Innovation Storytellers

In the latest installment of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I had the pleasure of engaging in a profound conversation with Paul Reeder, the Executive Director of the Center for Innovation Strategies at Ohio State University. Our discussion explored what innovation truly means for businesses today, far beyond the superficial trappings that often masquerade as progress.

Paul Reeder is a name that resonates with authority in the realm of innovation. His mission at the Center for Innovation Strategies is not just about fostering new ideas; it's about orchestrating a symphony of collaboration that resonates with value creation for a diverse range of stakeholders.

From the hallowed halls of Ohio State to the corporate boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies, Paul's influence on innovation is profound. His expertise has been sought after by industry titans such as Procter and Gamble, Honda, and Nationwide Insurance, all seeking to infuse genuine innovation into their DNA.

Our conversation was a clarion call against the backdrop of what Paul aptly terms 'Innovation Theater'—a facade of innovation that is all too common in today's corporate world. It's a world where the appearance of innovation is often mistaken for its substance. Paul's insights revealed a troubling trend where companies are quick to set up flashy innovation studios, complete with trendy furniture and attire, mistaking these superficial elements for the heart of innovation.

However, Paul argues that true innovation is not about the optics; it's about the impact. It's about understanding and serving customer needs in ways previously unimagined, identifying new customer segments, and creating a 'blip in our business' that signifies real growth and evolution. This kind of innovation doesn't just happen; it requires a cultural shift and a commitment from every level of the organization, especially the C-suite.

Throughout our discussion, Paul emphasized the need for a new paradigm to measure innovation—one that accounts for cultural change, customer engagement, and the ability to break new ground. We discuss how traditional metrics like cash ROI fall short in capturing the essence of innovation, which is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.

As we wrapped up our conversation, it was clear that Paul's vision for innovation is both a challenge and an invitation. It's a challenge to businesses to look beyond their walls and engage with external innovation groups, creating partnerships that fuel creativity and drive growth. It's an invitation to step out of the conventional box and embrace a broader vision of what innovation can be—a strategic pillar essential to the future of any organization.

In this compelling episode of Innovation Storytellers, I am joined by Brian Solis, the Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow. If you've ever been fascinated by how technology serves as a catalyst for business transformation, then this episode is a must-listen for you.

Brian Solis, who has spent over two decades studying digital Darwinism, discusses the evolving role of Executive Briefing Centers and Innovation Centers in the tech industry. These spaces, once merely showrooms for platforms like ServiceNow, have transcended their original purpose. They now serve as critical hubs for business transformation, providing a bespoke experience tailored to the unique needs of visiting executives and prospects. Such spaces facilitate targeted, transformative discussions and foster meaningful partnerships. They guide businesses toward increased agility and resilience in an ever-changing market landscape.

However, the journey isn't without its hurdles. The episode also delves into the challenges involved, such as the potential for information overload that can overwhelm visitors. It questions whether these centers, despite their high-tech allure, run the risk of becoming mere 'window dressing' if not updated regularly to reflect current trends and technologies.

The conversation shifts seamlessly to a critical look at the marketing landscape, emphasizing the importance of empathy and storytelling. Brian shares insightful thoughts on how conventional marketing frameworks like personas and journey maps could potentially limit a business's ability to genuinely connect with its customers. He introduces the novel concept of employing storytelling techniques, inspired by Pixar's and Joseph Campbell's Hero's Journey, to humanize the customer experience.

As the episode unfolds, Brian challenges listeners to rethink technology's potential impact on life and work beyond its "wow factor." He offers an example related to AI, questioning the ethics and long-term impact of replacing human roles like copywriting with machine-generated content. Instead, he proposes an innovative approach—augmenting human capabilities to create new, premium services, thereby creating new avenues for revenue and growth.

In essence, this episode provokes thoughtful debates and challenges conventional perspectives. It urges listeners to not only marvel at technology’s capabilities but to question and understand its broader ramifications on society, business, and human well-being.

