbook for B2B Organic Growth by Dan Adams (https://www.amazon.com/Product-Blueprinting-Handbook-Organic-Growth/dp/0980112346) ● Dan Adams on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danadamsataim/) ● AIM Institute on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/advanced-industrial-marketing/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Huub J.M. Rutten is the VP of Research and co-founder of Sopheon. Throughout his 20 years of experience in linguistics, communication, and innovation management, he has helped manufacturing, insurance, banking, aerospace, chemical, and healthcare businesses modernize their innovation management methodologies and software. Before joining Sopheon, Huub spent 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills at various Institutions of higher education and universities in the Netherlands. In addition to his work at Sopheon, he currently serves as an adjunct professor at the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA), where he teaches European IT politics and strategies. Today, Huub is back on the podcast to discuss portfolios and how companies can operate in an uncertain business climate and still see success. Huub shares how he was inspired by a quote from the leader of the German Chemical Association about sprint portfolios and marathon portfolios. He offers his thoughts on how leaders can balance the needs of the company in both the short term and the long term. We deliberate on how global events like war affect the supply chain and recommend steps businesses can take to be prepared for those dramatic moments. Huub also explains how data can help you and your team speak the same language. “The infrastructure that you need as a company should be based on being prepared for the dramatic moment.” - Huub Rutten This week on Innovation Talks: ● How to create a balanced portfolio even in difficult financial times ● How to plan for both short-term and long-term success ● Why it’s necessary to have both a sprint and marathon portfolio ● Possible disruptions in the chemical industry● The factors that affect supply chain issues ● The importance of good governance ● How data organization helps with long-term success Resources Mentioned: ● Ansoff Matrixes (https://www.sopheon.com/products/acclaimideas/insights/innovation-management) Connect with Huub Rutten: ● Huub Rutten Website (https://www.huubrutten.com/) ● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/huub-rutten-9958136/?originalSubdomain=nl) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher is a product management consultant and published author with over 20 years of experience advising companies of all sizes on how to successfully and efficiently bring their products to market. She empowers product managers and their teams with cutting-edge knowledge through training, masterclasses, and one-on-one mentoring. She has worked with over 100 companies, including UBS, ABL, RRC-Power Solutions, Elementar, Bystronic, Milwaukee Tools, JP3, and Scotiabank. Her mission is to bring better products to market more quickly by enabling product managers to impact their industry through customer-centered product creation. Ulrike's proprietary Red String Method helps companies become industry leaders by empowering teams through advanced product management know-how, creating skilled product managers, and fostering great inter-departmental team collaboration. The Red String Method has helped Ulrike's clients speed up time-to-market, make market-based decisions, and improve profitability by 30% or more. Her latest book is Powerful Communication for Product Managers. Today, Ulrike joins me to discuss how she started her career 20 years ago and became a product manager before the profession had a label. She shares the most significant challenges product managers face and how she has helped companies refine innovation to be more successful. We discuss how business leaders can support product managers and outline the education, mentorship, and other resources product managers need to do their jobs properly. She emphasizes how marketing is often forgotten in the product development process, why the process is expected to be completed in just four weeks, and how product managers can ensure that everyone is on the same page with her Red String Method. Ulrike also breaks down how data should flow to support the product launch, prevent tasks and information from falling through the cracks, and ultimately achieve balance in the company. "You cannot have a process without people and cannot have a product without people." - Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher This week on Innovation Talks: ● How Ulrike became a product manager before the profession even existed● The main challenges in product management● How Ulrike’s Red String Method connects products, people, and process● How the Red String Method can help make your company more profitable● How Ulrike streamlines the product management methodology● The role product managers play in a businesses success● The main differences between software and physical product management● How product management can be more sustainable Connect with Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher: ● Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher Website (http://www.redstringmethods.com) ● Book: Powerful Communication for Product Managers (https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Communication-Product-Manager-Laubner/dp/3752855053/ref=sr_1_2?qid=1659641252&refinements=p_27%3AUlrike+Laubner&s=books&sr=1-2) ● Book: A Product Manager’s Cookbook (https://www.amazon.com/Product-Managers-Cookbook-Ulrike-Laubner/dp/3744802094/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CQZN3ZCE34AJ&keywords=ulrike+laubner&qid=1659641307&s=books&sprefix=ulrike+laubner%2Cstripbooks%2C52&sr=1-1) ● Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ulrike-laubner-kelleher-26456028/) ● Email: ulrike@redstringmethods.com This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Charlie Widdows is the Acclaim Ideas Product Specialist at Sopheon. As the co-founder of Solverboard, an idea management tool that Sopheon acquired, Charlie brings a wealth of experience in ideation to his current role. With the recent launch of Acclaim Ideas in 2022, Charlie is dedicated to assisting customers in harnessing the full potential of their ideas to generate better and more profitable products. He strongly believes that impactful ideas have the power to change the world. He gives back to the community by serving as a business mentor at Black Valley, where he helps increase equity in tech by fostering an environment where talents from a black ethnic background can thrive. Today, Charlie and I discuss discovery in the context of corporate innovation and new product development. Charlie defines discovery and shares what he believes its results should be. We discuss how discovery can be applied on different levels in an organization and how to use it to create innovative products. Charlie reveals the two main obstacles standing in the way of successful discovery within a company and outlines how to nurture a company culture to make every team member, regardless of their position in the company, feel their input is valued. We also address the difficulty of introducing new ideas and processes into a business and how the fear of failure prevents some people from taking risks. “I would say that for me is the discovery process—the problem, framing the ideation, and then the testing of the learning, the insights, the lessons that you gather from that.” - Charlie Widdows This week on Innovation Talks: ● The difference between ideation and discovery in innovation ● The main barriers organizations face in successful discovery ● The challenges businesses face in implementing innovative ideas ● How to manage ideas and identify the best responsible parties ● The benefits of discovery for change and transformation teams ● How to reframe challenges for innovative solutions ● The role of AI in the innovation and ideation processes● What leaders can learn from data from other industries Connect with Charlie Widdows: ● Charlie Widdows on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/charliewiddows/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Radhika Dutt is an entrepreneur, entrepreneur, product leader, and the author of the book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter. Her expertise in building radical products has led her to advise a broad range of organizations from high-tech startups to government agencies in industries such as broadcast, media and entertainment, telecom, advertising technology, government, consumer apps, robotics, and even wine. Radhika is an advisor on product thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the country's central bank and financial regulator. She also sits on the board of the independent publisher, Berrett Koehler. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Radhika speaks nine languages fluently, underscoring her talent for bridging cultural divides and fostering collaboration across global teams. Today, Radhika joins me to discuss her book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter and how you can apply the principles of her work to your own company. She shares the process she followed to develop the Radical Product Thinking framework and how that discovery led her to write a book. She diagnoses some common product diseases plaguing companies today and reveals how emphasizing culture can help you innovate. She describes the tools that teams use to successfully innovate and what leaders can learn from Steve Jobs. Radhika also offers advice to company leaders on shifting their company’s culture and mindset and adopting a vision-driven product mindset. “Traditionally, we've always thought about product as a physical or digital thing. What I've realized is product is really a way of thinking, and it's really high time that we change or rethink what product itself means.” -Radhika Dutt This week on Innovation Talks: ● What a Silicon Valley mindset can tell us about testing hypotheses ● How Radhika developed the Radical Product Thinking framework ● How Radhika came to write her book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter● Signs you may have obsessive sales disorder or feature-itis● The importance of culture in innovation ● A new way to view culture● What a clear vision for your culture can do for teams ● The benefits of giving teams more autonomy and decision-making power ● Radhika’s framework for decision-making● The perfect balance for company leaders ● What leaders today can learn from the launch of the iPhone ● Why understanding pain points is fundamental to innovation ● How to translate strategy into everyday decision making● How to shift your organization’s mindset to a vision-driven product mindset Resources Mentioned: ● Book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us (https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805) by Daniel Pink Connect with Radhika Dutt: ● Radhika Dutt Website (https://www.radicalproduct.com/) ● Book: Radical Product Thinking: The New MIndset For Innovating Smarter (https://www.amazon.com/Radical-Product-Thinking-Mindset-Innovating-ebook/dp/B08ZNV7SW4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=radical+product&qid=1624988263&sr=8-1) ● Radhika Dutt on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/) ● Radhika Dutt on Twitter (https://twitter.com/radhikadutt?lang=en) ● Radhika Dutt on Medium (https://rdutt.medium.com/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Huub J.M. Rutten is the co-founder and Vice President of Research at Sopheon. He has over 20 years of experience in linguistics, communication, and innovation management. He spent 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills at universities in the Netherlands before moving into strategy development consulting and business process reengineering in various industries. Rutten is also an adjunct professor at the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA), where he teaches European IT politics and strategies. His current focus is on modernizing innovation management methodologies and software, working closely with manufacturing and chemical companies. He is passionate about sustainability and digitization and the ways they intersect. Today, Huub joins me to discuss data quality, why it’s vital to the success of an organization, and why so many organizations fail to make it a priority. He shows us why data quality isn’t just an IT issue but a leadership issue that requires a shift in company culture. He emphasizes the importance of data quality during a crisis and explains how good data quality can help leaders make quick decisions to keep the company operational and financially stable. He highlights the commonly held belief that data quality is a burden and stresses how essential it is to the smooth functioning of the company. Huub also underscores the need for an internal governance process and elaborates on the role of the CEO in decision-making. “As long as companies see innovation management and innovation management systems as something that is marginal and not critical to their survival, the quality will not be top.” - Huub Rutten This week on Innovation Talks: ● Why data quality isn’t just an IT issue● Why companies often overlook data quality● Why data quality is more important than ever● How data can help you make quick decisions● The key aspect of data quality● How a lack of data can hurt you in a crisis● Why companies choose to focus on product innovation instead of plant utilization● Why you need both project and product portfolios to make the best decisions● Why data on product complexity, cost, and availability is necessary for decision-making● How an innovation council can help during a crisis Connect with Huub Rutten: ● Huub Rutten Website (https://www.huubrutten.com/) ● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/huub-rutten-9958136/?originalSubdomain=nl) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Randy Eager is the co-founder and CEO of SilisiumTech, where he helped innovate new processes to make solar electricity more affordable and accessible. SilisiumTech is the latest in a long string of companies Randy has founded, including Chement, ESTAT Actuation, and Aqualibrium. He has dedicated his life to launching new companies and helping early-stage entrepreneurs realize their innovative ideas. David Cerniglia is a full-stack software developer passionate about building new software products. He studied 18th-century British literature and culture as a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon but later found himself drawn toward the path of entrepreneurship. Randy and David met at the Founder Institute, which Randy founded in 2017. The Founder Institute helps accelerate the journey of new entrepreneurs through mentorship and education. Today, Randy and David discuss the Founder Institute. David explains how he went from studying humanities to becoming a software developer and how his time at the Founder Institute helped him find his true passion. Randy describes the Founder Institute experience and how the 14-week program helps students take an idea and turn it into a solid investor pitch. We also discuss the sense of community the Founder Institute fosters, how to find a chapter anywhere in the world, and how to apply. “When you're an entrepreneur, you start something by yourself. It's a pretty lonely place to be. Many of the alums said that the reason to do the Founder Institute was to find your patch.” - Randy Eager This week on Innovation Talks: ● How David and Randy met ● The mission of the Founder Institute ● How the Founder Institute program helps new entrepreneurs test their ideas for market● How David discovered the Founder Institute ● How Founder Institute students form a community ● The benefits of taking the Founder Institute worldwide ● What David learned from his time at the Founder Institute ● Why product managers are the best startup CEOs● How to apply to the Founder Institute Resources Mentioned: ● Apply To Founder Institute (https://fi.co/join/home) Connect with Randy Eager and David Cerniglia: ● Founder Institute Website (https://fi.co/) ● Randy Eager on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/randyeager/) ● David Cerniglia on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-cerniglia/) ● Founder Institute on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/founder-institute-pittsburgh/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Kevin Brady is a corporate and product sustainability expert specializing in improving organizations’ environmental, social, and financial performance. As the founder of Sustainable Enterprise Consulting, he has helped Fortune and Global 500 companies in diverse industries such as mining, energy, consumer goods, transportation, and retail. In 2012, he was recognized as a member of Canada’s Clean 16 for his achievements in clean capitalism. Kevin has written a number of books and reports, including Mapping the Journey: Strategies and Action toward Sustainable Development, Eco-efficiency: Global Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century, and Corporate Social Responsibility: Lessons Learned. He is also an adjunct professor at Carleton University School of Industrial Design. Today, Kevin shares the story of how he started his career and the challenges of getting companies to look more favorably at sustainability. He provides insight into the four main types of companies focusing on sustainability and what they get right and wrong about their environmental footprint. We discuss greenwashing and how companies try to make themselves look more sustainable than they actually are. Kevin explains why sustainability goes beyond a company’s environmental impact and what it means for workers' rights. He also offers a glimpse into how he works with new companies and highlights what he focuses on. “You have to have the tools and the right people to ask the right questions with the right data to make good decisions.” - Kevin Brady This week on Innovation Talks: ● How Kevin got his start in sustainability● The four main types of companies that focus on sustainability● How investors have influenced sustainability● The negative effects of greenwashing ● The source of 85% of a company’s sustainability impact ● Why sustainability goes beyond environmental impact ● How externalities affect greenhouse gas emissions● The first aspect of sustainability Kevin looks at when working with a new company● How Kevin became an adjunct professor Resources Mentioned: ● Novelis Case Study (https://www.novelis.com/resources/case-studies/) ● Book: The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainability (https://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Commerce-Revised-Declaration-Sustainability/dp/0061252794) by Paul Hawken Connect with Kevin Brady: ● Ausenco (https://ausenco.com/) ● Ausenco on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Ausenco/) ● Ausenco on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ausenco/) ● Ausenco on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Ausenco) ● Ausenco on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ausenco/) ● Kevin Brady on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-brady-a47a2a/?originalSubdomain=ca) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .pheon's 112 shownote's.
Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr is Dual Innovation's founder and managing partner, which helps future-proof companies through innovation. He is a top voice on LinkedIn and Twitter and uses his platform to educate his readers about how to avoid "innovation theater" by making their innovation activities impactful. He also co-authored the book Scaling-Up Corporate Startups: Turn Innovation Concepts into Business Impact. Dr. Eva Budischin is Head of New Business Building and Innovation at Bosch Engineering—she has been with the company since 2014. Eva developed the Bosch Innovation Framework and co-founded the Bosch Accelerator Program alongside the Bosch Business Model Academy. She has tested over 150 startup ideas and used her insight to become the intrapreneur of her own Bosch startup. Together, they co-authored an eight-part white paper titled Dual Innovation: Key Principles and Future-Proofing Corporate Innovation. Today, Eva and Ralph tell how they both recognized the importance of dual innovation and how it led to their partnership. They discuss working together to help companies approach innovation by adopting different mindsets around traditional KPIs and bridging the gap between validating a new idea and a fully-fledged business. They debunk common wisdom from other experts about the role of "one size fits all" solutions in innovation. Eva shares her insights from working at Bosch, including her experience at the Bosch Accelerator Program and the direction she sees Bosch heading in the future. They also offer some actionable advice to create a culture of innovation. "We need to add another step to fill the gap between the validated venture and and fully-fledged business. That's what scaling up is all about." - Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr. This week on Innovation Talks: ● Defining dual innovation● The importance of organizational ambidexterity● The history of dual innovation● The rise in popularity of business model innovation● How Ralph and Eva's partnership developed● What exploration units can do● What traditional KPIs can't tell you about innovation success● Why "one size fits all" solutions aren't as valuable as customizable frameworks● The step between the validation process and a fully-fledged business● How the Bosch Accelerator Program tests new startups● Finding the right ingredients for innovation in your organization● Why most companies struggle to innovate● Eva's predictions for the future of Bosch Resources Mentioned: ● White Paper: Dual Innovation: Key Principles and Future-Proofing Corporate Innovation (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/dual-innovation-key-principles-future-proofing-corporate-ohr/) by Ralph-Christian Ohr and Eva Budischin Connect with Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr and Dr. Eva Budischin: ● Dr. Eva Budischin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-eva-budischin-7a677945/?locale=en_US) ● Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphchristianohr/?originalSubdomain=ch) ● Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr's LinkedIn Articles (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ralphchristianohr_dual-innovation-principles-and-implementation-activity-6993254920929865728-WHOr?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon. Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon's monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
You need an effective strategy to launch a new idea in your company. But once you have that strategy, where do you go from there? How you execute your strategy is even more important than the strategy itself; however, the execution phase is where most businesses fail. Of course, failure is always a risk when trying to innovate, but is there a way to minimize that risk? I think there are some common mistakes you can avoid when executing your own strategy. Today, I share eight tips you can implement to prevent failure and execute successfully on your strategy. I discuss metrics to pay attention to—like OKRs and KPIs—and the internal materials every company needs to have to clarify its message on innovation. I identify the people in your company that need to be included in the execution of your strategy and what they need to know. I also offer actionable insights about identifying risks and changing your mindset about innovation. “A likelihood of success allows you to look at a strategy in a different lens and helps you balance strategies against each other.” - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● Why do so many companies fail to execute their strategy properly● How to define the right OKRs● What metrics do you need to measure your progress● What should you include in your elevator message● How to identify the key players in executing your strategy and what they need to know● Identifying your review processes● The importance of an action plan● How to discern risks in your strategy● Why you need to use scorecards● How to tie initiatives and projects to your strategy● Why a portfolio approach gives you an advantage Resources Mentioned: ● Blog Post: What are OKRs, and how do they work? (https://www.sopheon.com/products/acclaimideas/insights/what-are-okrs-and-how-do-they-work) ● Connect with Paul Heller on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hellerpaul/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Noel Sobelman, a leadership advisor from San Diego, California, helps established companies increase growth and productivity. Throughout his 35 years of professional experience, Noel has become an expert in innovation. He is also a writer and public speaker, sharing his expertise on how innovation can disrupt legacy systems. Noel is currently a partner at Accel Management Group, a business and consulting company that gives its clients data-driven competitive advantages. He specializes in working with corporate leaders in the areas of portfolio management, growth strategy, and innovation capability building. Previously, he has worked at Change Logic, Kalyspo, and Kyocera Wireless. Today, Noel is back to discuss why you need a portfolio management capability in your company to boost productivity and make the best use of your company resources. He shares his insights into using portfolio management to prevent bottlenecks in the innovation process. He identifies the impact poor portfolio management can have on a company. He reveals the nine key elements he investigates when he starts working with a new client and how to identify challenges in your company. Noel also explains how you can improve planning and review processes to stay ahead of the rapidly changing economic environment. “As we go further into this market downturn, companies are gonna be rethinking their strategies. Make sure that you have the mechanisms for making sure that any change in strategy filters down to the projects that you're prioritizing in your portfolios.” - Noel Sobelman This week on Innovation Talks: ● Why portfolio management is important ● How portfolio management affects company-wide productivity and future investments ● How to ensure your company is working on the most valuable output ● How to prevent bottlenecks in your development pipeline● The core symptoms of poor portfolio management ● Why your annual plan needs to be revisited throughout the year● How portfolio management can help you vet ideas ● How to build a strong portfolio management capability ● Questions to ask leadership in your company ● The types of portfolio management systems Noel has found the most effective● Nine elements of portfolio management that Noel thinks are key to success● How to identify where your challenges are across leadership teams ● Why complexity is the enemy ● How portfolio structure informs your portfolio management planning● The key discoveries that need to come from a portfolio review ● Why portfolio management will become more important during an economic downturn Connect with Noel Sobelman: ● Accel Management Group (https://www.accelmg.com/) ● Noel Sobelman on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelsobelman/) ● Noel Sobleman’s Articles on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/noelsobelman/recent-activity/posts/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Mike Bauer is a leading product and strategy executive, business mentor, and the Chief Products Officer of Sopheon. He joined Sopheon in 2021 and has helped the company expand its SaaS solutions, which make it possible for companies worldwide to bring their innovative products to market. His experience in data communications, enterprise software, marketing automation, and big data led him to believe in the power of innovation. He graduated from Harvard Business School and Ohio State University and serves as a business mentor at the Founder Institute. Today, I’m checking back with Mike to continue our conversation from November 2021 about enterprise innovation management and project portfolio management. He shares what he learned from interviewing over 100 clients about approaches to innovation. He defines innovation in the current business landscape and clarifies that the definition is much broader than commonly assumed. He discusses the factors that must come together for a company to innovate and how failure is a part of innovation. Mike also reveals the role of company culture and offers advice on fostering a culture that encourages innovation. “You don't mandate an innovative culture—you build it.” -Mike Bauer This week on Innovation Talks: ● Why enterprise innovation management and project portfolio management are two sides of the same coin● The challenges innovators face ● Mike’s observations from talking to over 100 clients● What innovation can look like for businesses● All the factors that need to come together to make innovation possible● Why 60% to 80% of innovations fail● What executives need to focus on to be able to innovate “at scale”● Why ideation is an essential part of innovation● The most important skill for the ideation process ● Why coming up with great ideas is only the first step● Setting up a connected system to drive innovation● Why Mike supports the idea of DevOps● Why business owners need to bring together practices, people, and tools to innovate successfully● Why philosophies aren’t enough to operationalize● Is company culture or the way employees do their jobs more important ● Why accepting failure is part of innovation● How to build an innovation culture at your company● How innovation benefits customers and how Sopheon empowers customers with innovation Resources Mentioned: ● Book: Inspired: How To Create Tech Products Customers Love (https://www.amazon.com/INSPIRED-Create-Tech-Products-Customers/dp/1119387507) by Marty Cagan● Book: Innovation Accounting by (https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Accounting-Practical-Ecosystems-Performance/dp/9063696205?tag=groundcont0c8-20&crid=224CCJ21AVE70&keywords=innovation%20accounting&qid=1653983398&sprefix=innovation%20accounting,aps,126&sr=8-1&linkId=9760c57d2914123b93578d879600f3bb&ref_=as_li_ss_tl&geniuslink=true) Esther Gons and Dan Toma ● Book: The Lean Startup (https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Startup-Entrepreneurs-Continuous-Innovation/dp/0307887898) by Eric Ries Connect with Mike Bauer: ● Sopheon Website (https://www.sopheon.com/) ● Sopheon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon) ● Sopheon on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) ● Sopheon on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Sopheon) ● Mike Bauer on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebauer224/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Robyn Bolton is a corporate innovation expert. She is the founder and Chief Navigator of MileZero, an organization that partners with business leaders and guides them through leveraging innovation to confidently and repeatedly grow revenue. Robyn began her professional career at Procter & Gamble, where she served as Brand Manager and was part of the team that launched the Swiffer and the Swiffer WetJet. She has collaborated with innovators at Nike, Medtronic, and Teachers Pay Teachers. Robyn holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Miami University. Robyn joins me today to discuss the relationship between leadership and innovation. She shares her background and how she began helping business leaders leverage innovation. She describes the innovator’s dilemma and explores why organizations find it difficult to innovate. Robyn also highlights “the ABCs of innovation” and the factors that build culture and offers advice to executives and leaders of innovation teams. “Strategy and innovation have to go hand in hand. Innovation is not an end in itself—it has to be tied to, and in service of, achieving a strategic goal.” - Robyn Bolton This week on Innovation Talks: ● MileZero’s purpose and what it means to be Chief Navigator● What innovation means for Robyn● Innovation burnout and the innovator’s dilemma● Why innovation is the opposite of operations and what makes it difficult to achieve● Why strategy and innovation have to come together● Why companies struggle with innovation● How to keep innovating during challenging times● Addressing the shiny object syndrome in innovation● Robyn’s five-year forecast on innovation Resources Mentioned: ● Book: The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business (https://www.amazon.com/Innovators-Dilemma-Revolutionary-Change-Business/dp/0062060244) by Clayton M. Christensen Connect with Robyn Bolton: ● MileZero LLC (https://www.milezero.io/) ● MileZero LLC on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/milezerobos/) ● Robyn Bolton on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynmbolton/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Colonel Eddie Corrigan is the Assistant Head of the UK Ministry of Defense's division of Concepts, Strategy, Force Development, Doctrine, and Lessons Defense Logistics. With over 33 years of tactical, operational, and strategic experience across a number of logistics and supply chain activities in the defense and global context, he has delivered logistics effects and outputs – including supply, distribution, movements, information services, and infrastructure – around the world. From 2007 to 2010, Eddie served in the Royal Logistics Corps, where he was responsible for supplying and distributing all supplies to a military force of over 10,000 people, as well as commanding a regiment of 600 people. Eddie joins me today to discuss the connection between innovation and defense for national security and military defenses. We discuss how he began working in innovation management and the challenges associated with creating, developing, and distributing new technologies. We discuss the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on innovation. We discuss the relationship between corporate industries and the military, how it has shifted over the years, and how these collaborative efforts have benefited civilians and the military. We discuss cyber-security, the challenges associated with defending against cyber threats, and the solutions currently available to help defend against cyber attacks. We also discuss the benefits of converting AI capabilities into defense assets and how startup corporations can begin collaborating with the military on creating new, innovative defense technologies. “Industry does lead the way – but we are following quite closely.” - Colonel Eddie Corrigan This week on Innovation Talks: ● How Eddie initially got involved in innovation management● The challenges associated with creating innovative technology● The ecosystem of using innovative ideas in national defense● How the Russia/Ukraine conflict is impacting the world of innovation● Collaboration efforts between national military defenses and corporate industries● Eddie’s advice to startup corporations on collaborating with the military on new, innovative technologies● Defending against cyber attacks and cyber-security issues● Converting AI capabilities into beneficial military and defense assets● The innovation and technology challenges Russia is currently facing in its conflict with Ukraine Connect with Colonel Eddie Corrigan: ● Colonel Eddie Corrigan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-corrigan-90582b6/?originalSubdomain=uk) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Hugh Blethyn is a Senior Managing Consultant at Sopheon, responsible for all aspects of our implementation teams, including our overall client success, engagement performance, and the teams’ well-being. Hugh offers a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight into digital transformation, business sustainability, and innovation. He holds a Bachelor's with Honors degree in Exploration Geology, Mineral Exploration Geology, and Management from Cardiff University, a Master's in Information Systems and Geospatial Information Systems, and a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Hugh joins me today to discuss how the concept of sustainable innovation has evolved over the last five years and the rising interest in businesses becoming more mindful of how they package their products. We discuss Hugh’s predictions for future trends in business sustainability and how government regulations lag behind what consumers demand and what many businesses are already doing. We share an inside glimpse into our sustainability webinar series and why more people within the workforce consider sustainability as a top priority in their job search. We also discuss what ‘natural capital’ is and how it impacts the supply chain industry. “People are starting to realize that they need to be in control of their actions, in control of their sustainable decision-making.” - Hugh Blethyn This week on Innovation Talks: ● What inspired Hugh to explore the world of business innovation and sustainability● How the concept of sustainability and innovation has evolved in recent years● Why more businesses are interested in ‘greener packages.’