The Innovation Show

Strategic Diversity in Corporate Innovation with Richard Robertson | The Corporate Explorer Series

In this episode of The Corporate Explorer, host Aiden is joined by Richard Robertson, co-author of The Corporate Explorer Field Book, to discuss the critical concept of strategic diversity in building high-performing teams within corporate environments. Robertson delves into the various phases of strategic innovation and growth, from ideation to maturation and transformation. He emphasizes the importance of blending formal and informal processes to harness innovation and highlights how different skill sets and mindsets are needed at various stages of corporate development. The episode also features insights on managing complexity and human behavior, optimizing team performance, and the application of the AEM Cube tool. Sponsored by Wazoku, the episode provides valuable strategies for ensuring sustainable innovation and maximizing team potential.

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Acknowledgment

00:40 Understanding Corporate Explorers

01:44 The Importance of Strategic Diversity

01:52 Guest Introduction: Richard Robertson

03:48 Strategic Diversity in Teams

08:08 The S Curve and Team Dynamics

16:01 Exploring the AEM Cube

20:42 Conclusion and Contact Information

Find Richard: https://human-insight.com/about-us/team/richard-robertson/

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

The Reinvention Summit

https://www.thereinventionsummit.com/

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

The Last Episode with Peter Compo: Engaging in Emergent Strategy

In this final episode, the host reflects on an engaging series with Peter Compo, author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy.' Peter answers a viewer question about strategic leadership and emergent strategy, emphasizing the importance of internalizing the strategy design and involving everyone in the process. They discuss managing strategies through turbulence, the significance of scenarios in strategy planning, and ensuring robust execution despite challenges. Finally, the episode explores identifying bottlenecks in organizations and the intricacies of systemic issues. This episode is a must-watch for business strategists and leaders looking to deepen their understanding of emergent thinking and effective execution.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:24 Viewer Questions and Strategic Leadership

01:38 Engaging Teams in Emergent Strategy

05:04 Consultant Work and Strategy Design

07:01 Execution and Crisis Management

16:19 Scenario Planning and Strategy Alternatives

36:05 Understanding Bottlenecks in Frameworks

36:45 Designing Strategy: A Puzzle Approach

39:03 The Role of Bottlenecks in Strategy

40:57 Techniques for Identifying Bottlenecks

44:17 Addressing People and Emotional Bottlenecks

46:08 Case Study: Courier Incorporated

50:41 Real-World Application: The Reinvention Summit

58:20 Systemically Broken Organizations

01:02:36 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

The Reinvention Summit

https://www.thereinventionsummit.com/

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, emergent strategy, Aidan McCullen, leadership, strategic leadership, business strategy, crisis management, execution, organizational change, scenario planning, strategy alternatives, bottlenecks, innovation, systemic issues, strategic consulting, management theory, goal setting, thought leadership, executive decision-making, strategy frameworks

In this episode, we delve into the emergent approach to strategy with Peter Compo, discussing how truth and perception impact strategy, the importance of flexibility in decision-making, and the necessity of internalizing models and frameworks. We explore the role of consensus, the SAM (Strategy Alternative Matrix), and the balance between creativity and structured strategy. Peter also emphasizes the need for gradual and thoughtful change in organizations, comparing it to the natural bend of a river and the disciplined approach in sports. The conversation underscores the value of slow, deliberate work in achieving sustainable innovation and effective change management.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:24 The Nature of Truth and Strategy

04:15 Mindfulness and Decision Making

06:32 Lego and Strategy: A Creative Analogy

10:21 Adaptive Strategy and Innovation

19:31 The Strategy Alternative Matrix (SAM)

27:36 The Role of AI in Strategy Development

36:40 The Pain of Real Change

55:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

38:14 Next Episode Preview

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

strategy podcast, Strategy Alternative Matrix (SAM), strategy, innovation, emergent approach, Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, leadership, change management, creativity, mindfulness, decision making, AI in strategy, teamwork, lego analogy, business models, fitness criteria, adaptability, music composition strategy, Michael Raynor, Michael Beer

In this episode of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' guest Peter Compo joins to discuss the complexities of executing strategy effectively, focusing on Chapter 9 from his book. Compo addresses common misconceptions about execution and its distinction from strategy, emphasizing the importance of adherence to strategy frameworks. He explores real-world examples from businesses and sports, highlighting how excellent execution requires discipline and adaptability in dynamic situations. The conversation also delves into the integration of innovation within disciplined execution, using analogies from music and sports to illustrate key points.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:37 Understanding Execution in Strategy

