Disruptive Innovators: Champions of Digital Business - CIO & IT Leader Interviews, Digital Transformation, Digital Innovation

This week, David Wright is joined by Mike Todasco, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University. Mike shares his journey from accountant to leading innovation at PayPal and now, in his current work with AI at San Diego State University. They explore the power of AI tools in driving business effectiveness, the importance of great leadership, and maintaining work-life balance in today's fast-paced environment.

Key Takeaways:

(03:25) AI tools like ChatGPT can significantly improve productivity.

(04:43) Innovation often involves failures; not everything will be a success.

(12:47) A great boss is more valuable than a great job.

(15:58) Seek bosses who put your growth ahead of the company’s interests.

(17:52) Treat employees like adults by offering flexibility and autonomy.

(20:40) Work-life balance is critical; family time is non-negotiable.

(25:55) Shift your perspective; problems can often become opportunities.

(28:41) Reframing rejection can turn it into a positive motivator.

(35:47) AI's potential is just starting to be realized in everyday workflows.

(40:33) Combining AI models can lead to remarkable, time-saving outcomes.

Resources Mentioned:

Mike Todasco -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/

San Diego State University | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/school/san-diego-state-university/

San Diego State University Website -

http://www.sdsu.edu/

The Singularity is Nearer -

https://www.amazon.com/Singularity-Nearer-Ray-Kurzweil-ebook/dp/B08Y6FYJVY

The Anxious Generation -

https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036

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David Wright is joined by Scott Murray, Chief Operating Officer at Collective Health, to discuss the future of healthcare. Scott shares insights from his diverse career, spanning roles at Safeway, eBay, and now Collective Health. He emphasizes the importance of leadership, innovation, and customer-centricity in transforming healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

(03:05) Confronting brutal facts and not letting fear dictate your actions leads to better decision-making.

(05:31) Scott's career focuses on uniting people, processes, technology and culture to drive business performance and innovation.

(08:43) Collective Health simplifies healthcare by advocating for patients and reducing conflicts with insurance companies.

(10:14) Collective Health's focus on transparency and advocacy is improving the healthcare experience.

(13:07) Scott learned resilience and the value of teamwork from a career failure and leading eBay's turnaround.

(18:17) Lifelong learning and humility are essential for leadership success.

(25:10) Collective Health customizes benefit plans based on employer needs, focusing resources on areas with the highest value for employees.

(26:54) Collective Health navigates competition with healthcare networks while relying on them, creating a "frenemy" dynamic that requires refining their value proposition.

(30:29) Scott predicts future trends in healthcare, including cost reduction and industry consolidation.

Resources Mentioned:

Scott Murray -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmurray0617/

Collective Health | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivehealth/

Collective Health | Website -

http://collectivehealth.com/

“Good to Great” by Jim Collins -

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/76865.Good_to_Great

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This week, David Wright is joined by Gaurav Banga, the CEO and founder of Balbix, a company leveraging AI to enhance cybersecurity risk management. Gaurav shares his journey from PhD to serial entrepreneur, offering insights into the intersection of cybersecurity and AI, and the lessons learned from building successful companies.

Key Takeaways:

(03:06) Focus on solving problems, and view cybersecurity as a data science or AI challenge.

(07:02) Gaurav’s journey began with a PhD and a smartphone startup in Silicon Valley.

(10:50) Startup success relies on embracing speed and choosing the right people.

(13:56) COVID-19 prompted a quick shift to a software model, turning a crisis into long-term success.

(19:13) Balbix leverages AI to automate cybersecurity, boosting productivity and addressing skill shortages.

(23:40) Balbix faces challenges in AI execution and convincing late adopters.

(28:14) Cybersecurity is now an AI-driven battle, with automation a key to managing threats.

(32:51) Prioritize listening and observation for firsthand insights early in your career.

Resources Mentioned:

Gaurav Banga -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaurav-banga-0a527b/

Balbix | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/balbix/

Balbix | Website -

https://www.balbix.com/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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In this episode, David Wright is joined by Dr. Douglas Bruce, Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine and SVP, Chief Clinical Integration Officer at MetroHealth System. They explore the intersection of healthcare and technology, focusing on behavior change and the role of digital tools in patient care. Dr. Bruce shares insights from his extensive experience in public health, digital transformation and working with marginalized groups, emphasizing the importance of addressing root causes rather than just symptoms in healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

(04:27) Technology should be an asset, not a liability, in healthcare.