In today's fast-paced, ever-evolving business landscape, leadership is under constant scrutiny. The spotlight often shines on the balance—or imbalance—between two critical aspects of decision-making: logic and intuition. While some say good leadership relies on hard facts and analytics, others argue that instinct plays an invaluable role. I sit down with Mary Pat Knight, an authority on humanized leadership, who compellingly addresses this intricate balance between head and heart.

Mary Pat Knight has a fascinating perspective that even engineers—often regarded as the epitomes of logic and structured thinking—can use to hone their instinctual skills. She points out that engineers are generally trained to rely on data, to scrutinize every decision through the lens of calculations and structured processes. However, the art of leadership requires more than just crunching numbers; it requires acknowledging that sometimes, instinct whispers critical pieces of information that raw data can't capture.

What's remarkable about Mary Pat Knight's view is that she doesn't advocate for the abandonment of logic for instinct, or vice versa. Instead, she champions the harmonious blend of passion and logic, the quintessence of what she calls humanized leadership. Leaders who successfully balance their analytical skills with emotional intelligence create work environments that value instinct and data, leading to more well-rounded decisions.

Listen in as Mary Pat Knight unravels the intricate process of integrating intuition into a traditionally logical decision-making environment. Whether you are leading a team, building a business, or simply curious about the subtleties of effective leadership, the insights she provides are both practical and transformative. She makes a compelling case for the need to be both analytical and emotional, logical and instinctual, in our roles as leaders. This multi-faceted approach to leadership is not just about making better decisions; it's about making decisions that are comprehensive, inclusive, and, most importantly, human.

I sit down with Hansini Sharma, Practice Lead at Acquis Consulting Group, to delve into the rapidly changing landscape of the travel industry. The episode is a journey through the nexus of innovation and execution, setting the stage for transformative impacts on both business and leisure travel. Hansini's 15+ years of industry experience shines as she outlines the paradigm shifts driven by sustainability and technological advancements. She elaborates on how cultural awareness and employee engagement are becoming the linchpins of change, and how the industry is reacting to these emergent trends.

The conversation spans from practical insights to big-picture vision, touching on both the immediate challenges and long-term opportunities that the multi-trillion-dollar travel sector faces. This episode serves as a catalyst for leaders in innovation, ESG, and corporate travel management to rethink their strategies, offering actionable advice and thought-provoking dialogue on harnessing innovation to drive sustainable change. Tune in to explore the intersection of vision and execution in travel, and leave with new perspectives that can be immediately applied to your own organizational frameworks.

This week, I invite you to feast your senses on a captivating dialogue with Kristin Bryan, Director of Culinary Innovation at HelloFresh. Kristin takes us on a culinary journey that marries taste and technology, enriching our palates and minds.

For those intrigued by how the complexity of flavors in your HelloFresh meal kit is conceived, Kristin introduces the riveting concept of "Creative Abrasion." Coined by Linda Hill, this approach isn't about conflicts but about generating a kind of friction that sparks groundbreaking innovation. It fosters an open dialogue within the team—making it the spice that elevates every dish and concept HelloFresh develops.

Kristin highlights the underestimated yet essential ingredient in their innovation journey—psychological safety. In an industry where pleasing the customer is the ultimate goal, one wonders how a team of culinary experts decides what 'pleasing' means. Kristin offers that creating a psychologically safe environment is the cornerstone of this process, enabling team members to bring their unfiltered opinions to the tasting table.

Adding another layer to this rich conversation is the debate on convenience versus authenticity. With busy lives and an increasing demand for quick meal solutions, HelloFresh experiments with convenient sauce packages. Kristin ponders how far they can go in delivering convenience without compromising the quality of the dining experience. 

But innovation at HelloFresh doesn't stop at dinner. Addressing the often-overlooked domain of school lunches, Kristin reveals how meticulous research and customer feedback fuel their drive to simplify yet enrich the midday meal for children. The challenge lies in delivering familiar yet balanced meals, which calls for an intricate dance between fun and nutritional integrity.

During this conversation Kristin uncovers her roots in innovation through her experience at tech startups and Walt Disney World. She attests to the transformative influence of her mentors at Disney, encouraging her to view food not as mere sustenance but as a holistic sensory experience—an adventure if you will.