02:55 The Misconceptions of Execution

06:23 Execution vs. Strategy: A Deeper Dive

08:57 Execution in Practice: Sports and Music Analogies

11:57 Challenges and Realities of Execution

20:52 Execution in Business and Innovation

23:26 Demming's Red Bead Experiment and Its Lessons

39:15 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Link to Frank Barrett's episode "Yes to the Mess" part 1 and 2:

https://youtu.be/xgkk-Vlgtt0?si=-Ddv-aGFj8XtsDrF

https://youtu.be/D7dR5Gi7i80?si=bJ3NhwhhnuYWgVbl

strategy, innovation, execution, Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, emergent approach, business strategy, military strategy, sports strategy, discipline, improvisation, music, jazz, leadership, organizational behavior, cognitive capacity, change management, tactical planning, operational excellence, resilience

Understanding the Five Disqualifiers of Strategy with Peter Compo

Welcome back to another episode featuring Peter Compo, the renowned author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy.' In today's discussion, Peter delves deep into the 'Five Disqualifiers of Strategy,' offering insights into common pitfalls in strategic design. The episode is packed with practical examples and explanations of why traditional strategy tests often fall short. Peter illustrates the importance of real-time guidance, unified decisions, and free choices in strategic frameworks. Learn about five critical tests to evaluate your strategy: 'Is the opposite absurd?', 'Does it have numbers?', 'Does it exclude anything?', 'Does it duplicate the higher-level organization?', and 'Is it a list?'. This episode is essential for anyone involved in business strategy, innovation, and better thinking.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:01 The Importance of Strategy Testing

01:40 Traditional vs. Modern Strategy Tests

02:17 Introduction to the Five Disqualifiers

05:24 Detailed Explanation of the Five Disqualifiers

06:33 Practical Examples and Applications

08:37 Common Pitfalls in Strategy

18:55 The Role of Clear Language in Strategy

21:43 Summary and Conclusion

38:14 Next Episode Preview

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

strategy, disqualifiers, Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, emergent approach, strategy design, business strategy, adaptive tools, Michael Porter, McKinsey, corporate strategy, innovation, Henry Ford, Warren Buffett, R&D, market dynamics, organizational strategy, DVD business, Netflix, Adobe

In this episode, Peter Compo delves into the emergent approach to strategy and discusses the limitations of traditional frameworks using aspirations, plans, and metrics alone. He further discusses the concept of 'killer problems' in innovation and emphasises the importance of a central rule that provides real-time guidance, unifies decisions, and allows for free choice. Complex examples from business and military strategy illustrate how granularization and over-specification can lead to failure, whereas centralized, low-level constraints help create coherence and foster creativity. Peter also explores nested systems and the necessity of having individual strategies for different segments within an organization.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:25 Limitations of Aspirations, Plans, and Metrics

01:12 The Killer Problems of Change and Innovation

03:04 Framework Components and Their Shortcomings

05:25 The Power of Central Rules

06:45 Challenges in Digital Transformation

10:27 Local vs Global Strategy

13:54 Granularization Problem in Strategy

18:31 The Fallacy of Shrinking Time

22:38 The Hidden Blockers of Transformation

26:11 Introduction to Chapter Five: How Strategy Functions

30:20 Granularization and Cascading Problems

31:13 Identifying and Overcoming Bottlenecks

33:29 Elon Musk's Engineering Approach

35:40 The Importance of Low-Level Rules

41:21 Strategy and Tactics in Warfare

48:46 Nested Systems and Organizational Strategy

54:58 The Role of Leadership in Strategy Implementation

56:23 Conclusion and Further Resources

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, strategy, emergent approach, aspirations, plans, metrics, innovation, complex adaptive systems, real time guidance, central rule, rule adherence, deviations from diagnosis, decision making, organizational change, digital transformation, investment in new products, granularization, cascading goals, bottleneck constraints, nested systems, military tactics

Solving Innovation's Killer Problems with Peter Compo: The Emergent Approach to Strategy Part 3

In this episode of 'The Innovation Show,' we continue our exploration of the emergent approach to strategy with expert Peter Compo. Delving into the critical challenges of change and innovation, the discussion centers on how high-level aspirations are influenced by disciplined actions at low levels. Peter outlines 'killer problems' in innovation such as the volume of choices, time delays between actions and outcomes, and external influences. Through the use of influence diagrams and practical examples, such as running a successful bike shop, Peter demonstrates how organizations can navigate these problems. The episode also touches on strategies to provide real-time guidance, unify efforts, and ensure actions align with overarching goals, highlighting the importance of integrating these strategies in multifaceted organizations.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome Back

00:39 Understanding High-Level Aspirations

02:37 The Killer Problems of Innovation

04:05 Influence Diagrams and Strategy Frameworks

05:58 Real-World Examples and Practical Applications

07:44 Exploring the Influence Diagram

13:07 The Four Killer Problems

28:15 Solutions to the Killer Problems

41:36 Conclusion and Further Resources

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, emergent approach, strategy, innovation, adaptation, killer problems, change, influence diagram, bike shop example, creativity, discipline, coherence, real-time guidance, free choice, unification, leadership, strategic frameworks, decision-making, business strategies