● What Hugh believes the future holds for sustainability and innovation in business● How government regulation is lagging behind consumer demands in sustainability● Understanding the three scopes of CO2 submissions● What to expect from our sustainability webinar series● Why sustainability is important to the workforce and labor market● Understanding what ‘natural capital’ is and how the supply chain industry impacts it● What Hugh believes our next steps should be in achieving sustainable innovation Resources Mentioned: ● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 1: How to Approach Sustainability on a Corporate Level (https://www.sopheon.com/webinars/sustainability-on-a-corporate-level) ● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 2: What Does a Sustainable Supply Chain Look Like (https://www.sopheon.com/webinars/what-does-a-sustainable-supply-chain-look-like) ● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 3: Sustainable Innovation in Practice: A Conversation with Sappi (https://www.sopheon.com/webinars/sustainable-innovation-in-practice-a-conversation-with-sappi-sopheon-webinar) Connect with Hugh Blethyn: ● Hugh Blethyn on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/hughblethyn/?originalSubdomain=nl) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Tami Reiss is a Product Leader Coach that guides product managers toward the success they deserve. For over 15 years, Tami has empowered product leaders and teams to advance toward their goals by focusing on their strengths. She has worked with many B2B Saas organizations and consulted with multiple companies, including JPMorgan, Aetna, Humana, and GTreasury. Tami is also a guest instructor for the Agile module in Kellogg’s online Product Management Bootcamp and the Technical Fundamentals for Product Institute. She encourages organizations to find their own style, methods, and practices to implement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of California - Los Angeles and a Masters's degree in Management from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business. Tami joins me today to discuss the role of a product leader coach and how they help product managers advance in their careers. We discuss the difference between Discovery Coaches, Transformation Coaches, and Executive Coaches for product leaders and the top three questions every product leader needs to ask themselves. We discuss strategies that product leaders can use to collect data to determine where they can make personal and professional improvements in their organizations. We discuss the importance of conducting a calendar audit and the value of being open to other people’s feedback when deciding your next career steps. We also discuss why product leaders must get comfortable with change, and Tami’s soon-to-be-released children’s book titled What do Product Managers Do? “Too often, we get so focused on our next task and our to-do list without taking a moment to reflect and say: ‘Are all of these things on my to-do list in-line with where I want to go?’” - Tami Reiss This week on Innovation Talks: ● The role of a product leader coach● The difference between Discovery Coaches, Transformation Coaches, and Executive Coaches● The top three questions product leaders need to answer● Collecting data to determine where to make improvements● Understanding what an NPS Score is and how leaders, teams, and organizations use them to improve products, services, and team performances● Conducting a calendar audit● The importance of considering other people’s advice and feedback● Getting comfortable with a changing environment● A sneak peek into Tami’s soon-to-be-released children’s book Connect with Tami Reiss: ● Product Leader Coach (https://productleadercoach.com/) ● Book: What do Product Managers Do? (https://productleadercoach.com/book-waitlist) ● Product Leader Coach on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/product-leader-coach/) ● Tami Reiss on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamireiss/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Amy Cannon is the Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Green Chemistry Education Advocate at Beyond Benign, a company, that provides educators with tools, training, and support. Amy also has experience as a research scientist, consultant, analytical scientist, professor, and non-profit organization leader. She has the world’s first Ph.D. In Green Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Saint Anselm College. Amy joins me today to discuss sustainable innovation through green chemistry. She shares why green chemistry is essential as well as how she sees a rising demand from industry and consumers. Amy highlights the principles of green chemistry, the central role of chemists in solving significant challenges, and the process considerations such as waste and energy consumption. She dissects the need to build green chemistry into the educational systems for chemists, biologists, and scientists and the essential role of peer-to-peer communities and social networks in supporting change. “In my mind, all of a sudden, chemistry was now the solution; it wasn’t the problem.” - Amy Cannon This week on Innovation Talks: ● The importance of green chemistry and its increasing demand from consumers● The twelve principles of green chemistry and how chemists can reduce waste and hazards while addressing issues such as global warming● Looking beyond the chemical and considering the process● The importance of building green chemistry into the educational systems of future scientists● Green chemistry training for K-12 and current industry professionals● The essential role of social networks and peer-to-peer support in implementing change● The open-access and free-of-charge resources and materials available for educators at Beyond Benign Resources Mentioned: ● Consumer Goods Trends: Environmental Sustainability (https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/4004314-consumer-goods-trends-environmental-sustainability) ● Green Chemistry Commitment (https://www.beyondbenign.org/wordpress/higher-ed) ● Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/) ● UNEP (https://www.unep.org) ● Podcast: Innovation Centers: Merging Corporate and Higher Ed Needs (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/innovation-centers-merging-corporate-and-higher-ed-needs/) Connect with Amy Cannon: ● Beyond Benign (https://www.beyondbenign.org) ● Beyond Benign on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/beyondbenign/) ● Beyond Benign on Twitter (https://twitter.com/beyondbenign) ● Beyond Benign on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/beyondbenign/?hl=en) ● Amy Cannon on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycannonbeyondbenign/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Have you ever been in a meeting, and the conversation jumps around? One minute you might be talking about an idea, and then all of a sudden, someone is expressing their feelings about the idea, and the idea is almost killed before you bring out the facts about it. Or, someone brings up another idea, and you jump over to it. You may end up leaving the meeting feeling like some great topics were brought up, but they were not adequately discussed, and the meeting drifted on, and never got back to them. If this sounds familiar, then you may want to try the Six Thinking Hats Method. In today’s episode, I share the concept of the Six Thinking Hats methodology and how it can be implemented in modern meetings. I share how you can make thinking more of a process and a way of executing a way of being. I reveal the thinking hat colors, what they represent, and how they bring fairness, balance, and equal contribution into meetings, creating better outcomes. I share two examples of how the methodology can bring structure to meetings and ideation sessions. I also share how we successfully used the Six Thinking Hats methodology at Sopheon and how it has benefited our cross-functional and divisional alignment. “If you have a meeting with a group of people and you put them into different modes of thinking, it allows you to focus.” - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● The thinking hats' colors and the modes of thinking they represent● How to use the thinking hat colors to focus on a mode of thinking and bring structure, fairness, and balance to a meeting● An example of how the Six Thinking Hats methodology can be used to ensure all members contribute● How to create a safe place for expressing fears, worries, and concerns● How to create cross-functional alignment and team working across divisions● How to leverage the thinking hats for innovation Resources Mentioned: ● Book: Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono (https://www.amazon.com/Six-Thinking-Hats-Edward-Bono/dp/0316178314) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
John Mansour is a Product Management and Product Marketing Trainer, Coach, and Thought Leader. He is the Founder and Managing Partner at Proficientz. He has more than 25 years of practical experience in marketing communications, sales, and technology product management, working in start-ups to Fortune 1000 companies. He has held senior management roles in healthcare, software, retail, hospitality, and distribution companies. John was the Chairman of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Product Management Society from 2006 to 2010. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from The Ohio State University. John joins me today to share how innovation is a result, not a process. He reveals how his company helps technology companies focus on customer outcomes through product management and marketing. John highlights why investing time to understand your customers, as well as your products, is preferable over simply running a process to find innovation. He shares how the shift from Waterfall to Agile development strategies has helped product managers. John also reveals the challenges design engineers face, such as not having context and a perspective when building products. “Innovation is a result of understanding your customers better than everybody else.” - John Mansour This week on Innovation Talks: ● How Proficientz helps B2B companies—primarily in the technology space—with delivering products that have more quantifiable value to the customer● How product management relates to innovation and why the business approach should consider what customers are trying to do, why it’s important to them, and why they can’t get there● Why innovation is a result of understanding your customers better than anyone else—including themselves● How to structure front-end conversations with potential customers and define the success customers will get with your solution before you build them● The differences between the product manager and product owner roles and why they should not be combined into one role● What will drive companies in the B2B space to become more customer-focused Connect with John Mansour: ● Proficientz (https://www.proficientz.com/) ● John Mansour on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmansourproficientz/) ● John Mansour on Twitter (https://twitter.com/proficientz) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
And just like that, we have hit episode 100! It’s been a surreal experience hosting this show about innovation with guests from Sopheon and other companies and industries in the innovation space. It’s been a joy to be part of your day whenever you tune in on our latest episode. If you’re new to the show or innovation, and this is your first episode, I curated a short list of shows as a starter pack for you. In this episode, I share some of my favorite episodes for special reasons. I describe my experience during a recent innovation event in Copenhagen and what I realized about the people in the innovation space. I explain why these shows aren’t exactly the best of the best but simply personal favorites. I highlight a few that I think are worth listening to. I also discuss our unique guests and the people I look forward to having in the future. "This is not necessarily the A-list or the 'best of,' but more of a starter set." - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● What I did in Copenhagen recently and my thoughts on the 100th episode● The starter list of episodes to listen to● Why choosing from the many guests we've had is challenging● The reasons why some of these episodes are dear to me Resources Mentioned: ● Episode 3: The Impact of Software Eating the World on Product Innovation with Greg Coticchia (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vdGhlLWltcGFjdC1vZi1zb2Z0d2FyZS1lYXRpbmctdGhlLXdvcmxkLW9uLXByb2R1Y3QtaW5ub3ZhdGlvbi13aXRoLWdyZWctY290aWNjaGlh&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78502013711&t=d2l0aCBncmVnIGNvdGljY2hpYQ%3D%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=2&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185761&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v628FS_N99JPZ4FRwuPIoKG1VF9RA) ● Episode 21: Unique challenges of innovation in the Aerospace and Defense industry (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/unique-challenges-of-innovation-in-the-aerospace-and-defense-industry) ● Episode 28: A deeper dive into Portfolio Management with Noel Sobelman (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vYS1kZWVwZXItZGl2ZS1pbnRvLXBvcnRmb2xpby1tYW5hZ2VtZW50LXdpdGgtbm9lbC1zb2JlbG1hbg%3D%3D&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78499505485&t=YSBkZWVwZXIgZGl2ZSBpbnRvIHBvcnRmb2xpbyBtYW5hZ2VtZW50IHdpdGggbm9lbCBzb2JlbG1hbg%3D%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185808&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v5Heh0fsI4vW0u3cwZ1r94lWPkf5w) ● Episode 30: Innovation in the Chemical Industry with HC Eppich (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vaW5ub3ZhdGlvbi1pbi10aGUtY2hlbWljYWwtaW5kdXN0cnktd2l0aC1oYy1lcHBpY2g%3D&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78502013785&t=aGMgZXBwaWNo&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=true&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185845&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v7EECuzHBN8ZLaTKsAvnQBMZlwt0Q) ● Episode 31: Taking a systematic approach to the product management process (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/the-process-of-product-management) ● Episode 33: Necessity for Innovation Accounting (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vbmVjZXNzaXR5LWZvci1pbm5vdmF0aW9uLWFjY291bnRpbmc%3D&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78502013859&t=bmVjZXNzaXR5IGZvciBpbm5vdmF0aW9uIGFjY291bnRpbmc%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185944&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v5jTrFtveRsbD1N8MzoLMqzlH_4Jg) ● Episode 34: Corporate Startups and the Importance of Entrepreneurial Thinking (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vY29ycG9yYXRlLXN0YXJ0LXVwcy1hbmQtdGhlLWltcG9ydGFuY2Utb2YtZW50cmVwcmVuZXVyaWFsLXRoaW5raW5n&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78499505569&t=Y29ycG9yYXRlIHN0YXJ0dXBzIGFuZCB0aGUgaW1wb3J0YW5jZSBvZiBlbnRyZXByZW5ldXJpYWwgdGhpbmtpbmc%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185956&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v4EoPfWxku9unY_QzMaHiV9Ogjwxw) ● Episode 36: Circular Economy in the Chemical Industry (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vY2lyY3VsYXItZWNvbm9teS1pbi10aGUtY2hlbWljYWwtaW5kdXN0cnk%3D&ct=AUTOCOMPLETE&pid=6722983&cid=78503430549&t=Y2lyY3VsYXIgZWNvbm9teSBpbiB0aGUgY2hlbWljYWwgaW5kdXN0cnk%3D&d=www.sopheon.com&c=2&c=3&c=6&rp=1&ab=false&opcid=&rs=UNKNOWN&hs-expires=1701185983&hs-version=1&hs-signature=APUk-v7D44RY4SiPWEvhPctudxDrctHMjA) ● Episode 37: Sustainable Innovation Through Green Chemistry (https://www.sopheon.com/_hcms/analytics/search/conversion?redirect=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc29waGVvbi5jb20vcG9kY2FzdHMtYXVkaW8vc3VzdGFpbmFibGUtaW5ub3ZhdG...
Dan Balcauski founded Product Tranquility, a firm that helps businesses grow and increase their bottom line through intelligent pricing and packaging strategies. Dan defines pricing not as an end goal, but as a means to a more efficient business plan that will sustain customer interest for the long term. In the last episode, Dan talked about the company’s genesis, the services they offer, and what most businesses get wrong about pricing. In part two of this series, Dan discusses why start-ups should be cautious about copying what Fortune 500 companies do. He shares how customer segmentation affects your pricing strategy. He explains the elements of business packaging and how to ensure you don’t overwhelm your sales team. Dan also describes why you should think of pricing as a process. “Modern marketing falls into understanding segmentation, targeting, and positioning.” - Dan Balcauski This week on Innovation Talks: ● Why start-ups shouldn’t copy what Fortune 500 companies are doing● How customer segmentation impacts pricing● Why pricing and packaging are functions of your positioning● The elements of business packaging● Dan’s advice for those who don’t understand pricing Connect with Dan Balcauski: ● Product Tranquility (https://www.producttranquility.com/) ● Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Dan Balcauski is the founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, a firm specializing in value creation and helping clients boost productivity and growth and improve customer loyalty. He provides strategic pricing and packaging consultations to high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs. Dan is also a Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management program leader and is part of Toptal’s Top 3% Worldwide Product Management Professionals. Dan joins me today to describe Product Tranquility, its services, and how they help businesses develop pricing strategies that lead to growth. He explains what most companies get wrong about pricing and his definition of pricing from the viewpoint of value. He discusses value cascade and the best ways to understand your customers. Dan also shares why pricing isn’t necessarily a primary driver of business growth. “Intelligent price management starts with intelligent value management.” - Dan Balcauski This week on Innovation Talks: ● Product Tranquility and how they got started● What people get wrong about pricing● Dan’s definition of value in pricing● Value cascade and the best way to understand your customers Resources Mentioned: ● Book: The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: A Guide to Growing More Profitably (https://www.amazon.com/Strategy-Tactics-Pricing-Growing-Profitably/dp/113873750X) by Thomas Nagle and Georg Müller Connect with Dan Balcauski: ● Product Tranquility (https://www.producttranquility.com/) ● Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/balcauski/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
The Innov8rs Conference has hosted conferences for innovators in various industries since 2011. They’ve hosted in over 25 cities globally, from San Francisco to Sydney and Singapore. They have multiple programs that promote an atmosphere of creativity and discussion surrounding the future of innovation. I went to the Innov8rs Conference held recently in Austin, Texas, and I found it to be one of the largest and most engaging conferences in a long time. In this episode, I share my thoughts on the recently concluded Innov8rs Conference and why I found a lot of value during my time. I explain how it promoted discussions and engagement despite being a large gathering. I describe some of the topics I was fortunate to sit in, especially regarding the future of innovation and ESG. I also share some of the interesting points regarding internal innovators and innovators hired. "This was a good chance to talk with other people, peers with other companies, and share success and challenges." - Paul Heller This week on Innovation Talks: ● My experience during the Innov8rs Conference● What was impressive throughout the conference● Sitting at the ESG round table● The six shifts that will shape the future of innovation● How corporations can beat start-ups at innovation This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you. For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Greg Coticchia is the President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors at Sopheon. He is an award-winning sales leader, market expert, product manager, and business strategist. He has almost 40 years of experience holding leadership positions across organizations and institutions in finance, education, and cybersecurity. Greg is also the Board Director of the Product Development Management Association or PDMA. Greg joins me today to describe his thoughts on the future of innovation and how Covid-19 spearheaded the technology we will likely use forever. He explains some of the benefits and hindrances of the pandemic as it relates to innovation. He shares his thoughts on sustainability and how it’s directing the course of innovation. Greg also discusses a few examples of companies adjusting to new customer habits. “Technology isn’t always the right answer. Sometimes, it’s just a change in behavior or process or some other way of achieving the same result.” - Greg Coticchia This week on Innovation Talks: ● The future of innovation● The benefits and drawbacks to innovation resulting from Covid-19● Habits that changed as a consequence of the pandemic● How Home Depot addressed their customers’ number one problem● Innovations that were direct results of the pandemic● Why a lot of B2B companies are in a supply chain● How sustainability and innovation work together● Examples of innovation with sustainability in mind Connect with Greg Coticchia: ● Greg Coticchia on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregcoticchia/) This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts. Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/innovation-talks/id1555857396) | TuneIn (https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/) | GooglePlay (https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pbm5vdmF0aW9udGFsa3MubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M%3D) | Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=614195) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1dX5b8tWI29YbgeMwZF5Uh) | iHeart (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/) Be sure to connect with us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SopheonCorp/) , Twitter (https://twitter.com/sopheon) , and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/sopheon/) , and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you. For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .
Dual innovation – the simultaneous management of core innovation and explorative innovation – requires scale, leadership support, and strong governance to execute. What are some of the biggest challenges companies face when transitioning from an exploration model to an exploitative strategy? Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr, a corporate innovation expert, explores how companies have turned innovation concepts into impactful business results.Listen as Paul Heller, Sopheon Chief Evangelist, and Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr discuss why scaling is the most challenging part of becoming ambidextrous and the need for leadership support and look at examples of companies that have adopted and almost perfected dual innovation: https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/dual-innovation-with-ralph-christian-ohr You can also listen to the full podcast on your favorite podcast network:iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-innovation-talks-82985745/episode/dual-innovation-with-ralph-christian-ohr-100761236/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/70GHd4OV8zDW0awpIuArTGApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dual-innovation-with-ralph-christian-ohr/id1555857396?i=1000561593937Tunein: https://tunein.com/podcasts/Technology-Podcasts/Innovation-Talks-p1412337/?topicId=172139897Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/innovation-talks-2/episode/dual-innovation-with-ralph-christian-ohr-205668404Get more insights on innovation and product management from Sopheon here: https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe
In this week’s episode, we tackle the complexities of innovation in a rapidly shifting global landscape. Understanding how today's economic indicators are impacted by innovation and state competition is no small feat, and we delve into these intricate dynamics. Along with insights into the latest innovation trends, challenges, and strategies, we unveil findings from the annual Innovation Agenda, a comprehensive examination of corporate innovation practices around the globe.
Chris is the Chief Marketing Officer at Wellspring, the leading provider of R&D and innovation software and services for corporate, academic, and government clients. Chris has worked for nearly twenty years in the innovation management space, first as a thought leader at Forrester Research and then as a senior executive at solution providers in both North America and Europe. Chris holds an undergraduate degree in biology from Harvard University. More recently, he has cultivated an interest in dad jokes.
"The definition of innovation has evolved—it's about the evolution of a company's value creation engine driven by science and technological advancements." - Chris Townsend
Today on Innovation Talks:
• The annual Innovation Agenda is a key resource for understanding corporate innovation trends.
• While some companies establish chief innovation officers and special units, these roles often lack permanence.
• Global integration and cultural adoption of innovation metrics are rising to the CEO level.
• Long-term, transformative innovation is garnering significant strategic investment focus.
• Economic uncertainty is causing a cautious approach toward significant new innovation investments.
• AI is a prominent topic of interest, yet corporate strategies in this area remain underdeveloped.
• There is an increasing need for companies to define and assess disruptions accurately for effective strategizing.
• The maturation of innovation as a business discipline is evidenced by companies centralizing and coordinating innovation efforts more thoughtfully.
Connect with Chris Townsend:
• chris.townsend@wellspring.com
Resources Mentioned:
• The Innovation Agenda: An annual study offering insights into corporate innovation trends and strategies.
• 2021 and 2022 Survey Themes: Focused on COVID recovery, economic uncertainty, and the role of AI in innovation.
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This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we delve into the synergetic relationship between people and technology and how it can create a competitive edge in businesses. Our conversation with Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn, focuses on the complex and evolving landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With a unique perspective on the integration of AI in business strategies, Alex shares deep insights on how organizations are navigating this space and the challenges they face in harnessing the full potential of AI-driven innovation.
Alex Adamopoulos is a thought leader in the field of organizational improvement and brings a visionary approach to incorporating technology in business practices. As the CEO of Emergn, a company at the forefront of enhancing how businesses operate, Alex is known for producing tangible use cases in the AI realm. With a seasoned background and a commitment to driving meaningful change, Alex's keen insights into the development and integration of AI in business provide a valuable framework for companies looking to innovate and adapt.
"AI is still very much a work in progress, probably grossly underrated, highly misunderstood." - Alex Adamopoulos
This Week on Innovation Talks:
· AI technology is creating new opportunities for both traditional and digital products but requires a clear understanding of its potential applications.
· Organizations need to account for governance and people management when implementing AI, balancing cost with value optimization.
· Advisory services can provide crucial early guidance for companies attempting to navigate the AI landscape.
· Experimentation, such as through proof of concepts, is vital in determining the feasibility and impact of AI initiatives.
· Upskilling and reskilling will be critical as AI transforms job functions and creates new career paths.
· Traditional industries like farming are finding innovative ways to utilize AI, highlighting the broad impact of this technology.
· The integration of AI is not just a technological shift but a transformation that touches on the customer and employee experiences.
· Companies must remember that while AI can automate and enhance processes, the human aspect of business cannot be overlooked.
Connect with Alex Adamopoulos:
alex@emergn.com
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here..
In this week's episode, we unwrap the nuanced relationship between artificial intelligence and human creativity in innovation. Our insightful conversation with Robyn Bolton dives deep into using AI as an assistive tool rather than a replacement for human ingenuity. We explore the indispensable value of human insight and the role of AI in augmenting, not overshadowing, the human experience, especially in consumer discovery interviews and educational settings.
Robyn Bolton brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience to the discussion. As the founder and chief navigator at Mile Zero, she assists medium and large businesses navigate the uncertain waters of innovation and product development. Having launched major brand innovations such as Swiffer in North America during her time with Procter and Gamble, Robyn understands the intersection of human insight and artificial intelligence. Her teaching role in a master's program in design and innovation at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design equips future designers with the business acumen necessary to thrive in a world where AI is becoming increasingly prevalent.
"AI doesn't replace the depth of understanding that comes from human interaction. It's critical to couple technology with the richness of conversation to capture that elusive 20% of insights AI can't uncover." - Robyn Bolton
Today on Innovation Talks:
• Humans bring a crucial 20% of insights that AI cannot reach: Robyn stresses the unparalleled value of human conversation for deep insights in consumer research.
• Generative AI assists but requires human direction: While AI can help shape personas and streamline processes, it's guided by and ultimately dependent on human expertise to avoid inaccuracies.
• Company culture influences AI adoption: Approaches to AI vary widely, reflecting the cultural and emotional landscapes of different organizations.
• Education must promote independent thinking alongside AI: Students should learn to leverage AI without losing their own critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Rights ownership and AI challenges in design education: The intersection of design, business, and AI presents complex questions about creativity and intellectual property that need to be addressed in educational settings.
Resources Mentioned:
• Personas for Consumer Interviews: A method in which AI can be used to tailor interview guides.
• AI Note Takers: These are tools that businesses react to variously, based on their culture and approach to technology.
Contact Information:
• Visit Mile Zero, LLC to learn more about Robyn Bolton's work.
• LinkedIn Connect with Robyn Bolton for further insights into innovation and integrating AI with human creativity.
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In today's episode, we unravel the intricacies of change management within the realm of digital transformations. We shine a light on the continuous need for adaptation in the digital landscape and the importance of embracing new technologies to maintain a competitive edge. Change management can be as daunting as it is necessary, especially when digital advancements happen at a breakneck pace.
Ketan Jahagirdar shares his extensive experience as a specialist in program management and champion of complex multi-year transformation programs. Currently, he serves as one of the Directors of Product Management at Sopheon, and his history includes founding RoI Blueprints. With over two decades in the field, Ketan brings a wealth of knowledge and practical insights on driving organizational change and harnessing digital innovation for business growth.
"Digital transformation... honestly, you can't stop evolving in your journey."
- Ketan Jahagirdar
Today on Innovation Talks:
• Digital transformation is a continual journey, not a one-time event.
• Technology moves rapidly, turning state-of-the-art systems into antiques in a decade.
• Two types of digital transformation: business model flips and process rewiring to eliminate analog methods.
• Companies, especially in insurance and healthcare, still have significant opportunities for digital evolution.
• The most formidable challenge in transformation is overcoming entrenched belief systems with irrefutable facts and evidence.
• Leadership and having a strong core team are crucial for effectively addressing skepticism and orchestrating change.
• Having the people responsible sign off on the plan ensures commitment and belief in the project.
• For a digital transformation to be successful, organizations must present a compelling case with robust data and realistic scenarios that show the risks clearly.
Resources Mentioned:
-
AI and RPA (Robotic Process Automation) technologies
-
Proofs of concept (PoCs) for validating changes
Guest Contact Information:
-
Connect with Ketan Jahagirdar on LinkedIn
-
Reach out via Sopheon's corporate platform
Ready to Transform Your Innovation Strategy?
If you're a product manager or innovator looking to streamline your processes and turn chaos into control, you won't want to miss this opportunity.
Dive into our exclusive, free eBook on Innovation Ops strategies designed just for you.
Learn the secrets to revolutionizing your approach and achieving success with clarity and precision.
Download your copy today.
Start your journey to becoming an innovation powerhouse now!
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | Google Play | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today's episode explores the critical intersection of talent management and innovation. We delve into how companies can nurture and sustain breakthrough innovation capabilities, particularly through effective talent management strategies. Professor Gina O'Connor unveils some surprising truths about the obstacles and opportunities within large, mature organizations striving to achieve a culture of continuous innovation.
Gina O'Connor brings expertise in innovation management, strategic marketing, and corporate entrepreneurship. As a professor at Babson College, she has spearheaded a research program focused on enabling large, mature companies to engage in breakthrough innovation. O'Connor's role in developing new teaching cases, such as her work with W.L. Gore and her book "Radical: How Mature Firms Can Outsmart Upstarts," has profoundly influenced the field. Delving into how organizations can build ongoing capabilities in innovation, her insights are particularly valuable for those grappling with the responsibilities of managing innovation within established corporation contexts.
"It's not just about the ideas; it's about the people who bring them to life that make innovation thrive." - Gina O'Connor
This week on Innovation Talks:
· Talent management is critical in the seamless execution of innovation, particularly in the discovery, incubation, and acceleration stages.
· Proper innovation management can lead to an organization's sustained competitive advantage through disciplined and actionable insights.
· Managing organizational uncertainty is key in nurturing and leveraging talent effectively within the innovation process.
· Establishing roles within innovation processes, including opportunity people and domain leaders, contributes significantly to successful innovation outcomes.