So, please tune in for an episode that promises to be as stimulating to your intellect as it is to your taste buds. You will come away with a fresh perspective on what it takes to innovate in the culinary world, from conceptualizing a dish to the logistical gymnastics of putting it on your table. After listening, you'll never see your HelloFresh—or any other meal kit—the same way again.

In the latest episode of the Innovation Storytellers Show, I sit down with John Winsor, Founder and Chairman of Open Assembly, to examine the intricacies of the future of work. John, who is an authority on open talent and innovative work models, brings decades of experience and wisdom to the conversation.

Winsor is not a stranger to groundbreaking ideas. He has served as an executive in residence at Harvard Business School's Laboratory for Innovation Science and is currently writing his sixth book, "Open Talent: Leveraging a Global Workforce to Solve Your Biggest Challenges." His expertise places him at the crossroads of innovation, disruption, and storytelling—my favorite trifecta.

John details how work as we know it is undergoing a radical transformation. Traditional office settings and 9-to-5 commitments are giving way to a more dynamic, fluid, and global workforce. He challenges businesses to rethink how and where they source their talent, suggesting that the next genius addition to their team might not be within the "four walls" of their office. Instead, he introduces the concept of a digital aggregation platform that reduces the friction associated with adopting open talent and freelancing models, facilitating a seamless transition to more adaptive and efficient working modes.

John's work also has a broader societal ambition. He recently co-founded a global industry coalition, the Center for the Transformation of Work, which aims to revolutionize the workplace for a billion people by 2025. It's a lofty goal that magnifies the scale and urgency of the changes we are witnessing in workspaces and workstyles.

This episode is a compelling narrative that combines John Winsor’s strategic foresight with my expertise in storytelling to paint a vivid picture of what the future could, and perhaps should, look like for businesses and professionals alike.

To add a touch of intrigue, John also teases an upcoming excerpt in the Harvard Business Review and discusses his forthcoming book set to be published in 2024. All said and done, this episode is an invaluable resource for leaders and thinkers who are willing to challenge traditional notions and are hungry for a glimpse of what the future of work holds.

I sat down with Melora Zaner, the Chief Design Officer at TIAA, to discuss the often-overlooked value of incremental innovation and the transformative power of design in addressing pressing societal challenges like retirement. 

Our conversation starts with an urgent issue that many are facing—the retirement crisis in America. We discuss the alarming statistics indicating that 40% of Americans are on track to run out of money in their retirement years. Melora offers an intriguing alternative by asking, "What if we shift our thinking from 'retirement planning' to 'longevity planning'?" This approach puts the focus on sustained income, healthcare provisions, and overall quality of life, rather than just a lump sum that may or may not last a lifetime.

Innovation doesn't have to be grandiose to be impactful, as Melora eloquently points out. The episode delves into the concept of 'breadcrumbing,' a term Melora uses to describe the art of celebrating small, incremental changes that lead toward a significant shift. These small steps, often overlooked in the constant quest for disruptive change, can offer customers stepping stones, helping them see a future where their needs and concerns are addressed.

We also discuss the importance of storytelling in the journey of innovation. How do you narrate a story that balances the celebration of small victories with the drive toward grand visions? The idea is to offer manageable steps, or breadcrumbs, to make the journey less daunting and more rewarding for both customers and organizations. These incremental changes shouldn't be underestimated; they often result in exponential gains over time, especially when they address specific customer pain points.

Finally, Melora shares insights into getting internal stakeholders on board with innovation. She emphasizes that incremental wins can build confidence internally and set the stage for bigger, more disruptive changes in the long run.

Tune into this episode of Innovation Storytellers Show to explore the power of incremental innovation and design-led thinking in transforming how we approach complex challenges, from the retirement crisis to customer engagement and internal alignment. Because sometimes, the biggest changes start with the smallest steps.

Don't miss this enlightening discussion, full of actionable insights and thought-provoking concepts that challenge the status quo.