The Emergent Approach to Strategy: Adaptation, Innovation, and Historical Insights

In this episode, the focus is on Peter Compo's discussion of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' specifically its application to adaptation and emergence in strategy development. The conversation explores the parallel between biological evolution and human innovation, highlighting the importance of adaptive systems in creativity and strategy. Historical examples, such as the early automotive industry led by Henry Ford and modern electric cars pioneered by Elon Musk, are used to illustrate how low-level disciplines and rules can lead to high-level strategic outcomes and industry transformations. The episode delves into the principles of complex adaptive systems, emphasizing the balance between discipline and free-thinking, and how effective strategies emerge from rigorous local actions. Peter Compo also addresses the concept of levels within organizations, stressing the significance of being attuned to low-level operations to drive innovation while avoiding becoming prisoners of past successes.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:08 The Concept of Adaptation and Emergence

03:43 Historical Examples of Adaptive Systems

07:13 Ford's Strategy and Its Evolution

10:39 The Theory of Levels in Creativity and Innovation

18:54 Connecting Levels to Strategy

27:41 Ants and Social Insects: A Case Study

31:48 Intel's Transition to CPUs

35:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Link to Peter's website: https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Scale with Geoffrey West Part 1 of 3: https://youtu.be/P3WowJWdX5w?si=lcgHp-bC6OrAuobG

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC.

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, emergent strategy, Peter Compo, adaptive systems, innovation, complex adaptive systems, business strategy, evolutionary mechanisms, creativity, Henry Ford, Tesla, Elon Musk, execution, Intel CPUs, corporate discipline, low level rules, high level outcomes, market forces, leadership insights

The Emergent Approach to Strategy with Peter Compo: A Deep Dive into Adaptive Systems

In this episode, we welcome Peter Compo, author of 'The Emergent Approach to Strategy,' to discuss the chronic failures in strategic planning and how his new book aims to redefine strategy through the lens of complex adaptive systems. Peter explains the importance of moving away from traditional planning methods and embracing an agile, emergent approach that focuses on adaptability and real-time guidance. Drawing from 25 years of experience in corporate America, including his tenure at DuPont, Peter provides practical insights into how organizations can raise their probability of success by understanding and addressing the real bottlenecks to achieving aspirations. We explore key concepts from his book, such as the triad of aspirations, bottlenecks, and strategy, and the role of rules and constraints in fostering innovation. With a mix of theory and practical application, this episode is a must-listen for corporate leaders, business strategists, and anyone interested in innovation and strategic planning.

00:00 Introduction to Strategy Failures

01:32 Guest Introduction: Peter Compo

02:06 Elevator Pitch: New Theory of Strategy

07:29 The Role of Discipline in Innovation

07:47 Music and Corporate Strategy

12:46 Challenges in Strategy Execution

14:00 The Misunderstanding of Strategy

17:43 Planning Under Uncertainty

21:30 The Importance of Adaptive Strategy

35:57 Emergent Strategy and Mintzberg's Teachings

36:44 Deliberate vs. Emergent Strategy

37:55 Understanding Strategic Constraints

39:24 Exploring Different Strategic Approaches

41:33 Overview of Strategy Concepts

43:12 Defining Strategy Across Fields

47:18 The Role of Rules in Strategy

52:22 The Triad of Aspiration, Bottleneck, Strategy

01:02:45 Consulting and Real-World Applications

01:07:22 Conclusion and Resources

Link to Frank Barrett's episode "Yes to the Mess" part 1 and 2:

https://youtu.be/xgkk-Vlgtt0?si=-Ddv-aGFj8XtsDrF

https://youtu.be/D7dR5Gi7i80?si=bJ3NhwhhnuYWgVbl

Link to Peter's website:

https://emergentapproach.com

Link to Peter's Music:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJsn2zbnx8dwvHJrisdkAtg

Link to Aidan McCullen for Keynotes, workshops and event MC:

https://theinnovationshow.io

Find us on Substack for Shownotes and competitions:

https://thethursdaythought.substack.com

strategy, innovation, complex adaptive systems, Peter Compo, Aidan McCullen, DuPont, emergent approach, strategy definition, corporate strategy, business strategy, adaptive systems, strategy framework, Roger Martin, Michael Porter, Mintzberg, Charlie Parker, jazz improvisation, creativity in strategy, bottleneck, aspirations, goals, execution, discipline in strategy, innovation challenges, long-term planning, organizational change, innovation process, strategic planning, decision making, business leadership, corporate America