· An innovation council can orchestrate the strategic innovation function, ensuring alignment across organizational competencies.
· Measuring productivity in innovation requires distinct metrics and evaluation criteria to assess individual and functional performance accurately.
· Ensuring career paths are available for innovators outside traditional management tracks can drive retention and nurture corporate influence.
· Organizations must commit to continuously improving their innovation capabilities and culture to avoid stagnant or regressive practices.
Connect with Gina O'Connor:
Resources Mentioned:
- "Radical: How Mature Firms Can Outsmart Upstarts," Co-author by Gina O'Connor
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week’s episode, we dive deep into the complexities of intellectual property and its pivotal role in fostering innovation and business strategy. We delve into what intellectual property entails, its significance in today's digital era, and the heavy process of managing and maximizing its value. Our insightful guest, Rupert Osborn, educates us on the intricate relationship between IP and corporate growth and the shift towards a more open and collaborative approach to innovation.
Rupert Osborn is the managing director for Wellspring in the EMEA operation, boasting a substantial track record in consulting, corporate IP, and technology transfer. Kickstarting his career with a research role at ICI, Rupert transitioned into a business and licensing focus before establishing IP Pragmatics. His experience has rendered him an expert in navigating the dense forest of intellectual property, promoting its strategic importance at every innovation stage.
"It's not just about protecting your ideas; it's about understanding the landscape, collaborating, and really harnessing the power of your intellectual assets." - Rupert Osborn
This week on Innovation Talks:
· Intellectual property encompasses a vast domain, including patents, trade secrets, and copyright, and is essential for protecting innovative concepts and products.
· Managing and accessing the enormous amount of IP and innovation information is a major challenge, necessitating efficient strategies for valuation and protection.
· The shift towards open innovation and the market pull model highlights the importance of collaboration and partnership in the IP context, especially between startups and established corporations.
· The increasing complexity of IP, especially with the rise of the open-source movement and AI tools, is transforming how companies approach patent searches and licensing.
· Industries have unique relationships with IP; some rely heavily on trade secrets, while others, like pharmaceuticals and electronics, face varying degrees of complexity and criticality in their IP strategy.
· The digital era generated more intricate copyright issues, but it also presents opportunities to leverage patents and copyrights for robust digital infrastructure protection.
· The role of governments in fostering IP education and crafting legislation is vital for maximizing the economic benefits of intellectual assets.
· The future of IP points towards continued evolution, with AI and growing complexity signaling both opportunities and legal challenges.
Connect with Rupert Osborn:
· Wellspring website: www.wellspring.com
Resources Mentioned:
· OpenAI
· New York Times litigation on content usage, illustrating the broadening scope of IP.
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week’s episode, we're diving deep into portfolio management. We're joined by Gerard Ryan, an expert in nurturing innovation within companies and masterfully balancing product development projects. Understanding how to prioritize, manage, and evolve product portfolios is critical for any business looking to drive growth and maintain competitive advantage. Gerard provides insights into the 10 key practices ensuring portfolio management success, reflecting on real-world challenges and strategic solutions.
Gerard Ryan brings a wealth of experience in the innovation and product development sectors to the table. Having launched a successful company, Prodex, which Sopheon acquired, he is well-versed in the practicalities of bringing new ideas to market and the strategic management of product portfolios. His diverse background in architecture, industrial design, computer manufacturing, and consulting, coupled with his experience across different countries and business units, provides a unique global perspective on the art and science of innovation.
"Portfolio management success doesn't happen by accident; it’s the result of deliberate practices, well-established governance, and a culture that fosters innovation."
- Gerard Ryan
This week on Innovation Talks:
• Portfolio management frameworks like ABV and DVF are essential for aligning product development with strategic business objectives.
• Cross-functional integration of perspectives is necessary for rounded decision-making in product development.
• A strategic shift in the product portfolio should reflect the shifting market demands and sustainability concerns.
• "Fewer, bigger, better" should be the focus to streamline and fortify innovation efforts within a business.
• Balancing risk with innovation requires constant vigilance and flexibility in assessing and adjusting the portfolio lineup.
• Visibility, data governance, and innovation maturity are building blocks for a vibrant, responsive portfolio.
• Continuous lifecycle planning and prioritization using strategic frameworks allow dynamic resource allocation.
• The creation of a culture that values innovation governance and systematic frameworks is key to securing long-term success.
Connect with Gerard Ryan:
Resources Mentioned:
• ABV Framework
• Ideo's DVF Model
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week’s episode, we delve into the exciting intersection of technology and manufacturing operations. Discussing the future of this rapidly evolving sector, we seize the opportunity to understand how advancements in AI and software are reshaping the landscape. With riveting insights into the challenges and potential of integrating technology into manufacturing processes, we look at the theoretical and practical elements that business leaders and industry professionals should anticipate in the coming years.
Our guest, Renan Devillieres, brings a wealth of knowledge from his distinguished career-spanning work with the OECD, involvement in manufacturing, and a track record of founding successful startups. As the CEO of Oss Ventures, Renan leads an organization that's pioneering the fusion of technology with manufacturing, having founded 15 companies and implemented technology in 1,700 factories globally. His visit to Tesla's factory was a defining moment that propelled his passion for incorporating software into manufacturing, highlighting the future path for the industry.
“ Factory workers deserve good SaaS the way developers deserve good SaaS.”
- Renan Devillieres
This week on Innovation Talks:
• The role of AI and software is becoming central to the manufacturing industry's advancement.
• Hyper-personalization is driving a need for a new approach to economies of scale.
• Startups play four distinct roles in fostering innovation and shaking up traditional manufacturing models.
• Contrasting the idealized visions of Industry 4.0 with practical success stories like Tesla and BYD.
• Factory SaaS represents a shift toward more modern, efficient manufacturing IT systems.
• The potential impact of foundational startups in revolutionizing industries and creating billion-dollar companies alongside ERPs.
• Oss Ventures' mission is to act as a bridge between technology and manufacturing.
• Before facing legal and market challenges, startups like SpaceX and Tesla need to become substantial.
Connect with Renan Devillieres
Resources Mentioned:
- OSS Ventures: A venture challenging the traditional manufacturing industry by introducing advanced technology solutions.
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, I had the privilege of diving into the world of innovation and product development with Alex Adamopoulos, CEO of Emergn. With a focus on improving the way people and companies work, Alex has extensive expertise in helping organizations navigate the complexities of transformation and innovation. Emergn has a 15-year history of successful case studies, making them a valuable resource for companies seeking to enhance their innovation processes.
Alex Adamopoulos is a visionary leader and innovator, with a strong track record of helping companies accelerate their ability to execute and deliver successful products and services. With a global business perspective and a passion for removing the barriers to innovation, Alex's insights are invaluable for any organization striving to stay ahead in today's rapidly changing business landscape.
"One of the key challenges in innovation is the disconnect between innovation management and product management." - Alex Adamopoulos
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The common struggle of large corporations in managing and executing transformation programs, with a 70% to 75% failure rate
· The concept of the "dual mindset" and its impact on organizations, focusing on the disconnect between innovation management and product management.
· The challenge of uncertainty and the growing trend towards making organizations future-proof through an experimental portfolio of potential products and value propositions.
· The critical role of leadership in driving successful innovation, emphasizing the need to embrace risk and failure while maintaining operational discipline.
· Necessary operating models for successful innovation and the importance of evolving into a product-led organization.
Connect with Alex Adamopoulos:
· Emergn website
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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In this week's episode, we have an engaging conversation with Jared Raszewski, the founder of DisSolves. Jared has an impressive journey in the realms of intellectual property, innovation, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and startups. He shares his insights on the product he created and its challenges during its development journey. From pioneering a groundbreaking packaging film to navigating the complexities of product development, Jared offers valuable perspectives on innovation in today's business world.
Jared Raszewski is an inspirational figure in the world of entrepreneurship and innovation. He founded DisSolves, a company specializing in an all-natural packaging film that dissolves in water, revolutionizing how powdered products are packaged. Jared's dedication and commitment to overcoming challenges in product development have led to impactful solutions that are reshaping the industry. His expertise and experience continue to drive innovation and sustainability in packaging and product development.
"Put whatever you can out there and get feedback as early as possible. The earlier you get it out there, the quicker you can get validation."
- Jared Raszewski
Today on Innovation Talks:
• DisSolves’ journey from concept to product: Jared Raszewski shares the compelling story of how DisSolves’ evolved from a groundbreaking idea to a tangible, innovative product.
• Challenges in scaling up product manufacturing: Jared reflects on the obstacles faced in finding suitable manufacturers and scaling the production process for the innovative packaging film.
• The acquisition by GFRP and future plans: Jared discusses the recent acquisition of DisSolves’ and provides insight into their plans for scaling up the commercial release.
• Global interest and applications of the packaging film: Jared highlights the global interest in DisSolves’ all-natural packaging film and its potential applications in product packaging across different industries.
• The importance of early validation and adaptability: Jared emphasizes the value of early feedback, validation, and iteration in refining and successfully launching innovative products.
Connect with Jared Raszewski:
Resources Mentioned:
· DisSolves
· Hunter IO
· Founder Institute
· Big Idea Ventures
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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John Mansour is a true leader in the world of product management. He founded Product Management University and has a wealth of experience. His main goal is to refine and define how companies manage and market their products. Leveraging his impressive background, John helps companies raise their product quality. Education is a big passion for him, which is evident in how he mentors professionals from diverse fields. His approach goes beyond the norm, aiming for a complete view of customers that breaks traditional boundaries.
In this week’s episode, we're delving into the world of product management, uncovering the essentials behind crafting successful product stories from idea to market. I am joined by John Mansour, a true expert in the field, as we break down the crucial elements of an effective product management process. We get to the heart of customer feedback, market understanding, and the pivotal role of customer discovery in shaping products that genuinely add value.
“Start with value to the customer. If it's not valuable to the customer, nothing else matters.”
- John Mansour
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Customer feedback is not just a box to check; the compass guides the entire product management process.
· A consistent and unbiased approach to customer discovery can uncover obstacles and opportunities that aren’t immediately apparent.
· Understanding market and customer needs should always take precedence, serving as the groundwork for product development.
· Even with the influx of technology, the human element of understanding and interpreting customer feedback remains irreplaceable.
· Product managers should continuously evolve their skills, notably in customer communication, to extract the most valuable insights possible.
· Documenting the product management process is one thing; ensuring that it's usable and understood by all stakeholders is another.
· The realms of product management, product marketing, and customer success should converge in perspective to better serve the customer.
· With the increasing complexity of the product management field, a thorough and adaptable educational foundation is more important than ever.
Connect with John Mansour:
Product Management University
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we explore the world of innovation excellence in production. Our guest, Huub Rutten, has been at the forefront of innovation in production, working with numerous companies to advance their production methodologies. As companies navigate the increasing complexities of manufacturing and production, Huub Rutten provides valuable insights into the challenges, advancements, and opportunities in this often-overlooked aspect of innovation.
Huub Rutten is the co-founder and Vice President of Product Research and Design at Sopheon. With over 20 years of experience in language management and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Radboud University in the Netherlands, Huub is at the forefront of developing Sopheon’s linguistics and knowledge management technologies. He’s been leading the charge into solutions for innovation and has even created a deep dive course on innovation portfolio management.
"You need a strategy; you need a standard way of managing your initiatives. And the programs of initiatives should have a discipline to produce data in a certain way."
- Huub Rutten
Today on Innovation Talks:
· The link between portfolio management and innovation in production is critical for the overall success of a company's product portfolio.
· Geopolitical changes drive the urgency for modernization and innovation in production processes, making sustainability and independence from external factors more essential than ever.
· The implementation of professional innovation management is urgently required to address the challenges and complexities of production innovation.
· The need for business management principles in manufacturing innovation to effectively drive production process improvements.
· Transparency and collaboration between the product and production sides are crucial to driving innovations that serve the business as a whole.
· Successful production innovation requires a strategic roadmap and disciplined portfolio management to steer initiatives in the right direction.
· The intersection of Industry 4.0 and production processes opens up opportunities for automation, digitization, and smarter manufacturing practices.
· The growing urgency for independence from geopolitical factors is accelerating the need for modernization and innovation in production processes.
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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April Dunford is the founder of Ambient Strategy, a consulting firm that helps technology companies grow. She has led marketing, product, and sales teams at companies like IBM, Siebel, and Sybase. April's work is focused on early and growth-stage startups—recognizing that weak positioning can be the difference between success and failure. She also works with large global companies, helping them develop deeper positioning expertise in their product and marketing teams. April's best-selling book, Obviously Awesome, captures her ideas about positioning and provides a methodology that any startup can follow. Today, April is focused on giving back as much as she can. She mentors and advises dozens of startups and is an enthusiastic board member at a handful of startups. April resides in Toronto, Canada, where she enjoys spending time with her kids and small dog in a cabin in the woods.
Today, April joins me to discuss positioning for B2B tech companies. She explains how to position a product to the current market, rather than the company’s vision of the future. She discusses what product managers need to understand about their vision and the current market to craft a successful position. She explains why product positioning is most important in B2B and why positioning is different from messaging. We discuss the importance of positioning to improve marketing and sales performance and why you need to continually refine and evolve positioning over time. April also suggests the best way to develop a positioning thesis and calculate the value it will deliver to the customer.
“The best way to test positioning if you're B2B and you have a sales team is to take that positioning and translate it into a sales pitch, then test it out on qualified prospects in a sales call.” - April Dunford
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How to explore the best positioning strategy for your company
● How B2B tech companies can position themselves for their specific market
● Why weak positioning makes your sales process harder
● April’s five components of positioning
● April’s methodology for positioning that any company can follow
● How to test your positioning
● The benefits of structured sales pitches
Connect with April Dunford:
● April Dunford’s Website
● Book: Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It by April Dunford
● April Dunford on LinkedIn
● April Dunford on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we delve into the strategic mindset that sets apart the most successful companies from their competitors. Joining us is business leader Dan Adams, who discusses the concept of the "builder mentality," which is essential for long-term competitiveness and growth. We examine how these principles, laid out in Dan's new book and his research-backed survey, impact leadership styles, succession planning, and the understanding of leaders' roles in shaping companies for future success.
Dan Adams is a visionary in the field of business growth and leadership, serving as president of the AIM Institute. With extensive experience guiding companies toward innovation and market-driven strategies, Dan has authored the groundbreaking book "Business Builders." Dan's commitment to fostering a builder mentality in leaders has significantly impacted the business landscape, encouraging a new wave of transformative leadership.
" Our belief is the duty of a senior leader is to leave their business stronger
than they found it.” - Dan Adams
This Week on Innovation Talks:
• A builder mentality drives company growth: Dan Adams highlights that leadership focused on delivering customer value and expanding the company is most effective at driving growth.
• Different leaders impact organizations in unique ways: Builders, decorators, remodelers, and realtors—each leadership style has a distinct approach, with builders being the most growth-oriented.
• Understanding one's leadership style is key: Adams encourages leaders to use the self-assessment tool on his website to measure their belief system and adopt a builder mentality.
• Balancing leadership styles for sustainable growth: While different leaders have varied priorities, a balance of strategies is crucial for organic growth.
• CEOs must evolve with their companies: As companies grow, the need for a builder mentality remains critical, making succession planning pivotal.
Connect with Dan Adams:
Resources Mentioned:
-
Book: "Business Builders" by Dan Adams
-
AIM Institute
-
Builder Mentality Self-Assessment Tool
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In today's episode, we're peeling back the layers of organizational innovation with expert Chris Beswick, who introduces a transformative approach to measuring innovation maturity. We're delving into the advanced methodologies that assess where a company stands on the innovation curve and provide actionable steps for progression. With a non-linear and sentiment-based assessment tool called AIM, Chris guides us through the pillars of a comprehensive innovation system and how companies can diagnose their innovation health.
Chris Beswick is a pioneer in innovation strategy and a dedicated advocate for changing how organizations approach innovation maturity. As a seasoned thought leader, Chris has implemented his unique assessment model in companies ranging from modest start-ups to global giants, proving that size does not dictate the necessity for innovation introspection. With a keen eye for the interconnectedness of culture, strategy, and leadership, he empowers companies to comprehensively assess and evolve their practices. His passion for data-driven decision-making and the democratization of innovation insights makes him a vanguard in the field.
"We need to replace traditional assessment answers with statements of truth to reflect where an organization stands in terms of innovation genuinely." - Chris Beswick
Today on Innovation Talks:
· Innovation maturity should encompass culture and leadership, not just processes and tools. It's about shifting the focus to address the overarching innovation ecosystem within the organization.
· AIM as a pre-investment analysis tool: Revealing how AIM can be used to assess portfolio companies' potential for driving growth through innovation.
· The five pillars of the innovation system are strategy, processes, governance/management, and culture/leadership, and each has its importance in the innovation journey of a company.
· The necessity of a data-driven approach: Beswick emphasizes relying on hard data rather than subjective opinions to make significant innovation decisions.
· Capturing sentiments of the whole organization: The importance of gaining a holistic view of the company instead of limiting the survey to a select group is vital for an accurate measure of innovation maturity.
· The impact of hidden deltas and polarization: Beswick outlines how the AIM tool can uncover hidden issues affecting a company's innovation.
· Building a self-sustaining framework: Developing a next-step approach that enables companies to address specific innovation maturity barriers independently.
· The scalability of innovation assessments: Beswick's model's adaptability to varying-size organizations highlights its broad applicability.
Contact Chris Beswick:
· Contact directly for innovation maturity discussions: Chris Beswick, Outcome Co.
Resources Mentioned:
AIM (Assessment of Innovation Maturity): A tool described by Chris Beswick for measuring innovation maturity across different organizational pillars.
Remember, understanding your company’s innovation maturity is pivotal, and taking the steps to improve it can set you on a path toward sustainable progress and competitive advantage.
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Greetings, innovation enthusiasts! Today, Paul is joined by Innovation Talks producer Emma Hughes. Together, they reflect on a stellar year of insightful conversations and forward-thinking guests whose stories have left indelible marks on our understanding of the innovation landscape.
Emma Hughes is not only the producer extraordinaire with an uncanny knack for identifying transformative narratives but also a voracious learner whose grasp of innovation and its nuances has deepened with every episode produced—Emma's perspective in each considered conversation that makes the podcast a treasure trove of industry knowledge.
Our affable and knowledgeable host, Paul Heller, illustrates the quintessential curiosity that drives our conversations at Sopheon. With an impressive lineup of guests throughout 2023, Paul has enriched our podcast with profound and practical discussions, demonstrating a persistent pursuit of what it truly means to lead and innovate in today's dynamic environment.
"Innovation is not just about breakthrough technologies; it's the human side of things that can sometimes transform the workplace even more profoundly." - Emma Hughes
This week on Innovation Talks:
· Reflecting on a year of empowering and motivational content from thought leaders like Carla Johnson, Aisha Armstrong, and William Mulholland.
· The personal and professional growth Emma and Paul have undergone through their interactions with podcast guests.
· A look at cultural shifts in the workplace, emphasizing the human element post-coronavirus.
· Paul's insights into the evolving role of product managers and the maturing of business innovation.
· The appropriate approach to integrating AI in products while maintaining a human touch in content.
· Emma and Paul's favorite podcast episodes of 2023 that sparked discussion and innovation in sustainability, strategy, and leadership.
· The hosts' conversational approach to interviews creates an atmosphere for natural and insightful dialogues.
· An invitation to listeners to influence the podcast's future direction with feedback and participation.
Resources Mentioned:
How to Make Innovative Thinking Your Competitive Advantage with Carla Johnson
Fearless Transformation: Revolutionizing B2B Services for Profitable Productization with Eisha Armstrong
Insights from an AI Product Manager with William Mulholland
This podcast is powered by Sopheon, leading the charge in enterprise innovation management solutions. Our mission is to help businesses achieve exceptional long-term growth and profitability through sustained innovation.
Discover more about Sopheon
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Today, on Innovation Talks, Paul Heller and Greg Coticchia, the CEO of Sopheon, bring a wealth of experience in product management. In this episode, they delve into the challenges and opportunities faced by product managers, highlighting their crucial role in driving innovation and business success. Greg emphasizes the importance of leadership, collaboration, and strategic thinking for product managers to excel in their roles. He stresses the need for product managers to gain the trust and support of their executive team and the development and sales teams.
Greg and Paul discuss the evolving nature of the product manager role, noting how it has changed over the years. They highlight the shift from product managers being solely focused on feature prioritization to becoming business owners responsible for their products' overall health and success. They emphasize the need for product managers to go beyond just being a proxy for the customer and actively engage with customers, salespeople, marketing, and development teams to gain a holistic understanding of the market and drive product success.
The conversation also touches on the importance of executive support and understanding of product management. Greg emphasizes that executives need to recognize the value and impact of product management on the company's growth and profitability. He encourages executives to educate themselves on the role of product management and how they can support and empower product managers to make strategic decisions.
Throughout the episode, Greg and Paul stress the need for product managers to learn and develop their skills continuously. They recommend taking sales and marketing courses better to understand the customer journey and the sales process. They also highlight the importance of staying updated on digital marketing strategies and tools to market and sell products in the digital age effectively.
"If you're an executive and you don't know a lot about product management, you should. You should understand it as a profession. You should understand its role. You should understand how it helps you and your business." ~ Greg Coticchia
Greg Coticchia is the CEO of Sopheon and a seasoned expert in product management. With a wealth of experience in the industry, Greg has witnessed the transformation of product companies over the years and deeply understands the challenges faced by product managers and the evolving expectations placed upon them. Instrumental in reshaping the role of product managers, Greg lobbies for their involvement in strategic decision-making and their ability to drive business growth. He strongly advocates for product managers to develop leadership skills and build trust with key stakeholders, including developers, sales teams, and executives. Greg's insights and expertise make him a valuable resource for anyone navigating the complex world of product management.
This Week on Innovation Talks:
- Product managers should not fear or avoid working with sales organizations but rather find ways to collaborate and support them.
- Building relationships and trust with developers, sales teams, and executives is crucial for product managers to succeed.
- Education in strategy, business leadership, and sales can enhance the skills and effectiveness of product managers.
- Leadership is a key aspect of the product manager role, and they should strive to demonstrate leadership qualities in their work.
- Building relationships with sales teams is important for product managers to understand customer needs and effectively sell the product.
- Education in sales methodologies and digital marketing is essential for product managers to understand the customer journey and effectively support sales efforts.
- Understanding the role of product management and its impact on the organization is important for executives to provide the necessary support and resources.
- Product managers should not just focus on technical aspects but also understand their products' business and financial aspects.
Resources Mentioned:
- Sopheon
- Agile Manifesto- The Agile Manifesto that changed the role of product managers.
- HubSpot
- Salesforce
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In this week's episode, we dive into the fascinating world of product development and innovation. We explore the evolution of the StageGate methodology, which has been a cornerstone of successful product launches for decades. Our guest, Dr. Robert Cooper, is a renowned innovation thought leader who has spent over 40 years studying the practices and pitfalls of new product projects. With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Dr. Cooper shares valuable insights on how companies can refine and improve their innovation processes to stay ahead in today's rapidly changing business landscape.
Dr. Robert Cooper is one of the most influential innovation thought leaders in the business world today. With a career spanning over four decades, he has dedicated his research to studying the practices and pitfalls of thousands of new product projects across various industries. As a prolific author and recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Cooper's expertise in innovation and product development is highly regarded. He is currently a Professor Emeritus of Marketing and Technology Management at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University and a Distinguished Fellow at Penn State Institute. With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Dr. Cooper continues to shape the field of innovation and help companies navigate the ever-changing landscape of product development.
"Artificial intelligence has just overtaken marketing... the other thing that it's taken over is things like pricing, dynamic pricing. Some of you may be familiar with Uber and how they do their pricing. The price goes up when the demand goes up. That's AI-based."
- Dr. Robert Cooper
Today on Innovation Talks:
- StageGate methodology has stood the test of time: Dr. Robert Cooper, the creator of StageGate, highlights that the basic principles of StageGate have remained relevant and effective over the years.
- Lean processes are crucial for efficiency: Many companies struggle with bloated processes and excessive documentation in their product development.
- Agile and StageGate can be combined: Dr. Cooper acknowledges the growing interest in Agile methodologies and their application in product development.
- Portfolio management is crucial for resource allocation: Many companies struggle with managing a large number of projects simultaneously.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming product development: AI is playing an increasingly significant role in various stages of product development.
Resources Mentioned:
· StageGate: A methodology for product success introduced by Dr. Robert Cooper in 1986.
· Agile: A project management methodology that can be combined with StageGate for more efficient product development.
· Lean Six Sigma: A set of methodologies used to streamline processes and eliminate waste, which can be applied to the new product development process.
· Digital Twins: Virtual replicas of physical products or processes that can be used for simulation, testing, and optimization.
Resources:
· Dr. Robert Cooper’s Books
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
In today's episode, I dive into governing digital products using an agile development approach. I discuss the challenges of transitioning from physical products to digital products and how the traditional phase gate model can be adapted to suit the unique needs of digital product development. I outline a four-gate process model that includes decision points such as funding development, MVP review and reconfirmation, decision to launch, product review, and strategic adjustment. I emphasize the importance of cross-functional alignment and understanding throughout the development process and highlight the need for regular review meetings to ensure the product's success in the market. Join me as I explore the intricacies of governing agile development and provide insights into how companies can effectively manage their digital product development.
"So much failure happens here because the product is ready and the company is not."
~Paul Heller
Today on Innovation Talks:
- The success of launching a digital product relies on the readiness of the entire company, not just the product itself.
- PhaseGate principles, which are used to manage and reduce risk in product development, can be applied to digital products as well.
- The four primary gates: decision to fund development, MVP review and reconfirmation, decision to launch, and product review and strategic adjustment.
- The MVP review and reconfirmation gate is crucial for understanding and adapting to changes in the product, market, and competitive landscape.
- The decision to launch gate focuses on assessing the readiness of the company as a whole.
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
You might have heard the term Stage-Gate when discussing product development processes, from Idea to Product Launch. The name comes from one, Dr. Robert Cooper, one of the most influential innovation thought-leaders in the industry. He trademarked the term Stage-Gate and its methodology, which was implemented by almost 80% of North American companies. In his framework, a product's genesis will go through discreet stages until it hits the market with expected high success rate results.
In today's episode, I want to take some time to explain the Stage-Gate methodology in layman's terms and what Robert Coopers' research delivered after observing why some companies are very successful at bringing products to market while others are less so. I discuss the stages of Concept Development and the deliverable 'Gate-Meetings' each product would go through. I discuss the benefits of early concept development and how this is a form of quality control. I also discuss how Stage-Gating will maximize your chances of bringing winning products to market.
