Today's guest is Glen Milne from Spirit Energy. Glen discusses the impact of digitalization and AI on the energy industry, emphasizing the importance of remote work, automation, and the role of engineers in driving digital transformation.

He shares insights on the need for a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity and the significance of domain expertise in leveraging technology effectively.

The discussion also touches on the evolving nature of technology and the importance of trust and communication in implementing digital solutions.

Takeaways:

• Digital transformation in the energy sector accelerated due to COVID-19.
• Failure should be viewed as a learning opportunity, not a setback.
• The Aviation industry serves as a model for learning from failures.
• Automation can significantly improve efficiency and productivity.
• Engineers should take the lead in digital transformation initiatives.
• Domain expertise is becoming increasingly valuable in technology implementation.
• Trust and communication are essential for successful partnerships.
• Listening is a critical skill for effective leadership.
• Technology should address real business problems, not just be innovative for its own sake.

Keywords: digitalization, AI, energy industry, transformation, automation, engineers, technology, communication, failure, innovation

Packed with amazing metaphors, Neill emphasises the need to start with the end in mind.

Digital tools create transparency but with that are impacts on behaviours and ways of working.

Onto the soapbox, Neill and Helen discuss that managing change is hard but the people aspects are the most important to get right.

Using examples from Crossrail (HS2), Highways and the Energy sector, Neill talks about dealing with "shin kickers", how to fail fast in a safety critical, thin margin world, scaling using the staircase method and how to collaborate with the whole supply chain on digital.

And Neill and Helen remind us to think big but act small and avoid giving your organisation "indigestion".

06:03 The Importance of Transparency and Coordination

11:07 Learning from Field Engineers

16:44 Cultural Attitudes Towards Failure

25:26 Navigating the Data Journey

30:33 Owner-Driven Technology Adoption

36:35 Behavioral Insights in Project Management

42:44Silo Mentality and Organizational Behavior

In this conversation, Helen Dawson speaks with Dan and Rebecca from Rapidworks about corporate venture building and the challenges of innovation within large organizations.

They discuss the importance of exploring adjacent opportunities, mitigating risks, and the concept of 'fail fast.' The conversation emphasizes the need for a cultural shift in corporations to embrace innovation, celebrate stop decisions, and measure success through innovation accounting rather than just revenue. They also share personal insights on their journey of branching out on their own and the lessons learned along the way.

Takeaways

Innovation is not inherently risky; it's about mitigating risk.

Celebrating stop decisions can empower teams to make better choices.

Corporate innovation often suffers from risk aversion and lack of measurable outcomes.

Embedding innovation in corporate culture is essential for long-term success.

Innovation accounting helps measure progress beyond just revenue.

Engaging with customers directly can alleviate fears and drive innovation.

Perfectionism can stifle creativity and innovation; good enough is often sufficient.

It's okay to be introverted; active listening is a valuable skill.

Every organization faces similar challenges, often related to culture.

The best ideas are those that are implemented and create real value.

Contact the RapidWorks team via email at [email protected] or www.rapidworks.uk

In this conversation, Helen Dawson speaks with Chief Growth Officer William Lidston about his career journey and insights into marketing and growth strategies. They discuss the concept of 'super useful super brands' and how brands can create meaningful roles in consumers' lives. William shares his experiences working with McDonald's and emphasizes the importance of product quality, positioning, and technology in building successful brands. He introduces his philosophy of 'win by an inch,' focusing on incremental improvements in business practices. The conversation also touches on the need for collaboration between product, technology, and security teams to create cohesive customer experiences. Finally, William shares a valuable lesson learned in his career: that OK is not OK if you want to win in a competitive landscape.

04:10 Understanding Super Useful Super Brands

10:45 The Magic of McDonalds

14:28 Win by An Inch

22:13 Delivering Technology with Complete Assurance

29:24 OK is not OK

If you're working in construction or asset management, this episode is for you.

They emphasize the importance of proper planning, understanding the goals and needs of both parties, and building strong relationships. They also highlight the need for flexibility, adaptability, and clear communication in order to navigate the complexities of partnerships.

Emma shares her insights on the differences between working with large corporations and smaller, more innovative companies. As ever, the conversation emphasizes the importance of people and relationships in successful collaborations.

Group Marketing Director of Specsavers, Carolyn McKeever, join us to talk about:

In this episode, Helen talks to Warren Minde of Innovation Leap about innovation as a human-centred activity.

We talk about:

You can find Warren at https://innovationleap.co.uk/

In this episode, Nils Jeners joins Helen to dive into methodology and how to build the skills needed to be an innovator. We cover:

Resources:

Double Diamond approach: https://www.designcouncil.org.uk/our-work/skills-learning/the-double-diamond/

Business Model Canvas by Alex Osterwalder https://www.strategyzer.com/canvas/business-model-canvas

Lean Start-Up by Eric Ries

Sprint by Jake Knapp

Testing Business Ideas by David Bland and Alex Osterwalder

The Mom Test by Rob Fitzpatrick