(07:43) Medicine often mistakenly assumes behavior change is purely rational.

(09:11) Behavior change is about relationships, not just information.

(14:30) Address the root cause, not just symptoms, for effective behavior change.

(20:30) Proactive screening and outreach are essential for managing depression in diabetic patients.

(25:54) Technology can help triage and prioritize mental health care, ensuring that no one is left behind.

(34:03) Protecting uninterrupted time for healthcare providers improves efficiency and care quality.

(38:13) Focus on doing good and taking risks to foster innovation in healthcare.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Douglas Bruce -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdouglasbruce/

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/school/case-western-reserve-university-school-of-medicine/

Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine | Website -

http://case.edu/medicine

MetroHealth | Website -

www.metrohealth.org

MetroHealth | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/metrohealthcle/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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This week, David Wright is joined by Claudia Infante, Chief Data Officer at Margaritaville, to discuss her journey from Director of Revenue Strategy to leading Margaritaville’s data-driven initiatives. They explore how Claudia has played a pivotal role in scaling the brand, the importance of understanding customer experiences, and the lessons learned from failures.

Key Takeaways:

(02:25) Walking in customers’ shoes to understand their experience.

(05:12) Overcoming biases by recognizing that you are not your customer.

(10:45) Empowering your team by removing obstacles and trusting their expertise.

(15:20) The myth of being self-made and the importance of support systems.

(18:50) Learning from failures by being flexible and turning setbacks into opportunities.

(22:14) Embracing Margaritaville’s philosophy: Breathe in, breathe out, move on.

(28:30) Accepting that you can’t be everything to everyone, and that’s okay.

(33:45) Margaritaville as a state of mind rather than just a brand.

Resources Mentioned:

Claudia Infante -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiainfante/

Margaritaville | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/margaritaville/

Margaritaville | Website -

https://www.margaritaville.com/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Understanding the cost dynamics and technological advancements in diagnostic imaging is crucial for both patients and providers. This week, David Wright is joined by Dr. John Simon, Founder and CEO of SimonMed Imaging, to discuss the innovations in radiology, the affordability of imaging services and the impact of AI on diagnostic care.

Key Takeaways:

(02:25) Dr. John Simon's role and the scope of SimonMed Imaging. 

(03:00) The importance of being an informed patient and asking questions. 

(05:44) Technological advancements in CAT scans over the past 20 years. (11:21) SimonMed Imaging’s AI projects aimed at improving diagnostic care. (12:33) The high costs of imaging and its impact on patient care. 

(16:08) AI’s role in prioritizing scans and improving diagnostic speed. 

(18:55) Functional MRI’s potential in assessing treatment efficacy. 

(28:00) The future of radiology with objective, quantified results.

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. John Simon -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-simon-8ab8b194/

SimonMed Imaging | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/simonmed-imaging/

SimonMed | Website -

https://www.simonmed.com/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Innovation isn't just about the next big idea; it's about fostering a culture that brings those ideas to life. This week, David Wright is joined by Prith Banerjee, CTO at Ansys, to delve into the intricacies of driving innovation in large organizations. They explore the importance of leveraging external disruptive innovations and balancing academic research with practical applications. Prith shares insights on understanding customer pain points, creating markets for disruptive innovations, and strategies for scaling innovation from startups to large companies. Discover how large companies can adopt open innovation and the significance of Horizon 1, 2, and 3 innovations.

(02:00) Prith Banerjee’s journey from academia to leading R&D in large companies.

(03:05) The importance of open innovation and partnering to drive disruptive innovation.

(05:46) Lessons learned from transitioning innovations from academia to industry.

(08:53) Starting with a customer problem to drive innovation.

(10:00) Identifying and solving customer problems as the key to successful innovation.

(14:24) The value of partnerships and collaboration in scaling startups.

(20:00) Overcoming funding challenges and learning from failures.