"By and large the concept of Stages and Gates is always there. It's just the deliverables, the gatekeepers, the way the decisions are made; they become unique to each company." – Paul Heller
"You can think of it almost as a risk management methodology. It's a lot like what a venture capitalist would do. If they were going to invest in a firm, they don't just give the big check right up front, right?" – Paul Heller
"That methodology took a lot of risk out of these products and would identify the products early on that were less likely to succeed in order to make it really work well." – Paul Heller
"Your gatekeepers are a critical role. They need to be people who from the cross-functional parts of your company are going to try to make the business decision to go to the next stage. And they're going to base that on intuition. They're going to base that on experience." – Paul Heller
"You're not just bringing products to market, but you're filtering and bringing the winning products to market. And that's what the stage-gate system was all about." – Paul Heller
This week on Innovative Talks:
- Breaking down the meaning of Stage-Gate in industry
- How a successful company breaks down initial concept development
- The Five-Stage model for product development
- How Stage-Gating is a form of quality control
- Why Gatekeepers are critical to the success of a product
- What the Money-Gate means for serious investment
Resources Mentioned:
- Book: Winning at New Products by Robert G. Cooper
Connect with Paul Heller:
· Paul Heller on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate Innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly!
The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Benji Coetzee is the Chief Strategy Officer at KPN, a Dutch communications company. With a background in psychology and a passion for understanding human behavior, Benji brings a unique perspective to her role. She has led numerous digital transformation projects and is known for her ability to inspire and motivate teams. Benji is also the author of the book "Daddy Says No," which explores the psychology behind decision-making and offers practical advice for personal and professional growth. With her expertise in change management and commitment to creating a positive and inclusive work environment, Benji is a sought-after speaker and thought leader in the industry.
In this episode, I enjoyed speaking with Benji Coetzee, the Chief Strategy Officer at KPN. Benji is a dynamic leader with a passion for driving transformation and growth. With her extensive experience in change management and deep understanding of human behavior, Benji shares valuable insights on navigating the challenges of leading a transformation project. Her book, "Daddy Says No," delves into the psychology behind decision-making and offers practical advice for personal and professional growth. Join us as we explore the importance of understanding people, embracing change, and creating a culture of trust and collaboration.
"If you want to really grow, you really need to be open to change." ~ Benji Coetzee
This Week on Innovation Talks:
· Building trust and autonomy: Benji emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for the success or failure of a project, giving people autonomy, and being willing to take the heat if something goes wrong.
· The power of in-person interactions: Benji highlights the value of being physically present with teams, as it allows for better communication, understanding, and collaboration compared to virtual interactions.
· Starting with why: Benji stresses the significance of clearly communicating the purpose and rationale behind a change or transformation project to get everyone aligned and motivated.
· Understanding people's emotions: Benji suggests taking the time to understand the fears, ambitions, and emotions of the team members involved in the project. This understanding can help in crafting a compelling story and keeping the team motivated.
· Self-reflection and vulnerability: Benji encourages leaders to reflect on their own insecurities and behaviors, acknowledging that everyone makes mistakes and has room for growth. Being vulnerable and open about one's own humanity can create a more approachable and authentic leadership style.
· Change as a catalyst for growth: Benji believes that change is necessary for growth, and that significant growth often comes from embracing uncomfortable changes and challenging oneself to adapt and improve.
· The importance of understanding biases and triggers: Benji discusses the significance of recognizing decision-making biases and emotional triggers that can influence behavior. By understanding these biases, individuals can make better decisions and achieve greater satisfaction.
· Taking the time to understand the team: Benji advises leaders to invest time in understanding the people they work with, their ambitions, fears, and motivations. This understanding can help in building a strong team and creating a supportive and collaborative environment.
Connect with Benji Coetzee:
"Daddy Says No" by Benji Coetzee
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Jim Fava is a leading pioneer in sustainability who has made significant contributions to sustainability and environmentalism for over 40 years. Regarded as the “father of modern-day life cycle assessment,” Jim has spent his career guiding businesses and governments through risks and opportunities, enabling them to hold environmentally responsible and sustainable operations. He is the co-founder of the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation, a multi-stakeholder and membership-based community organization for everyone interested in Life Cycle approaches to enhance the sustainability of economic activities. He is the former Executive Director of the Anthesis Group, an organization that supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating risks and opportunities. Today, Jim and Neil D’Souza co-host Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology, and negotiating the path to sustainable products.
Jim joins me today to offer insight on how product managers can lead sustainable innovation. He outlines four strategies for navigating sustainable innovation in the context of organizational position and goals. He discusses the role of a product manager in mapping a product’s sustainability, stakeholder engagement, and regional considerations. Jim also highlights why collaborating with internal and external functions within an organization is crucial for product managers and underscores the value of being proactive.
“Product managers are critical to the compliance strategy, and they need to reach out to two functions: first, the marketing team, to get a better handle of the market, and two, the government affairs group.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The sustainability roundtable and the life cycle assessment tool
● Golden Rule #7: Meeting them where they are
● Various perspectives on sustainability in organizations
● The “Shaping the Future” strategy of sustainable innovation
● Product managers collaborating with other functions in the company
● The shift toward proactive sustainability strategies
● The “compliance” strategy of sustainable innovation
● Being prepared for change in the sustainability landscape
● Why product managers need to establish connections and proactively address challenges
● The “market-driven” strategy in sustainable innovation
● Continuous learning in sustainability
Resources Mentioned:
● International Organization for Standardization
● Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation
● American Center for LCA
● Book: The Power of Life Cycle Assessment: Data Driven Decision Making for Environmental Sustainability by American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA)
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Partho Ghosh is a customer-centered, data-informed product executive and GM who specializes in B2B SaaS, MarTech, product-led growth, and creating measurable product processes that lead to efficient growth and market fit. He is the VP and Product & General Manager at SecurityScoreCard, the global leader in cybersecurity ratings, response, and resilience. He also serves as an advisor for OpenView, through which he advises on product-led growth. Before working at SecurityScoreCard, Partho served as a general manager for Hootsuite. Partho holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration, Business Management from British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Partho joins me today to explore the “feature factory” trap and how having a clear product management lifecycle can help avoid it. He emphasizes the importance of future thinking in product management decisions, even when dealing with short-term revenue goals. He outlines his philosophy on product management and the “Build, Measure, Learn” principle. Partho also highlights the value of having a data-informed mindset and offers advice to product managers seeking leadership support.
“I’ve always used ‘feature factory’ in a negative connotation, but that might be unfair if you’re a scaling start-up. Founders need revenue growth, profitability, and to make ends meet.” - Partho Ghosh
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Partho’s background as a business analyst, his transition into product management, and diving into B2B SaaS
● The challenges of testing and validating the effectiveness of a free-to-sales motion in the self-serve space
● The importance of future-thinking in product management decisions
● Navigating organizational changes and cultural shifts
● Careers as marathons and the evolving nature of the professional journey
● The need for continuous learning in product management
● Embracing generative AI and how customer expectations around AI have changed
● The transformative nature of technological advancements
● Partho’s product development process and lifecycle
● The “Build, Measure, and Learn” philosophy
● The value of rooting decisions in data and why companies need to invest in analytics capabilities
● Experimentation beyond split testing
● Overcoming challenges in measurement and learning
● Allocating resources to data analysis and promoting a data-informed mindset
● The crucial role and challenges of collaboration within a product team
Resources Mentioned:
● Miro
● Figma
● Book: Testing Business Ideas: A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation (The Strategyzer Series) by David J. Bland and Alexander Osterwalder
Connect with Partho Ghosh:
● SecurityScorecard
● SecurityScorecard on LinkedIn
● SecurityScorecard on Instagram
● SecurityScorecard on Facebook
● SecurityScorecard on Twitter
● Partho Ghosh on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Adam Brotman is the co-founder and co-CEO of Forum3, an organization committed to building and partnering with creators, brands, and projects that leverage the unique innovations and creativity unlocked by Web3. Prior to co-founding Forum3, Adam served as the Chairman and CEO of Brightloom and the CEO of J.Crew. He also served as the EVP for Global Retail Operations at Starbucks. Adam holds a BA in Classical Civilizations specializing in Business & Administration from UCLA and a JD from the University of Washington School of Law.
Andy Sack is the co-CEO of Forum3. He also serves as a managing partner at KeenCapital—a fund of blockchain native venture funds—and co-founder and managing partner of Founders Co-op. He was the former CEO of The Body Shop Digital as well as the founder and Executive Chairman of Lighter Capital. Andy holds a BA from Brown University and received his MBA from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Adam and Andy join me today to discuss cultivating brand loyalty through generative AI and other emerging technologies. They share insight on how companies can successfully navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape. They illustrate how emerging tech has allowed Gen Z and Millennials to become a new generation of “creator-consumers.” They also highlight how generative AI can unlock creativity and help brands transition from transactional connections to emotional connections.
“As social media has evolved, today’s consumer doesn’t want to be marketed or sold to. The successful brands are the ones that invite consumers to participate and engage with them.” - Andy Sack
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Adam and Andy’s backgrounds and professional journeys
● Using AI and emerging technology to tell your brand’s story
● Forum 3’s mission and how it’s creating Hive 3 to help brands and AI creators collaborate and tell stories
● How brands like Starbucks, Balenciaga, and Heinz are exploring AI
● Generative AI and the privacy of brands
● The significance of AI and data-driven strategies in the evolving marketing landscape
● Rapid AI development across various tech giants like Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Amazon
● Challenges and opportunities for companies navigating the fast-paced AI landscape
● The emotional shift in consumer behavior and the role of AI in fostering emotional connections
● The importance of emotional connections in the digital age
● Social media, influencers, and the evolving ways consumers express their feelings about brands
● Starbucks' digital innovation, Starbucks Odyssey, and its impact on consumer engagement
● Brand innovation amid rapid AI and tech development
Connect with Adam Brotman:
● Adam Brotman on LinkedIn
● Email: adam@forum3.com
Connect with Andy Sack:
● Andy Sack on LinkedIn
● Email: andy@forum3.com
Connect with Forum3:
● Forum3
● Forum3 on Twitter
● Forum3 on LinkedIn
● Forum3 on Medium
Connect with Hive3:
● Hive3
● Hive3 on Twitter
● Hive3 on Instagram
● Hive3 on YouTube
● Hive3 on Discord
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
William Mulholland is a senior AI product management consultant and AI product leader. He currently serves as Senior AI Product Leader at the AI Accelerator Institute, an organization dedicated to connecting and empowering passionate AI infrastructure innovators. He is also a product leader member of the Product-Led Alliance. William attended the University of Wollongong’s Computer Science program and holds a BBA in Accounting and Management Information Systems from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
William joins us today to discuss his journey into AI product management. He describes the value of cultivating a culture of curiosity and adaptation amid the accelerated speed of AI adoption and innovation. He illustrates how AI could be leveraged to address key challenges in government services, including reducing time and costs, promoting transparency, and creating positive social impacts. He explains the significance of aligning AI product strategies with an organization's strategic objectives and shares the keys to successful alignment. William also offers advice to organizations and individuals who are exploring the potential of AI technologies and underscores the importance of maintaining an agile mindset.
“With the speed of AI innovation, maintaining a culture of curiosity and adaptation is essential—especially for organization leaders to stay at the forefront of AI advancements.” - William Mulholland
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The role of an AI Product manager
● Why product managers need to stay current with AI technologies
● Leveraging AI to understand customers, product analytics, and software development
● The AI Accelerator Institute and its mission
● The rapid growth of interest in artificial intelligence
● Challenges in adopting AI
● Balancing AI experimentation and innovation with IP concerns and data security
● The need for governance and standards in artificial intelligence
● AI in state and local governments and William’s mission to leverage AI to improve government spending analytics
● The growing openness to AI in government when presented as a tool to enhance public services
● Fostering creativity, handling massive data, and enhancing user experience in digital products through AI
● Measuring model accuracy, false positives, false negatives, ethics and fairness, and other metrics specific to AI products
● The need for agility and adaptability in AI development
● Innovations and breakthroughs in AI and its potential in health and medical research
● William’s advice to organizations and individuals starting to explore AI
● The power of collaboration and community spirit in AI
Resources Mentioned:
● Huberman Lab Podcast
Connect with William Mulholland:
● AI Accelerator Institute
● AI Accelerator Institute on LinkedIn
● AI Accelerator Institute on Facebook
● AI Accelerator Institute on Twitter
● William Mulholland on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dave MacAdam is the Director of Portfolio Management for Global R&D at Novelis, the leading producer of flat-rolled aluminum products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminum. As director, Dave focuses on optimizing Novelis’ global R&D project portfolio, including portfolio and project governance, analytics, and economic modeling. Before joining Novelis, Dave served as an electrical engineer for over 13 years on various aspects of semiconductor design, including product concept modeling, analysis, specification, and design. Dave holds a Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo in Canada, and an MBA from Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Dave also holds 13 patents in multiple areas of semiconductor design.
Dave joins me today to discuss navigating innovation challenges for success. He explains change management in portfolio optimization and highlights the role of metrics in strategic decision-making. He discusses the need for resource allocation buffers in portfolio management and outlines the challenges of portfolio prioritization, especially when dealing with constrained resources. Dave also underscores the growing relevance and influence of sustainability on customers’ decisions and offers advice to individuals starting their journey in portfolio management.
Addendum: The Ball Aluminum Cups Dave mentions in 27:22 are made of 90% recycled content.
“Prioritize the change you want and be mindful of the time and investment it takes and of the organization that will use those systems. Keep focused on that as your guiding principle.” - Dave MacAdam
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Dave’s role as Director of Portfolio Management at Novelis
● Novelis products in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and construction
● The importance of innovation and sustainability
● What good and bad data look like
● The evolution of portfolios
● Portfolio management in a sustainable world
● Defining the portfolio
● The impact of sustainability on portfolio management
● The push for environmental sustainability in the supply chain
● Challenges related to portfolio prioritization
● Leveraging the right metrics to drive change
● Dave’s advice on portfolio management
● Novelis’ contributions to sustainable solutions
● Change management in portfolio optimization
● The challenges of driving and sustaining change
Connect with Dave MacAdam:
● Novelis
● Novelis on LinkedIn
● Novelis on YouTube
● Novelis on Facebook
● Novelis on Twitter
● Dave MacAdam on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
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Jim Fava is a leading pioneer in sustainability. He is the co-founder of the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation, a multi-stakeholder and membership-based community organization for everyone interested in and working with Life Cycle approaches to enhance the sustainability of economic activities. He is the former Executive Director of the Antithesis Group, an organization that supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating risks and opportunities. Regarded as the “Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment,” Jim has made significant contributions to the sustainability and environmentalism movement for more than 40 years. He has spent his career guiding businesses and governments through risks and opportunities, enabling them to hold environmentally responsible and sustainable operations. Today, alongside Neil D’Souza, Jim co-hosts Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology, and negotiating the path to sustainable products.
Jim joins me today to discuss the importance of having a clear goal or destination in mind when using tools for sustainable innovation. He explains how the Golden Rules of Sustainable Innovation evolved. He defines the fifth and seventh rules and emphasizes the need for organizations to align their sustainability efforts with their strategy and market position. Jim also reflects on the importance of a pre-competitive space where businesses can collaborate on sustainability goals and highlights the acceleration of incorporating sustainability into product innovation.
“Any time you’re going to develop a tool or any kind of assessment, you have to know where the future looks like before you can decide how to get there.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The evolution of the Golden Rules of Sustainable Innovation
● Golden Rule #5: knowing your destination
● Why organizations need to understand the purpose of a life cycle study
● The ACDB Framework and bringing LCA to the beginning of innovation
● Golden Rule #7: meeting them where they are
● The four strategy levels companies need to adopt in their sustainability efforts
● California’s Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions requirement for larger industries
● Golden Rule #10 and the growth of the global life cycle community
● The future of LCA and artificial intelligence
● Collaboration and knowledge-sharing in a pre-competitive space
Related Episodes:
● How to embed sustainability into your innovation process with Jim Fava
● Embracing change for positive impacts with Jim Fava
● Golden rules for a sustainable business with Jim Fava
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Eisha Armstrong is the co-founder of Vecteris, an organization that supports B2B services companies in productizing their offerings. Eisha advises CEOs, product management professionals, and companies on cultivating a culture where innovation can flourish. Before co-founding Vecteris, she held senior business management at E.W. Scripps with CEB (now Gartner). Over her 20 years of experience launching new data and information service businesses, she has managed million-dollar businesses and global teams of professionals. Eisha earned her MBA at the Harvard Business School and her Bachelor of Arts in Women’s Studies and Economics at the University of Kansas.
Eisha joins me today to discuss the role of culture in helping a services organization to successfully productize. She discusses the challenges of productization in B2B services and the need for significant change management and culture change. She outlines the "Four Horsemen of Innovation" that can hinder the transition to a culture of innovation within service organizations. Eisha also highlights the benefits of productization and underscores why organizations need to clarify their “why” before embarking on the journey of productization.
“There’s a lot of fear associated with going through a digital or a business model transformation. Those fears are hindrances when you try to create a culture of innovation—so naming them is important.” - Eisha Armstrong
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Eisha’s background and current role at Vecteris
● What motivated Eisha to write Productize and Fearless
● Three reasons for productizing services
● Anxiety over generative AI disrupting business services
● Significant challenges companies encounter when productizing services
● Three key transformations of the productization of services
● Overcoming the challenges related to productizing services
● Understanding why you want to productize your company’s services
● The LEAP framework to overcome fear and challenges during the productization process
● How mindfulness and gratitude practices can help with fear and anxiety around productization
● How companies are experimenting with generative AI
● The innovator’s dilemma and the four horsemen of innovation
● How Vecteris helps organizations looking to embark on the productization journey
● The importance of understanding the "why" behind the productization journey
Connect with Eisha Armstrong:
● Vecteris
● Book: Productize: The Ultimate Guide to Turning Professional Services into Scalable Products
● Book: Fearless: How to Transform a Services Culture and Successfully Productize
● Vecteris on LinkedIn
● Eisha Armstrong on LinkedIn
● Eisha Armstrong on Medium
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Carla Johnson is a global keynote speaker, author, marketing and innovation strategist, and innovation architect. She is the author of RE:Think Innovation: How the World's Most Prolific Innovators Come Up with Great Ideas that Deliver Extraordinary Outcomes. Carla was formerly the Programme Director of Digital Marketing at HARBOUR.SPACE and the Director of Media Relations and Employee Communications at Time Warner Telecom. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is a graduate of the Influence / ICAN Leadership Institute. On a mission to teach one million people how to become innovative thinkers, Carla has partnered with leaders and Fortune 500 brands to train thousands of people to rethink the work they do and make an impact.
Carla joins me today to discuss fostering a culture of innovative thinking and turning it into a competitive advantage. She explains how observing the world around us can increase creative thinking. She outlines the six innovation archetypes and explains how understanding these archetypes can improve teamwork and idea generation in organizations. Carla also highlights the bottom-up approach to building a culture of original thinking and innovation and underscores the role of structured processes in idea generation and problem-solving.
“Innovation really is everybody's business and we all have the ability to contribute if we just understand how.” - Carla Johnson
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Carla’s background and work as an innovation architect
● How design architects did design thinking before it became popular
● How creatives and innovators are perceived differently in organizations
● Connecting emotions to products and user experiences
● The relationship and difference between innovation and creativity
● Why creativity is undervalued in organizations
● How observing the world can fuel creativity and innovation
● RE:Think Innovation and Carla’s goal to teach a million people to become innovative thinkers
● The six innovation archetypes and their application to teams and organizations
● The importance of culture-shapers and storytellers in today’s companies
● How diversity can make innovative ideas powerful
● Bringing empathy into the innovation process
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five Days by Jake Knapp
Related Episode:
● RE:Think innovation with Carla Johnson
Connect with Carla Johnson:
● Carla Johnson Website
● The RE:Think Lab Newsletter
● Book: RE:Think Innovation: How the World's Most Prolific Innovators Come Up with Great Ideas that Deliver Extraordinary Outcomes
● Book: Union Pacific and Omaha Union Station
● Carla Johnson on LinkedIn
● Carla Johnson on Instagram
● Carla Johnson on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Steve Johnson is an author, speaker, and coach dedicated to helping teams overcome the chaos in product management. He is a founding partner and the CEO of Product Growth Leaders, an organization that helps product leaders remove the confusion of managing products by providing a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities and a playbook of modern techniques. Before Product Growth Leaders, Steve served as the CEO of Under10 Consulting LLC and the Vice President of Products for Pragmatic Institute. Steve holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Computer Science from Hallam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.
Steve joins me today to discuss how the lack of standardization, best practices, and conversations about product management makes the field chaotic. He describes his journey from marketing and computer science to product management. He explains the importance of understanding both the business and technical aspects of product management. He highlights how generative AI like chat GPT—though it can spark creativity and generate ideas—still needs the guidance of human judgment. Steve also offers advice to people interested in delving into the product management career and shares insights on offering consulting services as products.
“Everything's a product. If you sell it, it's a product—and it should be treated that way.” - Steve Johnson
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Encountering chaos in product management
● How product management emerged as a specialized role in organizations
● The difference between brand management and product management
● How Procter & Gamble created the brand manager job
● The “servant” and “god” product manager
● Why business thinking should be brought into product management
● Why generative AI will not cost you your job
● The importance of human judgment and guidance in the effective use of generative AI
● Why you need to look at generative AI as a college intern
● Using generative AI as an ideation and pattern-matching tool
● The value of Generative AI and chatGPT in open innovation
● The distinction between project and product management
● Why companies are shifting from project to product management
● Shifting from a project-based to a product-based mindset
● The drawbacks of treating products as projects
Related Episode:
● Taking a systematic approach to the product management process with Steve Johnson
Connect with Steve Johnson:
● Product Growth Leaders
● Product Growth Leaders on LinkedIn
● Product Growth Leaders on Twitter
● Steve Johnson on LinkedIn
● Steve Johnson on Twitter
● Email: steve@productgrowthleaders.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Jim Fava is the former Executive Director of the Antithesis Group, an organization that supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating risks and opportunities. Regarded as the “Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment,” Jim is on a mission to make the world a better place and has been one of the leading pioneers in sustainability. He has made significant contributions to the sustainability and environmentalism movement for more than 40 years and has spent his career guiding businesses and governments through risks and opportunities, enabling them to hold environmentally responsible and sustainable operations. Today, alongside Neil D’Souza, Jim co-hosts Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology and negotiating the path to sustainable products.
Jim joins me today to discuss embracing change for a more positive, sustainable impact. He shares the eighth and ninth Golden Rules for sustainable innovation and discusses the foundational changes needed to embed sustainability and life cycle information into the innovation process. He highlights the role of sustainability professionals in translating environmental and life cycle data into business value. He also outlines the five attributes needed for any kind of change and illustrates how customers around the world are driving the need for greener, more sustainable products.
“The whole ecosystem is changing; customers, governments, regulators, competitors, and markets globally want greener products—and sustainable innovation is the next frontier for greener products.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Sustainable innovation as the next frontier for greener products
● The eighth Golden Rule: focusing on positive impacts and results rather than just data and information
● Why life cycle professionals need to engage with information users and stakeholders at the beginning stages of a life cycle or sustainability study
● The differences between data, information, knowledge, and wisdom
● How sustainability and life cycle professionals can bridge the gap for decision-makers by translating data and information into applicable knowledge and wisdom
● How a computer company connected their sustainability professionals with their innovation team to shift perspective
● The ninth Golden Rule: actions, changing behavior, and business practices
● The five attributes that can help you achieve change and embed sustainability into innovation
● Why companies avoid change regarding positive environmental and sustainability impact
● How consumers, governments, and regulators are driving the need to integrate sustainability into innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Greener Products, 1st Edition: The Making and Marketing of Sustainable Brands by Al Iannuzzi
Related Episodes:
● How to embed sustainability into your innovation process with Jim Fava
● Golden rules for a sustainable business with Jim Fava
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Alex Slawbsy is the Chief Growth Officer of InnoLead, an organization that creates content, events, and tools to help the world's largest network of corporate strategy, innovation, and R&D leaders drive change more successfully. Over the past 20 years, Alex has dedicated his time to researching, teaching, guiding, and leading corporate innovation strategy development, capability building, and new business incubation. Before InnoLead, Alex served as the Director of Innovation at Embraer-X and an innovation consultant for several years for organizations including Clayton Christensen’s disruptive innovation consultancy, Innosight. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
Alex joins me today to discuss why innovation leaders need to shape culture to drive organizational change. He explains why innovation is difficult to quantify and how it’s challenging for innovation leaders to argue their necessity to an organization. He outlines why innovating and change-making imply the need to build trust and relationships within an organization. Alex also discusses hybrid work in the post-COVID era and how remote work may affect organizational culture, change-making, and innovation.
“If you’re trying to move the organization, you need to build the relationships, the bonds, the trust, and perhaps the mentorship with the people who will support you.” - Alex Slawsby
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Alex’s background in corporate innovation and the history of InnoLead
● The difference between innovation and invention
● Alex’s insights on current shifts in innovation
● Current conversations around innovation, uncertainty, and the economy
● Communicating the value innovation leaders and innovation teams bring to an organization
● The innovator’s dilemma and navigating innovation and change-resistant people
● The challenge of getting people to support something that may not be in the best interest of their careers
● How innovation teams are often perceived in companies
● How to avoid and manage the clash between innovation and the core business
● Connecting with consumers to understand what’s best for them
Connect with Alex Slawsby:
● InnoLead
● InnoLead on LinkedIn
● InnoLead on Instagram
● InnoLead on Facebook
● InnoLead on Twitter
● Alex Slawsby on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Jim Fava is the former Executive Director of the Anthesis Group, an organization that supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating risks and opportunities. Known for his holistic desire to make the world a better place, Jim has been deemed the “Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment” and regarded as one of the leading figures in the industry. A pioneer in sustainability, Jim has made significant contributions to the sustainability and environmentalism movement for more than 40 years. Today, alongside Neil D’Souza, Jim co-hosts Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology and negotiating the path to sustainable products.
Jim joins me today to discuss product life cycle assessment and how it can help provide an understanding of impact over an entire product life cycle. He outlines three golden rules for life cycle assessment. He describes the applications and limitations of product life cycle assessment. He shares the story of how The Coca-Cola Company realized the impact of all materials and challenged its suppliers to be greener. Jim also highlights why, when designing a product, you have to think about not just sales, but also how it’ll be used, disposed, reused, recovered, and recycled.
“Life cycle assessment is a process that identifies environmental and social issues associated with a product and how those issues can occur at various stages of a product’s life cycle.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Three golden rules for life cycle assessment
● Why there are no green products, only “greener” products
● The stages of a product’s life cycle and the impacts throughout
● Life cycle assessment from the perspective of innovation portfolios
● Why life cycle information is essential, but not sufficient
● Introducing the LCA Standards in the International Organization for Standardization
● What Jim’s most proud of in his career
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Greener Products: The Making and Marketing of Sustainable Brands by Al Iannuzzi
Related Episode:
● Golden rules for a sustainable business with Jim Fava
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Marie-José van den Boomgaard is the Liaison Manager for Start-ups and Scale-ups at KPN, a Dutch telecommunications company. MJ has demonstrated her passion for open innovation throughout her role as Liaison Manager and through the 300 deals she has closed between KPN and scale-ups. In addition to her role at KPN, MJ is an active board member of Costa, an initiative from VNO NCW where the 25 top brands in the Netherlands exchange information on working with scale-ups. In September, MJ will be launching The Innovation Cast—a podcast sharing and discussing personal stories from innovation heroes—with Kirsten van Rijn.