In a time where innovation is often boiled down to buzzwords, Adipat Virdi, Global Immersive Strategist and Former Global Creative Product Lead for Immersive, brings us back to the essence of true innovation. With a remarkable history of embedding immersive strategy into global organizations like Meta, Virgin Atlantic, and the BBC, Virdi helps us refocus on what's important. He challenges us to escape 'Plato's Cave' and reassess the often unconscious limitations we put on the idea of innovation.

Virdi emphasizes the importance of separating culture from business drivers, imploring us to take a more human-centric approach. By focusing on the dynamic relationship between content, consumer, and brand, he argues that innovation becomes not just a corporate goal but a holistic experience. However, he acknowledges that this 'uncoupling' can be a monumental task for businesses ingrained with certain cultural values.

As we move into an era where linear progression is becoming increasingly inadequate, Virdi propounds the need for thinking in ecosystems. Yet he cautions that such a shift introduces complexities that could act as a barrier to practical implementation. The challenges lie in balancing human-centric values with business imperatives and in overhauling pre-existing corporate cultures that resist change.

Yet, the opportunities are equally profound. The very act of aligning business goals with ecosystem thinking opens up new paths for disruptive innovation. Virdi introduces us to the term 'soul work'—a phrase that might sound esoteric but is deeply strategic. This is about asking the questions that really matter to your audience digging deep to understand their needs and desires. It's an approach that promises innovation and meaningful engagement with consumers.

The conversation takes an even more forward-looking turn as we discuss Apple’s soon-to-be-released Vision Pro, a device that's set to redefine digital interaction. Virdi provides insights into how the market will need to adapt to the complexities of spatial computing and offers a glimpse into the future of experiential marketing.

In the end, Virdi leaves us with a clear understanding that immersive technology is not a fleeting trend but a game-changing evolution. If brands don't adapt, they risk missing out on new generations of consumers who are already primed for immersive experiences. This engaging and insightful conversation is not to be missed, as it navigates the future of brand engagement in an increasingly immersive world.

Get ready for an illuminating journey into the complexities and nuances of innovation with my guest, Amy Radin, Executive Advisor and founder of Pragmatic Innovation Partners. With a career that spans multiple decades and industries, Amy brings an unparalleled depth of insight into what it truly takes to innovate, especially in the financial services sector. From being Citi's first global Chief Innovation Officer to her executive roles at American Express and Axa, her expertise is as expansive as it is profound.

Amy specializes in helping business leaders navigate the complex terrain of innovation by identifying new growth opportunities while mitigating associated risks. Her unique approach focuses on unraveling the cultural layers within organizations, providing invaluable perspectives on how internal culture can both aid and impede innovation processes.

One of the most compelling elements of this discussion revolves around the concept of "execution." As Amy stresses, an idea, no matter how groundbreaking, lacks value without the capability to bring it into reality. This principle holds true whether you're at a startup or part of an established Fortune 500 company. Her viewpoints bring a fresh, grounded perspective to the often nebulous and romanticized world of innovation.

Does your organization need a Chief Innovation Officer (CIO)? This question forms another central theme of our conversation. While appointing a CIO can signify a company's commitment to innovation, it also runs the risk of excluding other departments from this critical function. Amy expertly navigates this organizational dilemma, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive innovation culture.

Further enhancing this rich tapestry of insights, Amy delves into the critical but often overlooked relationship between innovation and business strategy. Even the most creative endeavors are doomed to become aimless projects without strategic alignment. If you're grappling with the complexities of innovation in today's fast-paced business world, this episode will equip you with actionable strategies and insights.

In today's episode of the Innovation Storytellers podcast, we'll delve into the world of one of the most well-known, respected, and beloved brands in the United States and worldwide: Jack Daniels. According to Inner Brands' Best Global Brands 2022 report, Jack Daniels has been a household name for over 155 years.

We are excited to have Heather Howell, the Global Director of Trademark and Innovation at Jack Daniels on the show. Heather's leadership in driving innovation has been a crucial factor in the brand's continued success, including its recent entry into the super-premium whiskey market.

During this episode, we will explore the history and future of the iconic brand and hear from Heather about her role in driving innovation at Jack Daniels. And of course, what better way to enjoy the show than with a glass of Jack Daniels on the rocks. So, grab a glass and join us as we celebrate this American classic brand.