(24:57) Prith Banerjee’s book, Innovation Factory, on fostering disruptive innovation in large companies.

(35:47) How Ansys helps customers in various industries through modeling and simulation.

(40:25) Democratizing simulation to make it accessible for all users.

Resources Mentioned:

Prith Banerjee -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/prith-banerjee

Ansys | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ansys-inc/

Ansys | Website -

https://www.ansys.com/

Innovation Factory -

https://www.amazon.com/Innovation-Factory-Prith-Banerjee-PH/dp/B0B7LZPDZW/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1660332773&sr=8-1

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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Imagine transforming your business with technology that not only boosts productivity but also empowers your team and drives success. This week, Jason James, CIO of Aptos Retail, joins David Wright to discuss the strategic role of technology in retail and the significance of leadership and mentorship in driving business success. They dive into how technology empowers businesses, the importance of proactive communication during failures and the role of culture in successful digital transformations.

Key Takeaways:

(03:52) People remember how you helped their career, not just the digital transformations.

(07:04) Handling failures proactively defines your leadership style. 

(13:15) Effective communication is critical during project failures. 

(15:55) Successful digital transformations are cultural transformations. 

(19:38) Invest in your health, education and personal growth. 

(27:08) Luck and preparation play roles in career success.

(28:03) Technology is used for empowering business, not as a cost center. 

Resources Mentioned:

Jason James -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/itlinchpin/

Aptos Retail | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/aptos-retail/

Aptos | Website -

https://www.aptos.com/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

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In this episode, David Wright is joined by Jonathan Chan, Head of Global IT and Security at Episource, who shares insights on leveraging technology to drive business goals and enhance efficiency in healthcare. Jonathan reveals how transforming IT from a cost center into a revenue driver can revolutionize healthcare.

Key Takeaways:

(03:36) IT is a business enabler.

(05:11) Converting IT conversations to revenue-driven goals.

(07:57) AI as assisted intelligence, not artificial intelligence.

(14:00) Loving what you do leads to better performance.

(16:29) The importance of being a change agent.

(19:14) Efficiency in medical coding reduces costs.

(25:01) Strategic thinking in healthcare technology investments.

(31:12) The importance of team collaboration for better decisions.

(31:27) Building trust through transparent data practices.

(31:34) Driving industry change with innovative strategies.

Resources Mentioned:

Jonathan Chan -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-chan-1852066/

Episource | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/episource/

Episource | Website -

https://www.episource.com/

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness

This week, David Wright is joined by Brian Rowe, Vice President of Information Technology at Rehrig Pacific Company. Brian shares details of his unique journey and insights into the pivotal role of human-centric solutions in driving innovation and efficiency.

Key Takeaways:

(04:00) Every problem is ultimately a human problem.

(06:03) The realization that coding didn’t bring personal fulfillment.

(12:09) Balancing innovation with data security and understanding the broader business impact is crucial for effective leadership in technology-driven organizations.

(18:30) Embracing one's unique thinking process can reveal strengths that help solve problems differently and more effectively than the norm.

(24:59) Embracing digitalization and automation will significantly transform many roles within the organization over the next five years.

(27:30) Automation has transformed frontline jobs from physical tasks to more data-driven roles, improving working conditions while maintaining the workforce.

(33:00) Organizations need to identify and hire digital problem solvers who are adaptable and can think beyond traditional, static solutions.

(38:43) Thoughtful leadership and long-term investment in people and technology are essential, even if they temporarily affect financial performance.

Resources Mentioned:

Brian Rowe -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rowebd/

Rehrig Pacific Company | LinkedIn -

https://www.linkedin.com/company/rehrig-pacific-company/

Rehrig Pacific Company | Website -

https://www.rehrigpacific.com/

Dell -

https://www.dell.com/en-ph

Broadcom -

https://www.broadcom.com/

CliftonStrengths Assessment -

https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/252137/home.aspx

Thanks for listening to the Disruptive Innovators podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, hit the subscribe button and never miss another insightful conversation. And be sure to leave a review to help get the word out about the Champions of Digital Business.

#DisruptiveInnovation #Innovation #DisruptiveTech #DigitalBusiness