MJ joins me today to discuss her role as the mediator between KPN and scale-ups. She offers advice to people new to the scale-up world. She explains how COVID-19 has changed the relevance of telecommunications. She describes why process optimization is the easiest innovation type for scale-ups. MJ also reveals how top-level commitment has helped her create successful collaborations between KPN and scale-ups and highlights the importance of assessing your organization’s internal processes when working with scale-ups.
“Experiment and fail fast. Optimize your processes, get a coalition of the willing, experiment, and use a CRM.” - Marie-José van den Boomgaard
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The responsibilities of the Liaison Manager KPN
● Why open innovation is highly valued at KPN
● How to create impactful collaborations between your organization and a scale-up
● The types of innovation that work best with scale-ups
● Engaging with scale-ups and the importance of the culture of collaboration
● Speeding up the deal-making process and the emphasizing strategic relevance of deals
● Finding, hiring, and developing interns
Resources Mentioned:
● Magnet.Me
Connect with Marie-José van den Boomgaard:
● KPN
● KPN on LinkedIn
● Marie-José van den Boomgaard on LinkedIn
● Email: kpnscale-ups@kpn.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Jim Fava is the former Executive Director of the Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes and have led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. He is the co-founder of influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI). Alongside Neil D’Souza, Jim co-hosts Five Lifes to Fifty, a podcast that explores the intersection between society, business, environment, and technology and how to negotiate the path to sustainable products.
Jim joins us today to discuss the golden rules for embedding sustainability into the innovation process. He shares how he was inspired to conceptualize the golden rules of innovation and sustainability. He outlines the foundations of sustainable development and why those foundations need to be led by governance. He explains why sustainability officers need to be assigned directly to an innovation department. Jim also highlights why it’s important for sustainability officers to avoid “sustainability talk” and instead speak the language of their audiences.
“If you’re going to do something different, do it now. Change is part of what we have to do to make it happen.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The Ten Golden Rules of sustainability and innovation
● The increasing awareness of sustainability’s importance
● Integrating sustainability into innovation
● The foundations of sustainable development
● Good governance and its role in sustainable development
● Recalibrating the roles of sustainability officers in an organization
● The value of speaking the language of your audience
● How innovation drives marketing and procurement
● Breaking silos and why people sustainability should be part of the innovation technology department
Related Episode:
● Golden rules for a sustainable business with Jim Fava
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Podcast: Five Lifes to Fifty
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten is the co-founder and Vice President of Product Research and Design at Sopheon. Huub has over 20 years of experience in language management and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Radboud University in the Netherlands. He plays a pivotal role in developing Sopheon’s linguistics and knowledge management technologies and leads the organization into solutions for innovation. Huub integrates his expertise in linguistics and information technology to innovate language management technology within knowledge-intensive business processes and has recently created an in-depth course on innovation portfolio management.
Huub joins me today to discuss managing, governing, and balancing an innovation portfolio. He explains why there is no “ideal” portfolio and how the most desirable portfolio is relative to the regional market sector someone is going for. He describes why developing and investing in production and manufacturing plants is as critical in innovation as product research and development. He underscores why larger companies need to create an innovation management council within their organization. Huub also highlights the importance of bridging the gaps between product portfolios and production portfolios and understanding how they impact each other.
“The simplicity of looking at a portfolio as a series of projects is ridiculous. If you want to add value from a portfolio management perspective, you have to connect with its complexity.” - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Huub’s thoughts on innovation portfolio balance
● Thinking about an innovation portfolio as a “living” business object in itself
● How the direction of a company’s innovation portfolio demands a continued SWOT analysis
● Innovation management in production processes and technology
● Investing in manufacturing and production plants
● Balancing a portfolio of portfolios
● Bridging product and production portfolios
● Creating an innovation management council within a large company
● How people are reacting to Huub’s courses on portfolio management
Related Episodes:
● The Importance of Sprint Portfolios with Huub Rutten
● Pillars of Portfolio Management with Huub Rutten
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten is the Co-Founder and Vice President for Product Research and Design at Sopheon. With over two decades of experience in language management and a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics from Radboud University in the Netherlands, Huub is instrumental in developing Sopheon’s linguistics and knowledge management technologies and continues to lead the organization into solutions for innovation. Huub integrates his expertise in linguistics and information technology to innovate language management technology within knowledge-intensive business processes and, recently, has created an in-depth course on portfolio management.
Huub joins me today to discuss why, when it comes to innovation portfolio management, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He explains why the front-end of a portfolio needs to be separated from the ‘realization’ end of a portfolio. He discusses why the launch strategy of a new product is as important as its development. He also highlights why companies need to focus on establishing the value of realization instead of the value of the front-end of a portfolio, describes why the portfolio leader needs to ensure a portfolio’s balance and direction, and underscores why portfolio management has to be executed in combination with concrete decision-making.
“Look at a portfolio—and portfolio management—as a business object in itself, a collection of things, of products, of projects that have value, business cases, and risk.” - Huub Rutten
“Companies who look at portfolio management as a tool for change, transformation, and modernization of a company will be more mature.” - Huub Rutten
“Innovation management is about making promises for the future, and you have to believe in the promise of the whole thing.” - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The tendency of people to look at portfolios as reports instead of a business object
● The fundamentals and foundations of innovation portfolio management
● Distinguishing the difference between the ‘front end’ and ‘realization’ parts of a portfolio
● Separating the front end innovation portfolio from your ‘realization’ portfolio
● Feature development and its prototyping
● Examples of features and components in different products
● Considering the pipeline value of a portfolio
● How a portfolio’s front end is an important knowledge base
● Portfolio management as an organizational transformation tool
● Portfolio leadership and why companies struggle to transform their organization
● Theory versus practice in portfolio management
Related Episode:
● AI and machine learning in innovation with Huub Rutten
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Frank Mattes is a thought leader, startup mentor, and expert in corporate business-building. He is the founder and CEO of Lean Scaleup LLC, which co-created the Lean Scaleup Framework, the best practice for overcoming corporate scaling-up problems and creating profitable businesses. As an advisor and mentor, Frank helps corporations accelerate the learning cycle in building new businesses, allowing them to create new revenue streams and move swiftly on their transformation journey. He is the author of the books, Lean Scale Up and Scaling-Up Corporate Startups.
Frank joins me today to discuss corporate business building, its challenges, and how to overcome them. He explains why only a small fraction of companies succeed in bringing new business models into the market. He describes the two value-creation systems that exist under one corporate roof. He outlines three approaches to overcoming the odds of creating new businesses in a company. He underscores how building new businesses requires solving systematic problems. Frank also highlights why achieving success in building new businesses inside a company involves making two incompatible factors work together.
“The success rate of building sizable, profitable businesses is 3%. It’s not that companies don’t know how to create new products, but it’s all about knowing how to launch new businesses.” - Frank Mattes
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Corporate business-building, how it works, and the history of Amazon
● Innovation and creating new business models
● The defined “red shirt” value-creation system
● The innovative “blue shirt” value-creation system
● The success rate of companies creating new businesses and business models
● Frank’s definition of innovation
● The Kodak vs. Fujifilm innovation story
Connect with Frank Mattes:
● Lean Scaleup
● Book: Scaling-Up Corporate Startups: Turn innovation concepts into business impact
● Book: Lean Scaleup: A proven framework for building new businesses from innovation
● Lean Scaleup on LinkedIn
● Lean Scaleup on Twitter
● Frank Mattes on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Carla Johnson is a marketing and innovation strategist, author of ten books, and keynote speaker. She has partnered with leaders and Fortune 500 brands to train thousands of people to rethink the work they do and make an impact. Carla’s goal is to teach one million people how to become innovative thinkers by 2025. She is the Leap Advisor at Demand Spring and was previously the Programme Director of Digital Marketing at HARBOUR.SPACE. Carla has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is a graduate of the Influence / ICAN Leadership Institute.
Carla joins me today to discuss creating consistent innovation through new, impactful, and reliable ideas. She defines innovation, and outlines where to find it as well as how to reignite it alongside creativity. Carla shares her five-step “Perpetual Innovation Process” and reveals the things that block innovation, such as the complexity bias. She talks about recognizing those with the courage to pitch new ideas and how to give feedback. Carla highlights the six different personality types that contribute to innovative teams and how they bring ideas to the table.
“In order to get fantastic ideas that have an extraordinary impact and outcome, you have to slow down and observe the world around you.” - Carla Johnson
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Carla’s definition of innovation
● Drawing inspiration for innovation by looking outside your industry and what it takes to be successful
● What perpetual innovators are, learning to be one, and waking up your innovative muscles
● Carla’s five-step “Perpetual Innovation Process”
● Inspiring a team to create ideas and the two vital parts of giving feedback
● The six different archetypes of innovative teams: strategist, collaborator, culture shaper, psychologist, orchestrator, and provocateur
Connect with Carla Johnson:
● Carla Johnson’s website
● Book: RE:Think Innovation by Carla Johnson
● Carla Johnson on LinkedIn
● Carla Johnson on Instagram
● Carla Johnson on Facebook
● Carla Johnson on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Cris Beswick is a highly acclaimed global authority on innovation strategy, leadership, and culture and is renowned for his groundbreaking work in assessing corporate innovation maturity. He co-authored the best-selling book 'Building a Culture of Innovation,' which received recognition from the CMI as a Top Innovation Book in 2017. With a position as adjunct faculty at a business school and advisory roles on the boards of The Innovators CoLab and The Global Innovation Institute, Cris actively contributes to the field. He is also a co-founder of OUTCOME, a boutique innovation advisory firm.
Today, Cris and I discuss the importance of leadership and culture in driving innovation within organizations. We emphasize the need for a systemic approach to innovation and owning the innovation agenda. We analyze why designing an intentional culture is crucial to foster innovation, focusing on understanding a culture's significance, fostering a growth mindset, providing psychological safety, and continuous culture design. We highlight the effect of strong leadership, particularly during uncertain and disruptive times. We also discuss how to proactively shape organizational culture to drive innovation and adapt effectively.
“It's now becoming evident that the innovation system as a whole isn't where organizations really need it to be because they're recognizing that the system needs all of the components to work in harmony.” - Cris Beswick
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The challenges and opportunities for innovation organizations
● Why leadership and culture are crucial factors in driving innovation
● Why Cris advocates for a systemic approach to innovation
● Why ownership of innovation is not limited to the CEO
● How to design an intentional culture that fosters innovation
● The four key principles of design culture
● Why culture design is a continuous process
● The importance of strong leadership during uncertain times
● How to proactively shape an organization to adapt
Connect with Cris Beswick:
● Cris Beswick’s Website
● OUTCOME Website
● Book: Building a Culture of Innovation: A Practical Framework for Placing Innovation at the Core of Your Business by Cris Beswick
● Cris Beswick on LinkedIn
● Cris Beswick on Twitter
● Email: cris@weareoutcome.co
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dr. Sven Schimpf is the Managing Director of the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research and the Director of the Institute for Human Engineering and Empathic Design at Pforzheim University. He is involved in research, education, training, and mentoring in the field of innovation. Sven has conducted extensive studies on roadmapping and has a degree in Business Administration and a doctorate in Engineering earned during his tenure as part of CC R&D Management at Fraunhofer IAO. Throughout his career, he has actively engaged in national and international research and consulting projects, collaborating with various industrial companies to enhance their R&D strategies, processes, and organization. His focus lies in the realm of strategic R&D and innovation management, where he dedicates himself to monitoring, evaluating, and incorporating potentially disruptive advancements.
Today, Sven and I discuss the findings of the updated roadmapping study conducted by the Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research with three other organizations. We discuss how organizations use roadmapping and the challenges they face. We highlight the importance of clear communication and why excessive details should be avoided in roadmaps. We analyze how software developers can use the insights gained from the study to improve their roadmapping processes. Sven explains the basics of roadmapping and why mismatches between market-oriented information sources and the responsibility for roadmapping occur. We also discuss how organizations can enhance their strategic planning and decision-making processes, foster creativity, envision ambitious futures, and uniquely engage stakeholders.
“There is huge potential because in the long run production technologies there are a lot of things happening and they are enabling the development of the next—or the generation after this— generation of products and services.” Dr. Sven Schimpf
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The definition of roadmapping and why it is important
● An overview of the roadmapping study
● The types of companies that participated in the study
● Why there is a lack of marketing involvement in roadmapping
● The importance of sharing roadmaps with stakeholders
● The best processes to manage and update roadmaps
● Roadmapping software recommendations
● Why detail makes roadmaps less useful
Connect with Dr. Sven Schimpf
● Dr. Sven Schimpf
● Dr. Sven Schimpf on LinkedIn
● Fraunhofer Group for Innovation Research Roadmapping Study
● Fraunhofer Group on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Steve Johnson is a speaker and product coach consulting on modern methods that move ideas to market. He is the author of Turn Ideas Into Product and has served as an advisor and executive for technical organizations and industry associates. He is a former instructor and vice president at Pragmatic Marketing and a co-creator of QuartzOpen Framework. He is also a founding partner of the Product Growth Leaders community. Steve has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Computer Science from Hallam College of Business at the University of Tennessee.
Steve joins me today to discuss the process of product management. He shares why leaders need to understand the differences between the roles of product managers and product owners. Steve shares his definition of product management and discusses the importance of a systematic approach. He reveals where companies should begin with their product process and why it is imperative to start with personas. He shares how to problem solve using design, as well as the issues businesses experience when product managers play the role of designer or developer.
“The goal of design is not beauty, but when you are done with the design, if it’s not beautiful, you have made a mistake.” - Steve Johnson
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How changing the role of product managers to product owners can cause problems
● Why you should only focus on ten or fewer of the 37 boxes of the pragmatic framework
● Finding your best practice and implementing product ops to create consistency and standardization
● How Steve’s “No Chaos Product Process” works and the differences between Waterfall and Agile product development
● The role of documentation in product management and why there should be a more significant focus on communication
● Why achieving superior product management involves loving the problem more than the product
● How many product managers are performing the roles of designers and developers and the problem this creates when building a business
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Turn Ideas Into Product by Steve Johnson
Connect with Steve Johnson:
● Under10 Consulting
● Under10 Consulting on Facebook
● Steve Johnson on LinkedIn
● Steve Johnson on Twitter
● NotExactlySteve.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
If you weren’t able to attend the Innov8rs Conference in Amsterdam, you missed out on some great speakers, a friendly, collaborative environment, and the latest industry updates on open innovation. My experience at the conference was so positive that it got me thinking about the definition of open innovation. It’s a question I love to ask my guests, and the answers vary from industry to industry. For me, open innovation is all-encompassing, including everything from the initial idea to seeing value returned from the successful launch of the idea. Innovation isn’t just about the next great idea—it’s about bringing that product to market and seeing consumers respond.
Today, I summarize my experience at the Innov8rs Conference, the concept of open innovation, and its implementation in various industries. I describe open innovation and how it pertains to consumers, partners, consultants, universities, and startups. I highlight the benefits of open innovation and recount how conference attendees came together to create an environment that fostered collaboration. I discuss the challenges we still face as innovators in implementing open innovation successfully, including issues related to access to talent, intellectual property, and industry expertise. I shout out the conference keynote speakers I loved listening to and their insights on the most important topics facing innovators today. I also emphasize the importance of open innovation and the need for collaboration between corporations and startups to drive successful innovation outcomes.
“It was just really a great environment. I've been to many conferences where you just don't have that level of interaction, friendliness, and camaraderie among the attendees.” - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● My experiences at the Innov8rs Conference in Amsterdam
● The amazing environment created by the leading minds in innovation
● The challenges of implementing open innovation
● The key topics presented by the keynote speakers
● The clash between traditional business models and open innovation
● The importance of collaboration in open innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Mindthebridge.com Research
● Book: Lean Scaleup: A proven framework for building new businesses from Innovation by Frank Mattes
● Book: Scaling-up Corporate Startups: Turn innovation concepts into business impact by Frank Mattes
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Tim Kidd is an innovator with over 20 years of experience working in large corporations. He began his career at DSM, where he held various positions spanning from research and development to new business development. Eventually, Tim became an innovation coach, providing guidance and support to DSM's top innovation teams and projects. In 2021, He embarked on a new venture by joining Stahl, where he is currently working to establish an open innovation program to forge connections and partnerships with external parties that possess technologies and capabilities complementary to Stahl's own. This initiative aims to accelerate growth and bring Stahl's strategic ambitions to fruition in sustainable, high-performance waves across diverse markets and applications.
Today, Tim joins me to discuss the importance of connecting with external parties to solve problems and achieve limitless growth. He shares why he believes that open innovation is critical for innovation success and explains how to leverage external resources and capabilities to solve challenges and create value. He suggests ways to identify external partners and address the misconception that innovation is a chaotic process. We talk about the power of quick wins and how they demonstrate the value of open innovation. He offers advice to companies on formulating a strategy or approach and reveals why a C-level buy-in is critical for open innovation success. We also discuss who should be the innovators in a company, the challenges of reaching out to external resources, and the rewards of networking.
"Open innovation is about bringing an ecosystem of partners together that can solve the problems and the challenges that you have." - Tim Kidd
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The importance of in-person connection for innovation
● Tim's journey into innovation starting with his Ph.D. in Chemistry
● Tim's transition into new business development at DSM
● The importance of problem-solution fit and product-market fit
● Why you need an ecosystem of partners in open innovation
● Looking outside your value chain for solutions
● How to define a common innovation language and use a stage-gate approach to track progress
● The challenges of implementing open innovation in an organization
● Engaging with unsupportive team members
● Asking “Why?” five times to understand objections
● Getting C-level buy-in and support
● Getting people excited about open innovation
● The value of external partners
Resources Mentioned:
● The 5 Whys Strategy
Connect with Tim Kidd:
● Tim Kidd on LinkedIn
● Stahl
● Stahl on LinkedIn
● Tim Kidd on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Marko Jak is a product and growth professional who builds high-growth products and brings together talented individuals and strategic expertise to reach remarkable outcomes. He has founded two ventures. The first involved leveraging a Machine Learning API for unstructured text data processing, revolutionizing how companies organize their job applications and access a broader pool of tech applicants through collaboration with external recruiters. His current venture, Secta.AI, uses AI to generate professional headshots from regular photos. He now resides in Austin, Texas with his wife and two children.
Today, Marko and I discuss how AI can help professionals better present themselves online. Marco reminisces about his journey in the AI and machine learning field and the trials he faced along the way. He stresses the significance of comprehending the disruptive nature of AI and tailoring products to address customer needs. We look back on the historical evolution of film and digital technology, delving into the price reduction of photography and the gradual transition from film to digital cameras. We talk about the roles of third-party APIs and the significance of testing and customizing AI solutions to suit specific tasks and problem domains. We analyze Watson Transformer architecture, the cautious implementation of AI solutions, and the value of experimentation and learning from failures. I also ask Marko to weigh in on which precautions companies should take when adopting AI, and he suggests ways to approach aligning AI capabilities with the problems at hand.
“For all new tech, including AI, you're going to make some kind of trade-off somewhere, and you need to be conscious that that trade-off is probably short term only.” - Marko Jak
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Marko’s journey with AI and machine learning
● The challenges and evolution of AI technology
● The importance of understanding AI’s disruptive nature
● How to foster a culture that embraces innovation and accepts failure
● The history of film and digital technology
● The trade-offs in technological advancements and AI
● Understanding the short-term limitations of new technologies
● The role of third-party APIs
● Why you should proceed with caution when implementing AI solutions
● The importance of aligning AI capabilities with specific problems
● The future of AI in image processing
Resources Mentioned:
● Attention is All You Need
● Open AI Memo
Connect with Marko Jak:
● Marko Jak Website
● Marko Jak on Twitter
● Marko Jak on LinkedIn
● Secta Labs on Twitter
● Secta Labs on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Esther Gons is the CEO and co-founder of GroundControl, a software platform that specializes in measuring and de-risking innovation. GroundControl has worked with companies like Colgate/Palmolive, Euler Hermes, DHL, Enexis, and ABN Amro. Esther's expertise extends beyond her role at GroundControl. She is also the co-author of the award-winning book, Innovation Accounting, which offers practical guidance on measuring a company's innovation ecosystem. She co-authored another influential book, The Corporate Startup: How Established Companies Can Develop Successful Innovation Ecosystems. Her expertise and thought leadership has made her an in-demand international speaker, sharing insights on various topics including corporate innovation, innovation accounting, entrepreneurship, startups, lean methodology, business models, and customer development. Esther has mentored hundreds of startups and has served as a lead mentor in prestigious programs such as the Rockstart Accelerator programs, Lean Startup Machine, and Evolv weekends.
Today, Esther and I discuss innovation and her work as an entrepreneur, international speaker, author, and founder of Ground Control. She shares her experience writing her two books, The Corporate Startup and Innovation Accounting. We discuss the maturing of corporate innovation and why it must now be taken seriously. Esther underscores how innovation is a learning process and how it is necessary to make mistakes to understand what works. We talk about why innovation should be treated as a discipline and why the input of specialists who have the necessary skills is crucial. Esther also emphasizes the importance of understanding innovation to succeed and shares some great insights as to why innovation labs are often stopped after only a few years.
“Corporate innovation is maturing. We can no longer play around with innovation. The trend is that people are saying, ‘No, we have to take this thing seriously.’” - Esther Gons
This week on Innovation Talks:
● An overview of ISO Standard Certification
● Why companies are taking sustainability seriously in innovation
● The benefits of innovation in business
● The purpose and struggles of innovation labs
● Challenges in innovation
● The future of innovation maturity in corporations
● The responsibility innovation labs hold
● How open innovation affects corporate ecosystems
● Esther’s experience designing an online course
Resources Mentioned:
● Course on Validated Learning
● Innov8tors Conference
● Book: Open Innovation Works
Connect with Esther Gons:
● Esther Gons on LinkedIn
● Book: Open Innovation Works by Dr. Diana Joseph, Dan Toma, and Esther Gons
● Book: Innovation Accounting: A Practical Guide for Measuring Your Innovation Ecosystem’s Performance
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Jim Fava is the recently retired Executive Director at Anthesis Group, which supports businesses and governments in understanding and navigating the risks and opportunities they face. Throughout his career, Jim has provided invaluable guidance, tools, and expertise on strategies and actions that enable organizations to operate in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable manner. Renowned as the "father of modern-day life cycle assessment," he has devoted his career to advancing and promoting the practice and application of life cycle information worldwide. His efforts have contributed significantly to supporting global decision-making processes. Notably, he led the United States delegation responsible for shaping the first generation of ISO LCA standards. Moreover, Jim co-founded influential organizations such as the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative, Five Winds International, and the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (FSLCI).
Today, Jim and I discuss what his career taught him about supporting businesses and governments, turning risks into opportunities, and strategies and actions to operate more sustainably. Jim shares his journey from frat house to c-suite and talks about how he saw the human impact on the environment firsthand and started focusing on sustainability. He outlines life cycle assessment and how it helps us understand the environmental impact of a product over its entire life. He cites disposable diapers as a case study to understand life cycle assessment. Jim also recounts his experience in developing the Technical Framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the Code of Practice that eventually became the foundation of the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Environmental Management Standards.
“You have to put what we want to have happen in the language of the decision-makers, and that's our revenue, brand, cost, and risk management.” - Jim Fava
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Jim’s best sustainable business strategies
● The Life Cycle Assessment journey to sustainability
● What cloth diapers can teach us about sustainability
● How Jim developed the Life Cycle Assessment Methodology
● How Life Cycle thinking affects product design
● The seven golden rules for achieving sustainability
● How to drive change
● The urgency of sustainability in business management
● The role of the product manager
Resources Mentioned:
● Early Life Cycle Assessment Books Laid the Foundation for Modern-Day LCA
● The Origins of LCA: Perspective from The Father of Modern-Day Life Cycle Assessment
Connect with Jim Fava:
● Jim Fava Website
● Jim Fava on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Kevin Brady is a corporate and product sustainability expert dedicated to enhancing organizations’ environmental, social, and financial performance. He established Enterprise Consulting, where he helps Fortune and Global 500 companies across diverse industries such as mining, energy, consumer goods, transportation, and retail. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to clean capitalism, Kevin was named a member of Canada's Clean 16 in 2012. His extensive knowledge and expertise have been shared through various publications, including books and reports such as Mapping the Journey: Strategies and Action toward Sustainable Development, Eco-efficiency: Global Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century, and Corporate Social Responsibility: Lessons Learned. In addition to his consulting work, Kevin serves as an adjunct professor at Carleton University School of Industrial Design, where he imparts his wisdom to aspiring minds.
Today Kevin and I discuss corporate strategy in relation to sustainability. Kevin explains the strategies companies need to implement to address environmental and social challenges. He explores whether companies should set their own strategies, wait and comply with regulations, or be leaders in the field. He outlines why most leadership teams want to be leaders and how power can best be distributed. He reveals how leadership teams can evaluate their current position and formulate the best strategy and explains how exposure to good leadership can shape that strategy. Kevin also describes how companies can collaborate on innovative solutions in supply chain management and product development.
“It comes down to setting the strategy that's appropriate for your company, which may be ‘sit and wait,’ ‘comply with all the regulations,’ or ‘be out there in front and really seen as a leader.’” - Kevin Brady
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Kevin’s approach to corporate strategy
● How to make corporate strategy sustainable
● The three different strategies for sustainability leadership
● How to drive innovation with sustainability in mind
● The decision-making processes that are made at the product level
● The KPIs and metrics that matter most
● Where companies need to improve the most on sustainability
● How collaboration leads to solutions in supply chain management and product development
Resources Mentioned:
● Book The New Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line by Bob Willard
Connect with Kevin Brady:
● Kevin Brady on Linkedin
● Book Mapping the Journey: Case Studies in Strategy and Action toward Sustainable Development
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Innovation is inherently a forward-looking practice and, as the world changes, so does the way we innovate. In the next decade, as the world encounters various challenges stemming from climate change, resource pressures, and global policy, companies will need to embrace disruption and develop an innovative culture that can react quickly and adapt to changing environments. But what do companies need to do this successfully? The 4,000 experts contributing to The Millennium Project have done extensive research and provided us with a framework to assess local and global factors that will influence humanity's chance to build a better future.
In that light, I discuss my predictions of how innovation will change and how companies can prepare to do more with fewer resources. I predict the role that AI tools will play in product management and how team leaders can get the most out of those tools. I discuss the need for business model thinking and how business models can rapidly change due to customer expectation. I also discuss the importance of dual innovation and highlight how core innovation won’t be enough to make businesses stand out from the competition.
