The Innovators Studio with Phil McKinney

Navigating the intricate realm of innovation is akin to sailing without a map, a challenging endeavor. That's where the invaluable role of an innovation mentor comes into play, acting as a guiding force. Picture them as friends always armed with the best advice, guiding you through launching your venture, shaking things up at work, or bringing your ideas to life. They serve as a reliable beacon, l...

Embarking on becoming an innovation consultant is an adventure fraught with challenges and opportunities. The question that often arises is: What kind of experience does diving into the depths of innovation consulting require? Breaking into this highly competitive field necessitates a blend of academic knowledge and real-world practice. Still, the pathway is less about a set timeframe and the rich...

In the convergence of gastronomy and technology, Fisayo Oluwadiya stands at the forefront, embodying the fusion of engineering, culinary artistry, and entrepreneurship. This week, our conversation delves into her brainchild, Resactly, a pioneering AI-powered restaurant recommendation system that promises to reshape how we navigate the culinary landscape. A Palatable Blend of Passions Fisayo, an en...

In the ever-evolving realm of innovation, a troubling trend is emerging—the rise of self-proclaimed experts with credentials as insubstantial as the pages of the very innovation books they often quote. This prompts us to question whether an individual can genuinely be considered an expert in a multifaceted field based solely on theoretical knowledge or if authentic, hands-on experience is the true...

Laws exist to keep some form of order or control such as the traffic laws we follow to avoid chaos as we drive around. There are a variety of laws that exist. Scientific laws are laws that we can test and prove, and we can reconfirm that the law still applies. An example would be the law of gravity that always exists. There are also other kinds of laws that we use in the context of business terms....

During CES 2024, the innovative products and concepts on display showed the exciting future of technology. OliverIQ debuted to the public with its unique home automation platform. This versatile solution streamlines the process of turning your home "smart." Founders Will West, and Eric Smith presented OliverIQ as a solution that turns connectivity across devices into a service that caters to those...

The world of innovation is wildly fascinating and constantly developing. At the CES conference in Las Vegas, some of innovation's biggest names display their newest creations for the world to see. The fact that any one of these creations could develop into a groundbreaking innovation with global reach is exciting. This year, innovations varied from entertainment to transportation, with predicted t...

Reasons Behind Innovation Failure Although failure is sometimes necessary for innovation, failure is an experience that companies and organizations can avoid by understanding the reasons behind it. Poor ideas and poor execution can cause an innovation project failure. But what causes teams to make these mistakes in the first place? And how can companies best avoid these mistakes? By discouraging g...

In today's fast-paced world, change is the only constant. The volatility of the stock market, sudden changes in the workforce due to automation, or shifts in consumer behavior due to evolving technologies have thrown individuals and organizations into an era of uncertainty. It feels like we've been thrust onto a roller coaster ride, experiencing exhilarating highs, terrifying lows, and unexpected...

Albert Einstein once said, "If I had an hour to solve a problem, I'd spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions." This quote is more than just a clever remark; it encapsulates a fundamental truth about problem-solving that many overlook. It emphasizes the importance of deeply understanding a problem before attempting to solve it. So, what's the difference...

[1] Jones, Benjamin, et al. "A Calculation of the Social Returns to Innovation?" National Bureau of Economic Research, 2020. An interesting review of the paper can be found here .  

Have you ever found yourself lost in your thoughts, daydreaming, or ideating without barriers ? That's your creative imagination at work! Creative imagination is an incredible power within us—it can manifest our hopes, dreams, and aspirations. Unleashing the power of our creative imagination can be the key to realizing our personal and professional goals. What is Creative Imagination? Creative ima...

In one of the most insightful episodes of Killer Innovations, I had the pleasure of hosting Mark Tubinis from Veea. Our conversation revolved around bridging the digital divide with cable technology, particularly in Panama. Mark passionately shared his experiences, recounting how people, for the first time, could use the internet from devices other than just mobile phones. Witnessing this transfor...

I had the pleasure of interviewing Paul Broadhurst, the President and CEO of the Technetix Group. We met in the mobile studio during SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver, CO. Paul shared his excitement about the growing confidence and support in the cable broadband industry. He particularly emphasized the emergence of new vendors and sponsors at the event, a clear indication of the sector's growth trajec...

In this episode of Killer Innovations, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ken Grelck, SVP of Sales at Calix, about the company's impressive transformation from a hardware-focused organization to a cloud and software-centric business. Ken shed light on how Calix concentrates on improving customer experience, regardless of the size of their network. Their dedication to customer experience is centra...

Rob Wilmoth from Red Hat joined me in the mobile studio at the 2023 SCTE Cable-Tech Expo, where we delved into numerous discussions on enterprise technology, software customization, open-source security, and innovation. Red Hat, known for its 30-year history, has been instrumental in the enterprise technology landscape. The company's ability to harden, secure, and provide supportability for open-s...

Have you ever been present when something has gone wrong, and everyone is quick to assign blame? It's human nature to want to hold someone accountable when there's a failure, but what happens when we let a blame culture take over? The blame culture will stifle creativity and innovation in an organization. When each team member focuses on avoiding responsibility at all costs, there's little room fo...

As the world becomes more digital and technology-focused, the need for innovation has never been greater. Startups and entrepreneurs drive this innovation, creating solutions to problems that have never been solved before. However, innovation is more than just creating a new product or service - it requires a supportive ecosystem to thrive. This is where the government can play a crucial role. Wha...

Creativity and practicality are often two opposing forces in problem-solving and decision-making. On the one hand, we desire to develop innovative ideas and think outside the box. On the other hand, we require practical solutions that we can efficiently implement. However, contrary to popular belief, these two forces do not have to be at odds. When balanced correctly, they can complement each othe...

For years, the British Cycling team was known for their spectacular failure, not winning a single Tour de France for over a century. Then came Dave Brailsford in 2003, who introduced the concept of "marginal gains." Brailsford believed that by improving every area related to cycling by just 1%, the cumulative gains would lead to significant overall improvement. He focused on a broad range of eleme...

Imagine a tree that grows in the heart of your community. Each branch represents a different innovation. It's not simply content to grow and reach for the sky independently. Instead, it shares its bounty with the community around it. Its fruits provide nourishment, its shade offers comfort, and its roots stabilize the soil. The tree is an apt metaphor for benevolent innovations, which some call so...

Storytelling has been a part of human culture since the dawn of time. In ancient times, our ancestors used cave paintings and oral traditions to tell tales of their exploits, the world, and the gods they worshipped. These stories were a way to instill values, pass down history, and maintain cultural identity. As societies evolved, storytelling developed and took different forms: myths, legends, fo...

In today's society, success is often glorified and celebrated, while failure is viewed as shameful and something to be avoided at all costs. However, failure can be an essential part of the innovation process. Many of the world's greatest inventions and breakthroughs have come about due to failure. Why is failure a powerful catalyst for innovation? How can you turn a failure into an innovation tha...

Steve Jobs once said, "Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower." But can it distinguish between a successful business and a failure? The answer is yes. In this age of cut-throat competition, innovation is key to your success and survival in the market. However, the million-dollar question is how to monetize your innovation skills to turn them into personal and professional success...

As an innovator, you must understand the innovation economy and how your creative work will affect you personally and professionally. The innovation economy, often characterized by rapid technological advancements and digitalization, is emerging as a powerful global force. It represents a shift from traditional industries to more knowledge-based ones, where ideas, innovation, and intellectual capi...