Innovation Talks

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 (https://www.stage-gate.com/solutions/products/stage-gate-npd-software/) : A methodology for product success introduced by Dr. Robert Cooper in 1986.

· Agile (https://www.atlassian.com/agile/project-management) : A project management methodology that can be combined with StageGate for more efficient product development.

· Lean Six Sigma (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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 (https://www.ansys.com/products/digital-twin) : Virtual replicas of physical products or processes that can be used for simulation, testing, and optimization.

Resources:

·     Dr. Robert Cooper’s Books (https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IGOJG6/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=1424b369-9c9a-4e9b-bfa5-cd7f39123984&store_ref=ap_rdr&ref_=ap_rdr)

 

 

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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 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.

 

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/)

 

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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 (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .

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 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06X1F836K/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0)

 

Connect with Paul Heller:

·      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.

 

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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 (https://www.sopheon.com/) and click here (https://info.sopheon.com/subscribe) .

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 (https://www.amazon.com/Daddy-says-decisions-greater-satisfaction/dp/1513699253/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=h4StW&content-id=amzn1.sym.cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_p=cf86ec3a-68a6-43e9-8115-04171136930a&pf_rd_r=141-8943633-5780029&pd_rd_wg=7wILp&pd_rd_r=db9a67a8-88a7-4f6e-8a03-5e5b55804d0a&ref_=aufs_ap_sc_dsk)

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/benjicoetzee007/?hl=en)

LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjicoetzee/?originalS

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 (https://www.iso.org/home.html)

●     Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation (https://fslci.org/)

●     American Center for LCA (https://aclca.org/)

●     Book: The Power of Life Cycle Assessment: Data Driven Decision Making for Environmental Sustainability (https://www.amazon.com/Power-Life-Cycle-Assessment-Sustainability/dp/B0CJ465K82/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2GLGERTNOZHSF&keywords=The+power+of+LCA&qid=1700099724&sprefix=the+power+of+lca%2Caps%2C395&sr=8-6) by American Center for Life Cycle Assessment (ACLCA)

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://

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 (https://miro.com/)

●     Figma (https://www.figma.com/downloads/)

●     Book: Testing Business Ideas: A Field Guide for Rapid Experimentation (The Strategyzer Series) (https://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Testing-Business-Ideas-Customer/dp/1119551447/ref=sr_1_2?crid=32ZCY4ZR9BKM4&keywords=Testing+Business+Ideas&qid=1700008593&sprefix=testing+business+ideas%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-2) by David J. Bland and Alexander Osterwalder

Connect with Partho Ghosh:

●     SecurityScorecard (https://securityscorecard.com/)

●     SecurityScorecard on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/security-scorecard/)

●     SecurityScorecard on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/securityscorecard)

●     SecurityScorecard on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/SecScorecard/)

●     SecurityScorecard on Twitter (https://twitter.com/security_score)

●     Partho Ghosh on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/productpartho/)

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=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5ibHVicnJ5LmNvbS9m

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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adambrotman/)

●     Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Andy Sack:

●     Andy Sack on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/andysack/)

●     Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Forum3:

●     Forum3 (https://www.forum3.com/)

●     Forum3 on Twitter (https://twitter.com/Forum3_)

●     Forum3 on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/forum3-com/about/)

●     Forum3 on Medium (https://medium.com/forum3)

Connect with Hive3:

●     Hive3 (https://hive3.ai/)

●     Hive3 on Twitter (https://twitter.com/hive3_)

●     Hive3 on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/hive3_/)

●     Hive3 on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@Hive3)

●     Hive3 on Discord (https://discord.com/invite/hive3)

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.c

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 (https://www.hubermanlab.com/podcast)

Connect with William Mulholland:

●     AI Accelerator Institute (https://www.aiacceleratorinstitute.com/)

●     AI Accelerator Institute on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-accelerator-institute/)

●     AI Accelerator Institute on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/AIAInstitute/)

●     AI Accelerator Institute on Twitter (https://twitter.com/ai_ainstitute)

●     William Mulholland on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ai-pm/)

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

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 (https://www.novelis.com/)

●     Novelis on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/novelis/)

●     Novelis on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/novelisinc)

●     Novelis on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NovelisInc/)

●     Novelis on Twitter (https://twitter.com/novelis?lang=en)

●     Dave MacAdam on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davemacadam/)

 

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 addi

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 (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/how-to-embed-sustainability-into-your-innovation-process-with-jim-fava)

●     Embracing change for positive impacts with Jim Fava (https://www.sopheon.com/podcasts-audio/embracing-change-for-positive-impacts-with-jim-fava)

●     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://m