“In 2030, innovation will put product management at the center.” - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What The Millennium Project’s research is telling us about the future
● How to make development sustainable while addressing climate change
● How innovators can use scientific and technological breakthroughs to improve the human condition
● How innovation will change in the year 2030
● The importance of dual innovation
● How AI will influence innovation
● Why North Star thinking will be more important than ever
Resources Mentioned:
● The Millennium Project
● Ambidexterity in Business Innovation with Noel Sobelman
● Dual innovation with Ralph-Christian Ohr
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Rich Mironov is a tech start-up veteran, writer, and coach for product leaders with four decades of experience in Silicon Valley's product management landscape. With his expertise, he’s led six start-ups to success. Rich occasionally acts as the interim VP of Products or CPO for software companies, lending his expertise to drive their success. With a passion for sharing knowledge, Rich has been an avid blogger on software product management since 2002. His influential insights and expertise have been compiled in his book, The Art of Product Management. He continues to shape the industry with his wealth of experience and dedication to empowering product teams. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Yale University, where his thesis focused on dinosaur extinction theories. He also holds an MBA from Stanford University.
Today, Rich and I discuss how product management influences innovation. Rich elaborates on the role of product managers in innovating at the feature and sub-feature levels. He explains why he is wary of the word “innovation” and what he believes it should mean. He tells us how product managers can turn innovation into an intentional process that produces an impactful result. He shares how product managers can sell their ideas to get the resources they need and make a logical financial argument to show how proposed ideas will benefit the company financially. Rich also highlights the importance of accountability for product managers in driving forward progress with the product.
“We're an important driver of the system, but let's not get our heads too big that we can't walk through the doors of our building like everybody else.” -Rich Mironov
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How product managers can influence executives
● Common product management challenges and opportunities
● How product innovation and leadership are connected
● The benefits of pruning product backlogs
● How to attach money to roadmap items
● How to speak an executive’s language
● The role of product managers in product waste
● Discovery challenges for product managers
● The origins of Rich’s Product Camp
Connect with Rich Mironov:
● Rich Mironov’s Website
● Book: The Art of Product Management: Lessons from a Silicon Valley Innovator by Rich Mironov
● Rich Mironov on LinkedIn
● Rich Mironov on Twitter
● Rich Mironov on Medium
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
April Dunford is the founder of Ambient Strategy, a consulting firm that helps technology companies grow. She has led marketing, product, and sales teams at companies like IBM, Siebel, and Sybase. April's work is focused on early and growth-stage startups—recognizing that weak positioning can be the difference between success and failure. She also works with large global companies, helping them develop deeper positioning expertise in their product and marketing teams. April's best-selling book, Obviously Awesome, captures her ideas about positioning and provides a methodology that any startup can follow. Today, April is focused on giving back as much as she can. She mentors and advises dozens of startups and is an enthusiastic board member at a handful of startups. April resides in Toronto, Canada, where she enjoys spending time with her kids and small dog in a cabin in the woods.
Today, April joins me to discuss positioning for B2B tech companies. She explains how to position a product to the current market, rather than the company’s vision of the future. She discusses what product managers need to understand about their vision and the current market to craft a successful position. She explains why product positioning is most important in B2B and why positioning is different from messaging. We discuss the importance of positioning to improve marketing and sales performance and why you need to continually refine and evolve positioning over time. April also suggests the best way to develop a positioning thesis and calculate the value it will deliver to the customer.
“The best way to test positioning if you're B2B and you have a sales team is to take that positioning and translate it into a sales pitch, then test it out on qualified prospects in a sales call.” - April Dunford
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How to explore the best positioning strategy for your company
● How B2B tech companies can position themselves for their specific market
● Why weak positioning makes your sales process harder
● April’s five components of positioning
● April’s methodology for positioning that any company can follow
● How to test your positioning
● The benefits of structured sales pitches
Connect with April Dunford:
● April Dunford’s Website
● Book: Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It by April Dunford
● April Dunford on LinkedIn
● April Dunford on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Rachel Wynn is a B2B SaaS product leader with over a decade of experience in product strategy. Rachel has a proven track record of bringing new products to market and managing complex enterprise products and has helped numerous clients think more strategically, de-risk decision-making, and find product-market fit faster. As an experienced product manager, she has worked at companies at various stages, from bootstrapped to venture capital-backed, private equity funded, and public. She has also experienced acquisition and IPO exits, served on a board of directors, served as a pitch judge for an innovation challenge, and founded companies. With a background in managing road mapping software at ProductPlan and product analytics software at Quantum Metric, Rachel has interviewed hundreds of product teams, making her an authority in product vision and strategy, product road mapping, 0-1 product thinking, interviewing customers, customer discovery and validation, product innovation, product launch and go-to-market planning, product analytics, stakeholder communication, pricing and packaging, research and discovery, and customer-centric products. In her spare time, Rachel is a bookworm and she’s always ready to recommend a great read.
Today, Rachel joins me to discuss how research-driven innovation can help teams create something new. She explains how research-driven innovation lessens your risk of failure and allows teams to make solid decisions. We discuss the importance of having a clear vision and why that vision needs to include all the problems you’re currently trying to solve. Rachel shares her approach to research in product management and how her background as a cognitive rehabilitation therapist informed her process. She emphasizes the importance of customer interviews, learning from your customers, and paying attention to what your competitors are doing. Rachel also outlines the research and feedback cycle and how to know when you’ve provided your customers with the most valuable solution.
“People will develop that book knowledge, yet—for all their best intentions—they're not getting different results. So there's this gap of taking that knowledge and bringing it into action.” - Rachel Wynn
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Rachel’s tips for product managers
● How companies can improve performance
● The role of research in product innovation
● The benefits of customer research
● How to overcome burnout as a product manager
● Product management success stories
● Rachel’s top team coaching techniques
● How to avoid common mistakes in product research
● The impact of AI on product management
Connect with Rachel Wynn:
● Rachel Wynn’s Website
● Rachel Wynn on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dan Olsen is a product management trainer, consultant, author, and speaker who has worked with both small startups and large public companies. He began his career designing nuclear-powered submarines and later transitioned into product leadership roles at Intuit and several startups. As a product management trainer and consultant with Olsen Solutions, Dan helps CEOs and product leaders build high-performing product teams that drive growth and innovation. His impressive list of clients includes Google, Walmart, Amazon, Facebook, Box, Microsoft, Medallia, and One Medical Group. Dan is the author of the best-selling book, The Lean Product Playbook, and is a frequent speaker at business and tech events. Dan has a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Northwestern, a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford, and a Master's degree in Industrial Engineering from Virginia Tech.
Today, Dan and I discuss the best practices every software product manager should follow for optimal success. Dan shares his observations about the increase in product management roles, training new product managers, and the global tech expansion. We dissect remote work, whether it’s preferable to employees returning to the office, and the trend of getting rid of leased office spaces in favor of it. Dan also describes his journey into product management and what he learned from designing nuclear submarines for the Navy.
“If you really want your software to be successful, you need product managers to be there.” - Dan Olsen
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Dan transitioned from designing nuclear submarines to product management
● The best practices that all product managers should follow
● The bell curves of product management in different types of companies
● Best practices with respect to product management
● How to train new product managers
● The core roles of design and development teams
● Why product managers are more in demand than ever before
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Crossing the Chasm, 3rd Edition: Marketing and Selling Disruptive Products to Mainstream Customers by Geoffrey Moore
● Book: What Customers Want: Using Outcome-Driven Innovation to Create Breakthrough Products and Services by Anthony Ulwick
Connect with Dan Olsen:
● Dan Olsen Website
● Dan Olsen Newsletter
● Book: The Lean Product Playbook: How to Innovate with Minimum Viable Products and Rapid Customer Feedback
● Dan Olsen on LinkedIn
● Dan Olsen on YouTube
● Dan Olsen on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Charlie Widdows is a thought leader and the Acclaim Ideas Product Specialist at Sopheon. Charlie joined the team after Sopehon acquired Solverboard, an innovative idea management tool that he co-founded. With a passion for ideation that spans over a decade, Charlie empowers customers to harness the full potential of their ideas. He believes that impactful ideas can change the world and is committed to helping businesses transform their ideas into better, more profitable products. Charlie is not content with merely achieving professional success. He gives back to his community as a business mentor at Black Valley, where he helps to increase equity in tech and foster Black entrepreneurship.
Charlie is back on the podcast to discuss the difficulties of creating an innovation-ready culture in a risk-averse world. He offers suggestions on how companies can become ready for innovation through culture shifts and uncover insights about innovation processes. We discuss how new ways of working can facilitate innovation and how most companies still use outdated technology. We deliberate on who innovation ideas should come from within the company and the qualities and skills an innovation manager needs. We also debate whether it’s better to experiment with innovation behind closed doors or make it a transparent and educational process.
“The world will always want innovators working for them. If you feel like you're an innovative person and the business is just not listening to you, go somewhere else.” - Charlie Widdows
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How to know if your company is ready for innovation
● The effect the pandemic has had on attitudes toward innovation
● How digital tools have transformed the process of innovation
● How to actualize ideas quickly
● The 4 Vs of innovation culture
● The value of openness and inclusivity for innovation
● The qualities and skills innovation managers need to drive long-term success
Connect with Charlie Widdows:
● Charlie Widdows on LinkedIn
● Charlie Widdows on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dan Adams is a B2B innovator with over 40 years of experience in the field. He is the founder and President of The AIM Institute and the author of New Product Blueprinting: The Handbook for B2B Organic Growth. As a chemical engineer, Dan holds numerous patents and innovation awards and has been recognized by the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Dan is a frequent keynote speaker and has delivered lectures at prestigious institutions—such as Wharton’s Executive MBA program—and leading universities in North America and Europe. In recent years, Dan and his team at The AIM Institute have conducted extensive original research into the behaviors that drive B2B organic growth, which has helped many companies achieve profitable growth through innovation.
Today, Dan joins me to discuss the role quantitative interviews play in driving success and how Dan’s company, the AIM Institute, trains business leaders to do better customer interviews. Dan outlines what he learned from his leadership research with Professor Gina O’Connor of Babson College and the four types of leaders they discovered. Dan reveals the dangers of not innovating and spiraling into commoditization. He outlines the best way to promote employees and avoid chasing short-term gains to foster a culture of future builders. Dan also shares his beliefs about the type of people leadership should promote for long-term company success.
“We're turning the sales force into a learning force, showing them how their product managers and marketing people can data mine this and look for weak signals of market interest and then know when to develop new product projects.” - Dan Adams
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How to optimize B2B Voice-of-Customer programs
● How leadership styles affect product development
● The effect of promoting leaders who are only focused on cutting costs
● The definition of “builder mentality” and why people who think this way need to be in the C-Suite
● How to build a customer-centric business model
● The value of quantitative interviews
● How to build a culture that values listening
Resources Mentioned:
● B2B Voice of Customer Skills Research Report
● Everyday VOC (EVOC)
● Professor Gina O’ Connor
Connect with Dan Adams:
● AIM Institute Website
● Book: New Product Blueprinting: The Handbook for B2B Organic Growth by Dan Adams
● Dan Adams on LinkedIn
● AIM Institute on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub J.M. Rutten is the VP of Research and co-founder of Sopheon. Throughout his 20 years of experience in linguistics, communication, and innovation management, he has helped manufacturing, insurance, banking, aerospace, chemical, and healthcare businesses modernize their innovation management methodologies and software. Before joining Sopheon, Huub spent 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills at various Institutions of higher education and universities in the Netherlands. In addition to his work at Sopheon, he currently serves as an adjunct professor at the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA), where he teaches European IT politics and strategies.
Today, Huub is back on the podcast to discuss portfolios and how companies can operate in an uncertain business climate and still see success. Huub shares how he was inspired by a quote from the leader of the German Chemical Association about sprint portfolios and marathon portfolios. He offers his thoughts on how leaders can balance the needs of the company in both the short term and the long term. We deliberate on how global events like war affect the supply chain and recommend steps businesses can take to be prepared for those dramatic moments. Huub also explains how data can help you and your team speak the same language.
“The infrastructure that you need as a company should be based on being prepared for the dramatic moment.” - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How to create a balanced portfolio even in difficult financial times
● How to plan for both short-term and long-term success
● Why it’s necessary to have both a sprint and marathon portfolio
● Possible disruptions in the chemical industry
● The factors that affect supply chain issues
● The importance of good governance
● How data organization helps with long-term success
Resources Mentioned:
● Ansoff Matrixes
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten Website
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher is a product management consultant and published author with over 20 years of experience advising companies of all sizes on how to successfully and efficiently bring their products to market. She empowers product managers and their teams with cutting-edge knowledge through training, masterclasses, and one-on-one mentoring. She has worked with over 100 companies, including UBS, ABL, RRC-Power Solutions, Elementar, Bystronic, Milwaukee Tools, JP3, and Scotiabank. Her mission is to bring better products to market more quickly by enabling product managers to impact their industry through customer-centered product creation. Ulrike's proprietary Red String Method helps companies become industry leaders by empowering teams through advanced product management know-how, creating skilled product managers, and fostering great inter-departmental team collaboration. The Red String Method has helped Ulrike's clients speed up time-to-market, make market-based decisions, and improve profitability by 30% or more. Her latest book is Powerful Communication for Product Managers.
Today, Ulrike joins me to discuss how she started her career 20 years ago and became a product manager before the profession had a label. She shares the most significant challenges product managers face and how she has helped companies refine innovation to be more successful. We discuss how business leaders can support product managers and outline the education, mentorship, and other resources product managers need to do their jobs properly. She emphasizes how marketing is often forgotten in the product development process, why the process is expected to be completed in just four weeks, and how product managers can ensure that everyone is on the same page with her Red String Method. Ulrike also breaks down how data should flow to support the product launch, prevent tasks and information from falling through the cracks, and ultimately achieve balance in the company.
"You cannot have a process without people and cannot have a product without people." - Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Ulrike became a product manager before the profession even existed
● The main challenges in product management
● How Ulrike’s Red String Method connects products, people, and process
● How the Red String Method can help make your company more profitable
● How Ulrike streamlines the product management methodology
● The role product managers play in a businesses success
● The main differences between software and physical product management
● How product management can be more sustainable
Connect with Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher:
● Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher Website
● Book: Powerful Communication for Product Managers
● Book: A Product Manager’s Cookbook
● Ulrike Laubner-Kelleher on LinkedIn
● Email: ulrike@redstringmethods.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Radhika Dutt is an entrepreneur, entrepreneur, product leader, and the author of the book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter. Her expertise in building radical products has led her to advise a broad range of organizations from high-tech startups to government agencies in industries such as broadcast, media and entertainment, telecom, advertising technology, government, consumer apps, robotics, and even wine. Radhika is an advisor on product thinking to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, the country's central bank and financial regulator. She also sits on the board of the independent publisher, Berrett Koehler. She earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Radhika speaks nine languages fluently, underscoring her talent for bridging cultural divides and fostering collaboration across global teams.
Today, Radhika joins me to discuss her book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter and how you can apply the principles of her work to your own company. She shares the process she followed to develop the Radical Product Thinking framework and how that discovery led her to write a book. She diagnoses some common product diseases plaguing companies today and reveals how emphasizing culture can help you innovate. She describes the tools that teams use to successfully innovate and what leaders can learn from Steve Jobs. Radhika also offers advice to company leaders on shifting their company’s culture and mindset and adopting a vision-driven product mindset.
“Traditionally, we've always thought about product as a physical or digital thing. What I've realized is product is really a way of thinking, and it's really high time that we change or rethink what product itself means.” -Radhika Dutt
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What a Silicon Valley mindset can tell us about testing hypotheses
● How Radhika developed the Radical Product Thinking framework
● How Radhika came to write her book Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter
● Signs you may have obsessive sales disorder or feature-itis
● The importance of culture in innovation
● A new way to view culture
● What a clear vision for your culture can do for teams
● The benefits of giving teams more autonomy and decision-making power
● Radhika’s framework for decision-making
● The perfect balance for company leaders
● What leaders today can learn from the launch of the iPhone
● Why understanding pain points is fundamental to innovation
● How to translate strategy into everyday decision making
● How to shift your organization’s mindset to a vision-driven product mindset
Resources Mentioned:
● Book Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel Pink
Connect with Radhika Dutt:
● Radhika Dutt Website
● Book: Radical Product Thinking: The New MIndset For Innovating Smarter
● Radhika Dutt on LinkedIn
● Radhika Dutt on Twitter
● Radhika Dutt on Medium
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub J.M. Rutten is the co-founder and Vice President of Research at Sopheon. He has over 20 years of experience in linguistics, communication, and innovation management. He spent 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills at universities in the Netherlands before moving into strategy development consulting and business process reengineering in various industries. Rutten is also an adjunct professor at the European Institute for Public Administration (EIPA), where he teaches European IT politics and strategies. His current focus is on modernizing innovation management methodologies and software, working closely with manufacturing and chemical companies. He is passionate about sustainability and digitization and the ways they intersect.
Today, Huub joins me to discuss data quality, why it’s vital to the success of an organization, and why so many organizations fail to make it a priority. He shows us why data quality isn’t just an IT issue but a leadership issue that requires a shift in company culture. He emphasizes the importance of data quality during a crisis and explains how good data quality can help leaders make quick decisions to keep the company operational and financially stable. He highlights the commonly held belief that data quality is a burden and stresses how essential it is to the smooth functioning of the company. Huub also underscores the need for an internal governance process and elaborates on the role of the CEO in decision-making.
“As long as companies don't see innovation management and innovation management systems as something that is marginal and not critical to their survival, the quality will not be top.” - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why data quality isn’t just an IT issue
● Why companies often overlook data quality
● Why data quality is more important than ever
● How data can help you make quick decisions
● The key aspect of data quality
● How a lack of data can hurt you in a crisis
● Why companies choose to focus on product innovation instead of plant utilization
● Why you need both project and product portfolios to make the best decisions
● Why data on product complexity, cost, and availability is necessary for decision-making
● How an innovation council can help during a crisis
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten Website
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Randy Eager is the co-founder and CEO of SilisiumTech, where he helped innovate new processes to make solar electricity more affordable and accessible. SilisiumTech is the latest in a long string of companies Randy has founded, including Chement, ESTAT Actuation, and Aqualibrium. He has dedicated his life to launching new companies and helping early-stage entrepreneurs realize their innovative ideas.
David Cerniglia is a full-stack software developer passionate about building new software products. He studied 18th-century British literature and culture as a graduate student at Carnegie Mellon but later found himself drawn toward the path of entrepreneurship. Randy and David met at the Founder Institute, which Randy founded in 2017. The Founder Institute helps accelerate the journey of new entrepreneurs through mentorship and education.
Today, Randy and David discuss the Founder Institute. David explains how he went from studying humanities to becoming a software developer and how his time at the Founder Institute helped him find his true passion. Randy describes the Founder Institute experience and how the 14-week program helps students take an idea and turn it into a solid investor pitch. We also discuss the sense of community the Founder Institute fosters, how to find a chapter anywhere in the world, and how to apply.
“When you're an entrepreneur, you start something by yourself. It's a pretty lonely place to be. Many of the alums said that the reason to do the Founder Institute was to find your patch.” - Randy Eager
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How David and Randy met
● The mission of the Founder Institute
● How the Founder Institute program helps new entrepreneurs test their ideas for market
● How David discovered the Founder Institute
● How Founder Institute students form a community
● The benefits of taking the Founder Institute worldwide
● What David learned from his time at the Founder Institute
● Why product managers are the best startup CEOs
● How to apply to the Founder Institute
Resources Mentioned:
● Apply To Founder Institute
Connect with Randy Eager and David Cerniglia:
● Founder Institute Website
● Randy Eager on LinkedIn
● David Cerniglia on LinkedIn
● Founder Institute on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Kevin Brady is a corporate and product sustainability expert specializing in improving organizations’ environmental, social, and financial performance. As the founder of Sustainable Enterprise Consulting, he has helped Fortune and Global 500 companies in diverse industries such as mining, energy, consumer goods, transportation, and retail. In 2012, he was recognized as a member of Canada’s Clean 16 for his achievements in clean capitalism. Kevin has written a number of books and reports, including Mapping the Journey: Strategies and Action toward Sustainable Development, Eco-efficiency: Global Challenges and Opportunities in the 21st Century, and Corporate Social Responsibility: Lessons Learned. He is also an adjunct professor at Carleton University School of Industrial Design.
Today, Kevin shares the story of how he started his career and the challenges of getting companies to look more favorably at sustainability. He provides insight into the four main types of companies focusing on sustainability and what they get right and wrong about their environmental footprint. We discuss greenwashing and how companies try to make themselves look more sustainable than they actually are. Kevin explains why sustainability goes beyond a company’s environmental impact and what it means for workers' rights. He also offers a glimpse into how he works with new companies and highlights what he focuses on.
“You have to have the tools and the right people to ask the right questions with the right data to make good decisions.” - Kevin Brady
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Kevin got his start in sustainability
● The four main types of companies that focus on sustainability
● How investors have influenced sustainability
● The negative effects of greenwashing
● The source of 85% of a company’s sustainability impact
● Why sustainability goes beyond environmental impact
● How externalities affect greenhouse gas emissions
● The first aspect of sustainability Kevin looks at when working with a new company
● How Kevin became an adjunct professor
Resources Mentioned:
● Novelis Case Study
● Book: The Ecology of Commerce: A Declaration of Sustainabilityby Paul Hawken
Connect with Kevin Brady:
● Ausenco
● Ausenco on Facebook
● Ausenco on Linkedin
● Ausenco on Twitter
● Ausenco on Instagram
● Kevin Brady on Linkedin
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr is Dual Innovation's founder and managing partner, which helps future-proof companies through innovation. He is a top voice on LinkedIn and Twitter and uses his platform to educate his readers about how to avoid "innovation theater" by making their innovation activities impactful. He also co-authored the book Scaling-Up Corporate Startups: Turn Innovation Concepts into Business Impact.
Dr. Eva Budischin is Head of New Business Building and Innovation at Bosch Engineering—she has been with the company since 2014. Eva developed the Bosch Innovation Framework and co-founded the Bosch Accelerator Program alongside the Bosch Business Model Academy. She has tested over 150 startup ideas and used her insight to become the intrapreneur of her own Bosch startup. Together, they co-authored an eight-part white paper titled Dual Innovation: Key Principles and Future-Proofing Corporate Innovation.
Today, Eva and Ralph tell how they both recognized the importance of dual innovation and how it led to their partnership. They discuss working together to help companies approach innovation by adopting different mindsets around traditional KPIs and bridging the gap between validating a new idea and a fully-fledged business. They debunk common wisdom from other experts about the role of "one size fits all" solutions in innovation. Eva shares her insights from working at Bosch, including her experience at the Bosch Accelerator Program and the direction she sees Bosch heading in the future. They also offer some actionable advice to create a culture of innovation.
"We need to add another step to fill the gap between the validated venture and and fully-fledged business. That's what scaling up is all about." - Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr.
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Defining dual innovation
● The importance of organizational ambidexterity
● The history of dual innovation
● The rise in popularity of business model innovation
● How Ralph and Eva's partnership developed
● What exploration units can do
● What traditional KPIs can't tell you about innovation success
● Why "one size fits all" solutions aren't as valuable as customizable frameworks
● The step between the validation process and a fully-fledged business
● How the Bosch Accelerator Program tests new startups
● Finding the right ingredients for innovation in your organization
● Why most companies struggle to innovate
● Eva's predictions for the future of Bosch
Resources Mentioned:
● White Paper: Dual Innovation: Key Principles and Future-Proofing Corporate Innovation by Ralph-Christian Ohr and Eva Budischin
Connect with Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr and Dr. Eva Budischin:
● Dr. Eva Budischin on LinkedIn
● Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr on LinkedIn
● Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr's LinkedIn Articles
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon.
Thanks for tuning into this week's episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon's monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
You need an effective strategy to launch a new idea in your company. But once you have that strategy, where do you go from there? How you execute your strategy is even more important than the strategy itself; however, the execution phase is where most businesses fail. Of course, failure is always a risk when trying to innovate, but is there a way to minimize that risk? I think there are some common mistakes you can avoid when executing your own strategy.
Today, I share eight tips you can implement to prevent failure and execute successfully on your strategy. I discuss metrics to pay attention to—like OKRs and KPIs—and the internal materials every company needs to have to clarify its message on innovation. I identify the people in your company that need to be included in the execution of your strategy and what they need to know. I also offer actionable insights about identifying risks and changing your mindset about innovation.
“A likelihood of success allows you to look at a strategy in a different lens and helps you balance strategies against each other.” - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why do so many companies fail to execute their strategy properly
● How to define the right OKRs
● What metrics do you need to measure your progress
● What should you include in your elevator message
● How to identify the key players in executing your strategy and what they need to know
● Identifying your review processes
● The importance of an action plan
● How to discern risks in your strategy
● Why you need to use scorecards
● How to tie initiatives and projects to your strategy
● Why a portfolio approach gives you an advantage
Resources Mentioned:
● Blog Post: What are OKRs, and how do they work?
● Connect with Paul Heller on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Noel Sobelman, a leadership advisor from San Diego, California, helps established companies increase growth and productivity. Throughout his 35 years of professional experience, Noel has become an expert in innovation. He is also a writer and public speaker, sharing his expertise on how innovation can disrupt legacy systems. Noel is currently a partner at Accel Management Group, a business and consulting company that gives its clients data-driven competitive advantages. He specializes in working with corporate leaders in the areas of portfolio management, growth strategy, and innovation capability building. Previously, he has worked at Change Logic, Kalyspo, and Kyocera Wireless.
Today, Noel is back to discuss why you need a portfolio management capability in your company to boost productivity and make the best use of your company resources. He shares his insights into using portfolio management to prevent bottlenecks in the innovation process. He identifies the impact poor portfolio management can have on a company. He reveals the nine key elements he investigates when he starts working with a new client and how to identify challenges in your company. Noel also explains how you can improve planning and review processes to stay ahead of the rapidly changing economic environment.
“As we go further into this market downturn, companies are gonna be rethinking their strategies. Make sure that you have the mechanisms for making sure that any change in strategy filters down to the projects that you're prioritizing in your portfolios.” - Noel Sobelman
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why portfolio management is important
● How portfolio management affects company-wide productivity and future investments
● How to ensure your company is working on the most valuable output
● How to prevent bottlenecks in your development pipeline
● The core symptoms of poor portfolio management
● Why your annual plan needs to be revisited throughout the year
● How portfolio management can help you vet ideas
● How to build a strong portfolio management capability
● Questions to ask leadership in your company
● The types of portfolio management systems Noel has found the most effective
● Nine elements of portfolio management that Noel thinks are key to success
● How to identify where your challenges are across leadership teams
● Why complexity is the enemy
● How portfolio structure informs your portfolio management planning
● The key discoveries that need to come from a portfolio review
● Why portfolio management will become more important during an economic downturn
Connect with Noel Sobelman:
● Accel Management Group
● Noel Sobelman on LinkedIn
● Noel Sobleman’s Articles on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Mike Bauer is a leading product and strategy executive, business mentor, and the Chief Products Officer of Sopheon. He joined Sopheon in 2021 and has helped the company expand its SaaS solutions, which make it possible for companies worldwide to bring their innovative products to market. His experience in data communications, enterprise software, marketing automation, and big data led him to believe in the power of innovation. He graduated from Harvard Business School and Ohio State University and serves as a business mentor at the Founder Institute.
Today, I’m checking back with Mike to continue our conversation from November 2021 about enterprise innovation management and project portfolio management. He shares what he learned from interviewing over 100 clients about approaches to innovation. He defines innovation in the current business landscape and clarifies that the definition is much broader than commonly assumed. He discusses the factors that must come together for a company to innovate and how failure is a part of innovation. Mike also reveals the role of company culture and offers advice on fostering a culture that encourages innovation.
“You don't mandate an innovative culture—you build it.” -Mike Bauer
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why enterprise innovation management and project portfolio management are two sides of the same coin
● The challenges innovators face
● Mike’s observations from talking to over 100 clients
● What innovation can look like for businesses
● All the factors that need to come together to make innovation possible
● Why 60% to 80% of innovations fail
● What executives need to focus on to be able to innovate “at scale”
● Why ideation is an essential part of innovation
● The most important skill for the ideation process
● Why coming up with great ideas is only the first step
● Setting up a connected system to drive innovation
● Why Mike supports the idea of DevOps
● Why business owners need to bring together practices, people, and tools to innovate successfully
● Why philosophies aren’t enough to operationalize
● Is company culture or the way employees do their jobs more important
● Why accepting failure is part of innovation
● How to build an innovation culture at your company
● How innovation benefits customers and how Sopheon empowers customers with innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Inspired: How To Create Tech Products Customers Loveby Marty Cagan
● Book: Innovation Accounting byEsther Gons and Dan Toma
● Book: The Lean Startupby Eric Ries
Connect with Mike Bauer:
● Sopheon Website
● Sopheon on LinkedIn
● Sopheon on Facebook
● Sopheon on Twitter
● Mike Bauer on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Robyn Bolton is a corporate innovation expert. She is the founder and Chief Navigator of MileZero, an organization that partners with business leaders and guides them through leveraging innovation to confidently and repeatedly grow revenue. Robyn began her professional career at Procter & Gamble, where she served as Brand Manager and was part of the team that launched the Swiffer and the Swiffer WetJet. She has collaborated with innovators at Nike, Medtronic, and Teachers Pay Teachers. Robyn holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Miami University.
Robyn joins me today to discuss the relationship between leadership and innovation. She shares her background and how she began helping business leaders leverage innovation. She describes the innovator’s dilemma and explores why organizations find it difficult to innovate. Robyn also highlights “the ABCs of innovation” and the factors that build culture and offers advice to executives and leaders of innovation teams.
“Strategy and innovation have to go hand in hand. Innovation is not an end in itself—it has to be tied to, and in service of, achieving a strategic goal.” - Robyn Bolton
This week on Innovation Talks:
● MileZero’s purpose and what it means to be Chief Navigator
● What innovation means for Robyn
● Innovation burnout and the innovator’s dilemma
● Why innovation is the opposite of operations and what makes it difficult to achieve
● Why strategy and innovation have to come together
● Why companies struggle with innovation
● How to keep innovating during challenging times
● Addressing the shiny object syndrome in innovation
● Robyn’s five-year forecast on innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton M. Christensen
Connect with Robyn Bolton:
● MileZero LLC
● MileZero LLC on LinkedIn
● Robyn Bolton on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Colonel Eddie Corrigan is the Assistant Head of the UK Ministry of Defense's division of Concepts, Strategy, Force Development, Doctrine, and Lessons Defense Logistics. With over 33 years of tactical, operational, and strategic experience across a number of logistics and supply chain activities in the defense and global context, he has delivered logistics effects and outputs – including supply, distribution, movements, information services, and infrastructure – around the world. From 2007 to 2010, Eddie served in the Royal Logistics Corps, where he was responsible for supplying and distributing all supplies to a military force of over 10,000 people, as well as commanding a regiment of 600 people.
Eddie joins me today to discuss the connection between innovation and defense for national security and military defenses. We discuss how he began working in innovation management and the challenges associated with creating, developing, and distributing new technologies. We discuss the impact of the Russia/Ukraine conflict on innovation. We discuss the relationship between corporate industries and the military, how it has shifted over the years, and how these collaborative efforts have benefited civilians and the military. We discuss cyber-security, the challenges associated with defending against cyber threats, and the solutions currently available to help defend against cyber attacks. We also discuss the benefits of converting AI capabilities into defense assets and how startup corporations can begin collaborating with the military on creating new, innovative defense technologies.
“Industry does lead the way – but we are following quite closely.” - Colonel Eddie Corrigan
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Eddie initially got involved in innovation management
● The challenges associated with creating innovative technology
● The ecosystem of using innovative ideas in national defense
● How the Russia/Ukraine conflict is impacting the world of innovation
● Collaboration efforts between national military defenses and corporate industries
● Eddie’s advice to startup corporations on collaborating with the military on new, innovative technologies
● Defending against cyber attacks and cyber-security issues
● Converting AI capabilities into beneficial military and defense assets
● The innovation and technology challenges Russia is currently facing in its conflict with Ukraine
Connect with Colonel Eddie Corrigan:
● Colonel Eddie Corrigan on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Hugh Blethyn is a Senior Managing Consultant at Sopheon, responsible for all aspects of our implementation teams, including our overall client success, engagement performance, and the teams’ well-being. Hugh offers a wealth of knowledge, experience, and insight into digital transformation, business sustainability, and innovation. He holds a Bachelor's with Honors degree in Exploration Geology, Mineral Exploration Geology, and Management from Cardiff University, a Master's in Information Systems and Geospatial Information Systems, and a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge’s Institute for Sustainability Leadership.
Hugh joins me today to discuss how the concept of sustainable innovation has evolved over the last five years and the rising interest in businesses becoming more mindful of how they package their products. We discuss Hugh’s predictions for future trends in business sustainability and how government regulations lag behind what consumers demand and what many businesses are already doing. We share an inside glimpse into our sustainability webinar series and why more people within the workforce consider sustainability as a top priority in their job search. We also discuss what ‘natural capital’ is and how it impacts the supply chain industry.
“People are starting to realize that they need to be in control of their actions, in control of their sustainable decision-making.” - Hugh Blethyn
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What inspired Hugh to explore the world of business innovation and sustainability
● How the concept of sustainability and innovation has evolved in recent years
● Why more businesses are interested in ‘greener packages.’
● What Hugh believes the future holds for sustainability and innovation in business
● How government regulation is lagging behind consumer demands in sustainability
● Understanding the three scopes of CO2 submissions
● What to expect from our sustainability webinar series
● Why sustainability is important to the workforce and labor market
● Understanding what ‘natural capital’ is and how the supply chain industry impacts it
● What Hugh believes our next steps should be in achieving sustainable innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 1: How to Approach Sustainability on a Corporate Level
● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 2: What Does a Sustainable Supply Chain Look Like
● Thriving Sustainably Webinar 3: Sustainable Innovation in Practice: A Conversation with Sappi
Connect with Hugh Blethyn:
● Hugh Blethyn on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Tami Reiss is a Product Leader Coach that guides product managers toward the success they deserve. For over 15 years, Tami has empowered product leaders and teams to advance toward their goals by focusing on their strengths. She has worked with many B2B Saas organizations and consulted with multiple companies, including JPMorgan, Aetna, Humana, and GTreasury. Tami is also a guest instructor for the Agile module in Kellogg’s online Product Management Bootcamp and the Technical Fundamentals for Product Institute. She encourages organizations to find their own style, methods, and practices to implement. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physiology from the University of California - Los Angeles and a Masters's degree in Management from the University of Florida - Warrington College of Business.
Tami joins me today to discuss the role of a product leader coach and how they help product managers advance in their careers. We discuss the difference between Discovery Coaches, Transformation Coaches, and Executive Coaches for product leaders and the top three questions every product leader needs to ask themselves. We discuss strategies that product leaders can use to collect data to determine where they can make personal and professional improvements in their organizations. We discuss the importance of conducting a calendar audit and the value of being open to other people’s feedback when deciding your next career steps. We also discuss why product leaders must get comfortable with change, and Tami’s soon-to-be-released children’s book titled What do Product Managers Do?
“Too often, we get so focused on our next task and our to-do list without taking a moment to reflect and say: ‘Are all of these things on my to-do list in-line with where I want to go?’” - Tami Reiss
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The role of a product leader coach
● The difference between Discovery Coaches, Transformation Coaches, and Executive Coaches
● The top three questions product leaders need to answer
● Collecting data to determine where to make improvements
● Understanding what an NPS Score is and how leaders, teams, and organizations use them to improve products, services, and team performances
● Conducting a calendar audit
● The importance of considering other people’s advice and feedback
● Getting comfortable with a changing environment
● A sneak peek into Tami’s soon-to-be-released children’s book
Connect with Tami Reiss:
● Product Leader Coach
● Book: What do Product Managers Do?
● Product Leader Coach on LinkedIn
● Tami Reiss on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Amy Cannon is the Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Green Chemistry Education Advocate at Beyond Benign, a company, that provides educators with tools, training, and support. Amy also has experience as a research scientist, consultant, analytical scientist, professor, and non-profit organization leader. She has the world’s first Ph.D. In Green Chemistry from the University of Massachusetts Boston and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Saint Anselm College.
Amy joins me today to discuss sustainable innovation through green chemistry. She shares why green chemistry is essential as well as how she sees a rising demand from industry and consumers. Amy highlights the principles of green chemistry, the central role of chemists in solving significant challenges, and the process considerations such as waste and energy consumption. She dissects the need to build green chemistry into the educational systems for chemists, biologists, and scientists and the essential role of peer-to-peer communities and social networks in supporting change.
“In my mind, all of a sudden, chemistry was now the solution; it wasn’t the problem.” - Amy Cannon
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The importance of green chemistry and its increasing demand from consumers
● The twelve principles of green chemistry and how chemists can reduce waste and hazards while addressing issues such as global warming
● Looking beyond the chemical and considering the process
● The importance of building green chemistry into the educational systems of future scientists
● Green chemistry training for K-12 and current industry professionals
● The essential role of social networks and peer-to-peer support in implementing change
● The open-access and free-of-charge resources and materials available for educators at Beyond Benign
Resources Mentioned:
● Consumer Goods Trends: Environmental Sustainability
● Green Chemistry Commitment
● Take Action for the Sustainable Development Goals
● UNEP
● Podcast: Innovation Centers: Merging Corporate and Higher Ed Needs
Connect with Amy Cannon:
● Beyond Benign
● Beyond Benign on Facebook
● Beyond Benign on Twitter
● Beyond Benign on Instagram
● Amy Cannon on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Have you ever been in a meeting, and the conversation jumps around? One minute you might be talking about an idea, and then all of a sudden, someone is expressing their feelings about the idea, and the idea is almost killed before you bring out the facts about it. Or, someone brings up another idea, and you jump over to it. You may end up leaving the meeting feeling like some great topics were brought up, but they were not adequately discussed, and the meeting drifted on, and never got back to them.
If this sounds familiar, then you may want to try the Six Thinking Hats Method.
In today’s episode, I share the concept of the Six Thinking Hats methodology and how it can be implemented in modern meetings. I share how you can make thinking more of a process and a way of executing a way of being. I reveal the thinking hat colors, what they represent, and how they bring fairness, balance, and equal contribution into meetings, creating better outcomes. I share two examples of how the methodology can bring structure to meetings and ideation sessions. I also share how we successfully used the Six Thinking Hats methodology at Sopheon and how it has benefited our cross-functional and divisional alignment.
“If you have a meeting with a group of people and you put them into different modes of thinking, it allows you to focus.” - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The thinking hats' colors and the modes of thinking they represent
● How to use the thinking hat colors to focus on a mode of thinking and bring structure, fairness, and balance to a meeting
● An example of how the Six Thinking Hats methodology can be used to ensure all members contribute
● How to create a safe place for expressing fears, worries, and concerns
● How to create cross-functional alignment and team working across divisions
● How to leverage the thinking hats for innovation
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
John Mansour is a Product Management and Product Marketing Trainer, Coach, and Thought Leader. He is the Founder and Managing Partner at Proficientz. He has more than 25 years of practical experience in marketing communications, sales, and technology product management, working in start-ups to Fortune 1000 companies. He has held senior management roles in healthcare, software, retail, hospitality, and distribution companies. John was the Chairman of the Technology Association of Georgia’s Product Management Society from 2006 to 2010. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Management from The Ohio State University.
John joins me today to share how innovation is a result, not a process. He reveals how his company helps technology companies focus on customer outcomes through product management and marketing. John highlights why investing time to understand your customers, as well as your products, is preferable over simply running a process to find innovation. He shares how the shift from Waterfall to Agile development strategies has helped product managers. John also reveals the challenges design engineers face, such as not having context and a perspective when building products.
“Innovation is a result of understanding your customers better than everybody else.” - John Mansour
This week on Innovation Talks:
● How Proficientz helps B2B companies—primarily in the technology space—with delivering products that have more quantifiable value to the customer
● How product management relates to innovation and why the business approach should consider what customers are trying to do, why it’s important to them, and why they can’t get there
● Why innovation is a result of understanding your customers better than anyone else—including themselves
● How to structure front-end conversations with potential customers and define the success customers will get with your solution before you build them
● The differences between the product manager and product owner roles and why they should not be combined into one role
● What will drive companies in the B2B space to become more customer-focused
Connect with John Mansour:
● Proficientz
● John Mansour on LinkedIn
● John Mansour on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
And just like that, we have hit episode 100! It’s been a surreal experience hosting this show about innovation with guests from Sopheon and other companies and industries in the innovation space. It’s been a joy to be part of your day whenever you tune in on our latest episode. If you’re new to the show or innovation, and this is your first episode, I curated a short list of shows as a starter pack for you.
In this episode, I share some of my favorite episodes for special reasons. I describe my experience during a recent innovation event in Copenhagen and what I realized about the people in the innovation space. I explain why these shows aren’t exactly the best of the best but simply personal favorites. I highlight a few that I think are worth listening to. I also discuss our unique guests and the people I look forward to having in the future.
"This is not necessarily the A-list or the 'best of,' but more of a starter set." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What I did in Copenhagen recently and my thoughts on the 100th episode
● The starter list of episodes to listen to
● Why choosing from the many guests we've had is challenging
● The reasons why some of these episodes are dear to me
Resources Mentioned:
● Episode 3: The Impact of Software Eating the World on Product Innovation with Greg Coticchia
● Episode 21: Unique challenges of innovation in the Aerospace and Defense industry
● Episode 28: A deeper dive into Portfolio Management with Noel Sobelman
● Episode 30: Innovation in the Chemical Industry with HC Eppich
● Episode 31: Taking a systematic approach to the product management process
● Episode 33: Necessity for Innovation Accounting
● Episode 34: Corporate Startups and the Importance of Entrepreneurial Thinking
● Episode 36: Circular Economy in the Chemical Industry
● Episode 37: Sustainable Innovation Through Green Chemistry
● Episode 39: RE:Think Innovation with Carla Johnson
● Episode 40: Evidence-Based Innovation Portfolio Management
● Episode 43: Rapid Learning Cycles
● Episode 46: Realm of Sustainability
● Episode 47: Ambidexterity in Business Innovation
● Episode 53: Dual Innovation with Ralph-Christian Ohr
● Episode 57: The AIM Institute with Dan Adams part one
● Episode 58: The AIM Institute with Dan Adams part two
● Episode 59: Knowledge in Innovation with Steve Rogers
● Episode 62: Building a culture of innovation with Cris Beswick part one
● Episode 63: Building a culture of innovation with Cris Beswick part two
● Episode 69: Innovation for a Volatile World with Bill Beane
● Episode 71: The roadmapping process
● Episode 76: Getting started with JTBD and more with Mike Belsito
● Episode 78: Project governance do's and don'ts with Noel Sobelman
● Episode 80: Roadmapping dos and don'ts with Mike Belsito
● Episode 82: B2B innovation in energy and climate with Daniel Elizalde
● Episode 96: The Journey to World-class Innovation with Noel Sobelman
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dan Balcauski founded Product Tranquility, a firm that helps businesses grow and increase their bottom line through intelligent pricing and packaging strategies. Dan defines pricing not as an end goal, but as a means to a more efficient business plan that will sustain customer interest for the long term. In the last episode, Dan talked about the company’s genesis, the services they offer, and what most businesses get wrong about pricing.
In part two of this series, Dan discusses why start-ups should be cautious about copying what Fortune 500 companies do. He shares how customer segmentation affects your pricing strategy. He explains the elements of business packaging and how to ensure you don’t overwhelm your sales team. Dan also describes why you should think of pricing as a process.
“Modern marketing falls into understanding segmentation, targeting, and positioning.” - Dan Balcauski
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why start-ups shouldn’t copy what Fortune 500 companies are doing
● How customer segmentation impacts pricing
● Why pricing and packaging are functions of your positioning
● The elements of business packaging
● Dan’s advice for those who don’t understand pricing
Connect with Dan Balcauski:
● Product Tranquility
● Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Dan Balcauski is the founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, a firm specializing in value creation and helping clients boost productivity and growth and improve customer loyalty. He provides strategic pricing and packaging consultations to high-volume B2B SaaS CEOs. Dan is also a Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management program leader and is part of Toptal’s Top 3% Worldwide Product Management Professionals.
Dan joins me today to describe Product Tranquility, its services, and how they help businesses develop pricing strategies that lead to growth. He explains what most companies get wrong about pricing and his definition of pricing from the viewpoint of value. He discusses value cascade and the best ways to understand your customers. Dan also shares why pricing isn’t necessarily a primary driver of business growth.
“Intelligent price management starts with intelligent value management.” - Dan Balcauski
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Product Tranquility and how they got started
● What people get wrong about pricing
● Dan’s definition of value in pricing
● Value cascade and the best way to understand your customers
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: The Strategy and Tactics of Pricing: A Guide to Growing More Profitablyby Thomas Nagle and Georg Müller
Connect with Dan Balcauski:
● Product Tranquility
● Dan Balcauski on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
The Innov8rs Conference has hosted conferences for innovators in various industries since 2011. They’ve hosted in over 25 cities globally, from San Francisco to Sydney and Singapore. They have multiple programs that promote an atmosphere of creativity and discussion surrounding the future of innovation. I went to the Innov8rs Conference held recently in Austin, Texas, and I found it to be one of the largest and most engaging conferences in a long time.
In this episode, I share my thoughts on the recently concluded Innov8rs Conference and why I found a lot of value during my time. I explain how it promoted discussions and engagement despite being a large gathering. I describe some of the topics I was fortunate to sit in, especially regarding the future of innovation and ESG. I also share some of the interesting points regarding internal innovators and innovators hired.
"This was a good chance to talk with other people, peers with other companies, and share success and challenges." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● My experience during the Innov8rs Conference
● What was impressive throughout the conference
● Sitting at the ESG round table
● The six shifts that will shape the future of innovation
● How corporations can beat start-ups at innovation
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Noel Sobelman is a partner at Accel Management Group, a business and consulting company that gives clients in the tech and life sciences data-driven competitive advantages in innovations and operations. With 35 years of professional experience, Noel has become an expert in innovation. He is responsible for directing a wide range of transformational initiatives in the areas of management and innovation. He’s also a frequent speaker and writer on innovation topics, having addressed innovation’s effectiveness in disrupting legacy systems.
Noel Sobelman joins me today to describe the five keys of transformative innovation. He details his passion for innovation and the articles he’s written. He discusses what the five keys are and how they solve many problems regarding innovation management and strategy. He explains how leaders can appropriately allocate resources to high-value projects. Noel also shares his thoughts on leadership in the innovation industry.
“Leadership needs to continually combat that tendency toward complacency” - Noel Sobelman
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Writing about innovation and building transformative innovation
● The five keys of transformative innovation
● Finding the roadblocks that prevent transformative innovation
● Properly allocating resources based on strategy and alignment
● What leaders should change to become more effective in resource allocation
Resources Mentioned:
● The Journey toward World-Class Innovation: 5 Keys to Successful Implementation
Connect with Noel Sobelman:
● Accel Management Group
● Noel Sobelman on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Greg Coticchia is the President, CEO, and Member of the Board of Directors at Sopheon. He is an award-winning sales leader, market expert, product manager, and business strategist. He has almost 40 years of experience holding leadership positions across organizations and institutions in finance, education, and cybersecurity. Greg is also the Board Director of the Product Development Management Association or PDMA.
Greg joins me today to describe his thoughts on the future of innovation and how Covid-19 spearheaded the technology we will likely use forever. He explains some of the benefits and hindrances of the pandemic as it relates to innovation. He shares his thoughts on sustainability and how it’s directing the course of innovation. Greg also discusses a few examples of companies adjusting to new customer habits.
“Technology isn’t always the right answer. Sometimes, it’s just a change in behavior or process or some other way of achieving the same result.” - Greg Coticchia
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The future of innovation
● The benefits and drawbacks to innovation resulting from Covid-19
● Habits that changed as a consequence of the pandemic
● How Home Depot addressed their customers’ number one problem
● Innovations that were direct results of the pandemic
● Why a lot of B2B companies are in a supply chain
● How sustainability and innovation work together
● Examples of innovation with sustainability in mind
Connect with Greg Coticchia:
● Greg Coticchia on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Jeff Eiben is the Founder and CEO of River Point Technology, a digital service provider. They provide solutions that help level up businesses, including Cloud Platforms and DevOps. Jeff was chosen as one of the Top 100 Innovators and Influencers in Technology in 2020 by Intercon and led River Point as a NextGen 250 winner through CRN. Jeff’s commitment to technology talent has also made him set up a STEM scholarship at his high school alma mater.
Jeff joins me today to describe the current state of cloud-based systems and what it was like when they were among their first adopters. He explains why companies don’t like being the first to adopt new technology. He shares how they help clients understand the value of the latest innovation. He discusses why Big Data didn’t take off as many expected. Jeff also shares his thoughts on the future of the innovation industry.
“Culture is not something you can control; it’s something that comes along for the ride as success happens.” - Jeff Eiben
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What Jeff observed in the cloud-based industry over the last decade
● Why companies hesitate to be the first to adopt new technology
● The challenges of being years ahead technologically
● Making organizations understand the value of a new shiny object
● Why Big Data didn’t become the next big thing
● Jeff’s thoughts on company culture
● What Jeff thinks will happen in the future of innovation
Connect with Jeff Eiben:
● River Point Technology
● Jeff Eiben on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Daniel Elizalde is a seasoned product executive with over two decades of experience producing B2B industrial and enterprise tools and products for IoT, AI, 5G, and Edge Computing. He is particularly passionate about creating and using technology to address climate change. He has trained over 1,500 product leaders across various companies that produce IoT and SaaS products. Daniel is also the author of the book The B2B Innovator’s Map, which explains the steps involved in idea generation and how to get your first few customers.
Daniel joins me today to describe the different innovations surrounding IoT. He explains the importance of security and cites some examples of potential fatal security flaws. He shares how innovators approach IoT differently. He discusses machine learning and why it’s not the goal of any IoT project. Daniel also details some challenges in producing IoT for consumers and the complexities involved in cost computations based on aggregated data.
"When working with IoT, security must be at the heart of your consideration early on.”
- Daniel Elizalde
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Daniel's thoughts on IoT and innovation
● The challenge with creating IoT for the consumer space
● The different ways innovators approach IoT
● Challenges associated with computing costs based on data
● Why IoT is no longer a technical or chronological problem
● Examples of machine learning around IoT
● Why the goal isn't to use machine learning
● Guaranteeing cybersecurity for IoT
Resources Mentioned:
● B2B innovation in energy and climate with Daniel Elizalde
Connect with Daniel Elizalde:
● Daniel Elizalde Website
● Book: The B2B Innovator’s Map: How to Get from Idea to Your First Ten Customers
● Podcast: Enterprise Product Leadership Podcast
● Daniel Elizalde on LinkedIn
● Daniel Elizalde on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information about new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
I went to the recently concluded INDUSTRY: The Product Conference. There were a lot of attendees from the products and innovations industry. They talked about product strategy, product development, data and analytics, and customer development. However, the most memorable aspect of the event is how some of them talked about the importance of retaining a company’s humanity and customer-centric approach as they scale.
In today’s episode, I discuss what I learned from attending Industry: The Product Conference. I highlight the speakers I liked and the topics they focused on. I explain why being first in the market is not essential to finding success. I describe the importance of establishing your company’s vision from the customer’s perspective. I also detail an experience my son had with a recent business transaction that was entirely digital.
"Your vision needs to be rich—it needs narrative and depth, not one-liners in a paragraph." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● The speakers at the conference and guests I’d like to have
● Why 95% of products fail
● Why it's not critical to be first to market in innovation
● Interesting and relatively unknown facts about Instagram
● Expressing your business's vision from the customer's point of view
● The problems the digital world helps solve regarding customer interaction
Resources Mentioned:
● Roadmapping Dos and Don'ts with Mike Belsito
● Derek Redmond's Emotional Olympic Story - Injury Mid-Race | Barcelona 1992 Olympics
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Mark Adkins is the Director and Chair of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA), an international community of professionals, professors, students, and service providers. PDMA supports the education of its members while expanding their networks. Mark is also the CEO of LeanMed, a medical device company that aims to use innovative technologies to provide essential treatment to underserved regions.
Mark joins me today to discuss PDMA's mission, its members, and its humble beginnings. He explains the importance of networking in expanding your skills and reach. He shares how the pandemic was a mixed blessing for PDMA. He describes what people can expect from their annual conference. Mark also highlights the trends he sees around the PDMA world and reveals what he wishes he had known early in his career.
"When you're part of a chapter, you meet people doing what you do, but you never know it."
- Mark Adkins
This week on Innovation Talks:
● PDMA’s mission and humble beginnings
● How Mark got involved in PDMA
● What the chapter in Pittsburgh is all about
● Why the pandemic was a mixed blessing
● The Knowledge Hub (kHUB)
● The Journal of Product Innovation Management’s reputation
● The changes and trends Mark sees around the PDMA world
● What to expect from their annual conference
● What Mark wishes he knew earlier in his career
Resources Mentioned:
● Using Lean Startup for Social Impact with Mark Adkins
● The Journal of Product Innovation Management
Connect with Mark Adkins:
● PDMA
● kHUB
● Inspire Innovation Conference
● Mark Adkins on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Frannie Matthews is the President and CEO of the Colorado Technology Association—the definitive tech hub between the coasts—and has helped leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs since 1994. Under Frannie’s leadership since 2018, CTA has grown in size and influence, with a 31% membership revenue boost in 2019. She has over 35 years of experience in the tech industry but never stops scanning for refinement and improvement. Frannie was part of IBM for 18 years, driving the company’s success by putting client experience, value, and satisfaction at the forefront.
Frannie joins me today to describe what the Colorado Technology Association is about and how they empower future leaders in the technology space. She explains what people will love about Colorado and how the CTA has been working hard to turn it into a tech hub. She shares how the pandemic made it hard for CTA to sustain its growth in 2019 and how it improved its business model throughout the last two years. Frannie also discusses why she sometimes prefers an old-school approach to business structuring and to-do lists.
“Collaboration is so much more powerful in a growth mindset.”
- Frannie Matthews
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What the Colorado Technology Association is about
● What Frannie says is beautiful about Colorado
● How the pandemic required them to change their business model
● What Frannie sees as the best way to retain technology talents
● Why Frannie prefers an old-school approach to having a structure
● The advantages of partnering and collaborating for growth in any industry
Resources Mentioned:
● Book: Traction: Get a Grip on Your Business by Gino Wickman
Connect with Frannie Matthews:
● Colorado Technology Association
● Colorado Technology Association on LinkedIn
● Colorado Technology Association on Twitter
● Colorado Technology Association on Facebook
● Frannie Matthews on LinkedIn
● Email: membership@coloradotechnology.org
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
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Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly!
The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten—Vice President of Product Research and Design and co-founder of Sopheon—joined me last episode to talk about the governance pillar of portfolio management. He explained the importance of having a Rules of Governance Charter and the difference between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth, among other topics.
In Part 2 of our portfolio management series, Huub describes why the navigation system is the first data your database should have. He shares his experience regarding estimations and how to obtain more realistic expectations. He explains what can happen to your governance if your data is of poor quality. Huub also describes how portfolio management is slowly becoming integral to innovation management.
"If the data is not good, the governance is not implemented. A direct consequence of bad governance is bad data." - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why the navigation system is the first data your database should have
● Why estimations are more realistic further along your project
● Pertinent data to have for portfolio management
● Ensuring high-quality data is always obtained
● How data allows you to make better decisions
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten Website
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
● Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten is the co-founder of Sopheon and its Vice President of Product Research and Design. He helped establish Polydoc, Sopheon's ancestor, in 1993. Before launching Sopheon, He spent over 15 years teaching college students communication skills and linguistic disciplines. Huub then pursued a career in strategy development for various industries, including banking, medical services, and aviation.
Huub joins me today to discuss the Governance Pillar of Portfolio Management. He shares the challenges of allocating resources as a portfolio manager. He explains what the Rules of Governance Charter should entail and why having one is essential. He describes the key differences between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth. Huub also clarifies what it means to cultivate a culture of innovation in your organization.
"When you don't have a governance system in place, there is chaos." - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What it means to have governance around portfolio management
● The challenges of being a portfolio manager when allocating resources
● The importance of having a Rules of Governance Charter
● The difference between technology-driven and marketing-driven growth
● The importance of cultivating a culture of innovation
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten Website
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
● Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Innovation takes place all over the world, but a few places have earned a reputation as certified innovation hubs. One of these places is Munich, Germany. I recently went on a trade mission delegation to Munich, and some of the things I saw blew my mind, especially in the automobile industry. The innovations I saw made me think about what’s in store for the future of cars and space aeronautics.
In this episode, I recount my trip to Munich and elaborate on why it’s one of the best places on Earth if you want to see innovation and futuristic concepts. I describe my experience touring the BMW factory and how efficient their building process is. I explain what their robots do and why BMW still makes its own seats. I discuss IHK and why it’s the future of talent. I also highlight a new type of aerospace engine that’s still in the development stage.
"Munich is positioning itself as a knowledge and innovation hub." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● What I learned during my mission delegation to Munich
● What I saw when we toured the BMW manufacturing plant
● The efficiency of BMW's automobile factory
● Why BMW still makes their own seats
● The IHK and why it's the future of talent
● Exploring the Urban Co-Lab
● Innovations in aerospace engines
Resources Mentioned:
● Urban Colab
● IHK
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Mark Adkins is the Co-founder & CEO of LeanMed, a medical device company that aims to bring essential treatment to underserved and remote regions with the help of innovative products and technologies. Their first successful product is the O2 Cube, a solar-powered oxygen production system meant to help rural hospitals without medical access to oxygen. Mark is also the Director & Chair of the Product Development Management Association (PDMA), an international community of professors, professionals, and students deeply interested in innovation.
Mark joins me today to discuss how LeanMed came to be and how they plan to innovate the medical industry in underserved regions. He elaborates on Africa’s problems with pneumonia and hospitals lacking medical oxygen. He describes why you can’t crowdsource medical equipment and how you can use your network to develop solutions for problems worth solving. Mark also explains why scaling is necessary to have a social impact.
"If you want to make the world a better place, you have to have social impact. Social scale equals social impact.” - Mark Adkins
This week on Innovation Talks:
● LeanMed and the services they offer
● How pneumonia in Nigeria spurred the need for Mark to start LeanMed
● Finding a problem worth solving
● The difference between innovation and research companies
● Why you can't crowdsource medical equipment
● The ecosystems you encounter in innovation
● The challenge of getting their product out in the market
● Why scale means social impact
● Mark's actionable advice to startups
Resources Mentioned:
● Oxygen as a Utility Report
Connect with Mark Adkins:
● LeanMed
● Product Development Management Association
● Mark Adkins on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten is the Vice President of Sopheon’s Product Research and Design. He co-founded Polydoc, Sopheon’s predecessor, in 1993. He spent over 15 years in education and research, educating college students on linguistic disciplines and communication skills. He then moved to work as a strategy development consultant for various industries, including banking, healthcare, and aerospace. His focus for the last 20 years has been innovation management software and methodologies.
Huub joins me today to describe portfolio management and the steps involved in creating the ideal portfolio. He dissects different types of portfolios and defines portfolio management. He explains what to consider when making a portfolio. He discusses his experience in helping others manage their portfolios and offers tips for those who don’t know where to start. Huub also outlines the processes involved in creating the ideal portfolio.
"Strategy is the navigation system and portfolio management is the steering wheel." - Huub Rutten
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Huub's definition of portfolio management
● The different types of portfolios
● Addressing the confusion about portfolio management
● The right way to implement portfolio management
● The processes involved in portfolio management implementation
● Creating the ideal portfolio and the criteria to consider
● Huub's experience helping leaders manage their portfolios
● Huub's advice to those who want to get started with their portfolios
Connect with Huub Rutten:
● Huub Rutten Website
● Huub Rutten on LinkedIn
● Email: huub.rutten@sopheon.com
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Brian Utz is the Director of Product Management at Sopheon. His responsibilities include defining and communicating Sopheon’s core product strategies, encompassing idea generation, setting goals, and marketing and launching products. Before joining Sopheon, Brian was the Director of Digital IT Practice at Highmark Health Solutions and VP of Product Management Consumer Lending at PNC Financial Services.
Brian joins me today to discuss product management, goal setting, and what it means to only have one big goal per product. He recounts where his passion for innovation started and what led him to work in product management. He explains the critical difference between a tool that does the job and a tool that does the job better. He describes how goals can inform your team of the product’s overarching purpose. Brian also shares the worst thing that can happen when you’re nearing product launch day.
"Having the goal behind your product allows you to instill that purpose in your whole team." - Brian Utz
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Brian's professional experience before joining Sopheon
● How Brian got started in product management
● The worst thing you can do when nearing product launch
● The difference between an "okay" and "great" tool
● Brian's thoughts on generating product goals
● What the SMART acronym means
● How many goals a product should have
● Why you should have one clear "Northstar" for your product
Connect with Brian Utz:
● Brian Utz on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Daniel Elizalde is a product executive and climate tech product team advisor. He provides support and consultations on the creation of digital solutions that accelerate the energy transition. He specializes in smart grids, energy efficiency, virtual power plants, renewable integration, electric vehicles, and charging infrastructures. Daniel is also the author of The B2B Innovator's Map, [...]
The post B2B innovation in energy and climate with Daniel Elizalde appeared first on Sopheon.
Ketan Jahagirdar is Sopheon’s Director of Product Management and has been with the company since December 2021. Before joining Sopheon, Ketan founded ROI Blueprints, which provides cloud-based project management software for various businesses. He has over 25 years of experience in technology strategy, program management, and enterprise architecture. Ketan specializes in telematic solutions, IT strategy, [...]
The post The role of project management in innovation with Ketan Jahagirdar appeared first on Sopheon.
Mike Belsito is the Co-founder of Product Collective, an independent online community for product management professionals. The community serves over 40,000 product management professionals in helping each other create the best products for their consumers. Mike has over ten years of experience in various startup companies, having held positions as an employee and executive. Mike is also the host of the Rocketship.FM podcast is a show for entrepreneurs and other tech industry members.
Mike joins me today to discuss how complex roadmaps can be and why they can be a rewarding experience. He shares why he is passionate about creating roadmaps. He describes why roadmaps shouldn’t be treated as promises. He explains the importance of establishing a theme or narrative when plotting roadmaps. Mike also details what consumers want from their products and reveals how organizations should adjust their roadmaps when disruptions occur.
"When it comes to roadmaps, things change and that's okay. Always make it a point to brush up on how things are changing." - Mike Belsito
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why Mike is passionate about product roadmapping
● Creating and executing a roadmap that matches your company's goals
● Why roadmaps are a plan, not a promise
● What customers actually care about in a product
● The parts of a roadmap and the narrative it provides
● How roadmaps can give a sense of momentum and accomplishment
● Mike's thoughts on sharing roadmaps across organizations
● The complexities involved in roadmapping
● The best way to respond to changes in roadmaps
Resources Mentioned:
● Now-Next-Later Roadmap
Connect with Mike Belsito:
● Product Collective
● Podcast: Rocketship.FM
● Mike Belsito on LinkedIn
● Mike Belsito on Twitter
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Alex Castro is the CEO of M Corp, an IT services and consulting company that partners with businesses to help them achieve long-term modernization through improved data and technology. Alex is driven to bridge the gap between ideas and execution in the modern world, which explains why he took it upon himself to learn and [...]
The post Shifting Strategies with Alex Castro appeared first on Sopheon.
Noel Sobelman is a partner at Accel Management Group. Accel Management is a business consulting and services firm that helps high-tech and life sciences companies boost speed to market, increase profitability, and drive costs down. As a partner, Noel works with corporate leaders in growth strategy, portfolio management, and innovation capability building. He has also [...]
The post Project governance do’s and don’ts with Noel Sobelman appeared first on Sopheon.
Planning a strategy and executing it are two different beasts. When planning a strategy, you assume variables and prepare contingencies, while executing them means you have to make decisions on the fly. Quite frankly, many companies struggle with strategy execution. How do you avoid strategy execution woes? What are some factors to note when observing [...]
The post Executing on strategy appeared first on Sopheon.
Mike Belsito is the co-founder of Product Collective, an online hub that serves over 30,000 technology product management professionals. The community provides tools and resources—and hosts virtual and in-person meet-ups—for those in the innovation industry. Mike is also the co-host of Rocketship.FM, a podcast for product managers, entrepreneurs, and anyone in tech. They [...]
The post Getting started with JTBD (jobs-to-be-done) and more with Mike Belsito appeared first on Sopheon.
Hannah Keartland is the Outsourced Chief Impact Officer at Keartland & Co., a consulting service that helps businesses utilize sustainability as their competitive advantage. She helps organizations develop an actionable roadmap, create a budget and resource plan, and identify quick wins to make sustainability part of their business identity. Hannah also finished a [...]
The post Integrating Sustainability to Make an Impact with Hannah Keartland appeared first on Sopheon.
Derek Osgood is the Founder and CEO of Ignition, the first dedicated go-to-market (GTM) platform built for product marketing and product teams. Their services centralize launch plans, assets, and executions that make launches easier to manage. Derek has over a decade of experience working with the industry's biggest names, including a role as Sony’s Product [...]
The post GTM processes and product launches with Derek Osgood appeared first on Sopheon.
Michael Reubold is the Publishing Manager and Editor-in-Chief of CHEManager, a business newspaper for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. CHEManager is under Wiley, a publishing company that focuses on research, education, and technology. With over 25 years of experience in publishing and editing, Michael specializes in editing articles, executing interviews, and moderating conferences [...]
The post External Innovation in the Chemical Industry with Michael Reubold appeared first on Sopheon.
Pieter Leijten is the Vice President EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) at Sopheon. Pieter is in charge of representing Sopheon’s interests and spearheading its projects across these regions. He specializes in mapping and quantifying associated benefits that promote investments in various innovative solutions and initiatives. Pieter has over 30 years of [...]
The post Value of Digitalization with Pieter Leijten appeared first on Sopheon.
Roadmaps are what we use as a reference to tailor our projects and various investments in the business. It’s essentially our guide—a compass to where we want to be with all the details of getting there. However, many are confused by roadmapping, especially regarding how it starts and who should be spearheading it.
In this episode, I describe roadmapping and the different kinds of roadmaps. I explain what roadmapping is from the viewpoint of innovation and why we conduct roadmapping exercises in the first place. I share valuable resources that dive deeper into roadmapping. I also discuss when an organization should update its roadmap and the data that makes an excellent roadmap.
"Roadmapping is not a single-person endeavor, but a shared initiative." - Paul Heller
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Defining roadmapping and the different varieties
● Roadmapping from an innovation perspective
● Considering when to update a roadmap in your corporation
● Why we conduct roadmapping exercises
● Valuable resources for roadmapping
Resources Mentioned:
● Cambridge Roadmapping
● IfM Engage
● Sopheon Roadmapping
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Andy Hannah is the President and Co-founder of Othot, a web-based and AI-driven company that provides analytics services focused on the education sector. They help organizations in the higher education sector optimize relationships with students and alumni at an individual level. As President, Andy creates strategies that achieve the company’s visions and build cultures with [...]
The post Innovation in education technology with Andy Hannah appeared first on Sopheon.
Bill Beane is the Senior Director of Parker Technology Center and Innovation Systems. Parker is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. If it moves, Parker's either involved or close to it. As Senior Director, Bill provides leadership to Parker's Technology Center, focusing on developing new and sustainable business solutions. [...]
The post Innovation for a Volatile World with Bill Beane appeared first on Sopheon.
Huub Rutten is one of the founding members of Sopheon and is currently its Vice President of Product Research and Design. He has over 20 years of experience working in the linguistics and language management sector. Before joining Sopheon, Huub taught linguistics and communication at several higher education institutes. He is currently concerned [...]
The post Digital Twin with Huub Rutten appeared first on Sopheon.
Without the appropriate culture, innovation can stall. The key is giving everyone ownership of a piece of the overall innovation puzzle.
The post Creating a Culture of Innovation appeared first on Sopheon.
Innovation is more than just bringing in the latest tools and technology to keep your product and service relevant. Before making sure your offering to the market is up to date, you must first understand your market, the industry’s needs, and which features to add or what upgrade to make. To properly understand what it means to innovate, you must define your product’s six W’s.
In this episode, I explain the six W’s in innovation. I describe the importance of knowing your consumers. I discuss why having too many features can be detrimental to innovation. I share the value of asking “why” before implementing any additions or changes to your product. I also share various examples of each “W” and how you can apply them to your organization.
"You should know your customers better than they know themselves." - Paul Heller
This week:
● What the six W's are regarding product innovation
● Determining the "who" of innovation and the people behind it
● Knowing where to market your product or where to innovate
● Launching your product in the right time
● Why your product shouldn't have too many features
● Understanding the reasons to start with "why"
Resources Mentioned:
● Simon Sinek - Start With Why
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners, like you.
For additional information around new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s newsletter where we share news and industry best practices monthly! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Huub Rutten is the Co-Founder and VP of Research at Sopheon. Before founding the software company, Huub spent over 15 years teaching linguistic disciplines and communication skills. He would then be a strategic development consultant and business processes engineer in several studies. Huub’s focus for the last two decades has been on innovation [...]
The post Financial implications behind product refactoring appeared first on Sopheon.
New product development isn’t just forward-looking. It’s also important to utilize knowledge management from previous projects to make the best possible decisions.
The post Strategies for Making Knowledge Management Part of the Innovation Process appeared first on Sopheon.
Paul O'Connor is the Founder of The Adept Group, a consulting firm that provides product development, product line strategy, and product management services to clients worldwide. Paul has extensive knowledge of relational database management and working with SQL Server. He is the author of The Profound Impact of Product Line Strategy: Your Guide [...]
The post Corporate innovation productivity appeared first on Sopheon.
Paul O’Connor is the Founder of The Adept Group, a consulting firm that provides product development, product line strategy, and product management services to clients worldwide. Paul has extensive kn
HC Eppich is the Business Development Director at Sopheon, an innovations solutions company that works with clients to provide customized innovation performance tools and expertise. As Business Development Director, HC specializes in competitive strategies, business improvement opportunities, and diverse DACH market experience. HC also obtained certificates from the MEDDIC Academy and LinkedIn’s Unconscious Bias course.
HC joins me today to discuss Excel and homegrown systems and the best time to move away from them. He explains the challenges of scaling with a focus on legacy systems. He describes the problems involved in going for a checklist business model. He deliberates over the right mindset regarding methods and other tools. HC also shares what you can learn throughout the course of a new project, especially when it fails.
"If you want to rig up a playbook or an innovation system, you need many ingredients." - HC Eppich
This week on Innovation Talks:
● Why Excel is the number one tool for management
● The drawbacks of relying on checklists for your business goals
● What paralyzes the development of new projects
● When to stop using Excel for your business
● The difficulty of changing templates in a large company
● HC's opinions on homegrown systems used for innovation
● The mindset innovators need to have regarding the system their company starts with
● HC's advice regarding migrating toward a better system
Resources Mentioned:
● Lotus Notes
Connect with HC Eppich:
● Sopheon
● HC Eppich on LinkedIn
This Podcast is brought to you by Sopheon
Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Innovation Talks. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.
Apple Podcasts | TuneIn | GooglePlay | Stitcher | Spotify | iHeart
Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, and share your favorite episodes on social media to help us reach more listeners like you.
For additional information on new product development or corporate innovation, sign up for Sopheon’s monthly newsletter, where we share news and industry best practices! The fastest way to do this is to go to sopheon.com and click here.
Cris Beswick is the Co-founder of Outcome, a consulting business that offers innovative strategies to its clients. He is the author of the book, Building A Culture Of Innovation, where he teaches leaders to embed a culture of innovation in their organizations. The book includes a blend of personal stories, experiences, and case [...]
The post Building a culture of innovation with Cris Beswick part two appeared first on Sopheon.
Cris Beswick is an accomplished speaker and adviser, as well as the Co-founder of Outcome, an innovation consultation business that offers a variety of strategies that innovate not just systems and pr
Innovation is what every company aims to practice to keep up with the fast pace the pandemic set over the last two years. While having an innovation program set up is a standard business strategy, man
Dan Toma is an author and innovations expert as well as the Co-founder of Outcome, an innovation consultancy focused on supercharging leadership and corporate innovation performance. He wrote The Corp
Steve Rogers is the Principal Solutions Architect at Sopheon, a tech company that provides solutions to clients that want long-term revenue growth and profitability. Their products help business leade
Vali Maria Bluma is the Transformation Office Lead in Operations Excellence at Evonik, one of the world’s leading specialty chemical companies. Her specialties include lean management, change manageme
Katherine Radeka is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rapid Learning Cycles Institute, helping Rapid Learning Cycles Certified Professionals use the framework to get their ideas to market fast
Esther Gons is the CEO and Co-founder of GroundControl, the reporting tool and software platform for disruptive corporate innovation. She is the co-author of The Corporate Startup and Innovation Accou
Dr. Ralph-Christian Ohr is a corporate innovation expert and the Founder and Managing Partner at Dual Innovation, a company specializing in modern innovation and management approaches to future-proof
When we talk about systems, we are discussing a process and the software application that enables it. There are a glut of reasons why having an effective system is beneficial. Primarily, it has been p
Last year was an excellent year for Innovation Talks. We launched the podcast to discuss topics around innovation, providing value to you, our listeners. We brought in guests and experts—including pra
Steve Johnson is a speaker and product coach consulting on modern methods that move ideas to market. He is the author of Turn Ideas Into Product and has served as an advisor and executive for technica
Stage-Gate® is a risk management methodology that allows you to bring winning products to market. There are several concepts of stages and gates, and gates are where the decision is made to continue t
Peter Fürst is a managing partner for Five i’s Innovation Consulting and Qualify Your Innovation with more than 20 years of experience in idea generation, new product development and innovation, Agile
Noel Sobelman is the Principal at Change Logic, where he works with corporate leadership to accelerate new growth business and core business vitality. Noel has led venture programs that received natio
Jeffrey Whitford is the Head of Sustainability, Social Business Innovation, and Life Science Branding at MilliporeSigma. During his 17 years with Sigma-Aldrich and MilliporeSigma, Jeffrey has develope
Mike Bauer is Sopheon’s Chief Product Officer, responsible for Sopheon’s product vision and roadmap, overseeing product marketing, user experience, and product management. He has more than 30 years of
Kathy Iberle is the Owner and Principal Consultant of Iberle Consulting Group—providing advice, workshops, assessments, and training on solving process problems for faster product development. Kathy p
Katherine Radeka is the Founder and Executive Director of the Rapid Learning Cycles Institute, which helps teams expedite the process of getting their ideas to market. Katherine is the author of three
John Mansour is a thought leader, product management and product marketing trainer, and coach. He is the Founder and Managing Partner of Proficientz, where he brings 25 years of experience in sales, c
Dr. Nadine Kammerlander is a Professor of Business at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management, one of the leading business schools in the world. She was previously a Consultant at Mckinsey & Company
Noel Sobelman is the Principal Innovation Practice Leader at Change Logic. He has worked in portfolio management, growth strategy, innovation capability building, ecosystem development, digital enable
Carla Johnson is a marketing and innovation strategist, author of ten books, and keynote speaker. She has partnered with leaders and Fortune 500 brands to train thousands of people to rethink the work
Amy Cannon is the Executive Director, Co-Founder, and Green Chemistry Education Advocate at Beyond Benign, a company providing educators with tools, training, and support. Amy also has experience as a
HC Eppich is the Business Development Director for Sopheon. He speaks to businesses across various industries, guiding them toward more significant revenues with a future-proofed portfolio. Previously
Sean Ammirati is a distinguished Service Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University - Tepper School of Business. But teaching is only one of the many hats Sean wears in his profession
Esther Gons is the Founder and CEO of GroundControl. She is an entrepreneur, mentor, international speaker, and the author of The Corporate Startup: How Established Companies Can Develop Successful In
Dr. Ketaki Desai is the Vice President of Business Development at the Ontario Centre of Innovation. Before moving to Ontario, she was the Director of Strategy at UPMC Enterprises and an Adjunct Profes
Companies have a variety of group meetings related to innovation. These may have a focus on the status of a project, an ideation session, a product definition session, or a challenge that has arisen i
Steve Johnson is a speaker and product coach consulting on modern methods that move ideas to market. He is the author of Turn Ideas Into Product and has served as an advisor and executive for technica
HC Eppich is the Business Development Director for Sopheon. He speaks to businesses across various industries about achieving more significant revenues with new business and future-proofing current po
James Macfarlane is the owner and CEO of Easypress Technologies. He was previously the CEO and founder of BookGenie451 and a founder of Sopheon, working in the role of Vice President of Global Busines
Noel Sobelman is the Principal Innovation Practice Lead at Change Logic, where he works with corporate leadership to accelerate core business vitality and new-growth business. Noel has led venture pro
Failure in resource planning is a controversial topic. Resource planning takes place by taking measurable and quantifiable facts—such as the time it takes one person to complete a task—and dividing th
Ron Lee is the Senior Industrial Executive, Board Member, and Executive In Residence at Sopheon. He has a depth of transformation, technology, and management expertise that he developed over two decad
New challenges are hitting product organizations at an unprecedented rate, and the global microprocessor shortage is an excellent example. General Motors, for instance, announced in March this year th
Dr. Sven Schimpf is a Professor for Innovation and Interdisciplinarity Research at the Institute for Human Engineering & Empathic Design at Pforzheim University. He also spends a large portion of his
Dr. Christian Hopp is a professor at Berner Fachhochschule and heads the Methods and Tools division at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH). He previously led the teaching and research area o
Tim Sharp is the Director of Aerospace and Defence in Western Europe for Sopheon. He is a driven Sales Professional with a passion for understanding and diagnosing customer business needs, and articul
Reading annual reports carefully is an excellent strategy for knowing where you are going. They can give a good impression of what a company is thinking. With the significant disruption caused by the
Colin Tattersall is the Product Manager at Sopheon. He has a strong background initially working in a research capacity in linguistics and knowledge management, eventually moving into new product deve
We all spend a significant amount of time in virtual meetings, whether it’s within our businesses or with other companies. The perception of an increased number of meetings is being noticed throughout
Chris Colbert has helped build and run several domestic and international companies focused on innovation and business optimization. He was previously EVP for Strategy Scholastic’s core publishing bus
We often hear that Stage Gate equates to Phase Gate and that it is tied to development. If you search Wikipedia, you are directed to something called the Phase Gate Process. The article explains it as
Andy Michuda is the Executive Chairman of Sopheon. He is an internationally recognized speaker, regularly presenting on topics related to innovation management tools and best practices for improving c
Smart products are all around us, and it is hard to imagine how our lives would be without them. From smartphones to smart toasters, refrigerators, and earbuds, smart products give us a lot of help an
HC Eppich is the Business Development Director for Sopheon. He speaks to companies across various industries about futureproofing their current portfolios and achieving more revenue with new business.
Paul O’Connor is the Founder and Managing Director of The Adept Group, an organization focusing on product line velocity to improve innovation in mid-size and large companies. He has led innovation in
Dr. Huub Rutten serves as the Vice President of Product Research and Design at Sopheon and is one of the company’s founding members. He holds a Master’s degree in Applied Linguistics and Literature, T
Dr. Huub Rutten is one of the Founding members of Sopheon and is currently the company's Vice President for Product Research and Design. After gaining a Master’s in Applied Linguistics from Radboud Un
Dr. Huub Rutten is one of the Founding members of Sopheon and is currently the company's Vice President for Product Research and Design. After gaining a Masters in Applied Linguistics from Radboud Uni
Dr. Huub Rutten is one of the Founding members of Sopheon and is currently the company's Vice President for Product Research and Design. After gaining a Master’s in Applied Linguistics from Radboud Un
I'm sure you have heard yourself, or a friend say they have a great idea for an invention. Or maybe just an abstract idea of a 'need' for something – an observed gap in the market, if you will. But th
You might have heard the phrase 'the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, so it goes with Innovation Management. Collaboration across various manufacturing industries can give birth to solution
How do larger companies with lots and lots of teams scale? If you have too many people with too many moving targets not aligned in their outcomes, your product is at risk. In the past, companies found
You might have heard the term Stage-Gate® when discussing product development processes, from Idea to Product Launch. The name comes from one, Dr. Robert Cooper, one of the most influential innovation
Greg Coticchia is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ENTRA, a consulting company providing business development, product management, and marketing expertise in the manufacturing industry. He a
In the previous episode, I took some time to explain the purpose of this podcast. Before we start diving into innovative topics, it may be helpful for you to better understand Sopheon, and how we beca
Welcome to Innovation Talks. I'm your host Paul Heller, the Chief Technology Officer at Sopheon, and I'm excited that you’re listening and want to be a part of this new podcast. Innovation is at the c